<p>My DH and I are retired and our only child is starting college next month. My husband's three daughters and their families all live overseas. We plan on travelling about 30% of the year in the US and abroad. </p>
<p>I want to update my technology. I currently spend most of my day on the Internet. I am planning to buy myself a new desktop and give my hubby the one I'm using now. I want to buy a smart phone and either a laptop or tablet to use when we travel and when I'm sitting on the couch or outside. My left arm is paralyzed and I have fine motor skills issues with my right hand so I try to stay away from things that are too tiny. </p>
<p>I am option to all suggestions. I have only used PC products in the past but am open to any type. Thanks.</p>
<p>I am afraid that smart phones (except for the phone part) will not be very helpful. Tablets such as the IPad do not seem very compatible with your stated limitations.</p>
<p>It sounds like you should go and try these devices to see what you can successfully use. An IPhone is a two handed device…you need to hold it in one hand while using it with the other.</p>
<p>What kind of cell phone do you use now? Do you plan to use your cell phone for internet and typing emails…? It’s a mighty small device to do so.</p>
<p>From what you are writing, a laptop sounds like the most suitable option for you…as you can put it on a table and use a mouse. The keyboard on many laptops is the same size as a full size keyboard. You can put Skype on it for “calling” others who have Skype also. This might also be a good option for you.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why you would get two new computers (a new desktop AND something for travel) when one laptop would be able to travel with you. If you want to at home, you could hook your laptop to a larger monitor and an external keyboard…but I’m not sure you really NEED a desktop in addition to the laptop you take for travel.</p>
<p>I was thinking same thing as thumper1… a nice new laptop (with perhaps external keyboard and monitor) might be all you need. In fact, it could save your the trouble of remembering which stuff is on which computer. </p>
<p>Skype from laptop would be a great option for international calling. Although we only use the chat/text function, many college families use voice and video too. </p>
<p>Now cellphone choice might get tricky. It depends on what you want to do for your connectivity on the road. DS’s Droid smartphone can become a “hotspot” for internet for another $20 per month - we set that up for just one month and used it at my Dad’s house recently.</p>
<p>Thanks for great suggestions. I think I need to see what I can and can’t use physically by going to a store.I was trying too figure out how to talk to people since cell phones are so tiny and hard to handle with one hand so using Skype and laptop may be better answer. Anyone know much about voice recognition and cell phones?</p>
<p>My husband has voice recognition to make his cell calls…but if he wants to send a text or email or add phone numbers to his list…he has to type on those teeny tiny cell phone keys (and hold the phone with his other hand).</p>
<p>I’ve used Voice Recognition with the iPad (Google Search) and it works quite well. I assume that it would work on an iPhone as well. I don’t have any experience with voice dialing though. Voice dialing does work quite well on my dumb-phone (Motorola RAZR). I’ve been looking around at Smartphones and it just seems an expensive way to get internet on the road and I’ve been trying to determine if it is worth the money. Smartphones seem like an incredible money sink for the functionality.</p>
<p>If I were in your situation, I’d look at a MacBook Air or other Ultrabook. Ultrabooks are a new category - very think and light notebooks under 3 pounds. The other current Ultrabook is the Sony Vaio Z. There will be additional models coming out this fall by other companies.</p>
<p>There are a number of programs that help to increase accessibility on all of those devices, including the smartphones. Do some google searches on accessible mobile phones/equipment, and the same with the computer technology. You might be amazed at what is available.</p>
<p>Now for my stupid questions. Why do I want to pay for Internet access on my phone and laptop? This is all new to me. Seems like a huge $$ drain. If I access Internet via laptop on the road (say while driving looking up restaurants) is that 3G or 4G? Do I then also pay for Internet at home? So I am paying 3x. Sorry for the newbie questions. I’ve had blinders on so longer, I’m way behind the times.</p>
<p>I do not pay for internet access for my computer EXCEPT for my home internet service provider. Most laptops now come with Wifi built in. You can access wifi in many places at no cost…or low cost. You would use that for internet access for your computer…me thinks…while traveling.</p>
<p>Re: your phone…if you WANT to use your phone for internet access while traveling you will need to get a data plan for your phone (I think it’s hard to find a new cell plan without one). Again…your cell phone will be able to be used as a cell phone and your data plan will allow you internet access.</p>
<p>What kind of cell phone do you use NOW? I’m really not sure (given your comment about using “small” devices) that internet on your cell phone is going to be a viable option for you…if you plan to use the keyboards or touch pads to type. They are small.</p>
<p>thumper - sorry I didn’t answer your question the first time. We have a pay as you go plan, basic flip phone. I don’t drive and I’m with my DH 98% of the time I’m out of the house. We rarely use our (communal) cell phone. DH has NO computer knowledge and has NO desire to learn. He writes basic emails, does little surfing. He is scared about using a smart phone.</p>
<p>So I think you are saying I can rely on wifi on laptop to get Internet access while traveling. I can use the data plan part of cell phone for access to Internet when wifi not available. I can also buy a hot spot for cell phone to connect to Internet. Can you get that for laptop? I can use voice or other programs to ‘write’ emails or texts. I’ve already found a few cool things. When I’m home, I’d use laptop with bigger monitor & keyboard. Sounds like a plan.</p>
<p>While traveling you will find MANY places with free wifi. </p>
<p>If your husband isn’t interested in using a computer, why are you “giving him” your old desktop? You can also share computers.</p>
