I've been using a laptop exclusively for 6 years.

 I use an external keyboard 99.9% of the time, use the laptop keyboard if I'm in the car.    I'm used to the monitor, but if you're used to a larger one you can also hook up an external monitor.  Not sure how many USB ports computers have now, but I have 3 on my laptop and I have a USB hub I can connect if I need more.   I haven't used a desktop in so long, but I can't think of an advantage of one over the other.

I have a power box that all my equipment hooks into that I sit my laptop on top of.  You will need to elevate it in some way or you'll get a crick in your neck. 

• Do any of you transcribe using a laptop? - Linda Andrews, CMT, FAAMT
  • Not fussy about ergonomics? - cc
  • Laptop use - New to home
  • I've used my laptop to MT for about 5 years, full-time. Couldn't - transcribe any other way. sm
    • P.S. I use an external LCD monitor, keyboard and mouse - when I'm home.
      • Same machine? - NB
        • I used A Fujitsu Life Book the first 4 years, and just switched - to a Toshiba. I have always worked FT. sm
          • Thanks sm - NB
  • Thanks everyone! I appreciate the information - Linda Andrews, CMT, FAAMT
  • DH QAs about 130 reports daily with laptop using separate keyboard. nm - anon this time
  • I've been using a laptop exclusively for 6 years. - I do
    • Have you used the same laptop that whole time? - NB
      • I have 2 laptops, 1 in case something happens to the other, but - me
        • Thanks sm - NB
  • I do when I travel.....sm - Lappie lady
    • Laptops sm - Just me
      • I use a foot pedal. Your memory in your laptop would be - me
        • Laptop question again sm - Just Me

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I have a 17-inch screen and use an external keyboard 99% of the time.   

Definitely need an external keyboard and I would also recommend an external mouse instead of using the touch pad, unless you have a keyboard that has a touch pad.    Unless you plug in an external monitor too, the smaller screen may be an adjustment, although several of the newer laptops have 17 to 17.5 screens now.   A major plus to a laptop is if the power goes out and you download via wav files you can work, at least for a little while, using the battery.   I have cable internet, but I also get 20 hours/month dial-up with that, so I can use the dial-up to download/upload and use my battery to work for 3+ hours.   You can also get  an inexpensive inverter to plug into your cigarette lighter in your car and plug your laptop into that to charge your battery, or use for working in the car while traveling.  I have a box about 1-1/2 inches tall that all my power cords plug into and I have my laptop sitting on that and it makes it the right height for typing. 

Laptops generally run considerably more than a desktop, though you can find a decent laptop now for $800.00 or less, though most will run you around $1000.00/more depending on what bells and whistles you want. 

a problem with the monitor.  I did turn it off at night though and used a screen saver.   I now have a Toshiba that I've had for about 18 months.  I turn it off for the weekend because I also have a desktop I use for non-MT stuff, but I leave it on most of the time otherwise, unless going out of town.  I have not had a problem with this monitor either.  I also have an HP laptop that I've had for about 5 years.  I don't use it on a daily basis, but I have never had a problem with the screen on it either. 

I have never used an external monitor, though I do use an external keyboard. 

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. 

I've used it in the past to call in for dictation and to transcribe on a few different digital but not internet systems (RTAZ and a couple others); it doesn't work with Lanier systems.  I used to re-record from those, as well, onto microcassettes.  Boy, that was a long time ago.

I still have mine and keep it on my desk for a work phone.  It can hold 16 different phone numbers, or when used for dictation/transcription, those slots can be used for different function keys, although those functions are pretty much exclusive to Dictaphone but not all.  It was a good investment at the time and still is, imo. The only problem is that it requires a 2-prong headset. 

And the clients have always liked my work.

That is the only CORRECT in my book ... he who signs the paycheck.

My problem with changing accounts was not the terminology, the dictators (I do 4 big hospitals even now), but it was shuffling around to remember account specifics. That is ridiculous.

It is another case of an MTSO (not the client, the MTSO) treating the MTs as a cost center instead of a revenue center. The "money" was for the suits and the editors (no offense) and the MTs who did the work were at the end of the money line.

I've never run out of work, been slow at times, and asked for more.  If you are a well-rounded MT the work is there.  If you are limited to one or two specialities well, work is limited as would be anywhere.  As for the pay, my check was been screwed up twice in 3 years.  I had the difference in my hands the next day, the fedex the check to me. 

