When considering which kind of computer to purchase, one of the first things you will want to decide is what type of computer will best suit your needs. These days, most consumer personal computers are either desktops, which are designed to be stationary, or notebooks/laptops, which are designed to be portable. Tablets are portable and lighter weight than notebooks. Let's see which of these designs is best for you.
Desktop Computers
Desktop computers are meant to remain stationary on a desk or table. They usually consist of several parts: the computer processing unit [CPU], which is usually housed in a box-like case; a computer monitor; speakers; and a keyboard and mouse. Some manufacturers combine two or more of these elements into streamlined systems where the CPU, DVD drive, and speakers have all been designed to fit inside the computer monitor.
Notebook or Laptop Computers
No doubt you have encountered friends or family members who carry their computers with them. Notebook or laptop computers are engineered to be lightweight and easily carried around. They are similar to the streamlined systems mentioned above, but they also include a built-in keyboard and often replace the computer mouse with a square of glass called a touchpad that allows you to control the computer with the touch of a finger. Some laptops now offer a touch screen to allow them to be used with finger gestures on the screen like a tablet.
Pros and Cons
Desktop computers often offer more memory and faster processing speeds for the price, but notebook computers are easier to carry around. If you have partial sight, a desktop with a large monitor may be in order; however, most notebook computers include an external monitor port to which you can connect a second, larger monitor when you are using the notebook at home.
Desktop computers usually have more powerful speakers, a definite consideration when using a screen reader to make your computer talk, though notebooks and laptops usually do include audio jacks to which you can connect a pair of headphones or even a set of higher-fidelity, external speakers.
Tablet computers, while lighter weight and more portable, have smaller screens and may not offer the full range of computing options available on a desktop or laptop. For example, they may be very handy for communications applications such as email but be less efficient for detailed word processing needs or spreadsheets. Text input and using gestures or dictation can also be less efficient for more complex tasks without adding an external keyboard to a tablet.
Once you've determined which type of computer you think would be best for your needs, it's time to move on to the question of operating system.
Built-In Accessibility Features of Windows and macOS Computers
A computer’s operating system, or OS, is the basic set of instructions that bridge the gap between you, the user, and the computer’s hardware. It enables your computer to accept keyboard input, process data and display the results on a screen, send information to a printer, or play audio content through the computer’s speakers.
These days, the two most popular computer operating systems are Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. These systems are similar in many ways. They both allow you to have more than one application running at the same time, such as a word processor and an e-mail program. Both operating systems feature visual text cursors and arrow pointers to indicate where text will be entered and where you're pointing with the mouse, along with the display of various collections of tiny pictures, or icons, that represent elements you can interact with.
Both operating systems also include their own built-in accessibility tools, which assist people with visual impairments in two main ways:
- Making visual elements easier to see and interact with via screen magnification software
- Reading text and describing visual elements aloud via screen reading software
We'll discuss screen magnification and screen reading in detail in Part II. For now, let's take a closer look at the Windows and macOS operating systems.
Microsoft Windows: Considerations for the User with a Visual Impairment
Microsoft Windows has been around, in various versions, for more than 25 years. Windows 10 is the most current version, but older versions of Windows are still among the most popular computer operating systems. Windows 7 remains a popular OS on a significant portion of the market.
Microsoft licenses the Windows operating system to a variety of computer manufacturers, which is why you will find Dell, Acer, Sony, HP, and many other companies selling Windows computers.
All Windows 7 and newer computers include the Microsoft Ease of Access Center, where you can start the built-in screen magnifier program, Magnifier, and the Narrator screen reader. These built-in accessibility features offer only basic functionality but have improved with each new OS version. Windows 10 offers substantially better built-in accessibility than Windows 7.
We'll go into detail about accessibility options and settings for Windows computers in Part II.
Apple macOS: Considerations for the User with a Visual Impairment
Unlike Microsoft, Apple does not license macOS to other computer manufacturers. macOS comes installed on every Apple laptop or desktop computer, and updates to the OS are usually free.
Apple has designed a complete accessibility suite that is built right into the operating system. Indeed, the very first time a new Mac starts up, any and all users are invited to turn on VoiceOver, the Apple native screen reader, and to take a quick tutorial before using VoiceOver to set up your new Mac.
