Valiant_Skylark Report post Posted August 24, 2008 Hi All, Hoping someone can help with suggestions for makes/models of laptop to buy. DS2 needs to have a laptop (rather than an AlphaSmart because of visual problems). It would need to have a largish screen and be capable of running TextHelp and, additionally, possibly/probably Dragon Naturally Speaking. He has very poor motor skills, so a keyboard etc that would be easy to use would be imperetive. Internet access a must too. Does anybody run anything similar or am I asking the impossible? Any ideas welcome on what might work. Thanks, VS xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canopus Report post Posted August 25, 2008 There are plenty of companies that sell reconditioned laptops quite cheaply. Find one with a large screen and preferably inbuilt wi-fi. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Valiant_Skylark Report post Posted August 25, 2008 Hi Canopus, I was just a bit concerned because Dragon will need at least: an Intel Pentium 2.4 GHz Processor, 1.6 GHz dual processor core or equiv AMD processor; 1GB RAM; 2GB hard drive free space; L2 Cache 1MB. Texthelp is supposed to need Pentium 111 800MHz or above, 256 MB RAM or 512 MB RAM on Windows Vista, 600MB free disc space, sound card and good quality speakers. Now I'm a complete novice when it come to understanding computers so are most laptops capable of running all this plus Word, excel, powerpoint, digital camera, etc etc? Even the �400ish ones from computer stores? Sorry to be so "slow", but I really don't know what I'm doing. Thanks, VS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted August 26, 2008 This is awkward to answer as we're not allowed to provide links to commercial sites. What I'd suggest is that you do a search for 'Vostro UK' and follow some of the 'sales links' (rather than the 'review links'). There's a range of machines but the 1510 with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 2Gb of RAM, will more than meet the specs that you've mentioned. Any laptop that you buy new will be more than happy to run Word, Excel etc., and connecting up things like digital cameras is a doddle - just plug in the USB cable, install the provided software (if it even needs software) and you're away. I bought a similar machine (a Latitude D830) and it's been excellent. If you want some specific links, send me a PM and I'll try to point you in the right direction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Valiant_Skylark Report post Posted August 26, 2008 Thanks TheNeil, I will pm you. Sorry, didn't realise one shouldn't ask for such specific info on the list. VS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted August 26, 2008 The best one's that I'm aware of (having taken advice from a couple of computer whiz kids) is the one that you can only buy online (not available on the high street) and rhymes with BELL (a D instead of a B ).... for performance, reliablility but particularly value for money....... you can't beat 'em (apparently) Flo' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NobbyNobbs Report post Posted August 31, 2008 i know of several sites that specialise in computers for academic use and since i also need dragon and lots of the other academic support programs i can tell you the ones recommended for me 3 weeks ago in my DSA needs assessment! pm me if you're still looking Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Valiant_Skylark Report post Posted September 1, 2008 Hi NobbyNobbs, I have pm'd you. Thanks, VS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites