What kind of Laptop is good to buy
Posted By: Barb on 2008-06-05
In Reply to:
Looking at a laptop on E-bay. What is the best choice?
Thanks,
Barb
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
Put the money towards good education, not an unnecessary laptop.
It should tell you something that a school offers a "free" laptop to get students to sign up. List how many good things and how many bad things you have heard about Andrews and M-TEC. Then make the same list for Allied and TRS. There's your answer.
Well, it really IS kind of up in the air, but even if MTs
.
What kind of job?
You need to be more specific about what kind of job. Will major employers hire their grads without 2 or more years of experience? It's not likely. Can their grads get a job typing for a doctor's office somewhere? Maybe, if one happens to be available.
Look around here and on www.mtchat.com to see what's been written about schools in the past.
You're kind!
appreciate the support ... this is harder than i ever imagined it would be (as a seasoned clerical for many, many years). i don't see how any of you make a living at this.
though i was told it was hard before i started, i didn't believe it could be that hard. famous last words!
surprisingly, most of my challenges come from the simpler things like hearing "a" instead of "the" (or where there isn't either).
how on earth did you get through this? my hat's off to all of you seasoned MTs.
kind of unbelievable, isn't she? lol
and some of her posts down the page state she's upset about how little she makes and she wants a bigger better-paying job
also says that quality is the only thing to worry about
WRONG! takes a little quantity too
won't do her any good to do 3 perfect reports a day -- especially if she's clocked in all day waiting for us to QA 'em online! lol
i think she gave her name in one of them, or her first name and initials on one of those posts
lol
What kind of training did you have?
nm
What kind of work are you
doing now, and we might have ideas for your next investments! I have a bunch of Stedman's & also some HPI books I couldn't get by without, and I've been doing this 17 years.
That was kind of a ridiculous statement! nm
nm
What kind of contacts? experience in what?
I see more messages from graduates of business schools and community colleges saying that nobody will hire them. What kind of contacts are they getting that are helpful to them? What kind of experience are you talking about? They evidently aren't getting the kind that get them jobs or they wouldn't be having so many problems finding jobs? Could you be more specific about what you mean when you say contacts and experience? I really would like to know.
What kind of diploma do you hold? nm
nm
I do Radiology now, kind of fell into it but love it. nm
are you joking? what kind of QA is even remotely close to that post?
I have been MTing for 15+ years and have never received a QA like that. You are a little bold in suggesting someone cannot make it as an MT if they can't take criticism. I hate criticism, and I have been MTing for many years. That post above was rude, suggesting that newer MT's expect to make $60,000 and bounce their babies on their knees while tapping the keyboard. What a joke. If you are experienced, you should take pause and remember what it was like. Did people expect that from you? Nobody expected that from me when I first started out, nor did they make such harsh suggestions.
Laptop ok to use?
I'm purchasing another computer system so I don't have to share with my kids. I'd like a laptop so I have some flexibility to move around (so I can work in my room when the kids are awake and dh is home, but work downstairs at night if dh is asleep).
How feasible is that? Is it comfortable? What accessories would you recommend to make it easier? Does anyone use a regular keyboard with it for comfort?
Or should I just get a desktop?
Thanks!
Dawn K.
MT on a laptop
I've been transcribing on a laptop for 5 years, and it's no different from doing anything else on a laptop. Going from desktop to laptop for all your tasks requires an adjustment period just because the keyboard is compact. The great thing is, you can take your work with you anywhere there is secure internet access. :)
Laptop
Hi,
I posted a note about laptops and thank you so much for all your help. My ? now is what exactly do you need on a laptop for Mt. What do you look for. I see on Tiger Direct they are several, someone said Lenovo xp was good. I never owned a laptop before thats why all the ?s.
Thanks you,
Barb
You want everything on a laptop that you
would want on a desk top. Most laptops know only have USB ports, no serial ports or game ports, but if you need those you can get adapters. You want a minimum of two high-speed USB connections, preferably 4. You can buy USB hubs rather cheaply if you need more than that. You want a bunch of RAM, not a Celeron processor. If you are just using for work you don't need a huge hard drive and anything you bought off the shelf would have plenty.
You want XP and not Vista.
laptop
I just bought one. It has Vista. The company I work for is compatable with Vista. If you are working for someone now ask them if it will work with Vista.
laptop
You may also want to find out from your employer what specifications are necessary to get the job done correctly. A lot of companies do not want Vista, MS Works or Word. I just bought a new desktop for my new job, and had to take off a lot of the softward that came with the computer becuase it was not compatible with the employer's software package. It may depend on a lot of things. Just ask for a list of specifications needed for a computer, and you may not have to pay as much if you can leave off certain software and packages off the computer.
Janet is a very kind, caring, & smart lady. You can't go wrong with her course
and that goes for quite a few other school owners, too.
Dawn, regarding a laptop...
there has been a lot of discussion on the main board about laptops, if you do a search there you will find helpful information I'm sure.
I use a laptop for travel and it works for me. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse as I could never make any $$ using a laptop keyboard.