Additional Considerations When Looking at Windows Versus macOS
Hardware
Unlike Windows machines, Mac computers do not offer touchscreen controls. They do offer small glass trackpads located just beneath the spacebar on their notebook computers and an optional Magic Trackpad for their desktop units. Nearly all accessibility keyboard commands are also available or can be easily made so to work with touch gestures as well as the keyboard. Many find using these touch gestures simpler than using the multi-keystroke commands used to operate screen access software. In addition, some MacBook Pro devices have a limited touchscreen interface called the touch bar which takes the place of the function keys found on traditional keyboards.
Text-to-Speech: A Comparison
Here is a sample of Windows 8.1 Narrator text-to-speech.
Here is a sample of Windows 10 Narrator text-to-speech.
Here is a sample of text-to-speech voices included in macOS: Note that Alex, the most popular voice, says, "Most people recognize me by my voice."
Built-In Accessibility Features of Android and iOS tablets
Android is the operating system found most often in tablets and smartphones not manufactured by Apple, such as the Samsung Galaxy line of tablets. Apple tablets, called iPads and smartphones [iPhones], use the iOS operating system. Like Windows, the Android OS is licensed to other manufacturers and appears in many customized varieties. iOS is only available on Apple products.
Android: Considerations for the User with a Visual Impairment
The latest version of Android offers significant improvements in accessibility features for vision, including Magnification Gestures to enlarge the image on the screen, the TalkBack screen reader, and Negative Color for increased contrast. Although Android provides accessibility, developers may choose not to include accessibility access in their apps [applications that run on smartphones and tablets].
Apple iOS: Considerations for the User with a Visual Impairment
Apple’s iOS has been the standard in accessibility for tablets and smartphones since these devices were first developed. The features in the Accessibility settings for vision include Zoom, for screen magnification; VoiceOver as a screen reader; Invert Colors to increase contrast; Magnifier, which functions as an electronic video magnifier with customizable foreground and background colors; and Speech, to enable text-to-speech on selected text without enabling VoiceOver. For computer users familiar with the VoiceOver screen reader on the Mac, the iOS VoiceOver feature is very similar, utilizing many of the same gestures or keyboard commands when a keyboard is connected to the tablet. Like Android’s TalkBack screen reader, VoiceOver also enables another set of gestures for reading and interacting with text and objects on the screen. Again, be aware that not all third-party app developers will follow the accessibility guidelines that would make their apps accessible with Apple’s VoiceOver screen reader.
As you are here, we believe that you are planning to buy the best laptop for visually impaired? we understand that it might be the most significant decision in your life.
It’s not easy finding the best laptop for visually impaired, but that’s what we’re here for. We’ve tested our fair share of laptops, and we’ve come across a few that make for excellent candidates. Our pick of the best laptop for visually impaired to help you make the most of your footage.
whether you’re looking for a laptop that you can carry anywhere. We’ve compiled a list of the best laptop for visually impaired and new professionals. and you can also check our selected list of the best laptop for traveling salesman.
Best laptop for visually impaired in 2021
We are going to recommend you the best laptop for visually impaired, that you can choose in 2021. The best options for value for money, whether for university, college or high school, these three laptops are perfect to always carry with you.
Visually Impaired Laptop Requirements
When you decide to look for the best laptop for visually impaired, it’s important that you pick the good laptop for visually impaired. Not all laptop computers can deliver the technical specs required for visually impaired. Don’t gamble with the quality of your end product. The laptop you choose should meet these requirements
| CPU | Intel Core i5 or better |
| RAM | 4GB – 16GB or better |
| Storage | 128GB SSD or Dual Storage |
| Display | 11 or 15-inch FHD |
| Battery | Up to 8 hours |
Best laptop for visually impaired 2021 – [Dell XPS 13 9360]
Considering last year’s model it was excellent, for that reason you should not be surprised by the fact that for the Dell XPS the company has opted to enhance small improvements and not to present a total renovation of the laptop.
It is one of the best 13-inch models that you can buy today, the XPS range occupies the first position in this ranking. The power surpasses even models from rival brands such as Apple or Windows.
The design is small and compact, it also has impressive aesthetics and wonderful technical characteristics, especially if you are looking for a powerful processor. The model incorporates a RAM memory of 8 GB or 16 GB has a weight of 1.23 kg, in addition the battery lasts a lot. If you are a student, I consider it to be the best option.
