[nabs-l] Questions About Getting New Laptop

[Maurice Mines]

Hello, I guess where would be a good place to start with what I think we you should think about when looking for a new laptop, I did just the opposite when it came time to get a new computer, I for academic reasons switched operating systems entirely, I now own two Macintoshes, and have not had any problems with either machine. My MacBook will turn three very shortly, and I've not had any problems. Also realize that you can run Windows on a Macintosh either by using boot Camp which is a means of partitioning the drive to be you can install Windows on a second partition, or you can use virtual machine software which will allow you to do somewhat the same thing. In mine I have Windows 7 professional. As far is if you are beholden to Windows, just realize that if you do do the 64-bit version, and you will need 64-bit specific versions of either jobs or window eyes. If you wish to have a more in-depth discussion about the Macintosh, so as not to clutter up the list feel free to write me off list at the following address, kd0iko at arrl.net
On Jun 19, 2011, at 7:06 PM, Rania Ismail CMT wrote:

> The laptop I have is an hp with windows 7. I am also using jaws and I am
> pleased with it!
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Kerri Kosten
> Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2011 7:55 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: [nabs-l] Questions About Getting New Laptop
> 
> Hi Everyone!
> 
> Well, after five years, it looks like I am going to have to get a new
> laptop.
> 
> I haven't had to look for a laptop in like five years so I had some
> questions.
> 
> First, from an accessibility/screenreader standpoint what is better
> windows or Mac? Was the switch to mac from windows hard? Was voiceover
> easy to get used to? Do you like your mac better than windows? I've
> been told macs don't get viruses or have spyware and they seem a lot
> more durable. I have a friend who says he has had one for three years
> (he isn't blind) and he says other than spending some money on a
> bigger hard drive and paying $25 for one of the new OS updates (I
> believe it was snow lepoard) he said it works just as fast and
> everything as it did the day he got it. It seems with windows the life
> is only around four or five years old. Sighted people are telling me
> to go with mac but I know the world is still largely dominated by
> windows.
> 
> For windows users who have purchased laptops recently what things did
> you look for in the laptop? What brands are people using with the
> windows screenreaders? I found a Tasheba satellite on Amazon.com for
> $479...it is usually $780 but has been on sale for $479. It has an I3
> processor, 4 gigs of ram, 640 gig hard drive, and a 15 inch screen not
> that that matters to me. Supposedly the battery lasts for five hours.
> I was going to just go with this one but i noticed it is rated 3
> starrs on the customer reviews and I wonder why it has dropped so much
> in price on Amazon. is anyone else using a tasheba and are they good?
> What things did you look for in you're laptop before purchasing it?
> 
> The laptop I will likely get has Windows 7 and is 64 BIT. Is there any
> big bugs I should know about with 64 BIT, Windows 7, and Jaws? Do you
> like windows 7 overall? Is it better than windows vista? My old hp
> laptop had windows vista on it and my netbook (which I am typing this
> on) has windows XP.
> 
> Even if Rehab or some other source purchased your laptop, I am
> noticing most of the new ones have similar specks:Windows 7, a 500 gig
> or bigger hard drive, I 3 and up processor, 4 gigs of ram. How fast
> are these? My laptop is so old I'm kind of excited and curious to hear
> about how fast the latest laptops with these new and improved specks
> are.
> 
> Thanks!
> Kerri
> 
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