If you can find a Dell without Windows Vista, buy it.

A lot of MT companies use older software that is not compatible with Vista. So for me, if I were considering buying a new computer, that would be a major consideration.

Other than that, if you are planning on using it primarily for transcription and other home uses (no high-tech graphic video games, for example), just get the biggest "bang for your buck". The fastest processor, the most RAM, the biggest hard drive in your price range.

I would definitely recommend a flat screen monitor. My eyes don't get nearly as tired with my flat screen as they did with my regular monitor.

• Looking at Dell laptops, need help plz..sm - Bitterrooter
  • Agree with don't get Vista!!...sm... - everydayearthling
  • If you can find a Dell without Windows Vista, buy it. - Rad MT
    • Had to pay extra for not having Vista at Dell.. - tbpmt

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu

If so does it work well with the voice file/foot pedals we use for transcription. 

Thanks  

Has anyone used Windows vista with Extext? 

I think that's why it won't play on Express Scribe.  My tech converted a dss file to a mp3 file and then it played...??

Thanks a lot for the help!  I'll try!

How do you find working with Windows Vista?  Bytescribe tells me that I can use it with Vista, but I've been told otherwise by other MTs.  It's complicating the purchase of a new computer!!  I'd like any input I can get.

Better make sure all your programs are compatible.

You can go to Best Buy and get one of their e-machines (Best Buy brand). They will custom-build it for you and it won't cost as much as "name brands." I used one of theirs for quite a while and I was very satisfied with it.

You might even be able to get them to load XP on it if you have the full version (or you could buy a copy). I've heard Vista is still pretty glitchy. I plan to wait at least another year or more before I get Vista, to give them a chance to work out some of the problems.

Good luck!

I am thinking about getting a laptop for travel purposes.  Can anyone tell me if Windows Vista is compatible with DocQscribe?  Appreciate any input.

Using the old backup disks from my crashed computer? 

I need to get this new laptop able to function so I can get a PT job and all seem to want XP...

My mother just bought a computer with Vista on it.  We haven't been able to successfully get the serial wav pedal hooked up because Vista doesn't have a current driver for a game port.

I wanted to find out if anyone has had success with Vista using a USB wav pedal using ExpressScribe.

Thanks

Just about every computer has Vista now but I went through Dell and found the computer I wanted with Windows XP and then went into ebay and got it $400 cheaper than what Dell was going to charge..The one downfall, it didnt have Office Word etc.. installed so I had to buy that but I still came out ahead.

Make sure you get the extended warranty, again, MAKE SURE YOU GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. And, here is why.

My first laptop went out on my, though it was a couple of years old.  Because I had the extended warranty, a service tech came to my house, replaced motherboard, hard drive, heat sink, and keyboard.  He was able to back up everything first and restored it once all the new stuff was in place. 

One of my PCs kept giving some weird blue screen error and I couldn't get to go even in safe mode. I called up Dell, told them the problem, they looked up my extended warranty and they sent someone out to repair it.

Overall, I have been happy with Dell products.  The only drag is that everything Dell sells regarding accessories is proprietary and you have to order it through Dell.  No generic accessories will work.  My suggestion is if you decide to buy a Dell laptop, make sure you get the car power supply and you might even get a 2nd regular power supply because I have been known to leave town and forget the power supply at the house.  Now, I have everything in my laptop bag for when I go out of town and can just throw my laptop in the bag and know everything is there.

Lastly, some Dell laptops require a special aircard to connect to the internet.  I ended up getting a 2 cabled USB air card and I'm glad I did because 2 USB plug ins give better reception than one.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. I'm happy to help.

was a piece of junk, so I'm not the one to ask if you should buy a Dell.   I'd get at least double that processor speed.  My computer is about 10 months old and I have 5 times that, which means that there is probably something faster out now, or soon will be.  It is more than I need for work, but I also use computer to download music/pictures, and a bunch of other stuff.   The Dell I had had 650 mHz and it was slow and that was almost 6 years ago.   You may have to customize anyway to get XP unless you buy one previously owned, which you can also buy from Dell.   It is always a good idea to buy bigger than you need currently just to allow for updates to any software or new software you may add.    You need to also think about tech support.  I know Dell has tech support in India, which can be extremely frustrating.  I don't know that other computer companies don't offshore their tech support, but that would be a question I would ask and find out if there is a locally authorized dealer to handle warranty repairs or if you need to send off the computer.    I would not recommend a Gateway computer and I would not recommend any computer that has a Celeron processor.   They tend to be in all the lower end computers. 

I have LOTS of peripherals on both my laptop and desktop Dells and they certainly didn't come from Dell. You've been misinformed.

I love my Dells.

What happens when you click on "My Documents"? Does it say that it is not accessible?

You might try creating a new folder to save your documents in. Try creating it directly on the C drive, so you bypass Documents and Settings.

Otherwise...I don't know what to suggest.  Good luck! Let us know if you find out what went wrong.

Dell stopped selling computers with XP on 6/30 this year.  I called them and asked them if I could get a computer with XP, and they told me no. 

I think it's a shame they're trying to make people purchase something they don't want. I'll probably go with Tiger Direct.

Do you know of a "fix" for this ?