>I am a "newbie" , I wanted to know if a lap-top is a
>must-have w/software such as Delmore Street Atlas or would a
>portable or handleld GPS system be better if only one of
>these can be purchased to start my expediting
>career/lifestyle....If purchasing a lap-top are there any
>recommendations for a good cheap one? Maybe even a
>reconditioned one?
>Any assisitance would be greatly appreicated......
>
>sandqueen :*
What Diane and I did may not be right for you but I'll share our approach for your consideration. Before entering expediting, I worked as a computer consultant and software instructor. I'm fully capable of servicing any computer I purchase. But I don't expect I'll ever have to do so.
For an on-road computer, I went to CompUSA and asked the sales rep to direct me to their close out models. Today's computers are so powerful that anything you buy, even something that is a generation or two old (meaning six monts or a year older than the latest or greatest thing out there today) is more than adequate for an expediter's needs; unless you are huge into computer gaming or do a ton of graphics work). You can save a thousand dollars or more by buying a closeout machine.
After selecting a brand-name Windows-base laptop off the closeout shelf, I purchased the most robust CompUSA extended service plan I could. That's because I expect the laptop I bounce around in our truck to fail. I may be wrong, but I expect the continual vibration and temperature extremes found inside a truck to be fatal to my laptop.
The service plan will get me a new one at little cost. I chose CompUSA because they have numerous stores nationwide, as does Best Buy which offers similar plans. I expect other retailers also offer similar plans and convenience.
Finally, fully expecting the computer to fail, I keep my important files backed up on a flash memory USB drive, which is not part of the computer. You plug it in, copy your files, and store the dirve apart from the machine. I do this with two drives, sending one home every now and then, in case the truck, computer, and backup drive kept in the truck is stolen or otherwise destroyed.
With this backup system, I could be up and running in the time it would take me to acquire a replacement computer and have the backup drive FedExed to me from home.
