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Laptop/notebook recommendations for transcription work?

Posted By: IN MT on 2007-01-15
In Reply to:

I am going to get a laptop/notebook in about a month and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for one that seems to work well with transcription.  I need to know specifics like hard drive, RAM, memory, model number, etc.  Thanks in advance




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Laptop Recommendations
I highly recommend you look at geeks.com and see what they have. Also, another option is the dell outlet (outlet.dell.com) they have refubs, off lease, scratch and dent (not so recommended) and "unopened returns" all of which are a few hundred bux less than a similar new machine.
Need transcription machine recommendations please

I am an at-home MT and I have been using an Olympus Pearlcorder T1000 for the last several years. I am on my second one - the first one the hinge doesn't work correctly to insert/remove the microcassette tape but the machine still works (but I have to use something to flip/pry the lid open-lol) ! In fact, I am using it now because about a year or more ago I purchased another one (exact same model) as I felt it would be wise to have an extra machine). Anyway, the new one started pulling out the tape out of the microcassettes and won't backup/rewind like it should. It did this a couple months ago and I did the alcohol cleaning with a q-tip and that didn't work, so tried some silicone spray and finally it started working properly again but now I have run into the same problem. I tried all the above mentioned tactics but it didn't work this time. :( I hardly feel it is worth taking it in to have it repaired since they are not a costly machine, and BTW, I have an older Sony business quality transcription machine (around $500 over 10 years ago!) that I had so many problems with and had it in/out of the business machine repair shop several times (so additional $ spent) and still ended up with problems, so that is why I lean now more toward the cheaper models and if I get a couple years use out of them I am happy.


I am just wondering if there are any other machines that you might recommend around the $200 price range that you have had good luck with or should I just buy another Pearlcorder.


TIA. 


How is using a 10" screen laptop/netbook in MS Word or doing transcription? Is it satisfactory?

I was thinking about getting a 10.2" screen "netbook" or laptop for use with basically Word and the internet concurrently.  I wondered if it was feasible to use as a backup for doing transcription.  And, I'm not sure what the difference is between a netbook and a laptop.  Basically I'm wondering if a "netbook" could handle the applications necessary to do transcription, i.e., needing to have Word open, internet open, wavplayer open, and abbreviation open all at the same time.  Anyone have experience with this?  Thanks.


I work on Escription platform and the adapter didnt work for me. I tried it on my laptop though
and the foot pedal would just not play correctly with the adapter. I think others have tried it and done it but it just didnt work for me.
I work from a laptop on DQS
We travel back and forth between our main home and a cabin. It works fine. I got all kinds of help from another poster on this board before I bought and then did a lot of research on the internet. DQS loads just dandy. Just make sure you get a fairly powerful processor and plenty of memory and storage. Also you'll need several kinds of ports to accommodate an external keyboard, foot pedal and mouse. Mine came with all these. It's an HP with an AMD-64 processor. Very very happy with it!
i have a laptop so i can still work on
battery back up, but i still unplug everything and wait it out.  it's not worth the risk because it only takes once and you lose everything.  i'm in the midwest with tornados going through right now....i couldn't live without my laptop and battery back up!
Anyone work on laptop?
Wondering if any MT's work on laptop versus desktop computer?
Does anyone use a laptop for work?
Do you like it? My PC is about to take a dump and Im gonna have to find something else to take its place. My friend has a laptop I can borrow. Everything new has Vista and work has advised us not to upgrade to Vista at present.
About laptop for MT work..sm

i just got a very nice, widescreen laptop for work. I have medical issues and could not withstand working at my desk any longer. People are telling me that it won't last for MT work becuase the keyboard is not durable enough. Well, i still use my ergo keyboard hooked up and i only use the laptop keyboard for work when I am completing my work for about 2 to 3 hours at night. My question is, has any of you ever had a laptop keyboard go bad with MT work?

I hope not, took me years to even afford this one. :)


About laptop for MT work

I have been using laptops (first one was a notebook) for about 10 years. The one I have now is over 4 years old and doing fine. I too, use an external keyboard. I wouldn't have anything else.
Using Laptop for Work

Yes, the keypad in the laptop is not designed for typing work and it is VERY costly if need to be changed.  So, you can hook up an USB keyboard and optical mouse with your laptop's USB port.


 


 


You CAN work in bed on a laptop
Okay, so maybe I'm the last laptop MT out there who just discovered this but I've figured out how to work from bed on days when I'm struggling physically (I have RA). I have propped my foot pedal on a pillow under my elbow/forearm, and gently lean on it while I type. MUCH better! Just wanted to pass that wisdom on in case there was anyone else out there that could be helped by this.
No - no laptop - no computers and no work
I'm just going to leave - and try to relax and work this out. I have no support at home with this, so I am sure it will be at least a day before anyone at home will realize that I am not there. Probably when someone needs me to do something - it will be hey - where's mom - I thought she was just going to the store. My husband has been in the garage today with his brother and another guy since about 9:00 a.m. - and it is hot here. Thanks for everyone's support. The rest of my immediate family is dead or I am sure that they would help me with this. That is why I have to go somewhere on my own, since I don't have any family to help me.
I work outside with my laptop with no problems.
I also have a Sprint USB wireless card and can work anywhere I get a signal, which for me is basically everywhere I travel. I purchased a 9-cell battery and get approximately 6 hours of work time. I use Express Scribe for work and I just use the hotkeys and I don't need to use a footpedal. All my resources are electronic and are downloaded onto my laptop.

