[Trainer-Talk] desktop vs. laptop

[Helen Stevens]

Hi Greg et al,

In the computer labs I’ve set up we've stuck with primarily desktops because they are cheaper and more stable as others mentioned. That being said, we always teach laptop keystrokes for screen readers and do not teach navigating with the numpad. We do this so that someone will know keystrokes for any computer whether a desktop or laptop, and also because the laptop keystrokes are often more efficient since one doesn’t have to move hands on and off the home row as much. With JAWS it helps that choosing laptop mode does not change any desktop keystrokes. Unfortunately with NVDA some desktop and laptop keystrokes are totally different. Still, we’ve found it better to teach the laptop commands since you can use them on a desktop, but not vice versa. I’ve watched people who received training with only the desktop commands struggle with always needing to connect a desktop keyboard to their laptop because they don’t know how to use a laptop keyboard, and that is not a practical setup for sitting in meetings or college lectures, working in a car or other vehicle while traveling, or even just carrying around from place to place. I do find the more distinct keys of a desktop keyboard easier for a new computer user to learn, and it can take some time for newer users to adjust to the less distinct keys on laptops. We don’t have monitors hooked up to any of our computers in our training center since that training is entirely nonvisual, and one downside I have found with laptops is that it is easier for students to try and cheat by looking at the screen. Similarly, we have scrambled the keys on our desktop keyboards to limit cheating, and this is harder to do with a laptop.
	
Hope that helps,
Helen
> On Feb 14, 2017, at 4:08 PM, Greg Aikens via Trainer-Talk <trainer-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello all,
> I'm working with our development department to draw up a list of specific items we need to update our teaching lab at the center. On that list is replacing our old desktop computers. My initial assumption was that I needed to replace all of my old desktops with new desktops and add a few laptops. However, my VP asked if we could/should replace desktops with laptops, either completely or partially. This seems like it might give us the greatest flexibility. So, from a teaching standpoint, what would I lose if we used all laptops instead of desktops? The only things I can think of are keyboard layout and the size of the monitor for magnification users, both of which can be connected to a laptop. I realize that the financial side of the decision looks different, scince workstations typically cost less than laptops, but I'm just asking from a teaching perspective.
> 
> Thanks for any opinions.
> 
> Best,
> Greg
> 
> Greg Aikens
> Senior Assistive Technology Instructor
> Center for the Visually Impaired<http://www.cviga.org/>
> 739 West Peachtree Street NW
> Atlanta, GA 30308
> 404-602-4285
> 
> [Title: CVI Logo - Description: CVI Logo]<http://www.cviga.org/>
> 
> CVI<http://www.cviga.org/> empowers those with vision loss to live with independence and dignity.
> 
> <image003.png>_______________________________________________
> Trainer-Talk mailing list
> Trainer-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/trainer-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Trainer-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/trainer-talk_nfbnet.org/hstevensnfb%40gmail.com