Hi Bob, Well, it turns out we have both types! I've been using a Dell Inspiron laptop for years and have been quite happy with it, and a Thinkpad before that which I liked even better. My wife bought a Lenovo all-in-one a year back, and while she's really happy with it, it's bluetooth keyboard would not work properly with Window-Eyes. It's because it does not have a numeric keypad, and it does not have a modifier key you can hold down to make some of the alphabetic keys temporarily become numeric keypad keys. I think it would have worked ok if I had been willing to learn the alternative layout for laptop keyboards WE does offer, but I'm not sure about that. What I do is to plug in a USB keyboard when I want to use it. Perhaps the list would recommend some bluetooth keyboard that would also work; it's the miniature bluetooth keyboard which it came with which seems to be the problem. I got ahead of myself there: I should explain that without a numeric keypad, one of your options for laptops is to hold down an extra key they usually have called the "fn" key, which makes the keys centered around the u, i, o, and p keys become numeric pad keys. I think it's a fine compromise, and only takes a little extra learning and practice to make it work (unlike trying to learn all new key combinations for the alternate laptop layout for WE). I think laptops have so much more to offer than other types of pcs, that I strongly would recommend a laptop over a desktop or all-in-one (you can easily move it to any room in the house as needed for instance). If it's only going to be used by you, I'd consider one of the under 3 pound extra light weight laptops if you think you'd like to take it with you anywhere. Otherwise the cheapest laptops are the mid-sized ones around 5 pounds in weight, and usually 15 inch screens. If you're going to be sharing it with a sighted person, and mostly at home as a desktop, then I'd recommend a 17 inch one which often weighs around 7 pounds. There are some laptops which do have numeric keypads built-in, I just don't remember which they are (some were Lenovos I think, and some were HP?). hth, Chip
_____ From: Robert Martin [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 8:25 PM To: [email protected] Cc: Robert Martin Subject: Question Regarding All-In-One Computers Hello, My desk-top computer is apparently living on borrowed time but owes me nothing after approximately seven years. This afternoon my wife and I were looking at new desktops and were interested in the all-in-one models which apparently have everything built into the unit with the screen. I was looking specifically at an Asus although there were also Del and Toshiba models of these computers as well. I'd not seen these type computers before and am wondering if any WindowEyes users are familiar with them and if anyone can tell me whether they work satisfactorily with screen access software. I was impressed with the sleek packaging of components which lack the mass of wires etc. which are conventionally part of desktop configurations. The ones I looked at had a wireless keyboard and mouse. IF anyone could provide advice about these models I'd appreciate any input. Also if anyone is using a laptop as their desktop model and has had especially good luck with a particular type I'd appreciate that information as well. If you're a laptop user, do you use a USB number pad? Thanks in advance for any advice. Regards, Bob Martin If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to [email protected] so the entire list will receive it. GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can manage your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv.