While I still prefer to work at a desk as I am more productive when working at my desk, it is nice to have the option to work outside when the weather is nice or if my kids want to go outside to play.
How many of you use a Laptop solely for work? nm
xx
Anybody here work only on a laptop and not use desktop computer at all?
Does it drive you crazy with the small keyboard and small screen? Maybe it's something you get used to and compensate for when working. I'm considering getting a laptop just for work to keep things separate but looking for pros and cons of this. I figured somebody on the board has some advice on this.
I am a bit computer dumb, but what would I need with a laptop to work while at the hospital with my
nm
Doesn't work with "wireless" - my laptop is wireless sm
And my tower is wireless, does this mean I can't use it at all? Sorry to be so uninformed was looking forward to the 2 computers,1 screen and keyboard. ???
Thanks! It sounds like an air card can also work between desktop and laptop
Thanks so much for all this info...It sounds like you can get air cards that plug into USB ports that you can interchange between your desktop computer and your laptop for on-the-go or if there were a power outage. Am pretty low tech but seriously considering this. A lot would depend on the dependability of the signal from my home. If it were steady, I would consider cutting (ha ha) the cable internet which is 48$ plus taxes and just have the broadband (60$ ?) which I could use with my desktop computer or take with me using a laptop and also could use with a laptop in case of power outage. hmmmmmm
Last year we went to Disney and I work on a laptop so I brought it and didn't
take any time off so I could work. After much probing, calling, and trying to set up my internet (I made sure the hotel had wireless or I wouldn't book it), I finally got on line, but it was the night before we had to leave anyway.
I absolutely love my Dell laptop because of the flexibility and I can work on the dining table, office, kids room, etc. I can't imagine ever going back to a desktop PC.
But, you never know when you travel if 100% you will be able to get online.
Does anyone use laptop & cell phone/Internet Card for work?

I am not real computer literate but am wondering if I couldn't get unlimited Internet with a cell phone plan and use that for my on-line job/Internet connection exclusively. I have found plans for around $70/month.


If so, I was thinking too I could possibly give up my land line phone, Callwave, my dial-up ISP (as that is all we have available where live) and actually save a little money by doing so. I don't make/receive a lot of land line calls and I have a TracFone cell phone that I don't use much now. I get excellent reception with that where I live. We have a huge tower within walking distance of where I live but we live out in the "sticks". :D I know my connection would be dependent on the reception where I live and the cell phone service I would use. I am not sure which one truly has the best coverage and/or who may be using the tower by our home but TracFone apparently does. :)


TIA. 


That's strange I bought the adapter but couldnt get it to work right. Maybe cuz it was a laptop..
I'll have to try it again. I just could not get it to work right. I would get sound but then it would freeze up.
So you can work completely remote on a laptop and access your home PC with this program

please e-mail me with more info if you can.  thx


L:ess work available in Transcription
Between out-sourcing and new voice-recognition, without a doubt, in the very near future, our profession will no longer be needed.
What transcription platform do you work on? sm
Hi all! Just curious about the platform you work on and if you like it? If there was a "dream" platform, what would it be? What would you change on your platform if you could? Don't be shy, tell us what you think. :)
because I LOVE transcription work.

I am 60 years old and neither need the $ nor the bennies, I just love doing transcription (of course with the caveat of having all the appropriate demographics provided as well as clearly enunciated dictation).  Doubt, though, that you can understand this.


Same Here - Insurance work transcription - NM
NM
anybody work for Landmark Transcription, INC
Hi, I would like info on Landmark Transcription, if anyone is familiar please.  Pros and cons.  Just got job offer.  Thanks in advance.
Legal Transcription Work
There is definitely legal work out there. I do legal transcription as well as general transcription. There are quite a few legal companies out there. The thing I like about them is the TAT is usually very long. The company I worked for had a 14 day TAT.
To all of you Escriptionist out there...Laptop question. Have any of you found a laptop that you can
thing. I tried one of those adapter that goes from the 9-pin to the USB but when I plugged in the USB my foot pedal did not work right. I know supposedly there is a help section on the escription website that says the adapter may work and how to make them compatible etc but it never worked for me. Has any of you find a solution or a laptop that this foot pedal with work with. I'd like to work while traveling and get a laptop but it never worked on my old one. Ideas??
Anyone out there running low on work at Solutab Transcription?

ughhh


Anyone work for Global Transcription Network
Any comments? I'm a new hire, and looking for any feedback. Based out of Arlington TX.
Do you work in a hospital or a Transcription Service
Office? It is a hospital there should be a manager that you can go to or an administrator. Production is key in hospital work, and it is important you have the quiet you need to produce.
little red notebook
go to horusdevelopement.com. Your can use it free for 30 days and then buy it, I think for 20.00.
Notebook ?

