RE: For those of you who use laptops - where do you do most of your work, i.e. in a recliner (sm)
Posted By: Kristie on 2006-02-17
In Reply to:
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
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If is difficult to work in a recliner and push a foot pedal. It can
be done but creates a strain on your feet/ankles and slows you down. I work on a picnic table under an awning when the weather is nice, but I'm not able to work as well as I do at my desk because I'm not able to have a keyboard tray and working with my keyboard on the table makes it too high. I've even tried work in bed using a tray across my lap, but then again you have the problem with pushing the foot pedal. You could use the keyboard for your function keys but it would really slow you down.
My recliner
Because I am not yet working in my recliner, I am not 100% sure what is going to be the best way to handle the foot pedal, but I had bought a tray that I was planning to use to hold the keyboard while sitting in the recliner, which I purchased prior to coming across the AlphaGrip, and my problem with using the tray for the keyboard had always been the stinkin' MOUSE! Well, since I won't need the tray while using the AlphaGrip, my plan is to try using it for the footpedal. I am able to change both the height and the angle of the tray, but it is pretty lightweight so I will probably have to build a "wall" of some kind or weight it down. The chair is able to recline without having the foot pulled up, so for now I just practice the AlphaGrip either from the chair I use while keyboarding or use the recliner without pulling the foot up.
I'll get there one day, hopefully sooner than later :)
Recliner
I've had to use my recliner in the past when I was having my office remodeled. During this time, I placed my keyboard in my lap with a small blanket or towel underneath to offer stabilization without being too stiff. For my monitor and mouse, I used a TV tray which I sat just to the right of my recliner. I then used a small step-stool for my foot pedal. It was just the right height and it didn't get in the way when I needed to get up.
Although I was comfortable and had everything in just the right position, I found that my recliner was too comfortable (which I didn't know was possible!) and this lead to back stiffness by the end of the day and decreased production due to the sleepiness that I experienced from being in such a relaxed position all day.
I now only use the recliner when I need a change of scenery or when I am unable to locate my desk due to excessive clutter! I also have since bought a laptop which can be used with a wireless mouse and keyboard so my lap doesn't get too hot. Those lap cushions are great for keeping the heat off my lap, but they also put the laptop's keyboard at an akward height for transcribing.
Recliner
I had bought a tray that I was hoping to use to put my keyboard in my lap. I can't remember the name of it offhand, but it is adjustable in height and angle. My recliner sits on an old futon frame so that I can roll my laptop desk underneath and have my computer in front of me, and I set the tray up at the foot, also on the futon frame, at just the right height and angle. I have threatened to post a picture on here before, but still have not done so. I'll try to get my son to help me with that as soon as I get out from under the work I've got . . . hopefully tomorrow afternoon.
MTs who type in a recliner or bed?
 Isn't it awkward to type in bed or a recliner? Where do you put the pedal so that you are in a good comfy position? Are you using a pedal or the keyboard for the audio files? I am just trying to picture this?
Okay, here is a pic of my recliner setup
from the sitting in the chair view
RE: Do you actually use it on your lap, at a table, etc. and if you're in say a recliner, how (s
do you have your foot pedal set up? I'm looking for suggestion! Thanks!
omg -- listen, get in a recliner and prop that leg up. then
you can put a small cloth over your footpedal and put it under your elbow and just lean a little on it and type! lol
i know it sounds wierd but it works! that way your foot can be elevated properly and you can still work from the comfort of the recliner!
hope that helps!
You sit in a recliner? I sit in a chaise and love it! Except, I sm
need to use a foot pedal. How do you MT without a foot pedal?
Slept in a recliner for a year before I got mine....LOVE IT. sm
I have degenerative disk disease in my lumbar and cervical spine. We got a king sized, fully adjustable because of the level of my problems. I rarely have had to use the adjustments because having found my "number" I am provided with an incredible night sleep. My number is 35 and it has changed my life. I have significantly less pain, I can sleep ALL NIGHT without rolling over and over and over in pain. Wish I would have gotten it when it first came out. We have had it for 2 years now. I recommend it to everyone who asks.
Recliner/foot pedal side view
As you can see, it is not all that pretty. The tray tended to move when I would press the pedal. A few large, heavy bricks and two PDRs later, all is well!! 
I'm trying to purchase a new recliner for my mother. She has multiple medical problems and is ab
5 ft. tall, so her little legs always kind of "hang." I've seen on TV different recliners, motorized, with this and that feature, I keep thinking Craftmatic, but I've looked through there and only see beds. Anyone has any ideas or suggestions? I know my sweet little Mom would really appreciate it.
