Buying Accessible Computers

This section helps you choose the most accessible computer for you. It compares Mac OS and Windows in terms of accessibility and considers the accessibility of  low-cost 'netbook’ laptops. It also considers the accessibility of mice.

Access comparison: Mac OS and Windows

As you may know, Apple computers run on Mac OS and PCs run on Windows. In many ways, both Mac OS and Windows offer similar functionality;  both platforms can be used to check e-mail, access web pages, write documents, listen to music and watch videos. This is partly because both Mac OS and Windows are sold to the US Federal government which requires a number of accessibility features. Nonetheless, there are important differences that may affect a purchasing decision.  The advantages of each operating system is as follows:

Advantages of Mac OS (10.4 and later) compared to Microsoft Windows:

• The Zoom feature in Mac OS is a fully featured, full-screen magnification program.  The Windows Magnifier has limited functionality.
• The VoiceOver feature in Mac OS is a fully featured text-to-speech program that allows a blind person to effectively use a Mac.  The Windows text-to-speech program Narrator only provides limited functionality, not enough for a blind person to use Windows unaided.
• To give Windows the same level of access to that which is built into a Mac, expensive additional software needs to be purchased.
• Built-in accessibility tools on Mac OS are generally more stable than third-party equivalent products on Windows, especially in relation to watching videos and other multimedia applications.
• Colour scheme changes are inverted, preventing colour contrast issues.

Advantages of Microsoft Windows (XP and Vista) compared to Mac OS:

• More third-party software support allows for greater access to more types of disabilities
• Third-party software on Windows generally provides more functionality than the built-in software on a Mac.  For example, JAWS under Windows can provide better access for a blind person to Microsoft Office than VoiceOver on the Mac
• Colour schemes can be changed without inverting, allowing pictures to remain in their original colours

For a complete listing of the accessibility features in these operating system and how to use them can be found in the User Access Guides section.

Low-cost computing: ‘Netbook’ laptops

In Australia, the sale of laptop computers has now passed desktop computers as the preferred computer platform.  This is mainly due to the popularity of the ‘netbook’ computer, a range of low-cost ultraportable laptops made popular by the Asus Eee PC in late 2007.   The increased use of mobile phones for Internet access and the limited storage space of these emerging devices is also credited for a shift in emphasis towards ‘cloud’ computing, a term used to describe the storing of personal data on the Internet through online services such as Google Docs and Apple MobileMe.

The advantages of a netbook are:

• Affordable, generally retail for around $500
• Portable, easy to carry
• Smaller than a standard laptop, easy to store in a backpack or handbag
• Feature good connectivity options including wired and wireless Internet access
• Generally come with a good range of software such as web browser, e-mail, online chat and office productivity software
• USB ports for connecting other peripherals
• Able to play music and watch video clips
• Durable, designed to be knocked around
• Webcam in most models, allows people to see you when chatting
• Monitor port, can be hooked up to a projector for presentations or a large screen television
• Generally run either a simplified version of Linux or Windows XP, making it familiar to most computer users

The disadvantages of a netbook are as follows:

• Unable to run most modern computer games
• Slower than a full-sized laptop or desktop computer
• Most models are too slow for Windows Vista
• Small screen
• Small keyboard, may feel camped to type on for long periods
• Limited storage space

Popular netbook models include the Asus Eee PC, the HP 2133 Mini-note, the MSI Wind and the Acer Aspire One.  Further information on netbooks can be found at the Netbook Wikipedia listing.

Mice

Microsoft has recently released a new computer mouse called the Comfort Optical Mouse 3000. In addition to the standard mouse features, it provides a useful Magnifier feature.

Once the software is installed, a magnifying window can be made to appear around the mouse pointer by pressing the ‘Magnify’ button located on it. The small magnification window follows the mouse pointer around the screen, magnifying the area of interest. The size of the magnification window and the magnification strength can be adjusted in the mouse software options.

Although the magnifier is unlikely to be an effective replacement for full-screen magnifiers such as the one contained in Windows 7 or assistive technology products like ZoomText, the ability to easily magnify an area of interest on the screen may prove useful for people with a minor vision impairment.