[accesscomp] Re: Advice about new computer.

  • From: "Pat Hart" <pat.hart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 18:18:19 -0600

Oooooops, you're not God but good at determing theis technology, that was atyping error, smiles.. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat Hart" <pat.hart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> 

To: <accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 3:26 PM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: Advice about new computer.
Thanks Gene.. Just needed to hear about Windows 7 from more than one person and know you are god at determining what is the case with kthis technology.. Thanks again, Pat ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene" <gsasner@xxxxxxxxx> 
To: <accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 1:08 PM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: Advice about new computer.
What you were told about Windows 7 and screen-readers is not true. I'm on a list with over 800 members. Many of them have upgraded to Windows 7. If this statement were true, the list would have been full of messages from people complaining. Windows 7 has been well reviewed as an operating system by sighted product reviewers, not reviews for the blind but general assessments of that version of Windows. I have seen positive comments from blind users as well. I can't recall seeing one message from a blind user who has upgraded from Vista who is sorry he/she did. I have seen a number of messages from blind users stating that Windows 7 is better than Vista. 

Gene
----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat Hart" <pat.hart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 12:23 PM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: Advice about new computer.
Hi, I bought a new computer last August, a Hulett Packard or HP Pavilion desk top, but it has a quad core processor and 8 gegs of ram and 750 gegs of hard drive.. It has an internal audio/video card, not a soundblaster though but I run Jaws 10 version on this one, it is a pretty powerful computer, some people use these for g ames such as Everquest and STar WArs, etc.. It has the capabilities to burn CDS/DVDs and also play both of those and even a movie maker capability program in it with some type of cable to hook up to make home movies on it.. It has Vista Home Premium which I am not impressed with so far but am also not impressed with upgrading to Windows 7 either.. I have heard it is more stable than Vista but also have heard that it is difficult to use with Jaws screenreaders, not sure how true that is though butheard this from someone who tests bata versins of software programs all the time and also operating systems, too.. I have heard that Vista has a lot of bugs in it and do know that it is giving me problems with my speech cutting off from time to time on this computer and it did not do tht with XP, if it idd, it was once in several months, this one here it does it every so often and have to restart to get my speech back.. FS said I might have to talk to Microsoft about this problem with Vista.. I just haven't had the time as of yet.. I do know this computer is pretty good for what I use it for though and got it for a reasonable price, you might go into HPs website and check around, this one is a desktop, Pavilion model and I think there are two models of this particular computer, mine is the most powerful one witht he quad core processor and it is not an Intel it is an ADM processor which I was told is layered for programs and should work with all types of programs.. Hope this info helps in some way. Pat ----- Original Message ----- From: "Loy" <loyrg2845@xxxxxxxxx> 
To: <accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 12:00 PM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: Advice about new computer.
A dual core should last you for years. I'm still using an eight year old Dell 1.7 GH with 1 GB memory, and it still does everything I need and I use a lot of adaptive software. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nicole Kahn" <n.kahn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 12:43 PM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: Advice about new computer.
Thank you, Gene. I figured a desktop would still be better but thought I'd get some opinions of others who might know more than myself. My one concern 
with getting a desktop that's on the lower price end is the issue of the
processor. A computer teacher friend who works with blind students and does quite a bit with adaptive software told me that I should make sure to get a quad core. I think that's what he said. He thought that would be better if I 
want the computer to last a good while since that's the way things are
headed in the tech world. Any thoughts? That might be too expensive for me 
so I'm curious to see what you all think.
Also, have you heard of the Ubuntu operating system? Sorry, I don't know how to spell that. I think it's somehow related to lynyx but I'm not sure. This same friend I mentioned told me that it's much more reasonable in price than 
Windows 7 and that it's less prone to virus attacks right now. Still, he
didn't know if it would work with Jaws. Again, just looking for advice so I 
make an educated purchase. Thank you for all your help.

Nicole
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene" <gsasner@xxxxxxxxx> 
To: <accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 10:32 AM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: Advice about new computer.



Unless you want or need portability, a desktop is a much better option.
Desktops last longer and perform faster than laptops anywhere near the
same price.  Lots of people spend more money than they need to on
computers. They don't know how to assess their needs and buy far more
powerful computers than they need. You haven't stipulated anything that 
requires much computer power, by today's standards.  Your needs will
probably be met by purchasing a low price computer. If you can do this, 
probably the best way to proceed would be to purchase a computer from a
physical store near you with a good return policy, like Best Buy.  Look
for sales or just buy a good inexpensive machine.  I haven't priced
computers for a long time but I expect you can get a desktop that would be 
very adequate for your needs for between roughly three hundred and four
hundred dollars, maybe a little more, maybe a little less. Get a computer with either an Intel or an AMD chip. I can't discuss this from personal experience, but Kim Komando recommends against budget chips because they 
may not be as fast as you would want.  If you purchase a machine from a
physical store you can conveniently get to, you will be able to exchange 
the machine for another if you are dissatisfied quickly and easily.
Most machines today come with 64 bit Windows. I don't know how many old 
peripherals will run under 64 bit Windows.  You will want to find out
whether your peripherals will run, unless you want to get new ones at the 
same time as you get a new computer.  You may find a good deal that
bundles a computer with peripherals you want.

Also, there are a number of different versions of Windows 7. I can't
advise you on what version you might want.  I know little about the
differences. I'm just telling you that there are a number of different
versions so you can inquire about differences.

Gene
----- Original Message ----- From: "Nicole Kahn" <n.kahn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: "Access Comp" <accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 12:17 AM
Subject: [accesscomp] Advice about new computer.
Hi everyone. I'm not entirely sure yet but I may be looking at purchasing 
a new computer soon. I do some work out of my home and currently have a
Dell Dimension desktop that's approximately 7-8 years old running Windows XP Home Edition. This one has lasted me because I've added more memory and tried to do everything I can to keep her running well while changing with the times as much as possible. Now, she may be on her last legs in terms 
of keeping up with the newer systems, programs and graphics. I'm not in
love with Dell and was wondering if anyone out there has advice and/or
tips on what I should possibly look into if I decide to buy a new machine. I would need it for some business related things and also may use it for 
some media applications like downloading, ripping and burning music.
I've heard fairly good things about HP computers and was wondering whether to go that route. Should I stick with a desktop model or try a laptop? I'm totally blind and use Jaws for Windows right now. Also, someone mentioned that they like the Ubuntu (don't know how to spell that) operating system 
over Windows. Anyone heard of that and know if it works with adaptive
software like Jaws? Any thoughts?

Basically, I'm trying to feel people out on finding a fairly affordable
new computer that might work for my needs. I don't have lots of money so 
need something that wouldn't break the bank. If possible, I'd like
something that could last me a while and have some capability of growing 
as technology changes such as having sockets for more memory or a
processor that's powerful enough to keep from being blown out of the water by the next one as soon as I turn around. Also, I'd say that my technical knowledge and skills are kind of middle of the road. I'm not starting at 
square one by any means but there is still plenty of advanced technical
info that I only kind of understand or know how to apply.
Hope this helps as an overview. I'm interested in any recommendations you 
all may have. Thank you and hope everyone is doing well.

Nicole

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