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What's the best touch-screen PC for one-handed use? What's the best touch-screen PC for one-handed use?
(3 months later)
About six months ago I had an accident, which led to me losing the functionality of my right arm. This is coming back slowly, and I am finally well enough to return to work as a teacher. My work laptop -- it's about six years old -- is too big and heavy to lift and open one-handed, so I have decided to buy myself a new one. I've found touchscreen devices easier than using a mouse. I've spent quite some time researching touchscreen laptops, but with so many out there, I feel I am lost in a minefield.About six months ago I had an accident, which led to me losing the functionality of my right arm. This is coming back slowly, and I am finally well enough to return to work as a teacher. My work laptop -- it's about six years old -- is too big and heavy to lift and open one-handed, so I have decided to buy myself a new one. I've found touchscreen devices easier than using a mouse. I've spent quite some time researching touchscreen laptops, but with so many out there, I feel I am lost in a minefield.
I use my tablet to do most things but find it hard to type long reports. I'm looking for a laptop that has a very responsive touchscreen, is not too big, is light yet sturdy, and has a relatively good battery life. Typing one-handed, I need a keyboard that is not flat. I have looked at convertible tablets but had difficulties attaching the keyboard. I don't have a huge budget, so I am looking for something in the mid-range price bracket. NikkiI use my tablet to do most things but find it hard to type long reports. I'm looking for a laptop that has a very responsive touchscreen, is not too big, is light yet sturdy, and has a relatively good battery life. Typing one-handed, I need a keyboard that is not flat. I have looked at convertible tablets but had difficulties attaching the keyboard. I don't have a huge budget, so I am looking for something in the mid-range price bracket. Nikki
If your tablet can do most of the things you need, then the cheapest and simplest option would be to buy a keyboard for it. Tablets put a premium on thinness, so tablet keyboards tend to be thin. However, you can buy a bigger keyboard with proper keys, as long as it works with your device.If your tablet can do most of the things you need, then the cheapest and simplest option would be to buy a keyboard for it. Tablets put a premium on thinness, so tablet keyboards tend to be thin. However, you can buy a bigger keyboard with proper keys, as long as it works with your device.
This is easy with Windows 8 tablets, which work with the thousands of keyboards that connect either via Bluetooth or a USB/microUSB cable. Android tablets also support Bluetooth keyboards and mice, and some will work with USB keyboards if they support USB On The Go (OTG) adapters. The Apple iPad doesn't have a USB port, but will also work with Bluetooth keyboards.This is easy with Windows 8 tablets, which work with the thousands of keyboards that connect either via Bluetooth or a USB/microUSB cable. Android tablets also support Bluetooth keyboards and mice, and some will work with USB keyboards if they support USB On The Go (OTG) adapters. The Apple iPad doesn't have a USB port, but will also work with Bluetooth keyboards.
If your tablet runs Android, look at External Keyboard Helper Pro (£1.85). This supports a lot of different key layouts and lets you configure a keyboard to suit your needs.If your tablet runs Android, look at External Keyboard Helper Pro (£1.85). This supports a lot of different key layouts and lets you configure a keyboard to suit your needs.
At this point, I was going to mention that there are some one-handed keyboards, including the famous FrogPad. If you haven't heard of this, there are some YouTube videos that show it in action, such as FrogPad One-handed keyboard - Overview and demonstration. At this point, I was going to mention that there are some one-handed keyboards, including the famous FrogPad. If you haven't heard of this, there are some YouTube videos that show it in action, such as FrogPad One-handed keyboard - Overview and demonstration.
However, Lilly Walters, a one-handed typist, says it is much better to use a conventional keyboard. She has developed a system of one-handed touch-typing where you position your fingers over the FGHJ keys. She says she can type at 40 to 85 words a minute. Whether it's worth developing the skill is another matter: it depends how long you think it will be before you are back to two-handed operation. Either way, there are huge benefits from learning to touch-type with two hands, and I assume this applies to one-handed touch-typing as well.However, Lilly Walters, a one-handed typist, says it is much better to use a conventional keyboard. She has developed a system of one-handed touch-typing where you position your fingers over the FGHJ keys. She says she can type at 40 to 85 words a minute. Whether it's worth developing the skill is another matter: it depends how long you think it will be before you are back to two-handed operation. Either way, there are huge benefits from learning to touch-type with two hands, and I assume this applies to one-handed touch-typing as well.
