Best answer, easy 10 points: Help me find best computer to use w/ speech recognition/hands-free technology?

Question

Best answer = easy 10 points.

Hi everyone : ) I have many severe conditions, incl., quickly-advancing Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia as well as also a vocal cord and breathing disorder, so I really *do* need help finding a computer with speech recognition/hands free computing software to buy to help minimize the pain. I’ve been searching for months, I’m stymied and appreciate your help immensely. For the best answer I’m offering 10 points : ) Here’s the Wiki to bring all up to speed on this kind of software: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_recognition

(A tiny background, my exp. w/ Dragon Beta on a Sony laptop long about 10 yrs ago—horrible! It didn’t work. It couldn’t understand me, but typed *pages* when the dog barked, lol! The computer was PAINFULLY SLOW AND COMPLETELY INACCURATE and had “ghosts”—multi images of programs overlapping and none of the working : ) ) As such, I’m thinking a high-performance, possibly gaming computer, might overcome what was lacking before, most likely a desktop...although, I’ve NO gaming aspirations, too painful. I do enjoy photography, browsing the internet and listening to music (maybe transferring my LPs to MP3s) though (I’ve heard buying an external hard drive for this might be the best way to go for computer efficiency, what do you think? All in all, I’m hoping that *you know best*! : ) Because I’ve had to scrimp and save for well over 5-6 yrs (plus family help,) *this computer MUST last as long as absolutely possible*, b/c it will take longer than that to afford another.

The Guidelines: Replies *only* from people who are severely handicapped with hand/arm disabilities and *must* use such a program themselves or other severely disabled persons, Esp. persons who have the above disorders, as well as equally limiting disabilities pertaining, esp. to the hands, arms and voice who REQUIRE voice-recognition typing programs *or* persons having, long-standing, *verifiable*, personal experience REQUIRING THEM to use a voice or speech-driven voice command/typing programs on a computer (for ex: maybe you’re a dyslexic doctor or something, that would be great, since I, too, have a special vocabulary it needs to understand.) Sounds harsh, sorry about that, but I need an answer from someone with an intimate and detailed knowledge of this software and how it works with computers.

The Entire High Performance Computer System *MUST* COST LESS THAN $1200 (the more under cost you come, while still fulfilling *all* needs = best chance you’ll win.) Must have *amazingly* good reasons to go even a few hundred above (see above re: scrimping & saving.)

The ENTIRE system *must* come from a highly reputable company (be COMPLETE and ready “out of the box”, no customizing, *monitor* MUST come *with* the entire computer pkg.) and must contain (but not be limited to...)

Hardware: Dual to Quad core processors, 19” monitor INCLUDED, 4GB DDR2 memory (minimum), 320GB(minimum) hard drive, reads and writes all forms of media, including dual-layer CDs and DVDs, high-end GPU (preferably dedicated on a video card) to handle rapid text/commands, have also heard Direct X10 + may be useful in multimedia capabilities. Monitor doubles as digital t.v.*at no additional cost* with *no* additional software required (opt. the ability to also record t.v.) Please, *no* wireless mice or keyboards (I hear they eat through batteries,) as well as the usual, quality speakers, great USB and other ports, like memory card reader, etc; webcam nice but not essential, same w/ printer. PREFERENCE TO PCs. Very positive experiences with Gateways (haven’t tried voice software on them, though,) as noted above, Quite negative exp. w/ Sony. Absolutely NO DELLS!

Software: FULL VOICE-RECOGNITION/TYPING/NAVIGATION SOFTWARE ALREADY INSTALLED, READY TO GO; Windows Vista Home Premium, *MUST* have complete versions of software,*no test versions* of anything! Otherwise, I’m open-minded & have access to XP programs.

IT/Technical Support: None of this, “We don’t support third-party software” business, even though the computer company has the software already installed out of the box. Essential that it’s really good, intelligent people who know all aspects of the product (esp. voice software) and provide Service and Tech Support for as long as possible that make a computer worth buying.(a company that doesn’t stand behind it’s product is worthless.) Without Support and Service, I might as well be buying an *extremely expensive*, ire-invoking paperweight, which I won’t do.) (Dragon/Nuance software’s tech calls were once a minimum of $30 or more each---I’m not going for that again in any way, shape or form (sorry to sound harsh, but to beat all, at the time, they hadn’t even *answers*! For that kind of money.)

Alright, so that’s as much as I know about computers and what I really need : ) I know their are others out there (hopefully some of you) who are much more knowledgeable, both about real

Answer 1

well theres no way Im reading all that but going from your hgeader

Dragon Natrually speaking is the best thing out there.

Thats as good as it gets.

Sorry

Answer 2

make your question about half the size or less than i will help u out, the one u have now is just way to long to read. sorry for any inconvenience. i am a certified computer tech.

Answer 3

I think the answer's been courteously moved to" the best computer for speech recognition" and it's notably shorter, just taken down to the essentials.

I'm not sure which is more frightening: that people wouldn't read the above due to it's apparently relevant length, the apparently vanishing attention span amongst supposed "good-doers", or the kind of anonymous collective verbal hazing felt so relevant by the respondents.  

To the question's poser: I understand that on MS Office XP voice-recognition was already a function and just seemed to work as part as MS, fairly seamlessly.  There may even be a way to get speech recognition on regular XP--in fact, search Yahoo Answers about the best kind of speech recognition and and I believe several answers pop up as to where to find it on XP.

Given that, I'd imagine it's quite easy to find and use such software in the latest OS, Vista...probably even easier!  As for the type of computer which might be most amenable to the speed needed for voice typing, hopefully a kindly person *will* come along with a recommendation or two. Video cards, processor (number and speed), likely will be most crucial.  Beyond that, let's all hope someone intelligent, experienced and kind comes on the scene to educate us all : )

Weirdest of all, through all the complaining---I don't recall the poster specifying the length of the response, so, really, is there any cause for trouble?

Just trying to be a friendly neighbor in the e-community... :  )

Answer 4

Very less people on Answers are gonna read your essay, ;). Sorry.

I suggest a high-quality microphone and a compie with Vista Home Premium or higher. The Microsoft Speech Recognition pre-installed in superb and very accurate, provided that you have a good mic. Also, you don't need your hands at all (like for switching from Dictation to Voice Commands). You need only your voice to use the PC.