Advantage of Laptops?

Another poster asked how many MTs use laptops, and that got me wondering what the advantage to a laptop would be.  I understand traveling, but it sounds like some use it for home. 

I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm trying to figure out how I can transcribe outside on the back deck with a C-phone and computer (I live in a rural area).  I guess a laptop, extension cords, and moving with the sun would probably be logical, but are there any problems with that scenario that anyone can think of?  Does anyone have any other ideas for outdoor transcription?  I get kind of lonely during the day, so I thought the outdoors might help.  Also, work wants me to transcribe 2 hours before breaking!  Even though I'm new with this company, I haven't met that goal yet.  Thought I would try some new scenery, if it's possible!  ');>

• Advantage of Laptops? - Just Curious
  • My laptop was a godsend one summer - sm - MTinIL
    • How much about did it cost to get you set up - like how powerful of a laptop - did you need to do this work? Thanks.
      • Any laptop that you buy off the shelf these days - Laptop user
  • I love working outside, though the sun is an - My 2 cents
  • I would think the sun's glare would be a problem, sm - nm
    • I knew I could count on you all...sm - Getting less curious
  • need to be run indoors with air conditioning..sm - just my take on it - I think computers
    • I had not thought of this...sm - Still curious
      • if it is cool out and no humidity....sm - just my take on it - I think computers

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I have to get some additional training and think I might go with MT Advantage.  Anyone have any experience with them?

Or, any other suggestions perhaps?

What process would I have to go through?  I'll talk to the director at my school, maybe she can help too.  As for the spelling, I think MTs are some of the worst spellers because we're used to the luxury of a spell checker.  Not bad spellers just lazy spellers.

most other people in that we know how to WRITE.  A friend of mine used to call it "The Power of the Pen", and it's true.  Even when you don't get the exact response you wanted when you write a letter, the fact that you were concerned enough to do it at all does NOT go unnoticed.  It raises questions in the minds of those to whom they were written.  And we have to KEEP AT IT.  Some of those with thicker skins (and skulls!) need to be reminded again and again that this country has a big problem with other countries profiting from our generosity, so-called "political correctness", and their general perception of our overall naivete.  With enough talking, blogging, letter-writting, petitioning, and educating of the American public, it might be possible to bring offshoring of American work to the forefront of the next election.  People need to be made aware that NO job is safe. 

It's sickening that big US firms are taxed to the MAX when it comes to offshoring.  What a huge windfall for THEM.  Instead, those of us that they are screwing are expected to pay the taxes that support our country's infrastructure.

If this trend continues the way it has for the past 10+ years or so, there will be no need for another country to take ours over militarily.  We'll all simply be BOUGHT.

Stop a minute and think about this. What other person on the planet would be allowed to do this to you? Not one. The reason he is allowed to do it is because you let him.

"Tired of working?" Hell, we're all tired of working, but we do it because we have to. You keep your chin up, girlie. Find you a rat-hole and put some money in it. Even if it's a quarter at a time. Save your change, filch from your paycheck. Get a little padding there so you will have some options.

I lived with a horribly abusive man who took advantage of me for 30 years. I'd still be living with him but he's dead. I know I'd never have left.

Don't get me wrong. I adored him, God knows why - I let those "good times" outshine the horrible times and I stayed with him till death did us part - all to the detriment of my poor children. I have a daughter who thinks it's noble to stay with an abusive man. I have a son who, I'm grateful to say, is kind to his SO, but he endured a 10-year relationship with a lying, emotionally abusive girl - all thanks to me.

Do it as soon as you can. If that guy quit his job because he's "tired of working" there's nothing he won't do. Sending a hug. I know where you're coming from.

It is a USB thing that looks like a flash drive and it bypasses the sound card.  It has lots of settings to adjust to improve sound.   I got it and didn't think it made much difference, but then didn't use it for a couple of days and realized that it did make a difference.  I got mine at Best Buy for about $30.  There have 3 different levels and I think Audio Advantage is the middle one (which was the only one they had at Best Buy).  You can Google Audio Advantage by Turtle Beach and probably find their website. 

