WP Pro: Why Choose It Over Standard WP?

[Pampered Laura]

I love my Targus keypad! It's worked fine for me for almost a year... even with guests picking it up and taking it to the other side of the room tryin to use it as a calculator. LOL
I let 'em try it for a few seconds until they realize there's no LCD screen to show them the numbers... I'm so mean. ROFL.

 

[ldanti]

Walmart has a laptop on sale this week for $398 it a compaq!w a 60 gig hard drive!!! I Bring my laptop to all my shows and I even have a little screensaver with pc products flashing a way!

 

[Grandmarita]

This has been a very helpful discussion. Thanks. I've been in PC for 18 months, and finally think I am ready to make the investment. Besides, I have a BIG December birthday, and Xmas that might make for an ideal gift. I know my husband has been frustrated with my 7 yr. old Gateway being so archaic, and if I knew I had enough capacity with a laptop, I'd probably be willing to let this one go. I just like the larger keyboard my home computer has, and wonder if it is difficult to get used to the smaller keyboards and not having the mouse? When I see people playing with the little touchpad "ball" in the center of their laptops, I think it would be frustrating for me. Any suggestions about what models have the larger keyboards. Also, I have tri-focals and wonder about the smaller screens and ones that are light sensitive.

 

[chefann]

If you plan to use the laptop at home, you can get a supplemental keyboard to use. I have a wireless one that has a matching wireless mouse. I don't take those to shows (just another thing to carry), but when I'm typing away at home it's much easier. If you want a mouse for shows, there are several available that are very small and have retractible cords. They're designed for folks who travel with their laptops. I have one of those that I take to shows. It's just big enough for 2 fingers (one on each of the buttons) and has a scroll wheel, too. Personally, I don't like the laptop models that have the little track nub in the middle of the keyboard (I think they're used primarily on IBM)- give me a trackpad!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Wow, thank you!!! I've heard from a lot of people that dell is the way to go with a laptop?? My home computer is a sony vaio and love it!!!

My laptop is a Sony Vaio, and I absolutely love it! I have never had any problems with it - and I use it for everything!!! I can't imagine going to shows without it!

 

[jwpamp]

Please be sure to Password Protect your Pampered Partner Program when you have it on a Laptop!! If the laptop is stolen, the credit card numbers and your customer's info will go with it!!

To Password Protect the program, go to "Personal Info" then "Personalize Pampered Partner" then mark the "Require Password at Program Startup".

PLEASE be careful to select something EASY to remember, though! If you lose the password, you are out of luck!

 

[pamperedgirl3]

Janice, Thanks for the tip!

My husband gave me an early Christmas present yesterday-a LAPTOP! He knew I had a full November & December & wanted me to be able to use it for those shows! I'm so excited!

 

[PoseyMom]

Dell DOES offer a discount.... I found the discount code on another site.... let me try to find it.....

 

[PoseyMom]

This is the discount code that I have: 19340897. I haven't tried it yet, but read on another list that this discount is available to PC consultants.... no harm in trying it out. If you do try it, will you let us know if it works and what the discount is, Carolyn?

 

[chefann]

If anyone works full-time other than Pampered Chef, check with your employer. Many companies, especially technology companies, have agreements with computer manufacturers offering discounts to employees. I know that my employer has one, and I'd love to share it with you all, but I don't want to get in trouble - I still need my day job!

 

[letscook04]

This is the discount code that I have: 19340897. I haven't tried it yet, but read on another list that this discount is available to PC consultants.... no harm in trying it out. If you do try it, will you let us know if it works and what the discount is, Carolyn?

Wow, thanks!! I did not know that dell offers a discount to PC consultants.. Do you know how much?

 

[PoseyMom]

I have no other information. I'm not in the market to buy a laptop or a new desktop right now, but if someone else finds out, maybe they will post the information. I seem to remember someone saying it depended on how much you purchased or something... but I'm not really sure.