Another alternative would be to buy a version of Dragon's voice recognition software from Nuance. Dragon NaturallySpeaking Home 12.0 is cheap at £36.98, with the full Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium 12.0 at £90.78.Another alternative would be to buy a version of Dragon's voice recognition software from Nuance. Dragon NaturallySpeaking Home 12.0 is cheap at £36.98, with the full Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium 12.0 at £90.78.
Windows 8 and tabletsWindows 8 and tablets
Windows 8 was launched in October 2012 with two distinct modes of operation. First, there's the Start screen, which works as a touchscreen tablet running apps that have been preinstalled or downloaded from the Windows Store. The Start screen also replaces the old Windows menu and search box. (You can do most things in Windows 8 just by typing a few characters or words directly into the Start screen.) Second, there's the Windows desktop, which works like Windows 7. For a guide, watch Scott Hanselman's videos, starting with the fourth (bottom) one on his web page: Three all new Windows 8.1 video tutorials.Windows 8 was launched in October 2012 with two distinct modes of operation. First, there's the Start screen, which works as a touchscreen tablet running apps that have been preinstalled or downloaded from the Windows Store. The Start screen also replaces the old Windows menu and search box. (You can do most things in Windows 8 just by typing a few characters or words directly into the Start screen.) Second, there's the Windows desktop, which works like Windows 7. For a guide, watch Scott Hanselman's videos, starting with the fourth (bottom) one on his web page: Three all new Windows 8.1 video tutorials.
To take advantage of the dual nature of Windows 8, most PC manufacturers have produced innovative hybrids that can work either as a tablet or as a laptop or desktop. Some of these are indistinguishable from traditional laptops when the screen is locked into place. A leading example is the Asus Transformer Book T100, which is much like earlier (but more expensive) models running Google's Android. I suspect this is the sort of thing you've tried.To take advantage of the dual nature of Windows 8, most PC manufacturers have produced innovative hybrids that can work either as a tablet or as a laptop or desktop. Some of these are indistinguishable from traditional laptops when the screen is locked into place. A leading example is the Asus Transformer Book T100, which is much like earlier (but more expensive) models running Google's Android. I suspect this is the sort of thing you've tried.
But there are alternatives. There are hybrids that convert from a laptop to a tablet by folding the keyboard back under the screen. There are leading examples in the Lenovo Yoga range. These are easier to operate with one hand. The drawback is that you still have to carry the weight and bulk of the keyboard while operating it in tablet mode. There are also "pure" Windows 8 tablets that are sold without keyboards, exactly like Android tablets and iPads. You can use these only as tablets or – as with any tablet – add your own keyboard.But there are alternatives. There are hybrids that convert from a laptop to a tablet by folding the keyboard back under the screen. There are leading examples in the Lenovo Yoga range. These are easier to operate with one hand. The drawback is that you still have to carry the weight and bulk of the keyboard while operating it in tablet mode. There are also "pure" Windows 8 tablets that are sold without keyboards, exactly like Android tablets and iPads. You can use these only as tablets or – as with any tablet – add your own keyboard.
All Windows 8 Windows tablets still run Windows desktop software, but not the ones that run Windows RT. The leading example is Microsoft's Surface RT. RT machines are – like Apple and most Android tablets, and most smartphones – based on ARM processors. These chips cannot run standard Windows software written for Intel x86 processors. This means Windows RT has not been a success. However, Microsoft's RT-based Surface tablets include a free copy of the desktop version of Microsoft Office. If you run Office most of the time, or if your school runs Citrix (which provides access to Windows software on a server), then a Surface RT might be a viable option.All Windows 8 Windows tablets still run Windows desktop software, but not the ones that run Windows RT. The leading example is Microsoft's Surface RT. RT machines are – like Apple and most Android tablets, and most smartphones – based on ARM processors. These chips cannot run standard Windows software written for Intel x86 processors. This means Windows RT has not been a success. However, Microsoft's RT-based Surface tablets include a free copy of the desktop version of Microsoft Office. If you run Office most of the time, or if your school runs Citrix (which provides access to Windows software on a server), then a Surface RT might be a viable option.
Some Windows tablets also include Wacom-style screens and digitising pens that make them superb for graphic artists. Pens also enable users to annotate documents or handwrite notes into Microsoft OneNote.Some Windows tablets also include Wacom-style screens and digitising pens that make them superb for graphic artists. Pens also enable users to annotate documents or handwrite notes into Microsoft OneNote.
