The Treo looks Hot! I'm just afraid that it will be out of date by the time I buy one. Any thoughts? I use a regular Nokia now. And I know my Palm is out of date it is about 4 years old now. LOL!

Hp's classic Ferrari is the>>>HP 17bii (you can find them on ebay)

The HP12C has been the businessman's choice for 20 years, but I can't stand Reverse Polish Notation. (RPN)

Also John Tirone's "Professional Real Estate Problem Solving usingt he 17bii" is a must.

What is RPN?

As you've probably seen those square calculator's (hp12C) that look like a bronze coaster-which somebody just pulled out of their polyester (1970's style) sport coat.

You have to enter the data in a "stack" formation, which means the numbers come first then the +,-,x etc.. It's pretty complicated to learn but very effecient.

In my classes (and all universities) it was basic algebraic key strokes taught in finance to arise at the answer. I beleive finally the (RPN) is extinct, but old-timers like Tirone prefer the 12C over the 17bii by a hair.

May RPN rest in peace...good riddens!!

RPN- Reverse Polish Notation. Some Polish mathematician came up with it.

HP 17BII is the best! I have gone through 2 of them over 8 years.

Most important for THIS topic is the fact that you NEED Outlook if you decide to use a PDA like Palm, Treo or the Blackberry because they usually ONLY sync your contacts, calendar and mail with Outlook email and calendars.

I have yet to find an email client (meaning the software that resides on your computer or handheld) that will sync to any other program with email and calendars....unfortunate if you aren't a Microsoft fan.

So I would suggest you invest in 2 things along with your Palm or Treo or whatever, and budget for them...an email client for your handheld--they aren't free. I use Versamail because it came with my Treo but there are lots out there, and I usually read the reviews first. These usually run between $10 and $40--read the reviews, they aren't all alike and you don't want one that's hard to use or buggy.

And budget for Outlook--the full version--or Microsoft office, the suite of programs you know you are going to need anyway--Word, Excel, etc. along with Outlook, the email program that also features Calendars, Task lists, To Do lists, etc. and will synchronize with your Personal Digital Assistant. Without this package you will be scratching your head, asking yourself why you bothered to drop the $400 for the Treo. If you know a student or a teacher, there are edu versions of Office for under $200, a great price for the entire suite of software programs.

By the way, I have the Treo 650 (color) and it is great-- with a beautiful, large clear color display--mostly because the built-in phone is a really good one, and it has a very good built-in still and video camera.

I have my complaints about those tight buttons on the keyboard (better than the blackberry though) but all in all its a really solid product with very easy to set up email, and lots of ram, and compatible software available.

However, for those of you looking for older cheaper PDAs, I go through these fairly often and have a used color Handspring with a modem module, that you can also add a phone module to, and a used Palm VII (internet & email capable, but not color). I am planning to sell them on Ebay when I get the time, but will entertain any and all offers--- to fund my technology habit... :>)

The Treo 650 is incredible. Can't imagine living without it. I also added Bluetooth GPS navigation from TomTom which is really handy and in many ways superior to in-car systems.

After a great first 2 quarters I also decided to retire the Dell laptop and I have an X41 ThinkPad on the way with the fingerprint reader and everything.

RPN? Always felt a bit weird to me, but I do like using an adding machine better than a calculator for doing bills. Go figure, no pun intended.

The qualifier plus calendar is a very EASY to use calculator for determing mortgage payments, interest paid, etc. on a loan. It is very user friendly, something you can hand to a client and they can figure their mortgage stuff out in minutes. It's a great tool to have in your car for a client. I highly recommend it.

I have a Tungsen E and have a calculator called powerOne installed (software came with my Palm). You can go to their website http://www.infinitysw.com/products/poweronerre/solutions.html and download a RE software template pak for ~ $30 or you can get the free software. I downloaded mortgage, loan qualifier, etc. Go to the right nav panel for "find add-ons" select all products and type real estate. It is easier to use than my HP 12c fin. calculator!