Laptops sm
I would appreciate knowing how much memory the laptop needs, as mine is pretty slow. My desktop has more than enough, so could I plug my laptop into the tower of my desktop? Sounds crazy, but I would not have to move the monitor, just the tower case if I'm going to be at another location, that in itself would be so very helpful. Is this possible? Have USB ports available on both. Also (dumb question) do you use a footpedal or function keys? 
for those of you using laptops
I've been looking into getting one for my son who's going off to college - which ones do you use and are happy/not happy with? Thanks!
Laptops
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
laptops
We bought our son a Toshiba, satellite series laptop 3 years ago and it is a good one, added memory to it also, hope our luck continues with it.
Laptops
A laptop will work FINE with ANY platform including Dictaphone ExText -- I have had mine since 2006 and it is an HP and I run XP Pro on it with Word 2000 -- I also purchased a four hub USB port to plug into my bottom USB port and have four available ports for my other devices -- I also run a Sprint USB card on my laptop and have NO problems whatsoever -- also, for you people that want to know about "wireless" -- if you DONT have a wireless network setup at home be it a laptop or desktop it WILL NOT work!!!! If you have a neighbor that has a wireless network, if it is a private network, you wont be able to access it -- people want the convenience of a laptop and "thinking they can work outside" -- think about battery life etc -- my laptop is plugged in just like a desktop would be and NEVER outside -- also, being outside half the time you cannot see the screen -- wireless keyboard and mouse as well for comfort and footpedal to work with -- think about you "home setup" before buying a laptop cause it may be more headache than it is worth
laptops
I use my laptop and my cell phone as internet connection. I do not use the card slot for the PC but am Bluetooth directly to connection with internet.. I have used my laptop while in the car, hubby driving, of course. It is really great. I use an external keyboard so that does slow me down in the car when i use the keyboard from the laptop but if I need to begin my weekend early I can and travel for the last few hours of my shift
Laptops
Laptops now have just as much memory, hard drive size, and use the same CPUs as desktop or tower computer systems.
Also, the Acer (or other brand) you get from Walmart is identical to the one you'll buy from an electronics store...and you'll pay more.
The only reason I'd go to an electronics store is if I needed something installed on the system, like additional memory or a different operating system than the one that comes "standard" (Vista Home Premium for Acers and many others now) or something like that. And, even if I needed something like that I probably would just order it with whatever "customizations" I needed directly from the company over the Internet.
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! ');>![](https://forum.mtstars.com/smileys/thankyousign.gif")
More about laptops, would you share?
What brand do you have? What specs, actual screen size, hard drive, RAM, ports? Do you have a parallel port for your foot pedal? Do you have a docking station? I'm looking and am curious what everyone else is using.
should not use laptops on laps....sm
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
I have 2 laptops, 1 in case something happens to the other, but
99% of the time I have used the same laptop the entire time. I do work full-time and until recently worked 7 days a week, so it has gotten lots of use. I've also traveled quite a bit with my laptop so it has taken lots of wear and tear.
laptops are no different than desktops.
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.
Opinion on laptops.....sm
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......
speaking of laptops
how do you sit outside when you need a foot pedal?? laptop knowledge is sort of new to me also. Thanks!!
Looking at Dell laptops, need help plz..sm
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 use laptops exclusively...sm
I have used a laptop exclusively for years and years and have never had a problem with the screen. I currently have an HP with a 17" screen and keep it constantly during the week. It is about a year old and is just fine. My old one that is for personal use is still going strong after 3-1/2 years.
Any advice on laptops? sm
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.
RUN FROM DELL LAPTOPS
Ish will never by a Dell again!!!
Laptops - I am clueless!
Sorry if this is a really dumb question but are all laptops equipped for headsets and foot pedals? I hate all my wires and am considering going with a laptop and wireless connection to do my work but I'm not sure if you can plug in your foot pedal and headset? 
Laptops and traveling
I have two accounts that I work on. My account during the week we don't have strict times, just a time you have to have files done by, so that does allow for a little more ease. On the weekend I cover for a small 50 bed hospital, so sometimes I may have 20 files, sometimes I may have 2. The one on the weekend has a special footpedal that you can only use with their program, but it really isn't that awkward in the car. The one during the week I can use a foot pedal or use F2 to start/stop, F3 to rewind, F4 to FF. At first I was a little slow with this but now I don't find my speed any different with using F2 or with the foot pedal.
It takes some getting used to, but where i live it takes forever to get somewhere, and it's really nice to be able to get some work done. I actually got to make some extra money the other day. My mom drives for a trucking company and they needed someone to take her to get her truck. So she drove my truck to go get it (about an hour away) and I worked the whole time. Got paid a $100 bucks to ride in my truck and work! Of course that was like a one time deal.