<p>Re: service providers…this is something you need to decide. If you are happy with a pay as you go plan…continue that. Make sure you set up online banking so you can pay your bills and buy more time while traveling.</p>
<p>If you aren’t particularly a tech needy family, it’s not something I would recommend you become while vacationing. Wait until you get home and then both of you can take an intro to computer users course through continuing education or at your local senior center.</p>
<p>Use what you are successful using…don’t be drawn in by the “latest and greatest” unless you really think it will better serve your communication needs.</p>
<p>FLMathMom–I have a droid Global. There is voice recognition for typing emails and it works pretty well. My concern for you is how to fix any “typos” that may occur–if the word it “heard” wasn’t the one you wanted. </p>
<p>WiFi is great on the road, as long as you are somewhere that has wifi. Many restaraunts have wifi (mcdonalds, panera, etc) and you could probably find those for the laptop when traveling. Hotels will either provide internet access free or for a fee (although the fees can be expensive). Find out about internet access before booking the room, and you can probably find free internet offered by a similar hotel in the same place.</p>
<p>Find the local Apple store closest to you and go in. Explain what you are looking for and ask them to show you how everything works. Then do the same at any cell phone service you are interested in (verizon, sprint, etc). Think about whether you wish to use the cell phone overseas, since if you do you want a GSM phone rather than CDMA (which is what most verizon phones are, except the global and a few others). If you don’t get the answers you want, find another store in the area and go there. As with anything some people are more knowledgeable and helpful than others. </p>
<p>And last, there are many forums for cellphones and other tech stuff out there. Search for those then search within the forum to see if you can find some of your answers there. </p>
<p>Good luck. All this technology is overwealming even for people who have been using it, since it changes daily!</p>
<p>thumper- I’m on the computer just about all day. I can’t drive to get out of the house. I am always researching things, planning trips and for years doing college and scholarship planning. My DH wants to write his memoirs and using the hunt and peck method, he will need to spend many hours on the computer. He likes sending emails too. On the road, he will rely on me to do whatever is needed(finding restaurants, directions, etc).</p>
<p>Since our son will be at college and our elderly parents at home, I don’t think pay as you go will work any more. I don’t want to feel I have to limit my talk time.</p>
<p>I’ve been reading articles in the NY Times, Wired & PC World. Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>Better to have your own computer- sharing doesn’t work well when both of you want to use it at the same time (I decided this years ago). OP wants a new computer at home and can give the old one to H instead of giving it away or letting it sit idle. You would need a home network router for two or more computers. It will be good for your H to play around with his own computer and not mess up yours- he’ll use it more if he can whenever he wants to and not only when don’t use it. Windows 7 makes it easy to transfer files from one computer to another- and the transfer cable is cheap (not the only method), even available at Walmart (cheaper to buy online and pick up at store than buy directly from the store, btw).</p>
<p>Definitely spend some time at Best Buy and other stores to try out the various computer formats. When it comes time to buy- check online. Tech Bargains is a good website for daily bargains. Online sources, including Dell and hp, usually have better/faster computers with more features at cheaper prices than real stores.</p>
<p>If you like the features of a laptop you could use that both at home and away, but you would want a large, heavy one. I always get a mouse for laptop use- and a small wrist rest. We had a 10" netbook for travel but the screen is smaller than I like, when H gave it away to his mother I got a 15" screen laptop. The older you get the harder it is to see the small type on smart phones, even ebook readers (H tried a Nook). Most hotels have free wireless connections (you can check online first) and a laptop is easy when making those next stop reservations. Barnes and Noble and some McDonalds and other places often have free wireless you can surf at.</p>
<p>We have cell phones that are just that- for phone calls only. Can make a call from anywhere that has access (no coverage in parts of the UP of Michigan, btw). Simple to use and no excessive power drains- holds a charge a lot longer than a smart phone. If you have/get bluetooth in your car you can both talk while driving- wind noise the only drawback (son’s complaint to us). Son has an Android cell phone which he makes good use of- we are still paying for his data plan. H couldn’t justify the expense of a fancy phone for himself.</p>
<p>H was given an ipad 1 recently. Currently still better than nonApple touchpads. Play with those at the store.</p>
<p>My advice. Keep the simple cell phone for calling people/places. Treat yourself to a new desktop (PM me if you want more buying advice- just replaced mine recently, yup, 2 new computers) with the monitor and other features you want. Get a laptop for use on the road- the size and features you feel best for you and your budget. If you travel a lot you may want a gps for your car which includes a bluetooth feature (and a bluetooth phone), although the passenger can make/receive the calls since you share the cell phone. Our built in gps has great lists and directions to restaurants, etc.</p>
<p>wis - thanks for your thoughts. I had myself convinced to get a laptop plus a larger monitor and full keyboard for home. What are your thoughts about having two separate machines - a laptop for the road and desktop for home.</p>
<p>I’d suggest making an appointment at an Apple store - you can find their locations on the apple home page. Someone there can walk you through the accessibility options available on each of their products. Extremely helpful people. </p>
<p>If you decide not to go Apple, at least you will have some idea of the possibilities and have a basis for comparison.</p>