Using a laptop when you’re partially sighted.

I’ve bought a large print keyboard and it’s definitely improved my typing speed. Thanks Lixy.

You can change the background colour as well which helps some. RNIB can offer advice on set-up.

You can also buy a screen magnifier that corves the image inwards www.ebay.co.uk/itm/157470664644

Try looking for a gaming type - the graphics card will be sharper contrast. (look for NVIDIA GTX or RTX, but they are expensive) My Lenovo Yoga has a gaming option as well as a magnifier in the accessibility options

I like the sound of that keyboard Lixy. You’ve also set me wondering whether a desktop would be better for me.

You might consider contacting the U3A. They’re running courses to help older people into using IT, even as far as AI, so may well have good advice. Equally, I’m guessing that AI, something like ChatGPT, might also be able to advise you, and of course they’ll talk to you.

I bought (from Amazon) a keyboard that has yellow keys with black letters. It’s a bit bigger than a standard keyboard too.

My mum uses it with her desk top computer but it has a USB connection so could plug into a laptop.

I hope you find a screen to suit you.

teabagwoman

Thanks AuntieE that’s an idea that I’ll follow up.

B9exchange I was thinking of getting a larger screen but I’m not sure about a touch one as my fingers always seem to be landing in the wrong place!

win I must confess I’ve avoided AI but perhaps I should give it a try.

I just find it absolutely wonderful now much to my own surprise. You just give it instructions and it does exactly what you ask. fabulous. Do give it a go

Thanks AuntieE that’s an idea that I’ll follow up.

B9exchange I was thinking of getting a larger screen but I’m not sure about a touch one as my fingers always seem to be landing in the wrong place!

win I must confess I’ve avoided AI but perhaps I should give it a try.

Microsoft has immersive reader on most of its applications

You can just speak with AI and ask them what you need done to the document and they will do it, so incredible to work with, I never thought I would say that, but now i use AI for everything. I have just made a lovely double sided poster, with 2 A5 copies on each side of an A4 page simply by giving AI instructions as to what I wanted done. AI confirms everything you say before acting. I love it now.

DH has had glaucoma for years, and when he had his stroke his eyesight seemed to get worse, so I got him a really large touch screen, so everything is bigger and he can just touch what he needs.

PinkSweetPea

On my new Acer laptop with Windows Edge you can go into settings and change the size of the text and it also has a magnifier and lots of other settings which might help you.

I believe you can do this on any computer simply be accessing the tool bar, although unless you think exactly like Microsoft, which most of us do not, it can take exasperatingly long to discover where they have placed this useful tool.

I have just bought a new laptop, and as my eyesight is not as good as it used to be, I was advised to buy a gaming computer, as the screen is apparently clearer than on the ordinary laptop.

I managed to find one that had been used as a display model and was thus sold at a reduced price, and am very satisfied with it.

On my new Acer laptop with Windows Edge you can go into settings and change the size of the text and it also has a magnifier and lots of other settings which might help you.

Thank you Graphite, I will contact them.

There’s some great “speaking and listening” software out there.

The RNIB's Technology for Life team might be able to help you.

www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/assistive-aids-and-technology/technology-support-and-training/technology-support-we-offer/