Hi Pam, In my original post, I miss spoke about arrow keys and the mini. I meant a complete set of those command option and control keys. If you have issues using your left hand for all of the voiceover key things, that could be important, and in order to get those set of keys you need a full keyboard. I honestly do not know about the MBP, as I have not kept up with it. I know it is more powerful than the air, of course, and I also know that you can upgrade a mini to get more and better storage and more RAM. But I don't know about the prices. For me, it seems like the big deal with the pro is the display. And as a blind person, I don't care. Of course I know it does have a better processor. But for all that money, I am quite sure I would have a mini, not an MBP.still, if your friend is happy with his screen reader, upgrading to Windows 7 or eight is probably a better thing, because you can get a Windows PC cheaper than a Mac, and because he already has some familiarity with the screen reader and with windows, although there are substantial changes between XP and Windows 8 or windows 10. I still have an old windows XP machine that I use for certain things, such as Kurzweil and braille and bossing. When that dies, that will be very sad for me. Smile. All in all, I think the best thing is probably like others have said, for your friend to look into upgrading windows rather than changing operating systems. Mary
Sent from my iPhone > On Jul 24, 2015, at 8:57 AM, Pamela Francis <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi Mary, > I asked these questions out of total ignorance, as I have not worked with a > mini. Other than physical size, does it have the same type of processor > and/or horse power as would have even an MBP? I am in no way trying to > discourage my friend from the Mack OS as far as quality. I just know what > kind of patients he has. I also know in someways his attention span is not > what it would take to sit down and really learn and work with the OS. > Currently, his computer is his lifeline as he has no TV cable service. He > uses it for all communication, news, etc. > > Pam Francis > > On Jul 24, 2015, at 10:41 AM, Mary Otten <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi Pam, > I think the advice you have gotten for your friend about sticking with > Windows is probably good. However, I don't agree with the folks who say if > you're going to buy, get an air, not a mini, and here's why. > > It is true that with a mini, you must buy a keyboard and speakers. And I > think you still need a monitor, although those are cheap, and if he has a > Windows machine with the monitor, he probably already has something that > would work. The cost of the mini would probably come up to be about the cost > of an air if you add those things in, depending on the price of the speakers > of course. You would end up with better speakers, of course. You would also > have the possibility of getting a full keyboard including the keypad, which > does not come on the air. That gives you two sets of complete arrow keys plus > the keypad which you can use with the keypad commander. Also, the mini is > more powerful than the air, that is better processor more RAM more storage. > So, unless portability is a big deal, I think the mini is a better thing. > Maybe I'm prejudiced, because I have one. I would not trade it for an air, > unless I needed that portability. > Mary > > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Jul 24, 2015, at 5:49 AM, Pamela Francis <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Hi everyone, >> I have a friend who is considering purchasing a Mac mini. The basic reason >> for wanting the Mac Mini is cost. He also does not want to take the time to >> learn windows eight or windows 10. He's been stuck on Windows XP since long >> before support stopped last year. His only dealings with voiceover is with >> iOS devices along with his AppleTV. He is not one who does well with major >> change in electronics in his life. I don't want to turn this into an Apple >> versus Windows discussion other than to say I suggested he look for a >> Windows 7 machine because it was something that he is familiar with. My >> question for the group is this; other than the base cost, as I understand it >> of $699 for the Mac Mini, what are the auxiliary purchases needed in order >> to make it functional? If I'm correct, that does not include a screen, does >> it include a keyboard or speakers? >> I also know firsthand what it's like attempting to learn a new operating >> system and screen reader on your own. I had the patients. He does not. Thank >> God for this group. I would've been lost. I'm attempting to get him to join >> it before he makes his purchase. Any suggestions or help you could offer >> would be greatly appreciated. >> Many many thanks, >> >> Pam Francis >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
