Laptop or Desktop for RE Business?

Question

Scott Hollister · Answer

Hello @Brianna Bowers it depends on your business. I agree that you either need a laptop/desktop computer, it just makes all the programs I use easier. Storage is better, etc. (Laptop if you like to be mobile, desktop if you can manage on your iPad/iPhone) The Mac also pairs nicely with the iPhone.

So being a college student has taught me many things, one of which is a combination between thrifty and creative! Ever since my educational technologies class I have been using MAC computers. Can you get something cheaper that does the same thing? Absolutely, but what if I could tell say you can get the best of both worlds?!

Thats right, a iMac at a deal and "lease" it for a few years. So here is what I've been doing since 2011 and I'm on my 3rd 27" iMac.

Lets lovingly call this section the: Large Upfront but Minimal Lease Cost Computer Program.

• New iMacs are expensive and as investors we don't like to pay list price for things. So your best bet is to find someone who purchased one about 6 months old AND purchase the additional apple care. (So 3 years total from purchase date) I have found Craigslist to be a great source for these. Just keep up on it, they go fast when they get posted. 
• You can usually get a 27" for around $1450 depending on the model. So now you have a "new" iMac for about 25% off. You ALSO have apple protection in case anything goes wrong. (I had my screen and cd drive go bad in year two, it was fixed at no cost to me:)
• So here is the lease part. You sell you iMac before the apple care expires, so that someone else can have the comfort of buying with confidence. Usually around $1200. 
• So for about two years you "leased" an iMac for $10.42 per month.

Thank you student loans for making me an investor:) haha

Just make sure this is the right plan for you, right now I have keep my current iMac past the apple care period because this strategy is time consuming and it might leave you without a computer for awhile.

So my long winded advice comes to a close. Pick the one that best suits your lifestyle/business.

Good luck!

Greg H. · Answer

@Brianna Bowers

My suggestion is to use what is available to you and go do some deals.  There are people doing deals by using the computer at their local library.  I have been doing this for a long time and never paid more than a few hundred dollars for a desktop or laptop

Jesse Tsai · Answer

Desktop with four monitors is the way to go:One for property spreadsheetOne for pulling up property picsOne for subject property infoOne for comps

And a 13 inch MacBook air when away from office

Jeff B. · Answer

I specifically went Laptop to assist in evaluating properties non-local to me.

My requirements were:

• access to send/recv email
• access to send/recv faxes
• obvious need for an Internet connection
• and I wanted all my documents available (today the Cloud fills this need)

I disdain attempting to write documents on a mobile device of any description - - imo, it's just not practical - - yeah I know there's the virtual KB, but being a touch typist myself, mobile devices are only fit for pick-n-poke at best.

There are TWO tricky issues for email and faxing.  Email reading is a breeze, sending REQUIRES you to use the WEB EMAIL of your provider, not the email program on your system.

Faxing to a fixed number and receiving a reply anywhere other than home requires a web based fax service - - I choose Trustfax dot com.  You create documents, upload them to the service and they get sent; coming back to as email pdfs - - solved my need.

Chris Soignier · Answer

My brokerage uses one client-based program I need to access.   If it wasn't for that, I'd seriously consider a Google Chromebook.    When you do everything in the cloud, you don't need a lot of processing power.   They're light, cheap, usually slim and easy on batteries.   Lose or destroy your Chromebook?   Just buy another one cheap, enter your Google name and PW, and you won't even skip a beat.

I use my iPad Pro (9.7", w/ keyboard) a lot, and it's all I need when I leave my house.   Love the LTE, instant on by touch, size/weight, and ease of use.

Haseeb Awan · Answer

@Scott Hollister - Intelligent plan on using the lease method. I should apply that more often and upgrade my equipment more often. I prefer Macbook Air and then have a 27" screen + keyboard at my home. MBA is good for being portable and then the screen gives me the space to work more productively. I bought 2 other screens too but never utilized them.

Kim Bayless · Answer

I use my iPad for most of my real estate business.  It's loaded up with everything I need to go paperless:  deal analysis forms, rehab estimator etc. for running the numbers, and all my different forms/contracts.  Seller digitally signs on the spot when we come to a deal.

I sometimes use a desktop for research, but that's about it.

Mike Cumbie · Answer

Hi @Brianna Bowers,

Generally speaking all the tools I use are online so it doesn't require any "power system". Now if I was doing some high intensive graphic applications (not just making a few flyers and post cards) I would recommend getting something with some power. But a basic laptop I can take on the go .I have my tablet and phone for most, but sometimes you need a computer for things like filling out an Instanet contract (doing it on a tablet would cause me to slit my wrist in a warm tub).

So I would say if it was me a laptop (can hotspot phone when needed) and an extra monitor sitting on the desk for home. Plus if you go cheap and it falls off the hood of your car and into a puddle you are not out a couple grand. You just go pay $300 and get a new one and are rolling in 10 minutes (Everything is online, office/instanet forms/MLS/email).

Good luck!

Kurt K. · Answer

I'm a graphic designer by trade so its Mac all the way. Both computers can do about the same thing. Its whatever OS you are comfortable with.

I have a desktop and a couple of iPads, iPhone of course too.

Laptop or Desktop for RE Business?

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