I Bought a Netbook Computer to take to Dialysis

[Bub]

It was cheap (refurbished) and was ordered off the internet.  I like it but was some what taken back by the size.  Caveat if you are in the market for one:  the screen is too small if your vision is poor and the keyboard is too small if you have big clumsy hands.  Not trying to scare anyone off, but before you order sight unseen, you may want to try one at a local store. Even as small as it is, it has lots of power and memory.  Good value for the money.

[Maker]

Great idea Bub!  I don't know how I would survive dialysis without my laptop    Unfortunately I end up doing a lot of work rather than fun stuff, but at least I can be productive!

Just think, now you can chat with all of us at IHD to pass the time...

[Bub]

That's a great idea!  I will not have any excuse for not posting.

[Lillupie]

that is if you have internet on your laptop or netbook, or at the center. i havent been to a center yet that has the internet, that is me. I would die ii think when i was on hemo without my laptop. I did my work as well, if not homework, i started on my book.

Lisa

[kellyt]

 

[RichardMEL]

I use a 15.4" screen HP and watch my shows on it. It works very well and keeps me occupied for my 5 hour treatments. Later today I'm going to watch V!! woohoo. So remember that from the 80's.. I bet the remake isn't a patch on it!

Good investment to keep you occupied bub!

[lizabee]

I got one from Dell sp that I could take it to dialysis and work, I love it!  We have great WiFi at the center I am at.

V, we watched it....I never saw the original but this one was really good!

[Maker]

that is if you have internet on your laptop or netbook, or at the center. i havent been to a center yet that has the internet, that is me. I would die ii think when i was on hemo without my laptop. I did my work as well, if not homework, i started on my book.

Lisa

I know all centers aren't as wonderful as mine    but, my first day there I asked about Wi-Fi and they said they would see what they could do, and by my next treatment they had gotten a router and had it going for me!!  I am pretty much attached to my laptop at all times, so I was THRILLED 

[RichardMEL]

I know all centers aren't as wonderful as mine    but, my first day there I asked about Wi-Fi and they said they would see what they could do, and by my next treatment they had gotten a router and had it going for me!!  I am pretty much attached to my laptop at all times, so I was THRILLED 

wow must be your charm and awesome good looks!! That's sensational!!! My hospital has wi-fi (heck I get their network at my HOME!) but they won't give me access I guess it's OK I d/l all I need anyway so it's not a big deal. Given I have to be one handed during dialysis anyway typing lots is kind of out. besides this way I can honestly tell work that there's no way I can log in and do any work from hospital!!!! 

[murf]

I always arrive at hemo fully stocked. I have a lap top, some movies, some chewies, a thermos, a sandwich and cake, the newspaper and an extra blanket. This is all placed in a small travel bag. Even the other patiets joke that I look set for travel. But if I have to sit still for 4 and half hours, I do not intend to be bored!

[Maker]

I always arrive at hemo fully stocked. I have a lap top, some movies, some chewies, a thermos, a sandwich and cake, the newspaper and an extra blanket. This is all placed in a small travel bag. Even the other patiets joke that I look set for travel. But if I have to sit still for 4 and half hours, I do not intend to be bored!

Wow, no eating or drinking allowed at my center! I'm glad because I would be miserable if I had to smell people's fast food or something like that.  I always bring my coffee though, and they haven't said anything yet. 

I have a big backpack full of computer, school books, mail, etc to keep busy.  My treatments are only 3 1/2 hour but I have managed not to get bored yet! 

wow must be your charm and awesome good looks!! That's sensational!!! My hospital has wi-fi (heck I get their network at my HOME!) but they won't give me access I guess it's OK I d/l all I need anyway so it's not a big deal. Given I have to be one handed during dialysis anyway typing lots is kind of out. besides this way I can honestly tell work that there's no way I can log in and do any work from hospital!!!! 

I'm thinking I should be thankful for my catheder for now since I have 2 free hands to do anything I want.  This will be an unfortunate aspect of the fistula - I will have to learn to type a paper one handed 

And Richard, I will give you some "Charm" lessons anytime    That's crazy you can't get on the hospital's network.  All the hospitals around here I have ever been to have open networks, no password required. 

[Bub]

I am glad you brought that up.  One handed typing and surfing is a skill I am still learning.  I really need somekind of small folding tray to set my lap top on since my lap is occupied holding my belly.