Cheap laptop for visually impaired 2021 – [Microsoft Surface Laptop]
The current model aesthetically is very similar to the previous model the Microsoft Surface Go , but offers many significant improvements such as the 8th generation Intel processor or more GB of memory.
One of the main attractions is the color, it is available in black which provides an elegant touch. With the aluminum model, the luxury could be lost with the passage of time.
The design, construction, performance and features make the second generation Surface Laptop an excellent purchase option. Although I have to warn you that the battery life of this laptop is below the original model.
If you are a Microsoft fan and you are also a freelance / self-employed worker, surely the best option is this laptop. From the link you have the best price you will find.
Budget laptop for visually impaired 2021 – [Huawei MateBook X Pro]
Huawei made many changes to its new MateBook X Pro that make a big difference compared to the 2018 model. In the 2019 version a new processor and a new graphics card are introduced that improve the performance of the laptop too much and make the device have much longer battery life. They also incorporated a cooling system.
In the software, a new Huawei Share 3.0 function stands out, which will be of great help if you are a Huawei user from your smartphone. Using NFC technology, this function allows you to transfer documents from one device to another very easily.
Recommended laptop for visually impaired 2021 – [HP Envy 13]
The Envy 13 from HP is the favorite of many, it offers visually impaired you would expect from a quality notebook PC.
It is one of the best options if you cannot afford to buy a MACBOOK AIR or a Lenovo Thinkpad P71 . In addition, it has an excellent quality in the manufacture of aluminum and glass.
Among the features of the laptop is a discrete graphics card. It is true that its GeForce MX150 is not at the level of a GTX 1050 and therefore it will not be able to meet the demands of gamers at heart. Although the truth is that it is a device that was designed for everyday use.
What is surprising is the battery capacity of 52.3 Wh, especially if you consider that it is a 13-inch laptop. Fireproof, you can enjoy video playback for almost 9 hours before the battery runs out. So you could go preparing a Lord of the Rings marathon or maybe Harry Potter .
Affordable laptop for visually impaired 2021 – [Apple MacBook Air]
It is true that the MacBook Air has gone up in price, although the reality is that the incredible design is worth it. The quality of the materials used in the keyboard, the screen and all the optimization of its performance, make this laptop a marvel. A luxury that not everyone can afford.
If you are a fan of Apple products or you like the MacOS operating system, the new Air is more than perfect. The dimensions and weight make it the best option within the portables that Apple has released.
The screen has more space thanks to the new thinner black borders. The Apple MacBook Air includes a Retina display, an 8th generation i5 processor, and Touch ID technology included in its keyboard.
If you are a student and looking for something cheaper, surely the best option is this Macbook Air 13 . You will need this 7-in-1 USB-C Hub to add and connect visually impaired you need.
Good laptop for visually impaired 2021 – [ASUS ZenBook Ultra-Slim]
ASUS ‘ZenBook Ultra-Slim is very different from what the company has made in other models. The laptop is smaller and lighter, and it has a much more attractive design. What else can you ask for from this beauty?
That is not the best part, ASUS manages to achieve all that and more without having to give up the power of the machine or on offer of ports. Currently, there are not too many laptops on the market with a 14-inch screen that are as compact as this notebook PC and still have USB A and HDMO ports included.
The plus of this laptop is the Core i7 processor and if you are an entrepreneur, student or freelancer who uses the numeric keypad you will love the trackpad with the number keys.
The storage is very fast, it has a memory with 512 GB SATA PCIe x2 SSD with 16GB DDR4 RAM and GTX 1050 Max-Q for gaming level performance, in case you are a gamer at heart like me. Ryse: Son of Rome will surely run you with ultra graphics without a problem.
The only problem could be the price, however you will have a device with excellent technical specifications but you will probably think more about it when purchasing it. The reality is that many opt for cheap laptops.
Lightweight laptop for visually impaired 2021 – [HP Specter Folio]
The HP Specter Folio is known for its style and versatility, precisely those are its strengths. The design of the notebook PC is attractive because it incorporates two materials that make it authentic, metal and 100% leather. The HP company has managed to combine traditional trends with technological advances.
The one-piece aluminum chassis is simply a masterpiece. The design allows you to rotate it 180º, there are two ways you can use the device. You can use it as a conventional laptop and you have the possibility of using it as a tablet
The screen of the HP Specter Folio is one of the features that I like the most because it is 13.3 inches in size, plus the battery life could make it last about 17 hours. Although not visually impaired is so beautiful, I wish I had a deeper keyboard, it is super slim.
