Treo or Blackberry? What's best for the real estate market?
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past few years, you probably use some sort of technology tool to help you communicate with clients and keep yourself organized.
Whether you use a cell phone, PDA (personal digital assistant) or a combination of the two, choosing the right device for you can mean the difference between increased profits and endless hours of frustration.
If you are looking for one gadget to be both your cell phone and organizer, you really have two choices: a Blackberry or a Palm Treo.
Neither device is perfect, but they each do certain things very well.
So how do you choose the best device for you and your business?
If you are clear about your priorities and how you work best, the choice can be quite simple. Here are some things to consider to help you make the right decision for you:
What do you value more? A phone or a computer?
A quick glance at both of the devices will make it clear that the Blackberry, being smaller and thinner, is more conducive to being held like a cell phone against your ear. The Treo, on the other hand, is a bit bulkier and somewhat awkward to hold up against your head. While the Treo has many more built in capabilities, the telephone in the Blackberry is far superior in terms of voice quality.
If talking on the phone is your number one priority, the Blackberry is the way to go.
How do you work best?
We’ve come to the point in our journey where you get to be really honest about how you get along with technology. If setting the clock on your VCR or microwave sends a feeling of dread through your body, a Blackberry will be a welcome addition to your bag of tech tools.
The Blackberry is simple. It does only a few things (phone, email, calendar) very well. It is easy to learn and very reliable.
If you are the type that gets excited about the idea of figuring out a new tech toy, then by all means jump for the Treo. It is filled with more features than most people will ever use. With hundreds of extra programs available for you to download (things like games, map programs, music players and a ton of other utilities), the Treo is very expandable and can quickly become your “mini-computer” while you are out of the office.
Of course you may find your self playing with your Treo when you should be out prospecting for your next listing. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Size and Weight
Size does matter. If you want to keep your electronics as small and light as possible, the Blackberry is your best choice. The Treo, while it can do a lot, doesn’t exactly fit very well into your pocket and is quite a bit heavier.
The Bottom Line
Both the Treo and the Blackberry are excellent devices. For the right person, both can be real productivity (and profit) boosters. When you are making your choice, think about your priorities and what type of device will best work with your strengths. If after reading this you still can’t make up your mind then try both. Almost every cell provider will give you a 2 week trial to take each one for a spin and decide from experience which is best.
