[nfbcs] Recommendations for new Windows Laptop

Wed Aug 15 16:53:53 UTC 2018

Yes, this is a great machine, well specked, and Lenovos in general, in my
view, are reliable machines with excellent keyboards and a rugged build.
especially the Thinkpads.

Thanks.

On Wed, Aug 15, 2018 at 11:40 AM Currin, Kevin <kwcurrin at email.unc.edu>
wrote:

> I just got a Lenovo ThinkPad T470p, which I really like. It has a quad
> core processor, 16 gb RAM, solid state drive, and 512 gb storage.  Its
> around $2,000. It is also incredibly light.
>
> I know this is a pricy computer, but I was fortunate to have some grant
> money to pay for it.
>
> ________________________________________
> From: nfbcs [nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Nimer Jaber via nfbcs
> [nfbcs at nfbnet.org]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 12:23 PM
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List
> Cc: Nimer Jaber; steve.jacobson at visi.com
> Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Recommendations for new Windows Laptop
>
> Hello,
>
> 1. Windows Signature machines tend to be machines without extra bloat,
> although those bloat programs can be removed as well.
> 2. The laptop you need depends on you and yoru needs. It also depends on
> your budget and how much you wish to future-proof.
>
> In general, the minimum specs I recommend is 4 GB of RAM, 8 is better. 16
> tends to be overkill, but it is good if the reason for the computer is for
> a lot of multi-tasking, with many browser tabs, lots of programs, or
> programs that take up more RAM. Office and the web would not be an example
> of this unless you regularly have 40 tabs open. Some laptops have RAM which
> is easily accessible and can be upgraded, and getting a machine which
> allows for this kind of configurability may be something you wish to
> consider. The processor should be an I5 or greater, anything else will
> introduce hick-ups and lag, particularly with individuals who rely on
> asistive technologies, but an I5 typically runs well, most especially if it
> is a quad core processor. I7 or I9 processors are overkill for most people,
> but it is good for future-proofing. the processor in a laptop is difficult
> to replace, so this is an area where, if you can afford it, you may want to
> go higher-end rather than lower. Note the type of laptop that you get. The
> ultra-portable laptops have ultra-low voltage processors, which means less
> power, even though the processor says I7. the quad core I7 and the
> dual-core I7 are very different as it comes to performance. Those laptops
> tend to be more expensive, but lighter too, which may be good for students
> or individiuals who are on the road a lot. The hard drive should definitely
> be a solid-state, for durability and longevity, but also for speed. For the
> hard drive, get the size that meets your storage needs. You may be able to
> get away with a smaller drive. Also, some laptops allow for swapping out
> drives by simply unscrewing a screw from the bottom of the machine.
> Manufacturers may charge you more for the hard drive with a larger size
> than it would be worth to purchase a drive yourself and install the
> operating system on it. Screen size is important, and it is worth examining
> your needs as it comes to screen size before purchasing a laptop. The
> keybard is also important. While you can use an external keyboard, and in
> my case, a mechanical keyboard, you may want to really take time to
> evaluate different laptops by typing on their keyboard to determine if the
> level of tactile feedback and the click is something you can live with, if
> the spacing of the keys is to your liking, etc. Some laptops have no
> application key, and some have even gotten rid of the function row. While
> keys can be remapped easily enough, it is still important, in my view, to
> get a laptop and a keyboard with which you can be comfortable.
>
> Thanks, and if you have questions, please let me know.
>
>
> On Wed, Aug 15, 2018 at 11:07 AM Steve Jacobson via nfbcs <
> nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>
> > Curtis,
> >
> > How did you get an HP without Bloatware?  I've used HP's through work
> with
> > clean installs and it makes a big difference as you have indicated.  All
> of
> > the HP's I have purchased personally, though, have had a lot of extra
> stuff
> > on them including various tools from HP that were difficult or impossible
> > to
> > use with screen readers.  You have obviously found a source that offers
> > clean machines and that interests me.
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> > Steve Jacobson
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: nfbcs <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Curtis Chong via
> nfbcs
> > Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 10:54 AM
> > To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
> > Cc: Curtis Chong <chong.curtis at gmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Recommendations for new Windows Laptop
> >
> > Greetings:
> >
> > I recommend a laptop which is free from vendor-specific software (i.e.,
> > bloatware) with a memory capacity of 16GB using an I7 processor. For the
> > hard drive, it is worth paying extra for a 512 GB SSD flash drive. This
> > will
> > speed up your boot time immensely.
> >
> > I myself bought an HP ProBook 450 with the above specs, and I have been
> > quite happy with it.
> >
> > Of course, you will be getting Windows 10. This means that your speech
> and
> > magnification technology absolutely needs to be kept current since
> > Microsoft
> > introduces a major update to the operating system twice each year.
> >
> > I hope this helps.
> >
> > Cordially,
> >
> > Curtis Chong
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: nfbcs <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ida B via nfbcs
> > Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 9:50 AM
> > To: nfbcs at nfbnet.org
> > Cc: Ida B <behreini.ida at gmail.com>
> > Subject: [nfbcs] Recommendations for new Windows Laptop
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I am looking for a great windows laptop for my needs. I use JAWS and
> > ZoomText in conjunction. I also run my code on programs like Eclipse,
> > Visual
> > Studio, and other IDEs. I value power and efficiency above all else and
> am
> > willing to invest in a quality laptop. Any suggestions? I heard the Dell
> > xps15 and Surface Ultrabook are good choices, but want to know how they
> > handle screen readers, programming, and other intensive use.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Ida
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
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> >
> >
> >
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> >
>
>
> --
> Cordially,
>
> Nimer Jaber
>
> Please take the time to read this signature completely as it contains
> some information about the email you have just read and all
> attachments contained within as well as some valuable resources and
> methods for contacting me if you have any questions or wish to talk.
>
> The message above is intended for the recipient to whom it was
> addressed. If you believe that you are not the intended recipient,
> please notify me via reply email and destroy all copies of this
> correspondence. Action taken as a result of this email or its contents
> by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) may result in civil or
> criminal charges. I have checked this email and all corresponding
> attachments for security threats. However, security of your machine is
> up to you. Thanks.
>
> Registered Linux User 529141.
> http://counter.li.org/
>
> To find out about a free and versatile screen reader for windows XP
> and above, please click here:
> http://www.nvda-project.org
>
> You can follow @nimerjaber on Twitter for the latest technology news.
>
> To contact me, you can reply to this email or you may call me at (218)
> (693-9271) and I will do my best to respond to you promptly. Thank
> you, and have a great day!
> _______________________________________________
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>

-- 
Cordially,

Nimer Jaber

Please take the time to read this signature completely as it contains
some information about the email you have just read and all
attachments contained within as well as some valuable resources and
methods for contacting me if you have any questions or wish to talk.

The message above is intended for the recipient to whom it was
addressed. If you believe that you are not the intended recipient,
please notify me via reply email and destroy all copies of this
correspondence. Action taken as a result of this email or its contents
by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) may result in civil or
criminal charges. I have checked this email and all corresponding
attachments for security threats. However, security of your machine is
up to you. Thanks.

Registered Linux User 529141.
http://counter.li.org/

To find out about a free and versatile screen reader for windows XP
and above, please click here:
http://www.nvda-project.org

You can follow @nimerjaber on Twitter for the latest technology news.

To contact me, you can reply to this email or you may call me at (218)
(693-9271) and I will do my best to respond to you promptly. Thank
you, and have a great day!