Windows 8 tabletsWindows 8 tablets
The cheapest and lightest tablets are the ones with 8in screens such as the Toshiba Encore (£179.99 at PC World) and the Dell Venue 8 Pro (£279 from Dell including £24 shipping, or £220 on Amazon.co.uk). Both have WXGA (1280 x 800-pixel) screens. The Toshiba weighs 0.445kg while the Dell weighs 0.39kg. The Dell also has options such as a keyboard cover and an active pen, at extra cost.The cheapest and lightest tablets are the ones with 8in screens such as the Toshiba Encore (£179.99 at PC World) and the Dell Venue 8 Pro (£279 from Dell including £24 shipping, or £220 on Amazon.co.uk). Both have WXGA (1280 x 800-pixel) screens. The Toshiba weighs 0.445kg while the Dell weighs 0.39kg. The Dell also has options such as a keyboard cover and an active pen, at extra cost.
Either of these would do what you want, and both can be used with Bluetooth keyboards and mice, and so on. However, you may well feel the screens are just too small, even if you use the Control Panel to make Windows 8 scale things up by 125% or 150%. You should certainly see how Windows 8 desktop programs (not just apps) looks on an 8in tablet before buying one.Either of these would do what you want, and both can be used with Bluetooth keyboards and mice, and so on. However, you may well feel the screens are just too small, even if you use the Control Panel to make Windows 8 scale things up by 125% or 150%. You should certainly see how Windows 8 desktop programs (not just apps) looks on an 8in tablet before buying one.
The next cheapest option is the old 10.6in Surface RT tablet with 64GB of storage, reduced by £100 to £259. These are superbly made and have good 1366 x 768-pixel screens (the most common format on laptops). Also, they're light by laptop standards at 676g, though as with any tablet, you would have to add the extra weight and cost of a Bluetooth keyboard. (I suspect the special Windows Type cover will be too flat for you.) However, as mentioned, they don't run Windows desktop software, except for the built-in Office.The next cheapest option is the old 10.6in Surface RT tablet with 64GB of storage, reduced by £100 to £259. These are superbly made and have good 1366 x 768-pixel screens (the most common format on laptops). Also, they're light by laptop standards at 676g, though as with any tablet, you would have to add the extra weight and cost of a Bluetooth keyboard. (I suspect the special Windows Type cover will be too flat for you.) However, as mentioned, they don't run Windows desktop software, except for the built-in Office.
Moving up to an old Microsoft Surface Pro with a Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel screen, Intel Core i5-3317U processor and 128GB of storage pushes the price up to £499, without a Type cover keyboard. This is cheaper than a less-powerful 64GB iPad Air (£559), and while it's not the sort of price that appeals to most Windows buyers, it's worth considering for your purposes. The newer Surface Pro 2 costs more, and an improved Surface Pro 3 is due in August.Moving up to an old Microsoft Surface Pro with a Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel screen, Intel Core i5-3317U processor and 128GB of storage pushes the price up to £499, without a Type cover keyboard. This is cheaper than a less-powerful 64GB iPad Air (£559), and while it's not the sort of price that appeals to most Windows buyers, it's worth considering for your purposes. The newer Surface Pro 2 costs more, and an improved Surface Pro 3 is due in August.
The 10.8in Dell Venue 11 Pro is another option. However, it only has a quad-core Intel Atom Z3770 processor and the UK price is somewhere north of £500 (I broke Dell's website).The 10.8in Dell Venue 11 Pro is another option. However, it only has a quad-core Intel Atom Z3770 processor and the UK price is somewhere north of £500 (I broke Dell's website).
Rotating screensRotating screens
Lenovo pioneered the idea of rotating the keyboard behind the screen with its Yoga range. Your best bet is probably a £469.99 IdeaPad Yoga 2 with an 11.1in, 1366 x 768-pixel screen. This is thin (11.7mm) and reasonably light (1.45kg) for a laptop with a 2.1GHz quad-core Intel Pentium N3520 processor, 4GB of memory and 500GB hard drive. I'd expect it to compare very favourably with your old work laptop.Lenovo pioneered the idea of rotating the keyboard behind the screen with its Yoga range. Your best bet is probably a £469.99 IdeaPad Yoga 2 with an 11.1in, 1366 x 768-pixel screen. This is thin (11.7mm) and reasonably light (1.45kg) for a laptop with a 2.1GHz quad-core Intel Pentium N3520 processor, 4GB of memory and 500GB hard drive. I'd expect it to compare very favourably with your old work laptop.