The best for me though is getting to go to Florida and visit my dad who is 6 hours away. I can still take my work and work on the road with a pc card (about $60 a month) and not have to take time off. Just have to make sure you discipline yourself to work and not chat with hubby! :)
Like I said, it takes some getting used to, but it comes in handy!
Employees Using Laptops
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?
working on laptops
How nice for the MTs out there who can work on their laptops. At Amphion you work from their computer. I tried to be able to get to work on my laptop and got shut down, confidentiality reasons, etc. I only wish I could go outside or be more comfortable than my desk and chair setup. I bet I would be much more productive. Anyone from Amphion who is working on their laptop please let me know how, I would really appreciate it.
Verizon has a card for laptops (sm)
$60 a month for unlimited high speed access from anywhere you can get a signal. I have a Verizon cell phone and get pretty good coverage with it.
problem with laptops is ergonomics...sm
o.k. to do a little here and a little there but can't imagine putting in 6-8 hour days routinely. The keyboards are just too small and set too far back. Plus are you balancing it on your knees at Starbucks or what? For heavy production, you need a good chair and desk set up. Tempting to have one to carry around though and jump on line now and then while at the football game...
Notebook/Laptops with calculator key pad?
I am in search of the brands of notebook/laptops that have the calculator key pad on the keyboard. I really do not want to have to buy a separate calculator key pad to carry around along with the headphones and a foot pedal. So, can you all tell me which brands have the calculator key pad already on the keyboards? Thanks MT Mom
HP laptops come with keypads. Mine and DH's both have one....sm...
Not all HP's have them. Ours do though. I use an ergo keyboard plugged in via USB though when I'm doing transcription. I just got mine in January so they probably still have some.
laptops and foot pedals
Hi. could you explain a little further how the hot keys works versus foot pedal? thanks for helping me out. I feel so out of it with some of this.
I just got my 5th Dell---have 2 laptops and 3 desktops - sm
My laptop which I bought used about 5 years ago has been acting up for about a year, so expect it to die soon, so bought a new/used Dell laptop to replace that (use for travel only basically). My desktop crashed last year, got it fixed, bought a backup though about 8 months ago to replace that one. My everyday one finally died right after Christmas. On my backup desktop used Dell now, but this is supposed to be my younger daughters computer (and just my backup for emergencies); so I went and ordered a new Dell last week (with XP though), just got it and plan on setting it up over the weekend. I am very happy with the Dell product. My first one lasted 6 years, my used laptop is about 8 years old and still going though it is dying, my new/used laptop is about 2 years old and in great shape; my backup is also about 2-3 years old but I expect it will last longer than 6 years as it will not be abused like my regular desktop. I am sure I will be happy with the new one. I had a Gateway before and it died after 4 years, so I find Dell more reliable.
Docs with laptops instead of recording sm
It's happening, docs typing in only what they feel necessary as they see you and your PMH only as necessary, you may have been through a lot in the past but don't think they care, they only want what they can efficiently store & do themselves. That's a fact! It's sad!
Laptops and foot pedals
I just discovered that the foot pedal I use with Bayscribe does not fit into my laptop! The foot pedal has a 9-pin connection and the laptop has mostly only USB portals. I don't want to buy a new foot pedal. Is there any sort of adapters or some other way to make this work?
Laptops and Satellite/Wireless Internet
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?
All internet-based accounts & laptops...sm
Excuse me for being so dense about this, but what kind of laptop and internet connection do you all get that enables you to work outdoors or on the road? Can this work for anybody on any internet-based account? Do you just plug your foot pedal in your laptop, hook up to internet (but how do you connect to the internet when you are outside or camping?) and go to work. If someone could explain this to me in detail, I would very much appreciate it. TIA
Been using a laptop only for 7 years now. Some laptops aren't
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.
We have a few Acer laptops in our family. No probs. nm
s
You could start by reading other posts re: laptops on this board.
Click on "See Related Messages" in your OP.
Vista is on all the new laptops, no problem, support will guide you through. nm
.
I've searched and not all Dell laptops have the parallel port.
So I just wanted to check to see more specifics from those who have. Thanks.
Go do Dell.com and click on laptops. To the far right is an icon that says "looking for Windows
If you click on that, they offer computers that have XP on them already. I have not checked into this, but the prices listed are the same as for Vista computers. You might check it out, and let us know if it is legitimate. Good luck.
I am happy with mine...the price was right and it works just fine. No need for pricey laptops IMO.
nm
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