What is the Best laptop for visually impaired – [Lenovo Yoga 730]
We have already mentioned that the Dell XPS 13 is probably the best laptop on the market. However, due to its price, it is not available to everyone. If you find yourself in that situation, a good alternative is the Lenovo Yoga S730
This Lenovo laptop offers very similar performance and its design is also comparable. The price of the Dell laptop includes state-of-the-art components, therefore it will be more durable, compared to the Lenovo PC.
The Lenovo Yoga S730 is the ideal laptop for those who are only looking for an attractive device and with a professional or personal profile that only needs to perform basic tasks such as using the Microsoft visually impaired suite [Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, Project], surf the Internet, watch videos and series.
I must tell you that it does not have as much flexibility compared to other laptops on the market like the HP 13-ap0001lm , it can be used as a laptop and tablet. The battery life leaves much to be desired and the model would be better with a USB A port.
How to Choose Best laptop for visually impaired in 2021
Before buying your personal laptop, you need to know the vital characteristics of a laptop that makes it an excellent device. Look here for the specs you need to consider before purchasing a best laptop for visually impaired.
There are endless technical characteristics to consider when buying a laptop for visually impaired. Hence, it is so important to know what work will be done with it to select the models that meet the objective, compare and buy the one with the best value for money.
However, it is also important that you teach yourself how to find a suitable laptop for visually impaired. Here are some recommendations that you should take into account when buying a best laptop for visually impaired. If you simply want to see which laptops to study seem the best to us, go to the next section and save yourself this below:
Nowadays, it is almost indispensable for a parson to have a laptop, be it for his classes or for working at home. But given the large number of models available on the market, it is sometimes [very] difficult to find the right laptop for visually impaired.
To solve this problem, we started our work by classifying best laptop according to their operating system. It is very important to verify this, as certain schools or universities may request one or the other, depending on the programs they use.
➡️ Operating system:
Right now we can choose two options [within low-priced computers, MacBook’s do not fall into this category]: Windows or Chrome OS.
If you choose a Windows computer, you will be assured of compatibility with the main programs of all life [visually impaired], but if you buy a model with Chrome OS [free Google operating system based on Linux], you will possibly find a computer with better hardware [because you don’t have to pay Microsoft for the Windows license].
These laptops have tools equivalent to Microsoft visually impaired that work very well in the cloud. We have selected a computer with Windows OS, one with Chrome OS and a tablet / computer with Windows 10.
➡️ Processor [CPU]:
Most new computers come with Intel Core processors [i3, i5, and i7]. These processors offer the best performance when it comes to multitasking use and working with video. best laptop for visually impaired, often carry Intel Core i3 processors which are usually perfect laptop for visually impaired use.
The Core i7s are for a more demanding use, they tend to heat up the base of the laptop more and can limit the battery life. The processor is something like the brain of a laptop. Shows the performance level of a computer. It is hands down one of the things to check before getting a best laptop for visually impaired.
Since a laptop’s processor is powerful, it will run faster and allow the user to run a great program like photo editing and graphic design software. A good laptop with a good processor visually impaired won’t keep you or your work in the middle of an important project. Intel offers a range of processors like Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 and Core i8 etc.
This is the time for the Core i8 processor. So you need to know which processor to choose by now.
➡️ RAM:
RAM is the memory of your laptop for visually impaired. It indicates how your laptop is going to process the commands given to it and how many programs it can actually run. When the memory of a laptop is higher, you can run more programs on the laptop.
Good laptop for visually impaired, now has at least 4GB of RAM. 2GB is not good at all. It will cost you a lot of work because your laptop will be very slow especially when you have heavy programs.
Then you need a laptop with more RAM. Now you can find 8 and 16 GB RAM laptops available in the market.
➡️ Hard Disk:
Hard drive or storage is another thing to think about when you want to buy a best laptop for visually impaired. It is mainly two types. One is the HDD, and another type is SSD.
The HDD can store a lot of data. You will find this type of hard drive in most laptops. But SSD has low storage capacity. It also has no moving parts. But save your battery.
Most 2-in-one laptops contain this type of hard drive. SSD is much faster than HDD. That means PC SSD will be faster than HDD laptop. This is why people choose SSD storage.
