So I bought a Dell laptop and signed a contract today for 2 years at $60/month (AT&T) for broadband internet anywhere my cell works. This is to hopefully help me close some FSBO and expired listings, and to get me out ciculating amongst the peeps more. Maybe I'll start blogging from a coffeehouse even.

Anyway, getting it all set up and going was a PITA but I seem to be "there". If anyone has any questions about speed, coverage, etc let me know.

I think it's a powerful thing to be able to do. It better be. Just rolled the dice for $2k on it.

-jeff

That's what I did too. Got the Dell Laptop M1330 (I need it small) for less than $1500 - with employee discount code and yesterday signed up with Sprint - with Employee referal code (but this is the voice and data plan, not their aircard). Spent $100 on phone and $50/mth for the plan.

No intentions on any specific "projects" or "programs". Just time to replace the old Dell Dinosaur Inspiron 5100.

I bet you are very excited with your new gadgets. So am I.

Way to go, Jeff! You'll love the wireless broadband and it offers a lot of wow factor when you're with clients. It's handy at an open house, too. ;-)

So far so good. It seems about as fast as my DSL line, out here at my rural home, which is a pleasant surprise.

The mind kind of boggles... full internet wherever a cell phone works...

-jeff

... i bet this post sells some laptops and new cellular contracts!

-jeff

Is that monthly fee for unlimited internet use? how many minutes on the cell phone?

LOVE my cellular access! Congrats. Don't know that it will actually help you close more deals but it's handy to have it available!

Perky, I wrote a blog about this. It's pretty cool.
It's unlimited everything. And if you sign up by 2/16 it includes unlimited text.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/378458/Cellphone-and-Cellphone-Plans

It'll close a deal or two.. I know it...

It's like a seperate line on your cell bill, but it's for unlimited internet- no minutes or meter running on the amount of data. It's $60 plus taxes/mo. $36 to activate. 2-year contract. And a $150 expenditure for the hardware, which has a $100 rebate (gawd I hate that). You can pay more for the hardware and have a shorter contract if you choose. I probably should have done that, maybe... I think the gadget was couple hundred bucks bought that way, but ask them to be sure.

The laptop was $625 'cause I chose a custom color. $39 at Staples today for a briefcase/laptop carrier thing that's going to replace my leather briefcase.

It's a brave new world. I think this will be a competitive advantage, briefly at least. Jeez, it it helps me list and close ONE SALE, it's worth it, and I think it'll do more than that for me.

Like any new computer and internet and cell account and so on, it's kind of a PITA to get it all together and working. I had a REALLY good guy at the AT&T store... he's going on my list of people to cultivate as a potential junior broker, for when I have my principal broker's license!

-jeff

After a poor showing (4) years ago with an aircard from Cingular, I went back to AT&T now and signed up on the newest sierra usb air card using one of my unused family plan lines. I am in PHX now typing away. The kicker is that with my POP3 account from Cox...I cannot send a stinkin email!!! I have to use cox webmail as a backup...but reception of email is good go figure.

I get some error message that the server connection has been interrupted using my Office 2003 Outlook client. Perhaps its because of signal strength in the east end of the Valley in Gold Canyon...and it is not UTMS 3G but Edge. The thirty (30) day experience continues but I can do my paperwork long distance from SOHO with assistant so I am hopefull I can get this quirk worked out.

Anyone else have this sync problem with server?

I have an WM6 8525 , my laptop and her PC pulling the email from the same cox server. The only settings I have on each device and software is on one minute increments to log on and there is no 1/2 minutes increments on any of the devices to rotate a rolling download for each device instead they all go after the same server at the same time ON THE MINUTE.

Sure would appreciate knowing anyone else has solved this before?

If you are going to buy a dell laptop make sure you search for coupon codes. You can usually find codes for $300-1000 off the laptop price. I bought a Dell 3 years ago. Kept searching for coupons and waiting for the right one. A coupon for $1000 popped up. It was good for 8 hours or 1000 uses whichever comes first. My $2400 laptop became $1400!

Also dell has an outlet where you can get good deals on returned/refurbished computers. Make sure you buy the complete care warranty. Many people get brand new/next gen computers when they break their laptop on accident.

Other computer makers have coupons as well.

Here is a good website for finding coupons:

http://www.notebookforums.com/

Fatmax, I just did a quick check and for your computer you can get $400 off. If you have not received it yet you may want to reorder.

Here is the code:

Save $400 on all Inspiron™ laptop purchases over $1299 Coupon Code: LNTDX46MB$2CVB

I don't have much luck with laptops lasting more than 2 years and my Dell Latitude just crashed yesterday..ordered a Dell Vostro for $499.00 with free shipping...picked up a Sprint air card last week with unlimited access for about $44.00 per month

I figure it's a two year machine. Hopefully.

It's disposable. It's a cost of doing business. I'm taking out a 700k buyer tomorrow, and I will have my $600 Dell. I wouldn't have been able to buy a $1500 computer. So I'm happy.

Tomorrow will be interesting. I'm hoping that rather than defaulting to my office for 'puter searches, we can do it over lunch or coffee with my fancy-pants computer and internet connection.

The FSBO and expired prospecting with it starts next week.

-jeff