[Electronics-talk] PC Laptops

Fri Sep 5 12:44:43 UTC 2014

And to add one more thing to this, on some laptops, the FN key will also turn the right side of your keyboard into 
a numeric pad, although this is less common now for some reason.  

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:16:06 -0500, Christopher Chaltain via Electronics-talk wrote:

>Just one tiny point of clarification. The FN key doesn't work with just 
>the funtion keys. For example, on my Dell laptop, the FN key when used 
>in conjuntion withe the up and down arrow keys will raise and lower the 
>screen brightness. On my Asus netbook, the FN key when used with the 
>arrow keys will perform page up, page down, home and end.

>If you ever have sighted assistance, your sighted friend can point out 
>the keys that will work with the FN key to give you other operations. 
>They're usually represented by an icon in a different color on the key cap.

>On 09/04/2014 09:35 AM, Jim Barbour wrote:
>> The Fn key is a modifier key, like the control, windows or alt keys.
>>
>> It is designed to modify function keys to perform hardware functions
>> on the laptop such as speaker volume, display brightness, wireless
>> on/off, etc.
>>
>> Where the Fn key is exactly depends on your laptop, but it usually
>> lives on the bottom left near the other modifier keys.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>> On Thu, Sep 04, 2014 at 07:15:49AM -0700, Allison Depner via Electronics-talk wrote:
>>> Hi There,
>>>
>>> Please forgive my ignorance,  What is the FN key?  I've has the same issue
>>> with adjusting the volume.  I have to go to the system tray to do it.  It's
>>> a hastle.  So, I'd appreciate learning how to do so another way.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Alley
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Christopher Chaltain via Electronics-talk
>>> Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2014 7:28 PM
>>> To: Ashley Bramlett; Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances;
>>> Danielle Antoine
>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] PC Laptops
>>>
>>> Netbooks don't typically have CD drives.
>>>
>>> I'm not sure how easy it is to find netbooks anymore. I think that niche has
>>> mostly been taken over by tablets or convertibles.
>>>
>>> If money isn't a concern, you can get some very light ultrabooks that aren't
>>> slow at all and are very thin and light.
>>>
>>> I'm curious to know how JAWS keeps someone from adjusting the volume on
>>> their laptops. My laptops use F8/F9 or F11/F12, but that's in conjunction
>>> with the FN key, so there's no conflict with JAWS.
>>>
>>> On 09/03/2014 11:23 AM, Ashley Bramlett via Electronics-talk wrote:
>>>> Hi Danielle,
>>>> I did not have a netbook.
>>>> It sounds like you do.
>>>>
>>>> Do netbooks have cd slots in them? Netbooks are generally small. what
>>>> size is the screen?
>>>> I heard netbooks are slower than laptops but as you said they are
>>>> often lighter.
>>>>
>>>> Ashley
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Danielle Antoine via Electronics-talk
>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 11:00 AM
>>>> To: david.thomas at davidthetechguy.com ; Discussion of accessible
>>>> electronics and appliances
>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] PC Laptops
>>>>
>>>> I know people who love the netbook and those who don't. It's all about
>>>> preference. For me, it is optimal because it is soooo darned
>>>> lightweight' however, I like my CD drive/burner without having to
>>>> carry things in pieces. I also found it to be slower at least the one
>>>> I bought. It was a Dell bought for my sister to go to school and who
>>>> knows now where the charger is! You can find some equaly lighter
>>>> weight laptops though just be sure you can manually adjust the volume
>>>> if not doing so without sighted assistance bothers you. Apparently,
>>>> this can be done but I also bought two laptops, one a Dell and the
>>>> other a Toshiba and both use the F10 and F12 or maybe it's F8 and F10
>>>> to do this but JAWS won't allow the keystroke. Over the past 4 years I
>>>> have spent $1200 approximately for off-the-shelf laptops and none work
>>>> optimally for me. Disappointing indeed. the Toshiba and netbook are
>>>> slow as molasses and this Dell is becoming that way as well. I have
>>>> known others who go purchase stuf in-store and are happy as peach pie
>>>> with it. *Sigh* Good luck and just thought I'd give you a heads-up.
>>>> None of this is cool when your on SSI alone. I can go on and on and on
>>>> too about the JAWS and OpenBook upgrades I never received but that is
>>>> for another thread.
>>>> Yall have a great day!
>>>>
>>>> Danielle, who won't be purchasing another computer anytime soon
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 7/31/14, David Thomas via Electronics-talk
>>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> Classic shell is free, and can be found at
>>>>> http://www.classicshell.net/
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>>> On Behalf Of Christine Szostak via Electronics-talk
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, 31 July 2014 5:39 PM
>>>>> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] PC Laptops
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi All,
>>>>>    Can I ask where to get that program (e.g., do I need to purchase it
>>>>> somewhere and if so any particular recommendations)? I love my XP
>>>>> layout and it is the major reason I have not been excited about
>>>>> moving away from it.
>>>>> The new laptop I just ordered will have Windows 8 or 8.1 sorry
>>>>> off-hand I can not recall if it has the update and I am not super
>>>>> excited about that.
>>>>>
>>>>> However, I do have to say that after getting my iPod, I am no longer
>>>>> highly anxious about using a touch screen!
>>>>> Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for all of the suggestions on the
>>>>> list!
>>>>> Chris
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "David Thomas via Electronics-talk"
>>>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> To: "Christopher Chaltain" <chaltain at gmail.com>; "Discussion of
>>>>> accessible electronics and appliances" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 9:33 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] PC Laptops
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> If Windows 8 with metro drives the user crazy they can always
>>>>>> install a program called classic shell. This software installs an
>>>>>> alternative start menu, and you can customise it to be like any
>>>>>> operating system that goes back to Windows XP.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>>>> On Behalf Of Christopher Chaltain via Electronics-talk
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, 31 July 2014 9:21 AM
>>>>>> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] PC Laptops
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't see the message being responded to below, and I don't recall
>>>>>> netbooks coming up before, but I would agree that an ultrabook would
>>>>>> be the way to go over a netbook, especially if you're running JAWS
>>>>>> or Window Eyes.  You might get better mileage on a netbook with NVDA
>>>>>> since it doesn't use an off screen model and isn't as memory hungry.
>>>>>> I looked at an ultrabook for my wife recently and there were still
>>>>>> Windows 7 options out there. Just Google for them and check out
>>>>>> sites like Tiger Direct. That being said, I wouldn't be put off by
>>>>>> Windows 8. An ultrabook will also cost quite a bit more than a
>>>>>> netbook, but you could also consider laptops running less expensive
>>>>>> processors, like the I3, if you wanted to save a little bit of money.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 07/30/2014 07:59 PM, David Thomas via Electronics-talk wrote:
>>>>>>> I personally don't think the netbook is the best way to go. In my
>>>>>>> honest opinion you would be better off with an ultra book. The only
>>>>>>> downside is if you don't like Windows 8.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>> ai
>>>>>>> n
>>>>>>> %40gmail.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Christopher (CJ)
>>>>>> chaltain at Gmail
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>> th
>>>>>> omas
>>>>>> %40davidthetechguy.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>> --
>>> Christopher (CJ)
>>> chaltain at Gmail
>>>
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>-- 
>Christopher (CJ)
>chaltain at Gmail

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