[Electronics-talk] MAC vs PC

[Jim Barbour]

I would say that buying a Mac to learn how to use the iPhone is not a good call.

If you did this, you might learn to use the trackpad on the Apple and then transfer that knowledge to the iPhone. However, I think you'd do just as well, if not better, to just learn on the iPhone.  Many more blind people use iPhones than use Macs, so you'll have a much larger pool of teachers if you learn on the iPhone.

JIm

On Sun, Aug 17, 2014 at 11:28:41AM -0700, Star Song wrote:
> 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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