There are obviously more expensive versions, going up to the 13.3in Yoga 2 Pro Ultrabook with an Intel Core i7-4500U processor, 8GB of memory, and 256GB SSD (solid-state drive) at £1,199.99. That would be overkill for your purposes.There are obviously more expensive versions, going up to the 13.3in Yoga 2 Pro Ultrabook with an Intel Core i7-4500U processor, 8GB of memory, and 256GB SSD (solid-state drive) at £1,199.99. That would be overkill for your purposes.
The new the HP Pavilion x360 range also, as its name suggests, swivels through 360 degrees to work in a tablet format. I've not had chance to try one. Nonetheless, the 11.6in Pavilion x360 11-n010ea has a slower Celeron N2820 processor but otherwise a similar spec to the Yoga 2 for £349.99.The new the HP Pavilion x360 range also, as its name suggests, swivels through 360 degrees to work in a tablet format. I've not had chance to try one. Nonetheless, the 11.6in Pavilion x360 11-n010ea has a slower Celeron N2820 processor but otherwise a similar spec to the Yoga 2 for £349.99.
I'm not sure what you consider the "midrange price bracket". I reckon it's about £350 to £500 or, pushing it, £599.99. The IdeaPad Yoga 2 fits that at £469.99, though the HP Pavilion x360 is £120 cheaper.I'm not sure what you consider the "midrange price bracket". I reckon it's about £350 to £500 or, pushing it, £599.99. The IdeaPad Yoga 2 fits that at £469.99, though the HP Pavilion x360 is £120 cheaper.
Touch-screen laptopsTouch-screen laptops
There are now dozens of touchscreen laptops that run Windows 8 or 8.1. These are not hybrids, and don't turn into tablets. However, I find the touch screen features surprisingly handy for some things, even in laptop mode. Models that are worth a look include the 1.2kg Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 10 with a Pentium N3510 for £329.95 and the 1.4kg 11.6in Asus VivoBook X200 Red with a Celeron 1007U at £259.97. (In this case, the processors run at around the same speed but the 17 Watt dual-core Celeron 1007U uses more power than the 8W quad-core Pentium N3510.)There are now dozens of touchscreen laptops that run Windows 8 or 8.1. These are not hybrids, and don't turn into tablets. However, I find the touch screen features surprisingly handy for some things, even in laptop mode. Models that are worth a look include the 1.2kg Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 10 with a Pentium N3510 for £329.95 and the 1.4kg 11.6in Asus VivoBook X200 Red with a Celeron 1007U at £259.97. (In this case, the processors run at around the same speed but the 17 Watt dual-core Celeron 1007U uses more power than the 8W quad-core Pentium N3510.)
The IdeaPad Flex 10 is a "dual mode" machine because you can put it with the keyboard face down and use it in "viewing mode". However, my wife just bought one from John Lewis – she Asked Jack for one that would fit in her handbag and I gave her a shortlist – and it doesn't seem to be a feature she will ever use. Otherwise, the processor scores 5.2 on the Windows Experience Index and it's impressively nippy for such a small, cheap machine.The IdeaPad Flex 10 is a "dual mode" machine because you can put it with the keyboard face down and use it in "viewing mode". However, my wife just bought one from John Lewis – she Asked Jack for one that would fit in her handbag and I gave her a shortlist – and it doesn't seem to be a feature she will ever use. Otherwise, the processor scores 5.2 on the Windows Experience Index and it's impressively nippy for such a small, cheap machine.
I suggest you make a similar trip to a large retail store so you can make your own evaluations of the different designs, keyboards, and how sturdy they are. If sturdiness is very important, then the Microsoft Surface is by far the strongest and sturdiest: Microsoft's former head of Windows attached wheels to one and used it as a skateboard. The cheaper laptops, like the Lenovo Flex 10, are not very sturdy, but the Yoga 2 seems solid enough to me.I suggest you make a similar trip to a large retail store so you can make your own evaluations of the different designs, keyboards, and how sturdy they are. If sturdiness is very important, then the Microsoft Surface is by far the strongest and sturdiest: Microsoft's former head of Windows attached wheels to one and used it as a skateboard. The cheaper laptops, like the Lenovo Flex 10, are not very sturdy, but the Yoga 2 seems solid enough to me.