toBring a Laptop to a Show or Not....

[Chefgirl2]

I'm with Linda. Toshiba Satellite!

I was on the Alaskan cruise when an executive director told me I should invest in a laptop. I would attract professional people and not just the SAHM's. She was right.

I also love being done with the show until I go to close it. No more last minute episodes of me frantically entering the show so I can close it.

 

[SusanBP0129]

laptop

What kind of Laptop do you all have??

Mine is an IBM ThinkPad.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I have a Sony VAIO, but have been spending alot of time in the Laptop Aisle at Office Max and Staples lately.........

 

[KellyTheChef]

I also love being done with the show until I go to close it. No more last minute episodes of me frantically entering the show so I can close it.

Glad to hear I am not the only one entering orders 10 minutes before I am supposed to be calling the host to close!

 

[KellyRedHead]

I also have the Toshiba Satellite! I love it. This is my second one in a month the first one (NOT a Toshiba) wasn't that great (very slow) and returned it.

 

[Jules711]

I have an Acer and love it.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I have an Acer and love it.

I've seen those alot lately, but don't know/haven't heard anything about them....they seem to be less expensive though than some of the "big" name computers.

 

[KellyRedHead]

I am not sure, but the one I had just didn't seem to handle the new windows OS out.
I got the Toshiba and it has more space (not sure of the computer term!) to run the system.
The retail store I purchased it from said they had more returns on the Acer's then any other laptops so far this year??

 

[raebates]

I chose "other" on the poll. I have no laptop, so I am unworthy to give advice.

If I had one, though, I would definitely use it. No more calculation errors. No more mis-ordered items. Ahh, I can just imagine the pleasure of a perfectly accurate show before leaving the host's home.

 

[etteluap70PC]

My Toshiba is still going strong after 4 years and toting it to over 150 shows. I was going to upgrade this spring but decided to wait since I didn't "need" a new one.

I LOVE my laptop and wouldn't know how to live without it!!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

My Toshiba is still going strong after 4 years and toting it to over 150 shows. I was going to upgrade this spring but decided to wait since I didn't "need" a new one.

I LOVE my laptop and wouldn't know how to live without it!!!

That's sorta where I'm at with my Sony VAIO.....I've had mine for 4 yrs & over 150 shows too! Most of why I want a new laptop is for larger screen, lighter weight, more RAM (I just added to mine, but I could only go to 512, and I'd love even more!)....but I guess I should just wait until it's more need than it is want!

 

[cmdtrgd]

I like to take mine because the one time I didn't, I totally screwed up the orders! Also, I don't think it is a recruiting scare because I get to tell people how I used it as a tax write off which leads into recruiting!

 

[mommyhugz1978]

I have forgot mine twice.... I didnt' know what the heck I was doing.... it saves my life...... I can't do recipts correctly or if their is sales tax... I live in Oregon their isnt' any but in Washington state their is.... I wouldn't know how to figure it. LOL makes my life so much easier.

 

[ivykeep]

I was very much an anti-lap top person before I started with PC (I'm a bookkeeper by trade and use the 10 key numeric pad all the time and just didn't like the mouse pad or having to use the number keys atop the letters to input them). Since I started PC, I've taken over my husband's laptop and am now considering buying my own (I'll make sure to get one wide enough that the 10 key numeric pad is included). I've been converted because it's really nice that I can work on my PC stuff anywhere at home (we have wireless internet) so I can answer emails and craft marketing letters while the baby plays without having to force her to stay in the office.

I did buy a USB 10 key numeric pad to use at shows.

I use P3 (by the way, those "constant" updates are specific to you -- when you submit a show and they process it, you'll get an update message because it's updating your host's past host discount number) and really like the look up feature in the show -- I've been able to quickly tell a customer whether or not we carry an item (a guest REALLY wanted the old cake tester), and to help them choose an item when they are just short of the special level (i.e., they have $57 in product and need just a little more to earn the guest special -- I do a search and then have it show all items a few dollars more than what they need and let them pick from the list).

