True, it is all relative. The standard nowadays seems to be laptop keys, since they are mostly the same volume and most people are used to them. The bn family is louder than a laptop, the apex not as much as the mpower or classic. I can't speak for any other notetakers as I have not used them.
I forgot to mention earlier that the apex can act as a braille keyboard/display for iTouch devices, so if you (Lucy) get an iPhone, iPod, or iPad, you can use the apex to type text and read what speech is saying. You can even turn off speech on the iTouch and leave it in a pocket or bag, then use the apex as normal. When you want the iTouch, just open the braille terminal on the apex, unlock the iTouch, and the two will pair silently and automatically. You effectively have the option of two computers in one, the apex customized by hw for ease of use and braille and the iTouch not so customized, but still supporting braille, with a wealth of apps for things the apex can't do. If you get an iPhone, you also then have a very easy way to use the apex for texting, contact management, caller id, and other phone functions. On 6/8/11, Crystal French <[email protected]> wrote: > I want to make a comment about the quietness or loudness of Braille Note > keys. > > I've seen this come up about other Braille note takers as well. > > When I was in college, Braille note takers of any flavor did not exist. > > I used a slate and stylus for note taking. > > I was an excellent note taker, and tried my best to minimize the sound of > the clicking. > > I guess it is just personal perception but to me the Apex keys and even the > thumb keys are quiet. > > Crystal > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Alex Hall" <[email protected]> > To: "Lucy Sirianni" <[email protected]> > Cc: <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2011 6:17 AM > Subject: Re: [Braillenote] MPower vs. Apex > > >> They say the apex is a lot faster than the mpower, and it is, in some >> things. Moving files, opening files, and similar tasks is not much >> faster, and webpages do not seem to load much faster. The size and >> replaceable battery are two big advantages, and having wifi built in >> is great. You can also use sdhc cards, though not cf cards without a >> card reader, and you can output what you are doing to a monitor or vga >> lcd projector. The thumb keys are loud when you use them, which is a >> trade-off since the keyboard is somewhat quieter than the mpower, >> though not as quiet as the hw site makes it seem. >> I guess, in summary, the apex has its advantages, definitely, and we >> will hopefully start seeing them as time goes on. That is, I hope hw >> starts taking advantage of the capabilities like multi-tasking or pdf >> support. If you want something for graduate school, the apex seems >> like a good choice, mostly because it will continue to be upgraded >> while the mpower is being phased out, with only two more upgrades >> coming for it, leaving you without features halfway through school. >> Also, future upgrades will probably add features that the mpower just >> can't handle, just as the classic was left out of some features the >> mpower could manage. >> >> On 6/7/11, Lucy Sirianni <[email protected]> wrote: >>> Hi all, >>> >>> I currently use a BrailleNote MPower but am considering >>> upgrading to an Apex before beginning graduate school in the fall >>> and am wondering whether it would be worthwhile to make the >>> switch. I'm aware of the differences between the two models as >>> outlined by Humanware, but could those of you who have used both >>> tell me what you actually find to be the main advantages and >>> disadvantages of the Apex as opposed to the MPower? Would you >>> recommend one over the other? >>> >>> My apologies if this has been discussed on the list before; I >>> usually don't have time to read all of the posts.... >>> >>> Thank you in advance! >>> >>> Lucy >>> >>> ___ >>> Replies to this message will go directly to the sender. >>> If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a >>> copy to the list as well. >>> >>> To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >>> [email protected] >>> To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >>> http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Have a great day, >> Alex (msg sent from GMail website) >> [email protected]; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap >> >> ___ >> Replies to this message will go directly to the sender. >> If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a >> copy to the list as well. >> >> To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >> [email protected] >> To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >> http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote >> > > > ___ > Replies to this message will go directly to the sender. > If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a > copy to the list as well. > > To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to > [email protected] > To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit > http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote > > -- Have a great day, Alex (msg sent from GMail website) [email protected]; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap ___ Replies to this message will go directly to the sender. If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a copy to the list as well. To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [email protected] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
