Laptop vs PC | Arthritis Information

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Hi,

 
I wanted to know if anyone has any feedback about using a laptop with RA.  I can handle a regular keyboard ok, but I don't have a reference for using a laptop and I would like to get one.  I know I could test one in the store, but just like shoes, it never feels the same once I get home!
 
Take care,
Nori
I have and use both... I think that ergonomically we are better off w/ a regular keyboard and a wrist rest...  but I like the convenience and portability of my laptop and I use that more often than the home desktop...
At work.. I have a desktop.

I usually don't have any problems unless I'm flaring, and if I'm flaring, it really doesn't matter if my keyboard is ergonomic or not.  I can't type.

I've tried. can't use a laptop. my fingers flail around plenty on a regular keyboard. On the laptop I couldnt type or use the  mouse/cursor mover  thingie.. I cant make small movements.
nori,
Love my Laptop! I can move it around to different rooms with me, gives you so much more freedom. Even took it to the hospital when my son was in. They have complimentary internet.

 

At the office I have a PC, with a mouse and keyboard.

It is like anything, you can get use to both, and I did.

 

Good luck, hope you’re happy with whatever you choose!

 

Lisa

inflamedOnline2009-01-02 14:46:37I adore my 17" laptop.  If need be, I can always use an external mouse, trackball and/or keyboard. I exclusively use laptop.   I have a regular keyboard and mouse hooked to it.
It is great cause it takes up less room and I can take it with me if I want.
By doing this(using the reg. keyboard) you cant very well take it to bed with you, I still sit a a desk.
Laptop computers killed my wrists -- couldn't type on it for more than a couple minutes at a time. Of course, you can attach a regular keyboard and a mouse to it -- but then, why not buy a laptop if you go thru all that? I know many function well with the laptops -- and honestly, would love to have one for convenience sake, but I know my body is not up to it.


I use a laptop at home with a wireless mouse attached.  Love it. I use a pc at work--that is fine also.  You can hook up a reg. keyboard to the laptop but the convenience of the laptop is the best.  You can move all over the house (mine is wireless) and I can take it with me on a trip.  Plus I can close it up when I am done and it is not taking up a lot of space. 
 
With the laptop, back up your HD once in awhile.  You really should do that with the pc also. 

Laptop for me, you can use it in bed or laying on the couch!All I have is a laptop too.  It's a gaming laptop, which is what it is used for other than prowling around the net doing research on RA treatments and hanging out here.  I actually just bought it a few months back.  It was my second best friend while I was hospitalized with shingles for 2 weeks.  (the first being my wife for staying with me when she could)  It's an Alienware area-51 15" in case you wanted to know.

 
I've spent many sleepless nights sitting on the bedroom floor either watching dvd's or surfing the net.   Anyone else notice that once you've adapted to typing on a laptop it's hard as heck to bang stuff out fast on a desktop?  I tried using my dad's desktop to type and it's just not comfortable at all anymore.
Bob
Laptop at home, but I needed to put a mouse on and at times need to plug in a keyboard.  At work, desktop.  When my wrists/fingers are bothering me, I need the keyboard added to my laptop.  It's not a pain, it's just a plug.  I love the freedom of my laptop so I wouldn't go any other way if I could only own oneI prefer a laptop.  Alot easier to sit on my comfy couch or chair.  Desk is too restricting.  It also keeps your lap warm on cold winter nights
I am encouraged to hear that RA hasn't prevented many of you from the choice of a laptop.  I was expecting the feedback to be I would have to go with a PC.
 
Sounds good!  Now I will have to research Mac, etc....ha ha.
 
Nori
I use a laptop only. i found that sitting at desk top was restrictive...i take my laptop to the garden in the summer, sit on my garden swing and enjoy....in the winter i can sit in bed when its cold and enjoy...when we went to blackpool a little while  ago i used a 3G card and used my laptop in the car.......so its laptop all round for meWe actually put our PC and hard drive in storage.  I use the lap for everything.  Have a wireless mouse.  Since we travel most of the year I like it because I can use it as a navigating tool.  LindyMac all the way.  I have one of the Mac mini desktops and I love the little guy.  I have it in storage right now because I have no monitor for it but when I can afford one, out he comes again.  So much more user friendly than windows vista.  That's just my opinion.I have a desktop and a few notebook.  The desktop is used mainly for watching and recording TV, listening/recording radio, listening to music and audiobooks, and data storage and backup.  I used to use it for video editing, but the HP notebook I bought last summer is more powerful so I use it now.  I also have a couple of Asus EeePC's.  One of them is always in my purse - I use it as my PDA, GPS and MP3 player.  My friends love telling me that there are smaller devices now available.  The other one is used mainly for Linux experimentation or as a loaner PC when a friend needs a computer for a few days or so.  I also have a graveyard in the basement of old desktops and laptops.  One of these years I will bring them to the local electronics recycling yard.  I've scavenged many parts out of them over the years to build/repair our other computers.  Each of the boys also has a desktop, as does the husband.
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