As for reference books and carrying them to different places in your home, I have all my reference books on CD and have them installed on both my desktop and my laptop. I very rarely use an actual book for reference anymore. Even the BOS II is on CD and, for me, it is much easier and faster to reference than paging through a book.
BUT, if you are an IC, for IRS purposes, you would have to have a designated office. If you are an employee, then it probably wouldn't matter except maybe to your company (some hospitals want to make sure an employee has an ergonomically correct work space and a hospital I once worked for went to the employee's home to check it out).
Good luck to you - where ever you end up working! 
laptop/Escription
I bought an old Toshiba Tecra 8100 from ebay for around $300 and had to purchase Word (got 2000 for $70). My foot pedal($15 Ebay) works fine as this is an old laptop and has the 9 pin serial port. Sometimes you have to buy the old stuff to get things to work. Everything now is Windows Vista and until our software catches up I am saving my money for the better equipment, maybe a year from now.
Transcribing on a laptop
Has anyone transcribed on a lap? Is it better or worse than desktop?
Thanks for your reply!
tt
working from laptop
You can either tether from your cell phone or get a wireless card that goes into your computer. This is secure. If you use the hotel wireless it might not be. The teathering is about 60 dollars a month and it is monthly. The lap top card is the same price but it requires a 2 year contract, at least that was the last time I checked. Tethering actually works the best for me. You can actually use it riding in a car at 80 miles per hour if you are in range of cell coverage whereas the laptop card drops the signal.
I take my laptop and work as I travel. nm
nm
Ideal laptop for transcribing?
Hi everyone,
I'm about to graduate and would like to get a laptop for transcribing. Does anyone know of a particular brand/make that would be good for a transcriptionist?
Thanks!!
I wouldn't buy a laptop for ergonomic reasons...sm
the keyboard is very small and it's almost impossible to get it set up at the correct height. Note their keyboards seem to be set forward into the laptop also and there's no wrist rest. If you are going to be putting in 6 hours a day, you better make darn sure you have all the ergonomics in place, including a really good chair. Otherwise, your body will pay. Also don't forget, you will have to either a C-phone hooked up where-ever you are working or more likely you will be using a .wav player. So are you planning to have the footpedal and headset plugged into your laptop too along with every thing else? That ought to drain your battery in no time. If you have the picture of typing poolside on a sunny day, forget it.
I have worked exclusively on a laptop for nearly 6 years.
I have traveled through 34 states and Mexico and worked the whole time. I have sat by the pool many days while my children swam. I have sat out on my deck on a pretty day. When space allows I use an external keyboard, but it only takes me a few minutes to readjust to the laptop keyboard when needed. I obviously use a wav player for my work. I have a bus card, a foot pedal, my earphones plugged in and sometimes my keyboard and I don't notice a significant difference in the drain on my battery whether I have these attached or not. If your battery is running low that quickly you need a new battery. I do not have an external mouse but use a touch pad. I find that a mouse is necessary if you are using an external keyboard, becauase your computer will be elevated and it will create a strain on your wrist to use the touch pad.
inputs on buying a laptop computer to use for work
I am a newbie and looking into buying a laptop computer to use for work. I would like to know if that is okay. The reason that I wanted a laptop computer for work is because I wanted to be still working wherever I maybe even if I am not at home. Is that possible? If it's okay, what laptop computers do you recommend?
I just bought a laptop Dell E1505. Your biggest obstacle is the foot pedal as it's a 9-pin serial
port and NO newer computers have them anymore, especially laptops. Also, Escription is not compatible with Windows Vista which also most newer computers come with. I needed a laptop with Windows XP so I went onto Dell and they can "customize" one for you with the XP on it or you can do what I did and 400 dollars cheaper and get it from Ebay. The only thing I noticed was that the new one I got on ebay didnt have Word on it and I had to purchase Word 2003 for that as Word 2007 also is not compatible. Over the last 3 years, I have tried multiple adapters to get the foot pedal to work and finally used one that Escription recommends ..the Dynex DB9 model. I also got it on Ebay for $10 or they can be bought at like Best Buy but they are around $35 I think. There are a few obstacles with Escription and laptops etc.but since I like to travel, I finally got it worked out. I also plug in another keyboard as the laptop one is hard to type on and I like my ergonometer one. Good luck
Good. The lab book was a good choice.
Be sure you look through each book when you get it. Put tabs on sections you will want to refer to quickly. I know my lab book (not Stedman's) has all kinds of extra sections. I think my next purchase would be the cardiac book. Then neuro or OB-GYN after that, depending on which you are getting more of in your work.
that's good to know
At least there's a little hope for me
Good for you!! - nm
.
Good for you!
.
I know a good MT when I see one - regardless of
credentials, school or references. One run through the grammar screening knocks most of 'em right out of the ballpark...
good for you, 10/cpl is good
/
That is good
That is great to hear that someone else was exactly where I am now. Where did you land your first job, not the MTSO, the other one?
