BiggerPockets

Hi All - I need to upgrade my technological capabilities as it relates to real estate. Specifically I need to be able to edit, print and sign contracts on the go. I know a tablet must be a part of the plan and I'm assuming something that's wireless? Will I need a wireless printer as well? Should my tablet come with a usb port? Any recommended models?

Bottom line, I need to be able to conduct online research, print direct mail as well as edit and print purchase and sale contracts on the go (while in a seller's living room).

Any suggestions?

Well since it's an on-the-go type setup you need, you'll probably want:

1. A tablet computer - Either an iPad or an Asus Transformer. I can't recommend a Windows tablet as I haven't used one yet. If you want my opinion, I'd go with the Transformer, but the iPad is a great decision as well.

2. A editing and printing app. I know they have printer apps for Android tablets (the Asus Transformer) but I've never checked for the iPad but I'm sure they do.

3. A mobile printer.

***You will need your tablet to be 3G capable or buy a WiFi hotspot from a cell phone company. Alternatively (and this may be hard if you're not technically inclined but I thought I'd mention it anyway) you root your iPhone/Android phone (I have a Samsung Galaxy S3) and use it as a Wifi Hotspot for free, as buying/paying for the service is fairly expensive, at least for me.***

How's that sound?

Thanks Xing - But I want to avoid having to use something as 'long' (when you flip it open) as a laptop. I think a tablet is perfect. All I want to do is basic editing (and some drafting if necessary) of documents (mainly letters and contracts), surf the web and maybe scan/print docs.

@Ibrahim S Your ending statement answered what I was going to add, you dont need expensive add on plans, there are many apps that allow you to use your smartphone for a hotspot as you eluded to.

Does it need to have 3G/4G capabilities, will you need to use it as a laptop at times or will you just be doing basic stuff with it, etc.? Do you need to connect via wi fi or wireless network through your cell phone carrier (my son uses the mobile hot spot on his phone)

My son, Michael, has been doing extensive research on these lately as he needs to get a tablet too for much of the same uses. He's narrowed it down to the Asus or the Microsoft surface. He definitely doesn't like the ipad, nor does my daughter that uses it for her job (she's an education coordinator for major costmetics manufacturer).

Also, I believe both of those models have options for a keyboard that is removable so that you can use as a tablet or laptop.

Yes Karen M. thanks to Manuel I'm looking at both the Asus and the Surface. Will use it with the cell and at public wifi spots. Just looking to do basic stuff with it. I don't do too much more than basic stuff with my laptop which is my main PC. I know a lot of folks download music and videos/movies but I don't typically do it. Hearing a lot of bad reviews on the ipad. Many having to do with folks being stuck in their cycle of costly upgrades (i.e. memory not expandable) or just an overpriced gadget. Thanks for responding.

I have also dreamed of building a mobile trading office.
The idea is to take a van or a SUV with three rows of seats, and remove the middle row to set up a trading environment with four 27" monitors and two slim (desktop) computers each with 8 cores or more.

Interesting Karen M. - If you don't mind me asking, what are your needs that caused you to choose the Surface over the Asus?

If you are thinking about the Surface, which I am, make sure you research the difference between the Surface RT and the Surface Pro. RT is a striped down operating system that does not run your existing software. Pro, which is supposed to come out in January, runs a full Windows 8 OS. I am leaning toward the Surface Pro.

Since it is Windows just about any printer should work via USB. It would obviously be best over wifi. If you are going to use a mobile hotspot, rather than the connection built into the tablet, then this should be easy to do. And the printer will not use any of your data plan. I'm not sure what Adobe has out yet that is touchscreen for Win 8, but you can bet it's several hundred dollars. There will probably be other great options through the Windows App Store.