Question to you?  How did you treat BTS?  Where you there to work if and when they needed you?  Was your work 98% or better and within TAT?  Most employers will treat their employees they way they are treated.  It's a give and take situation people.  I sign on do my work, send it to the clients and have no problems.  If they need extra help somewhere I usually (but not always) say sure (who can't use the extra money anyway).  When I want time off, they say no problem. 

Did you ever try talking to the owners about your problem with pay or work or to your manage?  You can't complain if you don't try and solve the problem first.!!

and can honestly say I've never had a background check to my knowledge.  They really should let you know beforehand and I guess it is possible I've had one and not been aware but highly doubt it.

Been in healthcare since 1972 :)  Got halfway through my Masters in HealthCare Administration and stopped because I was NOT passionate about that.  Got into this instead. 

I am still passionate about my house and everything else I do.  I'm 55.  I'm not naive, or dumb.  Passion comes from inside you, if you're not passionate, it's because you make yourself that way.

Thanks for the tip, but I don't have anything to get over.  I don't waste a lot of time whining and complaining though.  :)

been IC, but one of the things I did was to have my husband claim zero and at the single rate.  If you're already doing that and it didn't help, you might want to have him pay in a little extra per pay or pay estimated taxes yourself.  I thought with federal income tax, my employer did take it out because I was considered a statutory employee but still IC status.  I think I had a little extra taken out and claimed zero and married at the single rate.  A lot of things go into determining whether or not you owe taxes. 

You say you adopted a child this year and will get that tax credit, did you have any children before?  If not, then you likely didn't have much choice except to pay estimated quarterly taxes and have both you and your husband claim zero and the single rate.  We have 3 children now, which definitely helps, but even still we continue to claim zero on our W4s just to keep ahead of the gov.  We like that little "bonus" we get back for vacation, etc.

I know I always paid estimated state taxes.  In some cases, you can end up paying penalties if you don't.  Talk with your accountant.  He/she should be able to give you ways to avoid having to pay in.  You probably can't reduce what you make anymore than you already have.  It sounds like you've got your deductions covered.  Your only option may be to pay estimated.  Good Luck!

I work a few hours in the morning before kids get up, spend time with kids, do housework, fix dinner, etc. and then I work a few hours after dinner.   I get up at least every 2 hours and do something, may put on a load of laundry, may lay something out to thaw for dinner, may take a power nap, etc.  I couldn't sit for an 8 hour shift if my life depended on it.

It works for my and my family.  My husband works 12-15 hours, a lot of them overnight and he is home by 11 most days, so my schedule works for him too. 

Ever since they first came out I have been using.  I prefer some of the cheaper knock-off brands to the MS though.  Does anyone remember the Wave keyboard?  It was the precursor to the MS and also there was an actual split keyboard and one time, where the keyboard broke in half so you typed with your hands vertically instead of horizontally.  I also tried learning Dvorak and that was an interesting experience!

I have an MS at work and one at home.  My hands hurt less and my shoulders are not as tight.  I can't stand to use a regular keyboard as I tend to hunch over and my shoulders get tight, not to mention make all kinds of errors!  I don't know about using the "B" with your other hand though.  Never heard of that.  I just use a standard technique.

IMHO

and I think it's great.  It can get a little dull because you tend to hear the same things over and over, but you can get good line counts with it. 

and transcribing for 20+

I can't imagine stopping to start all over again. It scares me to think that the "hunt and peck" types are now being catered to instead of learning the keyboard the way it should be learned. But then again, I'm an "old timer."

When I learned qwertyuiop it was on a manual typewriter.  The manual typewriters are what gave us old timers our speed. It also gave us concentration when you had to flip the handle on the left and push the roll back into place for the next line. Not to mention exercise when you pushed it too hard and the whole roll flew off and landed on the floor.

Heck, I used to do MT on a very old electric typewriter with a bottle of  White Out handy.

My top 5 minute timed typing test for a job interview was 138 wpm on an old electric and that was almost 20 years ago.  I think I'll stick with the old stuff.

And, by the way, I have no wrist pain, finger pain, etc. Guess I'm either lucky or it's because of the fact that I'm ergonomic, do my CTS exercises, and wear wrist supports when I type.