[Electronics-talk] MAC vs PC

[James Aldrich]

Hi again,

I agree with Jim for the most part.  I started out with an IPod,  then I purchased an IPhone later.  I still use a PC

Jim

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 17, 2014, at 1:04 PM, Jim Barbour via Electronics-talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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> 
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