I do not think I am TOO GOOD.
companies that pay these low wages are taking advantage of new MTs that don't know their value yet. The MTs that received this offer had all spent thousands of dollars and a lot of time learning to become an MT. I just don't know why anyone would sell themselves short for 5 cpl ($10 an hour is generous by the way as most new MTs won't get to 200 lph). As I said, there are companies out there that pay better. If you are trying to help, steer the newbies to these companies, not the companies that have a reputation for not respecting their MTs. If you take the time, do your research, and graduate from a good school, you should have no problem finding a good job. I had 4 offers before I even got my final score. My first company paid 7 cpl and after 6 months, I took on my own client making just about double that.
good to know!! Thank you!
good to know!! Thank you!
Good For You!
My late Mother did the same thing. We didn't do homeschooling, but she did it all and did it exceptionally well. She was brilliant but never acted like it. She was a taxi to more than the 6 kids in our family. She taught piano, voice, directed the church choir, wrote plays (we were in them), was busy in RNC fund-raising, and on and on.
We just called her "Mother."
So good luck to you. It really warms my heart to hear stories like yours. As for the MT thing, it sounds like you could teach yourself. That's what I did.
Good luck!
Appy anywhere and everywhere. There are a lot of companies who say they require at least 2 years experience, but you would be surprised at how many will give someone who has just graduated a chance. If you pass their test they will hire you, 2 years or not. I know from experience. I graduated last year and I applied to every ad that had a 2 year minimum, before I graduated. I got hired 1 week before I graduated, and I have been working ever since. Good Luck!
Nothing is good for a newbie.
Ya, I think I won't take the job because it may be a little difficult. That's real smart.
I have not heard anything good about it.
If you are looking for a quality MT education, the gold standard training comes from Andrews and M-Tec. Some graduates of Career Step have had good luck in finding and keeping employment also. The top schools turn out job-ready MTs. Employers are eager to hire them. The cheaper schools do not turn out graduates that employers are eager to hire.
What do you consider a good living?
I'm thinking of work from my house instead of the office, changing careers.
a good living
Sounds like you are quite successful. Please share with me what is involved in actually earning this level of income. Have you been at it for a long time? How many hours/week do you work? Thanks. I'm strongly considering MT but I hear such variables on the pay.
good point
Knowing that pay=production can be a great motivator, especially if you are working for a company that provides consistent work flow and good HR relations.
Thanks for your input.
Good point!
Peggy, what excellent advice! I had not heard it put that way, and after thinking about it, I know you're right! thanks for opening my eyes to think "bigger".... better to be excellent, and more "employable", than to be somewhat limiting. I do plan to study in such a way as to be excellent! That's just the way I'm "built"! :) thanks again for your post.... -Anne (amh) :)
This is a good start for you (sm)
In light of the fact that you are new, this is an excellent rate of pay with a reasonable (generous, really) production requirement, even though you may not be able to meet it at first.
Add 20-25% to it for the benefits and you'll be making more on the lines of $13.08. As an on-site employee you will not have to pay self-employment tax or overhead.
When people scoff at this rate of pay, remember that everyone starting out in a new career field starts at the bottom. You have to work your way up. As an MT, your value lies in your ability to produce quantity work while maintaining high quality. Newbies aren't able to produce much while maintaining quality.
The incentive pay makes this better, and if it has good benefits, then you're doing well.
The most important thing about this job is that it will give you experience. You NEED that experience. If you can get it while being paid hourly, so much the better.
Unless someone scoffing at this can produce a job for you which pays better, do not listen to them.
If you do not have a job and you need a job, you are in no position to be turning one down because it doesn't pay top dollar. Take this job and do your best with it.
Yes, this is still a good field!
Hey Porr - Welcome! First of all, you have come one of the most negative MT sites on the internet. If you are easily discouraged or depressed, I would advise you NOT to come to this site. I have been an MT for over 30 years and every time I come to this board, I leave so dejected, I wonder if I have wasted my life doing MT. I have finally realized that this board drags me down, so I don't come here very often. The people who do come on here legitimately, come to relieve their frustrations, get advice, vent about work situations, etc.... we are not all this stressed out all the time But there are a lot of really good people on here, too, and you can get a lot of valuable knowledge, you just have to learn who the "trolls" are and ignore them (easier said than done at times!) The MT world is undergoing a lot of changes these days. A lot of work is being sent offshore and now they have the voice recognition platform that they are working on. The nationals make you feel very unappreciated, but I have worked for doctors, hospitals, clinics and had my own service for a while, and there are a lot of people out there who will appreciate your skills, just not the large nationals. Stay away from them until you are more seasoned, then, if you feel like tackling one of them, I say go for it. They have their negatives, but you will gain valuable knowledge and you will be able to get a job just about anywhere with one of the nationals on your resume.
This is a great field, just keep your nose to the grindstone and stay away from negative websites (). Do not let the comments you read here sway you one way or the other. I find this to be a personally rewarding field to work in. I hope that you do, too! Hang in there and don't give up!
Good luck!
You can't give up hope if this is the field you want to work in. I had been doing my job for 17 years and needed something new. I did a lot of research and liked the opportunites that being an MT provided. I'm sure it would not be for everybody, but I love what I do and have great docs to transcribe for. Plus, perhaps more important, it is an ongoing learning process. I like to stay challenged and this job certainly does that. Good luck to you!!
Good point..lol
nm
another good response!!!
nm
|
