Jonathan and all: I agree with you on the fact that the most important thing is the end product of one's work and not the way you get to it. If I wanted everything as it is in the sighted world I would have purchased a laptop. For the money it cost I could have had two laptops, actually, and I already had Jaws so that wouldn't even have cost. However, for me, and only what I needed and wanted, was braille, capability to take notes in braille (faster for me), and the capability of reading by downloading to the BN from Bookshare (I am a volunteer).
When I was thinking about what I would choose to buy with very hard earned money (nobody to get it for me since I am working), I asked myself what it really was that I wanted and which device would suit those needs. It was the BrailleNote as it turned out. I talked to a few people and one friend explained to me that if I wanted to do everything the "sighted way" I could either get a Pack Mate once it came out or get a laptop. She told me, however, that the BrailleNote was from the conception a device made specifically for the lind. She said it would do a lot I wanted and would not do others, but the machine was very blind friendly. Well, I bought the BrailleNote since it meets the needs I have. I am not saying that we should be complacent with what it does right now as technology is running forward, but one has to make a judgment on what their needs are and what will give them the performance they need. Just my opinion, and thanks PDI for meeting and exceeding my needs. Reggie and Lonnie Guide Dog who don't write much on the list but sure learn a lot here!!!
