Just bought a new laptop.  An Acer Aspire One, it is a Windows XP machine.

2.2 pounds!

http://shop2.frys.com/product/5720742?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG>

I plugged in my USB MS Wireless Mouse- Blammo it works!

Bought an LG External USB DVD/CD burner with Lightscribe to easily load software (no on board CD/DVD/Floppy  drives).  Plugged it in- Blammo it works!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8363415&st=LG+DVD+Burner&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1177717702793>

Used it to install my QB's 07 and my Cricket Wireless Broadband software.  Plugged my Cricket USB modem in- Blammo it works!

Now I can estimate and invoice and e-mail them immediately in the field!

I am going to start using QB's Credit Card and be able to authorize them on the spot too.

In the next few days I am also hooking it into a wireless printer in my truck so I can print Estimates and Invoices from the clients houses and go out to the truck and get it waiting for me.

As long as you keep it for business only and install a bunch of junk this thing loads Windows in under 1:30 from boot up and shuts down even faster and is soooooooooooooo portable.

I will let you guys know how reliable it is.

Make you own luck,

Del Scrivner
Owner/Operator
Cowboy's Carpet Care

Nice set up Del. I am Jealous. Now you can install Street & Trips and use it as a GPS also.

We use our HP Notebook with Service Monster, or Camelot if I cannot connect to internet.
I like having the ability to give quotes or invoices on the spot that are professional looking.

David

That is a great idea Joel.

Make you own luck,

Del Scrivner
Owner/Operator
Cowboy's Carpet Care

How do you keep a signed copy for youself after the custy signed off on it w/ your printed copy? Can you have your mobile printer also print a carbon as well?

Print two copies they sign and you keep one.

They can sign theirs if they want to, but it is theirs so it doesn't really matter.

Make you own luck,

Del Scrivner
Owner/Operator
Cowboy's Carpet Care

That makes sense, i should've thought of that.

Do you already have a printer to use for this? I know of some guys using the Hp470 Officejet mobile printer, saw both your laptop and the printer today @ Office Depot, i gotta say your laptop is tiny but cool! in a positive way offcourse, can deff see how lightweight and convinient it will be for jobs and estimating. They can both go into a laptop bag or laptop backpack so you bring it all in w/ ya, instead of going back to the truck as well. I've seen the printer on ebay for around $150, store is about $249.

Did you get a chance to use the laptop in the field yet?

I am still converting all my software over so no true field test yet.

But I have played with it at home a lot though.

The printer I have is a Brother MFC- 685CW wireless- got a SMOKING deal on the store demo.  Still working on the wirless set up in the truck, but it works great with the USB cable.

Make you own luck,

Del Scrivner
Owner/Operator
Cowboy's Carpet Care

Hi Del,
HOW did you put quicken onto this netbook ??

I don't think it has a cd drive ??

Did you download to a flash drive & then transfer to the netbook ??

I also have been looking at these recently.

Thanks,

Shorty.

I've seen the light, and changed my wicked ways.
www.get.shorty.com.au