➡️ Graphics card:
The minimum viable graphics card for a student is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650. Remember that we are talking about studying and not about games or gaming. If your son / daughter is a gamer, then they will need a good graphics card, superior to the one indicated.
If we are talking about engineering students , for example, who are going to use programs like AutoCAD or similar, then it is necessary to have the best graphics card and that is none other than the RTX 2080.
➡️ Battery Life:
The life specified on laptops is usually an estimate of how long the battery can last, but there are many variables that affect battery life. These are: the brightness of the screen, its resolution and applications that we have open at the same time. If we use the processor a lot, we watch a lot of videos on YouTube or Netflix, if we transfer a lot of files over the internet, then our battery will drain very quickly.
We must take into account the battery watt-hours or milliamps per hour. The higher those numbers the longer the battery life. A battery beinterior design programs 44 and 50Wh should give us the best results.
This is one of the very important specifications to consider when selecting a best laptop for visually impaired in 2021. A good laptop should have a long battery life. Yes! If a laptop battery lasts an hour or two, it is not good at all.
Some batteries last up to four hours, those are fair and not good enough. But if a laptop provides 7 more hours of battery life, it’s enough for any job. That’s the one you should get.
➡️ Screen Quality:
A screen with high image quality is important since we are going to use it for long periods of time and we want it to be comfortable for the eyes. Many newer laptops have touchscreens, which means they are shiny. Glossy screens can reflect light which can be somewhat annoying, we should consider a non-touch screen if that is an issue.
The resolution is also important, we advise a resolution of 1920 × 1080 [Full HD] to be able to see all the applications perfectly and also consider the viewing angles. IPS displays have wider viewing angles for better viewing comfort.
Make no mistake, you are going to want to watch TV series and movies on your laptop, so you have to get a minimally decent screen. Of course, try not to see many series before the exams. Look at resolution, color reproduction, black levels, viewing angle and screen size.
➡️ Keyboard Quality:
For long hours typing with the keyboard we should think about looking for a comfortable keyboard. We recommend looking for a full keyboard with space for the arrow keys, which are backlit and respond well to keystrokes. The backlighting helps us to be able to type more easily in places with little light.
visually impaired will depend on the keyboard [i+t must be reactive and with keys that are wide and spaced enough to allow fast typing] and the reactivity of the touch pad.
Internal memory : although there are a large number of Cloud systems to store our files in the cloud, it is better to have a physical storage medium [just in case …]. Also check if it is possible to extend the memory via USB or via an external hard drive .
➡️ Weight:
If the student is going to transport the laptop from here to there, then the weight is a fundamental factor because, believe us, there are really heavy computers despite being portable.
Now, if the laptop is going to have a fixed place on a table at home, this is not really important. But, to give you an idea, normal weights are beinterior design programs 2 and 4 kg.
➡️ Connections:
This depends a lot on the devices that the parson is going to connect to the laptop. In any case, if you are going to connect it to the television you will need an HDMI or MiniHDMI port [or DisplayPort or VGA]. In addition, USB-C is recommended , but the one you should look for is USB 3.0.
For the network, the Rj45 connection and if you have an audio device with a jack, you want your laptop to also include it, but it is not necessary.
➡️ visually impaired:
both the start-up and the file handling, it is important to have a reactive computer. All this to avoid wasting those precious minutes while taking notes in class [the teacher will not wait for you to turn on your computer to start the class …].
➡️ Connectivity:
Most of the routers that telephone companies install us are Wifi AC , so always make sure that your laptop is compatible with the type of Wifi of your router. Right now, the most current is Wi-Fi 6.As for other connections, well man: the more the
better. We recommend that you at least include Bluetooth. So you can connect devices without cables such as a mouse, keyboard or headphones.
➡️ Sound:
Sound is also important, so maybe you should invest in a portable speaker, since these models do not usually have a good sound of your best laptop for visually impaired.
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Conclusions
It’s really very important not to rush when you want to take a laptop for visually impaired. It is very important that you take your time to research and ask questions. This is so you don’t make some decisions that you will later regret.
That is why I wrote this review for you to help you compare the various available options of best laptop for visually impaired. If you are not sure which one to choose, ask an older person to help you choose. and we also provide comparison and buyer guide that was helping to selecting a best laptop for visually impaired in 2021. Good luck!!!