[blindkid] apple netbooks

[Sally Thomas]

As a parent, my favorite things about the MacBook Air (the smaller
lightweight notebook made by Apple) are the fact that Apple customer
service is so easy to deal with and the products are ready to use out of
the box.  I highly recommend that you consider getting the additional
warranty called AppleCare if you decide on an Apple product.  Even though
my son is careful with his technology, carrying things back and forth to
school can cause problems.  With AppleCare there is no question about
getting you up and running right away.

Like Richard said, there are programs available for the Mac that are
similar to the Microsoft Office programs like PowerPoint and are
compatible.

One question you might want to ask is if the school will be okay with a
MacBook.  When my son tried to use a MacBook at his former school, the
technology department for the district would not support it even though
they agreed to its use.  They either didn't know how or couldn't be
bothered to figure out how to connect the Mac to the school network so the
Mac couldn't be used to get on the internet. If the computer is going to be
used at school as the only computer your son can access, it will be
important to have some agreement from the school that this will work.

Unfortunately there isn't a simple answer to what is best.  There are just
too many variables.

SallyThomas

On Tue, May 22, 2012 at 4:49 AM, Rosina Solano <colemangirly at yahoo.com>wrote:

> Okay, I stated that I am looking for a netbook for my son for high
> school.  I have also been advised to not jump into the ipad arena just yet,
> that he needs to learn the computer skills first.  I am okay with that.
> Now I am wondering about apple versus other netbooks.  I know that there is
> a big price difference.  My idea is that is comes installed with Voice
> Over.  If I get a netbook then I also have to get JAWS for a screen
> reader.  So I am just wondering if using the apple netbook will do the same
> as any other computer.  I see that it is compatable with his braille sense
> plus.  So I am just looking for which way to go and why.  He needs to be
> able to email his homework directly to his teachers and get it back.  To do
> powerpoint presentations, etc.  He already has good braille skills and uses
> an abacus extremely well.  He does well in school, but we are WAY behind in
> the tech dept.  We live rural and so do not have it at home either, so
>  this is all new for all of us.  No cell phones, no ipods, nothing tech
> other than his braille sense.  I use internet several times a week at the
> local library, but if we get him going we plan on getting internet at
> home.  This is very overwhelming for us so please talk plainly.
>
> Thanks;
>
>
> ********************************************
> Rosina Foster
> www.tadpoleacres.webs.com
> MOPBC Missouri Parents of Blind Children
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