A couple of companies still produce a larger notebook style computer with a
full sized keyboard including a number pad. I had considered one very
carefully but I also like the portability. I ended up making a compromise of
course, the very slim light computers are a little shy on connectivity or
they were about a year and a half ago.
Coming back to my original premise though, my point was only that now, a
notebook is a cost effective and functional alternative to a desk top system
which can be very convenient and need not be cost prohibitive. Not all that
long ago they were a fairly expensive exotic, a little like the more
sophisticated cell phones these days which will also do a lot of the things
we want our computers for.
Once the Nokia can run Jaws or something similar and read me the room
service menu, translate text into braille and one or two other things at a
price I can afford, this ThinkPad is history!
It was not my intension to begin a debate around what is best and really not
even a Jaws list issue beyond that Jaws runs on all these computers, only
that given how so many of us really depend on this technology for so many
access issues, having all the capabilities we require on a device we can
sling in a shoulder bag as I do or into a back pack as most seem to do and
have it available when ever we want is not only convenient but now pretty
well the same price. I can throw a change of underwear and socks and a
toothbrush in with my computer for a quick over-nighter and the airport
security people don't even raise an eyebrow. My wife on the other hand isn't
quite so impressed.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cy" <cselfridge@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 11:52 AM
Subject: RE: buying a computer
Dave, I have just read the December (I think) Consumer Reports and they did review desktop and laptop computers. Much to my astonishment one of the E-Machines got top ratings? Depending on what one needs the laptop could be a very good thing. There were a couple of multi media laptops which did sound interesting, one was for something like $1,100. Yes, I would probably want to connect a normal type keyboard to it or at least a numpad. Thanks, Cy, theAncient okie...
-----Original Message----- From: jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Grossoehme Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 8:41 AM To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: buying a computer
Cy: You are correct as far as the keyboards being very small. However,
many times that factor can be over come by adding another keyboard to that computer. You might add that factor in as far as checking which lap top you fit you requirements. Your Friend Dave
----- Original Message ----- From: "Cy" <cselfridge@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2006 1:58 PM
Subject: RE: buying a computer
gettingDale, I think I would tend to agree with you about the laptops except for the fact that I find most of their keyboards a real pain. Perhaps it is because I am fumble fingered but I really do not like their feel. Now, on the other hand, the wireless card is a real nice feature and I could use it almost anywhere. Also, my current machine has a 1.8 Athlon XP processor but I amreadready to take over my son's computer. He is in Iraq as a guest of the U.S. Army and has procured a laptop for his use. His computer is a 3.5 GHZ Athlon 64 bit processor with 1 gig of memory and a 250 GB hard drive. Well, so much for being conservative. (LOL) Cy, the Ancient Okie... -----Original Message----- From: jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dale Leavens Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2006 11:55 AM To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: buying a computer
I am really becoming partial to laptop, also known as notebook computers. The lower priced ones are very competitive in price too to a desktop with monitor but it is much smaller and somehow buying, wiring, running a monitor bothers me. You may need one occasionally for use by sight enabled persons when jaws goes belly up and when you don't need it the monitor on a notebook is small and mostly out of the way. The built in mike on both of mine appears to be adequate for voice applications like for-the-people and Skype. Both I have now do everything I have needed and with wireless a lot more. I bring it along travelling and a small USB powered scanner and I canin a hotel room, do e-mail and have even used Skype from a hotel.
Even the desk top machines these days are getting small because there is
little need for additional cards, the machines have most of what people need built in and the cheap Acer I bought just before Christmas
of.has 5 USB ports on it so you can hang just about any custom devices on it if you want, say a second sound card, printer or pretty well what ever you could think
Like Cy said, processor speed isn't usually much concern and on these centrino technology chips many functions are processed simultaneously so
processor speed is a less reliable measure of performance.
So, my advice is to consider a portable machine as a good alternative.
You can take it with you next hurricane.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Cy" <cselfridge@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2006 10:33 AM Subject: RE: buying a computer
Lou, It all depends on what you do with your computer. For those of us who are blind we just really don't need all that blazing speed because we do not play a lot of virtual reality type games. Most any computer over about 1.5 GHZ processor speed will process Eloquence nicely. Now, this may well sound like herisy but, you just might want to look into a mini Mac because their new Tiger operating system includes a screen reader. Otherwise Consumer Reports
gave the E Machine a very good rating. If you wish please contact me privately so James won't have a stroke. cselfridge@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Look forward to hearing from you. Cy, the Ancient Okie...
-----Original Message----- From: jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Louana Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2006 6:03 AM To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: buying a computer
Hi all, I am needing to buy a new computer. I would like to get some input from you all on what kinds you are using. I need some specific information on processor speed, hard drive size among other things. I
have no idea on what to buy. The one I have is five years old and was
in my apartment with water after Katrina for about two weeks before I
could get it out and I am afraid it will not last much longer. Thanks
for any help you all can give. Lou -- To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line. Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw
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