netbook or tablet

[bruces]

I have two of the acre aspire 1 netbooks ,I paid less than $100.00 each a few years ago they were only a few months old but both needed re-formatting which takes less than 5 minutes start to finish on them .I like them ,but find the keyboard small with my sausage fingers ,not cell phone small ,but not that much better.The screens are small if you have lots going on ,but for simple billing and surfing they work great .Mine are older with xp ,but they really work fine.They fit under the seat or even in the door easily as well ,and if they walked away who cares ?. Last summer I bought an ipad 2 when they just came out ,paid $250.00 for it from an old lady who won it at bingo and didnt want it .My daughter never puts it down ,it works fantastic ,buy a good case for it ,and it would probably work perfect for you .I am thinking of buying myself one with the 3g ,then I can send bills out anywhere easily ,but printing would be a issue on the road . If you have an old laptop with a dead battery ,just get a 12 volt charger or a small inverter ,or if its worth it,buy a battery on ebay for little cash .

[xandrew245x]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by bruces I have two of the acre aspire 1 netbooks ,I paid less than $100.00 each a few years ago they were only a few months old but both needed re-formatting which takes less than 5 minutes start to finish on them .I like them ,but find the keyboard small with my sausage fingers ,not cell phone small ,but not that much better.The screens are small if you have lots going on ,but for simple billing and surfing they work great .Mine are older with xp ,but they really work fine.They fit under the seat or even in the door easily as well ,and if they walked away who cares ?. Last summer I bought an ipad 2 when they just came out ,paid $250.00 for it from an old lady who won it at bingo and didnt want it .My daughter never puts it down ,it works fantastic ,buy a good case for it ,and it would probably work perfect for you .I am thinking of buying myself one with the 3g ,then I can send bills out anywhere easily ,but printing would be a issue on the road . If you have an old laptop with a dead battery ,just get a 12 volt charger or a small inverter ,or if its worth it,buy a battery on ebay for little cash . I have an ipad already, and they will not work for what I need. first off I use the gopher software, and would like to be able to use it on what ever I buy, that way i have schedualing at my fingertips, as well as bills, estimate sheets and my client list all right there, I can't do that with an ipad. I have a keyboard case for my ipad, which I really love, and I love my ipad but tablets are limited with what they can do.

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Carlisle Lawn Care

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by xandrew245x

LOL, I would love to know where your getting a toughbook at for $40!

Most non-franchised computer shops!

Maybe the cost is different where I am?

For the record, I'm talking about old-azz computers. (Floppy disk)

[Hedgemaster]

I bought a laptop specifically for my business.

One of my plans was to take it with me daily.
I intended on getting Gopher software, but the lack of support left me underwhelmed, so I never got it. Without scheduling software, I really don't have a need for it in the field, so it sits on a table at home and I surf the lawn forums with it.

I use a log book (the kind made of paper) and a pen when I'm in the truck.

[xandrew245x]

Originally Posted by CHEESE2009

Most non-franchised computer shops!

Maybe the cost is different where I am?

For the record, I'm talking about old-azz computers. (Floppy disk)

I thought you actually mean the brand toughbooks, they are like 3 grand new lol

I actually really like the gopher software, and I prefer to keep everything organized on a computer or electronic device, paper gets lost and unorganized to quickly with me.


I am going to check out various ipad apps for remote pc use and see how they work. The main reason for wanting a netbook is to print estimates or invoices out while i'm at the property.

I would love a tablet with a camera to take reference pictures of properties to give me better ideas of whats going on, but I know tablets are limited on use when it comes to the other things i want to use it for.

[xandrew245x]

Originally Posted by xandrew245x

I thought you actually mean the brand toughbooks, they are like 3 grand new lol

I actually really like the gopher software, and I prefer to keep everything organized on a computer or electronic device, paper gets lost and unorganized to quickly with me.


I am going to check out various ipad apps for remote pc use and see how they work. The main reason for wanting a netbook is to print estimates or invoices out while i'm at the property.

I would love a tablet with a camera to take reference pictures of properties to give me better ideas of whats going on, but I know tablets are limited on use when it comes to the other things i want to use it for.

I was thinking it over and decided not to buy one. Reasoning being I don't really need it.

I am only part time, so most likely once I pick up a few clients, i won't be adding anymore unless I lose a client or expand. Secondly, for simple residential mowings I can just fill out a sheet by hand with the cost break down, and the total it would be and give that to them, once the service is payed for I can fill out a receipt slip and keep one for myself and give them one if they want.

As for printing invoices, I don't really need to do that either, unless the client really wants an invoice every week, I wouldn't have the need to print one.

For everything else, I think i'll just make up a simple log book to keep track of time, and stuff like that, and then enter it in my computer at a later time.