Do you think this is adequate for a notebook for what we do? Thanks!


http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF25a/321957-321957-64295-321838-3329741-1839150.html


Notebook if you have the $$$$$
If ALL you are doing is wordprocessing, which is what transcription is classified, you do not have a need it for graphics etc., and you have the $$$ to put in to what you need, a notebook is best because it is portable. BUT -- remember that notebooks no longer come with serial ports and few companies will include it unless it is a custom build, so a serial foot pedal cannot be used for transcription. I have tried many different adapters, and they do not work; it was explained that the TRUE serial port technology is so old that it is frequently incompatible with the USB technology used in the new operating systems, and that is why an adapter will not work. If you would like more info on your question, feel free to email me.
Another notebook ?

I really know nothing about these sort of things and would like a second opinion, so thank you for your patience in answering these questions for me!!


I looked at Sam's and basically saw nothing that was decent in memory and still high prices. I've been looking at Dell's website and saw they have a new line out for businesses. There are 3 here I am looking at. Each looks the same for memory. I really do not see what the difference is on each one or if one would be better than the other for my needs. Could someone please take a look at these 3 and give me their opinion.


For the money and with the amount of memory being offered, it seems that Dell is the way I need to go.


I appreciate the help! :o)


http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/odg/latitude_refresh?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd


Notebook
I would suggest instead of a notebook, use WordPad instead or any word processing program your hospital has on their computer. I would keep my WordPad document open at all times while typing, then use the Alt+tab key to switch between Meditech (the program my hospital uses) and WordPad. Every single thing I looked up, I added to my WordPad document. The advantage of having it in a computerized document is that you can instantly find a word by just typing in part of the word or what it s/l, then using the Ctl+F function to search the document using the whole or just part of the word. If it sounds like a certain thing, when I add it to my WordPad document, I also type "s/l _________" beside it. So that when I look it up with the search function, it will find the the word even if I didn't spell it right. I kept two separate documents, one for medications and one for all other words. If you take the document home, you can use MS Word "sort" function to list the words in alphabetical order, which I did periodically (but has to be saved in text format to be read in WordPad). If you have any questions, e-mail me at angelathrall@yahoo.com.
Little Red Notebook
Google for it.  I love mine and it is really cheap. 
notebook/lap top
How many of you use a notebook or laptop to do your work?  Are there any disadvantages? I just brought one and figure I can go to the library or somewhere else to work and not be stuck at home.  TIA.
notebook/lap top
Thank you. I had not even thought of HIPPA. At least I can work other places in my house.
Get a notebook...

Divide it by accounts.  Print samples and client profiles if possible.  Put some spare paper in there to make notes when you've done a Google search for a drug, city, street name, referring doc, etc.  Write it down.  Then when you get that account again, you slap open your notebook and it all starts coming back to you. 


Gone are the days of the same dictator over and over again.  They can only dictate so much in a day, so most of us have to expand our horizons. 


This notebook has been my lifesaver! 


P/S:  I do not use an expander.  I only use Word autocorrect.  I am old school, so to me Expanders seem like they would confuse me as I can type pretty quick after 20 years. 


Vostro notebook (sm)

Pros, cons, any other info welcome.  Thank you!


Have a notebook or rolodex (sm)
or anything with alpha tabs to record terms looked up. The very act of writing it down will help you commit it to memory. I once knew an MT who used a little rolodex system and would write a definition on a card for later reference. Periodically she would look through her rolodex and weed out the cards that she had completely memorized, keeping her system streamlined. I thought this was the best learning system I ever heard of.
URL for Lil Red Notebook inside
Sorry, I meant to add the website, although you can find it quickly by using Google.

http://www.horusdevelopment.com/rednotebook.html
Acer notebook
I had a Radio Shack notebook several years ago. I loved it. It was back in the days of floppy discs 3 1/2 inch. I never had to have it serviced.

I have a laptop now and would not go any other way. I have used it for transcription for over four years and had very few problems other than spy ware which you can get on any computer. I got mine at Sams with s 3 year service agreement and never had to use it.

Hope this helps. Good luck either way you decide. I am sure you can take it back if you wish since you just bought it.

ext. keyboard for notebook? sm
I JUST bought a laptop and my 2-year-old went to town on the keys.   So I need a keyboard I can use with it. I've heard about 'usb' keyboards and mice for laptops. Can someone recommend one that responds to a light touch and is economical?
I love my Dell notebook (sm)
When I bought my Dell notebook I had the same concerns, so I purchased a "docking station."  I don't think that's the correct term.  But the notebook hooks onto it and then I can easily adjust the height of the screen.  I can also plug into that my ergonomic keyboard, foot pedal, etc.  Love it!
Notebook and Legends of the Fall....nm
nm
My husband and I watched The Notebook (sm)

We both teared up.  He told me that he loved me like that, and that I was his Allie.  My birthday was shortly thereafter and on my envelope he wrote "To My Allie."  What a guy I'm married to.  After 23 years of marriage, our love is still growing strong!


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