 

[yummy4tummy]

I have a Dell desktop and so far so good (knocking on wood). My bro works for Dell technical support...his English is quite good I might add, so IF I ever do have a problem then I can rely on him even after my warranty is expired.

My laptop I got from Newegg. It is a generic (acer) but DH does alot of "investigative research" before he buys anything. We have made a lot of purchases from Newegg and have never been disappointed. They have minimal shipping (I think we paid $7 s/h) got here in 3 days and NO SALES TAX. they have a wide variety of machines both new and used. Mine was new but only paid $350 fully loaded. Hope this helps.

Valky

 

[ChefAggi]

Love my Laptop

I have a laptop and a PC on my desk. I do my 'net surfing on my PC, and use my laptop for PP and email. I am wireless (including my printer) thanks to my IT Proj. Manager hubby. I also take my laptop to all of my shows, which MAN let me tell you... will make your life so much easier!
I have a retractable cord mouse, and a wireless 10-key pad. I back up my laptop on to a USB drive as well as to my PC through our Network. If PP ever loses it's data, there are 2 other places it'll be restored from. (I back up every night).
I think I paid maybe $900 for my Laptop, and it's a "no-name" one. But it's fine... if something happens to it, my husband can fix it. If you aren't computer literate, get a warranty and you'll be good.

Pampered Laura
I have to agree with you I would now be lost if I didn't have my laptop with me at my shows. It is so much more convenient and quicker when putting through orders. Some of my customers don't want the hassle of adding up all their orders. So they give me their order form with all the products they want. I put it through on my laptop, fill in their paper order quickly, and away we go ZOOOM ZOOOM!!!
i would now be lost without my laptop at my shows! I bought mine last October as my PC was dying a slow and painful death. I was living in Ottawa at the time and got a great deal on a Toshiba at Future Shop. I got exta memory added. I spent a bit of money on it, but it was worth it. The PC I had was such a pain in the neck and it took up so much space. I don't think I would ever get another PC again. For me laptops are the way to go!

Cheers!

 

[quiverfull7]

Does anyone have a favorite compact printer that you take with you to shows?

 

[VeronicaW]

Laptops!I agree with Ann and Becky!

My DH has my laptop all set up for me with the latest, and yes (GRUNT) "More Power" (GRUNT) (Tim Allen from Home Improvement), actually more memory is key!

I have an HP and LOVE it! I do bring it to my shows and I also have wireless keyboards and mouse for my desk at home! What I really need is more battery power, mine only lasts for about 2 hours! DH says it's on "the list"!

I don't plan to invest in the compact printer and bring to shows. I print out all receipts when I close the shows. I don't use the PC order forms, I make my own (they resemble the OOForms), and let everyone know they will receive a receipt with their products! It's easier and a lot less expense!

 

[ChefAggi]

Batteries

I agree with Ann and Becky!

My DH has my laptop all set up for me with the latest, and yes (GRUNT) "More Power" (GRUNT) (Tim Allen from Home Improvement), actually more memory is key!

I have an HP and LOVE it! I do bring it to my shows and I also have wireless keyboards and mouse for my desk at home! What I really need is more battery power, mine only lasts for about 2 hours! DH says it's on "the list"!

I don't plan to invest in the compact printer and bring to shows. I print out all receipts when I close the shows. I don't use the PC order forms, I make my own (they resemble the OOForms), and let everyone know they will receive a receipt with their products! It's easier and a lot less expense!

My battery only lasts for 2 hours also... I will definetely be looking into a longer battery down the road. I do take my plug with me for back up all the same.

Cheers

 

[chefann]

Batteries will weaken as they grow older and lose the ability to hold a charge. One thing you can do, if you leave your laptop up and running for long periods of time without actively using it, is turn down the brightness on the screen. That will really help extend the battery life before you have to plug in again. On my Toshiba, I hold down the "Function" key and it one of the F-keys (above the numbers) to dim the screen. Then just brighten it back up when you need to use it.