[Electronics-talk] MAC vs PC

[Star Song]

One reason I was considering a MAC is that I also soon will 
change my phone and almost everyone seems to feel the Ifone is 
better for blind users, and I would like to be able to get the 
apps available with a smart phone. So I thought it would be 
helpful to learn on the computer the Apple technology first and 
get used to it. I'm not averse to learning new things, just need 
someone to help me with it, and there doesn't seem to be anyone 
available to work with the later Windows programs, whereas you 
can get help at the Apple store with the other. Yes, what I do on 
the computer is download electronic books, use the web, 
especially for sites thats have video, and for watching DVD's.

Appreciating your ffeed back.  Shonen


 ----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Barbour <jbar at barcore.com
To: David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>,Discussion of accessible 
electronics and appliances <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 09:40:15 -0700
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] MAC vs PC

I second Dave's questions, and haven't seen any answers to them 
yet.

I have extensively used by MacOS 10 with voiceover and windows 
with
most of the well known screen readers on them.

The generally accepted pros for using a Mac for blind folks 
are...

* The screen reader is free and built into the OS.
* The hardware is nicer
* You get Apple levels of support

The generally accepted cons for using a mac for blind folks 
are...

* Voiceover is not a mature as windows screen readers like JAWS.
* It is much harder to collaborate with others at work who are 
using MS Office.
* There are fewer blind folks who know how to use a Mac, and so 
can help you figure out a Mac.

There will be those who will pick at these pros and cons, just
remember that they are generally accurate.

So, the question is where do you want to spend your money and 
what are
you hoping to get for it.

So, the question becomes what are you hoping to do with your 
computer? If it's just playing music and surfing the net, why not 
consider an iPad?  If it's collaborate with coworkers then you 
probably ought to get what they get.  If you enjoy playing around 
with new technologies, then a Mac is a lot of fun to mess around 
with.

I hope I've given you enough to start with <grin

Jim

On Sun, Aug 17, 2014 at 09:22:07AM -0500, David Andrews via 
Electronics-talk wrote:
 Well, a couple things here.  First, what is your reason for 
wanting a Mac?
 It seems to me that with your level of use, and skill level, a 
change of
 this magnitude doesn't make a lot of sense.  Unless you like 
learning new
 technology, then why do it.  If your existing technology does 
the job you
 should stick with it.

 Although in this case that may be a problem too.  You can't buy 
a new
 computer with Windows XP on it.  XP is quite old, and no longer 
supported by
 Microsoft.  They are no longer doing security updates, so if you 
plan on
 using it on the internet, this is not a good idea!

 You are going to have to bite the bullet and learn something 
new, so go for it!

 Dave

 At 08:44 AM 8/17/2014, you wrote:
Hello all, I need to get a new laptop, and am wondering if I 
should get a
MAC. I have only had an  Asus PC, and use it only for its 
internet and
DVD/CD capabilities. I am a mediocre skills user, able to do 
mostly what I
need, but don't know much more than that about how to figure out 
more
complexx  operations. I don't have anyone who can help me with my 
computer
unless I take it to a store. But I thought maybe from what 
everyone has
said on this list A MAC would be better, since I still have 
Windows XP and
don't feel comfortable graduating to Windows 8. Can you advise 
me?
Thanks,   Shonen

         David Andrews and long white cane Harry.
 E-Mail:  dandrews at visi.com or david.andrews at nfbnet.org


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