Last year’s introduction of the first Intel powered Apple computer added a new option for the real estate professional in the way of computer choices. Now that Apple computers are running on the same processors as the Windows-based computers, an Apple can actually run the Windows operating system and in turn, Windows software. This brings up the question, “Is an Apple computer a smart choice for the real estate professional?”
I have given this question quite a bit of thought. Apple certainly builds a quality product and their pricing has become more competitive with comparable Windows PCs, but does running Windows on Apple hardware or within the Apple operating system make sense? In my opinion, the answer is yes to a very small percent of real estate agents and no to the majority.
If you are an Apple enthusiast who happens to be a real estate agent, this new technology is a blessing. You are familiar with the Apple operating system already. You only need Windows for those programs that don’t have an Apple compatible counterpart (as is the case with most real estate specific applications). Since the Apple environment is where you feel most comfortable, an Apple computer running either Apple Boot Camp or Parallels Desktop is a smart real estate technology choice.
Most real estate agents fall into one of 2 groups. The first group is those who have yet to feel comfortable using computers and only use them as needed. The second group is comprised of agents who have been working in a Windows environment and feel some level of familiarity with the operating system. For those real estate agents in either of these groups, an Apple is not a smart real estate technology choice for you for the following 2 reasons.
The first reason has to do with the learning curve involved in becoming proficient in 2 operating systems. By purchasing an Apple computer for real estate, you are in essence saying that you are going to learn how to work the Apple operating system and the Windows operating system. That is real time commitment that will take away from your main goal of selling houses. Most agents that I work with have a hard enough time with one operating system, much less two.
The second reason has to do with the hardware. Although Apple runs on the same processor as a Windows machine, the other hardware is not the same. The drivers for such things as printers, scanners and video cards may not be completely suitable for Windows running on Apple hardware. This will only add frustration to your computing life and I don’t know of any real estate agents who want more frustration stemming from their computers.
Keep you life as simple as possible. If you don’t have a history with Apple computers, stick to the operating system that real estate applications are written for, Windows. You will be thankful that you did.
Thanks for this article. Now I can go to sleep tonight and stop wondering if I should get rid of my HP laptop cuz the Apple looks so good. I have enought learning curves on my plate w/o taking on another project. You just saved me money, time and my sanity!
You don't know what you are talking about. Windows running on Apple hardware works the same, with the same driver issues, as Windows on Dell or HP.Running the Apple system is a breath of fresh air. Imagine, no spyware, no viruses, no gradual system slowdown like in XP, no paying a geek $85/hour to 'recover' your crashed Outlook email.I know many ex-Windows Realtors who went Mac and will never go back. Ask any real estate professional who has used Apple SINCE 2006 – only happy campers.You attitude is 'don't waste time learning something new if the old works ok'.All I can say is, bad advice, and the real estate firms who go with Apple Macintosh will soon be saving time, saving money and eating your lunch.
You gotta go with a mac. That were all of the cool and smart kids hang out.
As an Apple Consultant with experience in the Real Estate and Mortgage industries, You will never be as productive or efficient on a windows machine as you will be with an Apple running Windows. They both have their advantages, but think about it….by using them both, you have the total solution. The Windows side will handle the business side of accessing the MLS systems and other aspects of the business while the Apple side brings to the table a level of creativity that Windows can only dream about. Features like photo, video and web integration that most agents could learn over a weekend. To say there is a heavy learning curve is not accurate. Most of my clients have become proficient enough to run their business on their new mac within 2 weeks. If you cant invest 2 weeks into your business to learn a new technology to increase productivity levels, then yo are already out of business, you just dont know it yet. Look at the idea and realize that you cant use the idea that the Apples cost to much anymore. It has been proven that Apples are actually cheaper than a pc when you look at upgrading the pc to meet the Apples specs. Look at the advantages of using both.JoeJoe The Mac Guy, Inc. http://www.joethemacguy.net
Chad, you sir, are very misinformed and I am surprised that they let you write an article about computers. Your limited knowledge is a source of dis-service to computer users in general. Please consider another vocation that suits your limited scope of knowledge. Good Day to you
To the last commenter,
Personal attacks do no good in proving your point.
Would you care to make an intelligent argument that could be of some value to our readership?
Absolutely, lets take the first point that Mr. Johnson makes
"By purchasing an Apple computer for real estate, you are in essence saying that you are going to learn how to work the Apple operating system and the Windows operating system. That is real time commitment that will take away from your main goal of selling houses. Most agents that I work with have a hard enough time with one operating system, much less two"
In reality, moving to a mac allows the computer user to free themselves from a whole set of PC problems like viruses, spyware & sluggish performance etc. and gives a user more time to focus on their task at hand, rather than dealing with a spyware laden computer, a drive in need of defragmenting and a constant barrage of security warnings.
Point #2 "The second reason has to do with the hardware. Although Apple runs on the same processor as a Windows machine, the other hardware is not the same. The drivers for such things as printers, scanners and video cards may not be completely suitable for Windows running on Apple hardware. This will only add frustration to your computing life and I don’t know of any real estate agents who want more frustration stemming from their computers.
This is where Mr. johnson clearly demonstrates his lack of understanding of how windows works, and how windows works on a mac. Reality, According to PC World Magazine, "windows runs better on a mac" Same drivers and software a windows user has, can be installed on a mac running windows.
In summation, Mr. Johnson is basically eliminating the possibility for a significant numbers of realtors who can benefit from the Apple computers, to explore a platform that can allow them to work more efficiently, by making an irresponsible statement like "Keep you life as simple as possible. If you don’t have a history with Apple computers, stick to the operating system that real estate applications are written for, Windows"
Realtors reading the above opinion come away more confused than when they started. "I don't thing thats simplifying their lives, is it, Mr Johnson?" Furthermore, the writer demonstrates his lack of understanding of the Mac platform by failing to mention any Apple based solutions for Realtors such as http://www.apple.com/business/solutions/realestat…
Just because Mr. Johnson views the world through a straw, should the audience follow suit?
Bottom line, Realtors, please explore both platforms yourself, and form an educated opinion based on facts and not misinformed opinions.
Thank you for contributing. Having different points of view make for a much better blog.
This was poor advice. This is akin to telling Realtors to stay with their PCs because learning Macs is "too scary." You're ignoring all of the many, many benefits of a Mac and the fact that Macs are not hard to learn and use. You're not really qualified to give advice on the Mac anyway since in another post of yours you said you don't want to switch to Macs from PCs because you didn't want to re-learn an OS.
Don't underestimate your readers or overstate "learning something new."
[...] are the other 2 articles which I suggest: Is An Apple Smart Real Estate Technology? and MAC vs PC: Mythbusting Guide for [...]