Creative is a good brand of sound card and likely it isn't the sound card that is the problem, just poor quality dictation.  The USB thing above will help, but if you don't have good dictation to work work, you can only do so much.   If you don't have them also try noise-cancelling headphones.  They are rather pricey, though can probably get a good pair for about $60 or less on sale, and they make a significant difference too. 

it because it also uses a lot of memory.  I decided to go with Windows XP instead.  Dell is offering a free upgrade to Windows Vista if you purchase one of their systems.   They still gave me a free upgrade option, but I doubt I will use it.

Good Luck.

Do any of you work on a laptop and how do you like it?  Which one do you have?  What do you consider the pros and cons?  Thanks

Read months ago in news articles that men should not use laptops on their laps due to radiation to their male body parts and affecting sperm counts...

it can be googled for verification

You most likely won't have a serial port or game port connection on a laptop unless you have it customized, but there will be several USB ports and most everything these days comes with USB connections.  There will be a place for headphones on any computer.  As far as the rest of the stuff it is the same and you would look for the same things as if you were buying a desktop.  I was told recently though that the Sony Viao run hot and that they weren't really made for a mobile type situation. 

If you want to travel you have to know all your internet options because you'll find yourself in various situations and your primary option may not be available for some reason, so you always have to have a backup plan. 

Would anybody mind telling me which type of laptop pc they prefer....Toshiba  vs. HP, type of processor etc. that they prefer  ex.AMD, core duo etc.  Considering getting myself one but there are so many out there with so many different specs it is getting quite confusing.  You are welcome to e-mail if you wish.  I would appreicate any input that I can get to help sort it all out. 

Thank you so much......

I am going to purchase my first laptop with Dell but have no clue which one to get.  I will be working from home with it so I am not too concerned with wireless internet connection and all that.  Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

I'm searching for a laptop to use occasionally.  I have a Dell desktop, but have heard some bad things about their laptops.  A friend did tell me that Acer has a good reputation for their laptops.

Any/all advice appreciated.

If you are working from home as an employee, do any of you have employers who allow you to use laptops?  If so, does the company provide those, or are you required to buy your own?

at a desk, at the kitchen table, etc.??  Just curious.  I'm serious wanting a laptop so I don't have to be chained to this desk

Does anybody work off a laptop and have a wireless or satellite internet connection? Just wondering because we'd like to do some traveling and it would be nice to be able to work also and not have to use so much PTO time, etc?

meant to be mobile, at least that what a salesman told me.  I was looking at the Sony Viao and he said there weren't really meant to be mobile, at least not as their main function.   Get a good padded case, use an external keyboard.   Anything you get off the shelf these days should be enough for you to work on.   I'd get one that had a DVD player just in case you want to watch movies while traveling.  I'd get a minimum of 512 RAM, preferably twice that. 

With all the back to school sales now is a good time to be buying a laptop.  Also, if your state has a tax-free weekend (ours is this weekend) you can save another $200.

I'd make sure you had enough USB ports to plug in everything you need.  You can always buy a USB hub for $20 or less if you need more.  

Be sure and get the extended warranty.  If you need repairs it will pay for itself the first time.  

Whatever you get don't get Vista.  It might be hard to find one without it unless you order it.  I'm not sure if you can dump Vista and install Windows or not.

Whatever you get give yourself a couple of weeks to try it out at home and make a check list of all you need to take with you.  I've traveled and left my external keyboard at home, I've left the adapter to convert my PS/2 keyboard to USB, and I think I even left my power cord once, so it is good to have a checklist so you don't forget stuff.  

When I upgrade my Stedman's I get the electronic ones so when I travel I have them on my computer and don't have to worry about carrying my books, or not being able to look things up if I don't have constant internet access.