Mr. or Ms. Computer, please take a letter
Article Abstract:
IBM's Voicetype Dictation for Windows voice response software transcribes verbal information better than any similar product, but the performance still falls below satisfactory levels for most users. Installing the Voicetype PC Card is difficult, and the solution is to use only the DOS-based programs linked to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, a tip that neither manual, online help or technical support reveals. After installation, users must take a little over an hour to train Voicetype to understand their voices, while learning at the same time to speak with pauses between each word. Voicetype's transcription is relatively quick, but correction is a tedious process. Users click on incorrect words, and Voicetype proposes alternates. When none of the alternates are correct, users may re-type the word. The language model automatically updates when users save, transfer or delete work. The Voicetype costs between $1,000 and $1,100.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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Newest light laptops, have few compromises
Article Abstract:
IBM's $2,700 ThinkPad 560 P100 is an excellent Pentium-based laptop, but it suffers from a dual-scan screen that creates ghost images. The P100 is the least expensive model in a family that includes the $3,750 ThinkPad 560 P120 and the $4,200 P133. The ThinkPad 560s weigh 4.2 lbs and are not much larger than a thick magazine. Models in the 560 family each have a speaker and microphone as well as sound functions. The machines have parallel, serial, mouse and monitor ports, along with infrared transceivers, two PC Card slots and a removable floppy disk drive. The 560s also offer a responsive, quiet keyboard that sports mostly full-size keys and a well-designed palmrest. The P100's infrared transceiver is located on the left side of the machine, which could make it difficult to align with another transceiver. The greatest drawback of the 560 models is the accompanying software and the manuals.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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Computer that thinks it's a giant
Article Abstract:
IBM's Palm Top PC 110 handheld computer offers users a capable computing package in a very small size though its tiny keyboard makes data entry and application usage relatively difficult. The product is 6 1/4 inches by 4 1/2 inches by 1 1/4 inches and weighs 1 pound 6 ounces. Three models of the Palm Top are being introduced into the Japanese market, at prices starting at $1,600; it is currently unavailable in the US. The product's impressive functionality includes a phone connection, a drawing pad suitable for use with a ball-point pen, LCD battery status display and a built-in telephone. The 4 3/4 inch screen offers crisp resolution and the product's 33MHz 486SX processor capably performs its duties. The device also features mouse controls and a pointing stick that is unfortunately quite imprecise. The product runs Windows 95 and other popular software but lacks a functional modem.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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