If you're going to choose a computer based strictly on economics then 
don't forget to include all of the costs. An Apple box will cost more 
than a comparably tricked out PC. With free options like NVDA and Linux, 
and the fact that JAWS for personal use has come down so much in price, 
it may not be any cheaper going with an Apple device even when you take 
into account the cost of any access technology you need to purchase on 
the PC. I'm not saying people shouldn't go with an Apple system, I'm 
just saying do your research and do the math before you just assume 
that's the cheaper route.

On 27/07/16 19:38, David Chittenden wrote:
> The learning curve is always daunting. However, the world is always changing. This is just how life is, no matter how one personally feels about it.
>
> As for the upgrade costs for screen readers, this is why I changed to the Mac in 2011. I decided I did not want to pay the Assistive Technology upgrade costs in addition to the computer upgrade costs. And yes, learning a completely new screen reader and operating system, at the same time, was very frustrating. I am happy I did so as I no longer must pay the AT upgrade costs. VoiceOver is updated every time Mac OS is updated.
>
> David Chittenden, MSc, MRCAA
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Mobile: +64 21 2288 288
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On 28 Jul 2016, at 10:50, Bill Pasco <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> All that has been said is true, but is incomplete.
>>
>> One reason some are hesitant to update is they have older JAWS versions. To bring JAWS up to the newest is expensive and prohibitive for some folks.
>>
>> Yes, I know NVDA can be used, but that is a learning curve if you have not used it in the past.
>>
>> If you are right and one cannot still use Office 10, then the expense to upgrade is again prohibitive fore some. I need to check on that one, not sure.
>>
>> Not everyone is a geek like those of us on this list. The learning and upgrading and driver fixes etc. are daunting for some people who only know how to turn the computer on, and read email. There are more of those folks than you think.
>>
>> If one uses Windows 8.1 updating should not be too bad as 10 looks similar. From 7 though is a bit more of a change.
>>
>> Finally, some people are saying "what I have works, so why make life difficult?" This is not a long term solution, but if you have an aging laptop, you'll probably replace it before support for Windows 7 or 8.1 expires.
>>
>> Bill
>>
>>
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>
>
>     VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
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-- 
Christopher (CJ)
chaltain at Gmail


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