The Tablet PC is a computer that is similar to a laptop in some ways, but is dramatically different in other very important ways. First, the tablet PC is pen-enabled. This means you can write on the screen. For example, you can fill out and collect valid e-signatures on listing agreements, purchase offers and other real estate forms just like you would using a pen and paper. Second, almost all tablet PCs are wireless enabled. This means that you can get your email, surf the Web or access the MLS from anywhere - even a client's living room - without having to use a normal wired Internet connection.

It's like a desktop, laptop, PDA and pad and paper combined in one device. The tablet gives you the power to create truly amazing emails and respond immediately.

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This Tablet will be used strictly for completing contracts on the road, I have been practicing on it and I am starting to get the hang of it. the problem I had initially had was the lines for initials and signatures on the contracts were not a highlighted items so I couldn't use the pen to sign on the screen, "

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I spent a couple weeks trying to figure out how to sign my contracts on my Tablet, and now have it down pat. First you might want to download the cutepdf program-it is Free. OK, in Winforms, or Zipforms, use the PRINT to Journal Note Writer.  This allows you to have the buyer initial, sign, and make any changes you want with your pen. Then Save, next choose the Print to Cutepdf (this puts the file back into PDF format and locks it so no changes can be made), and Save it. Now you can go to your email and email the signed copy......works great.....just remember to delete the original Journal file so you only have one file.

Congratulations on your purchase, I love mine.....

Kathy McGraw-Broker/Owner

I have a Dell Inspiron 4000 (laptop) with a large number of items in the
start up menu (they seem to be related to the fact that it is a laptop such
as the touch pad, etc.).  Some time ago someone provided a link to a site
where you could see what each program does and whether it is "critical" or
not and these seemed to be important.

In general, should a laptop have a larger number of programs running at
startup or is this able to be changed?  I am running Windows 98SE and the
laptop takes a long time to boot up.  I have read that I can disable
programs one at a time to see if they are necessary and wonder if this plan
works as well with a laptop as with a desktop.

Andrew Wetzel
andrew@AndrewWetzel.com

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You can almost always remove everything from the "startup" folder under the
start menu. What you have to be a little more cautious about removing is
"Run" items in the registry. But since I only shutdown the computer once per
month, removing those items isn't as important to me as they used to be.
After a reboot, I go and kill any processes that I don't need running
anyway.

XP doesn't need to be shut down, or even hibernated. I use standby every
single day, many times per day. I have done so for the past 5 years just
fine. Battery life hasn't suffered any more so than any other method, and I
can start using my laptop in just seconds, any time of the day. I don't know
why people still shutdown or hibernate, besides for a longer period of time,
such as longer than 1 day. But if you're out longer than a day, your inbox
is piling up with RT ;)

http://www.eldergeek.com has info on critical processes, etc.

Steven Hong

I am going to get a laptop.  I am wondering if anyone has any input as
to what specifications, programs and equipment I need to get set up

Betty Cutler Favier
bcf@TellurideRealEstateOnline.com

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I retired my 5 year old Gateway Solo last fall and bought a Lenovo ThinkPad
X60. It is the only computer I use for my business. But, my business is
different from yours so it might not be great fit for you.

About 2 months ago, I was at the airport waiting to get on a plane to go
teach a few classes in another city. I got a call from a client I had shown
several homes to the day before and she wanted to make an offer on one of
the homes "right now". I pulled out my laptop (VERY small, light weight, 10
hour battery life and an "air card" from Verizon that lets me connect to
broadband from just about anywhere) filled out a purchase offer, signed it
electronically and emailed to my client. She printed it, signed it and faxed
it back to me. I emailed the offer to the listing agent and got on the
plane. When I got to the other city, I checked my email and we had a
counter-offer. Within 15 minutes, we had an accepted counter with signatures
and a copy sent it back to the listing agent. Done deal. Pretty nice way to
be able to do business.

Here is how:

1. I used a laptop that has a lot of horsepower but just about any laptop
these days does. 

2. I used the "air card" which keeps me connected 24-7. The Lenovo X60s
actually has the air card built in. Ask agents in your area if a comparable
service is available and if it really works.

3. I used a full version of Adobe Acrobat that allows me to electronically
sign and distribute any document. The full version is an amazing piece of
software.

4. I used online transaction management software (TransactionDesk by CDM,
Inc.) which has all of the necessary forms built in. It's a lot like Relay
except it's free through my MLS. It also has the built in ability to receive
and send unlimited faxes. This is how I was able to move the documents
around so quickly. It also integrates with the MLS information so that I can
autopopulate a form with just one click of the mouse.

5. The email was all handled via Outlook although any email client would do
nicely. I have become a huge fan of Office 2007 which will be out the end of
this month. The beta has just been wonderful.

I use the printers that are available where ever I go if I can connect to
them. At home I have a B&W laser and an ink jet color printer. Nothing
fancy.

While I do NOT own a fax machine (I don't think I've even touched one in
over a year) I do have a sweet little scanner. It's a Fujitsu ScanSnap.
Small footprint; scans both sides at the rate of about 12 pages per minute;
and converts the scans to .pdf for you.

I get such a kick out of being efficient, compact and portable. Those are
the criteria that are important to me. None of that may be of interest to
you at all. I'm sure you are going to get a lot of good feedback. One great
source of reviews is http://www.cnet.com.

Buddy Snipes
rtmember@trustedagent.net

Paul McDuell wrote: "Is anyone using an external drawing tablet on a
regular laptop to enter signatures into Winforms?

Although I don't have the answer for Paul, I do have a Tablet PC. It is a
Motion computing machine that has been loaded with real estate specific
software, including Winforms.

You can edit photos, sign documents and save them to e-mail or fax, it has
voice recognition ability for dictation, and much more. I chose it after
months of research for the amount of software that is included in the
purchase price. The software alone is worth the purchase price.

If you are considering a Tablet, contact Dennis Furst at Tablet PC
(909) 429-2186 for more information. My endorsement is strictly
as a customer. I do not have a stake in your purchase.

Regards,

Jeero Habeshian
Jeero@GlencrestRealty.Com

Bob, I disagree. 

Tablets have been gaining market share with mobile professionals steadily for 2 years...things are slowing down now for two reasons; one it's a slower market there is no hurry to get something signed, and the second is that with Vista coming out...a lot of us are waiting to upgrade to the new system when it's released.

I use one, my home inspection company uses them, 4 of us at the office have one (out of the 4 with notebooks 3 have the same model)....I cannot wait to get the new updated version.

When I teach the Intro to e-PRO class, I spend about ten minutes showing off my computer and showing Realtors how I use technology.  I see a lot of jaws drop...you don't know what you don't know.  A lot of real estate professionals are too busy, and not at all interested in being progressive when it comes to technology...they are 3 or 4 years behind the leading edge.
That's ok by me, I like to be the leader ;)

Alisa in Denver