Another trick I do, is encourage my hosts to put their guests in on my website, then before they show, I enter the names of everyone who has responded yes into P3 -- saves me some typing at the show. I also have everyone fill out the drawing slips, so I only enter their name at the show (unless there is more time between guests) and fill in the phone, email and address from the drawing slips or order forms when I get home.

I definitely love the lap top!

 

[sslangley]

I have a Dell laptop, but I don't take it to shows. I guess I should, it sounds like it makes things easier. Huh??

 

[cmdtrgd]

It really does make things easier. Also, I can show the customer what their total is and do a search for items that cost close to what they need to add to their order in order to get the guest special. Also, it adds up the show total for me so I can show the host exactly where s/he is!

 

[mommyhugz1978]

I have a Dell Insprion 9400..... I LOVE IT!!!

 

[jasonmva]

I wouldn't be caught dead without a lap top..oh no way...doing it by hand..haha. I so would have screwed up a lot of orders...LOL

Is it a purple laptop Jilleysue?

 

[chefann]

Well, my laptop is attached to my legs.





No, wait. That's my lap.

 

[raebates]

LOL makes my life so much easier.

Yeah, laughing out loud makes my life easier, too. It just confuses anyone within hearing distance. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/happy0060.gif

 

[Rebeccascabinet]

I have had an ACER for over a year now and I love it. My hubby is a computer geek for IBM and he recommended the Acer (for the price range and what I use it for -he said was good) Have had no problems at all with it and I use it for everything, from PC to school, internet, etc. I did get the lap top that has a bigger screen, but that was a personal preference.

 

[susan g]

I love my laptop (we should start a toshiba satellite club!). I got it in December and I am loving it at my shows. My favorite thing is that I am finally noticing what products the guest orders instead of just totalling the price. I don't know how many times I used to come home and notice that someone had ordered an upcoming host special, etc. but I hadn't noticed at the show and didn't talk to them about it. Now, I enter the orders on the spot and not only do I not worry about my math skills, I always have something to say at checkout to tie in to bookings, cross selling, etc. I know it does not require a laptop for everyone to remember this stuff, but it has made a huge difference to me.

 

[beepampered]

Do you take your power cord with you? My battery (Acer) doesn't seem to last long enough. Once I even plugged in the computer but it was plugged into a plug that required the lamp to be on to work so it went dead. I felt so dumb.

Also, do you enter the guest's name at the show and then enter their contact info later? I don't send out invitations for the host so don't have the names early.

Thanks for motivating me to use the laptop for what we bought it for - to take to shows.

 

[soccermama]

I just bought myself an ACER... it's my second ACER laptop. The old one is now for My John to use, and mine I take to shows. It's sooooo nice to be able to take it with me!!!!

 

[raebates]

I just bought myself an ACER... it's my second ACER laptop. The old one is now for My John to use, and mine I take to shows. It's sooooo nice to be able to take it with me!!!!

Hmm. I wouldn't THINK of buying my commode a laptop.


(Sorry, I couldn't resist. )

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Do you take your power cord with you? My battery (Acer) doesn't seem to last long enough. Once I even plugged in the computer but it was plugged into a plug that required the lamp to be on to work so it went dead. I felt so dumb.

Also, do you enter the guest's name at the show and then enter their contact info later? I don't send out invitations for the host so don't have the names early.

Thanks for motivating me to use the laptop for what we bought it for - to take to shows.

Bee,
I take my power cord w/ me - my battery is old - and doesn't last long either, and I'd rather be safe than sorry!
I enter in all contact info after the show - unless they are a booking or recruiting lead, and then I get their info while I am talking to them, and also make a note of the best time to call them for follow-up.

 

[PC_CPR]

I was self-employed in marketing before becoming a PC consultant. I had two laptops (no desktop) so I did not need to make a new investment. My first laptop was a Toshiba Satellite--because it's older, it's also heavier. My current one is a Fujitsu Lifebook--all of 3.5 lbs. It's great for taking to shows. Sure makes it all easier. The first PC show I went to more than 4 years ago, the consultant used a laptop. I don't think it's a new recruit concern at all!!

--Cath