[Lillupie]

you are soo funny! lol

I am glad you brought that up.  One handed typing and surfing is a skill I am still learning.  I really need somekind of small folding tray to set my lap top on since my lap is occupied holding my belly.

THey do have those laptop tables at any store. The top is a little hard and the bottom is made out of beanbag materail, so that it is softer on your lap.

I always arrive at hemo fully stocked. I have a lap top, some movies, some chewies, a thermos, a sandwich and cake, the newspaper and an extra blanket. This is all placed in a small travel bag. Even the other patiets joke that I look set for travel. But if I have to sit still for 4 and half hours, I do not intend to be bored!

I am totally with you, and Maker. I would do the exact same thing when i was at hemo. Everyone would ask me if i was going to the airport afterwords. lol I would bring in my laptop, and do my homework, this was before i graduated, this year I started working on my book. YEah I would even bring in my massage slippers, a back massager that was in a pillow form, neck massager, a eye mask and cucumbers.

Lisa

[Maker]

That's funny Lisa!  Sounds like you gave yourself a little spa treatment at dialysis, I'll have to try it!

[Chris]

I am glad you brought that up.  One handed typing and surfing is a skill I am still learning.  I really need somekind of small folding tray to set my lap top on since my lap is occupied holding my belly.

If your netbook is using Windows, there is an onscreen keybard to use with the mouse pad to type instead of using keys. Loutus OS I am not aware of.

Nowdays these netbooks are somewhat cheap starting at $299 (US) that use Windows XP with the newer ones coming out with Windows 7. Easier to carry around than a Laptop/Notebook. I was thinking about getting one so when I'm in the hospital (sems often) I will have something better than my old pda.

If you have a netbook and have trouble seeing what's on the screen and are using Windows, there is software out there that can help, it runs $50 to $60 dollars that is meant for people who have visual difficulty and are not visually impaired (they have a stronger software suite for that).

[thegrammalady]

I'm thinking I should be thankful for my catheder for now since I have 2 free hands to do anything I want.  This will be an unfortunate aspect of the fistula - I will have to learn to type a paper one handed   

my first fistula was in my wrist and i still managed to crochet when i was at dialysis.

my center is getting new flat screen touch tv's and wi fi after the first of the year. wi fi is included in all  new fresenisus and they will eventually upgrade all centers.


Edited - Fixed quote tag error: paris, Moderator

[sumodidit]

I bought me a laptop because I didn't have a working tv for 9 months. Once I got I already had wireless internet so I was set. I surf the net for everything and it passes time by. When my fistula developed and was put in use. I quickly became the one handed master of keyboarding. I have a 13in acer and max out the specs for games ,videos, work. Then the clinic got internet and the girl that I like gave me the access and it was all over. no more sitting for 4 hours looking around going crazy. For everyone here on this blog I salute you cause we can all share the "I got a computer to use during treatment" feeling

[jdwills83]

 

[fc2821]

Good deal on the lap top    You'll get use to one hand typing.  I do it every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  Hopefully we will hear more from you. 

[Chris]

Good time to get a new one also. Places are having them on sale to get rid of all the old models. I saw an Acer ifor $299 with a 15.4" diag screen, 2 gig Mem, 320 Gig HD DL DVD Burner, Card Reader, Web Cam with Windows 7.

If Windows 7 works a it claimsto be, can't wait for the touchscreen laptop (not the tablet one). Touchscreen would help so many on dialysis.

[Bub]

Hasn't worked out so well for me.  I am no good with one hand typing and I just cant get it to sit "comfortably" in my lap.  Been naping at dialysis more than anything else, but its so noisy I dont get that much sleep in.

[Chris]

Bub, eventually you may drown out the noise and adapt to using the netbook. Only way I can think of to make things quieter are those Bose expensive Headphones that cancel out outside noise.

Or the other option is to use Natural Speak Speech to Text software and annoy others as they annoy you by speaking what you want typed 

[RichardMEL]

I have a new Windows 7 system. It works quite well, though the user interface is a little different in subtle ways (like the taskbar) but it's OK I'm pretty used to it. Starts up pretty quickly and I haven't seen any problems yet. The XP Mode is really useful too!

Bub, I don't put my laptop on my lap - that would be uincomfy - and get hot - but I use the table we are given - do you not have a table on or by your chair? We have the moveable tables on wheels (like in the wards) and I think some units have tables attached to the chairs...