BrailleNote mPower BT32 or PacMate 40?

written by Leanne Nagel, Visiting (Itinerant) Teacher for Vision Impairment, October 2005

note:

1. Versions of both BrailleNote and PacMate are available with qwerty keyboards or smaller or no refreshable braille display.
2. To be used as a guide only. The writer does not endorse either product.

Feature	BrailleNote mPower BT32	PacMate 40
Appearance
Editor Program	KeyWord - designed for blind users Prompts to name a document as you open it, saves automatically on returning to main menu	FS Edit - set up similar to Windows Opens a document by opening FS Edit. By default saves every two minutes (can be turned off), will save on close or minimize
Braille Input	6 braille keys + space, enter and backspace Ergonomic layout 6 or 8 dot braille is possible	6 braille keys + space, enter and backspace Ergonomic layout 6 or 8 dot braille is possible
Braille display	32 x 8-dot braille cells + 32 cursor router buttons	40 x 8-dot braille cells + 40 cursor router buttons
Cursor Router - press the button above a braille cell and start editing right there!	Single line of cursor router buttons	2 rows of buttons - the bottom row routes cursor, the row above has 14 function keys in centre of top row marked by raised dots and buttons either side are scroll bars
Keyboard (braille keyboard pictured)	All-in-one unit Can be used as a braille display for your PC (USB or infrared) and still have access to all keysoft functions Can serve as a speech synthesiser for your PC Can remotely control PC (USB or wirelessly) You still need screen reader software on the computer for braille or speech output	Keyboard can be separated from braille display. Braille display can then be linked to computer (USB) and you can still use the braille keyboard and voice to access files on the PacMate Can remotely control PC (USB or wirelessly) You still need screen reader software for braille or speech output
Menu access	Use thumb keys to scroll forward and back, enter to select Thumb key functions are logical: Previous, Back, Advance, Next or space bar to scroll forward, backspace to scroll back and enter to select or press first letter of item to go directly to desired program Menu items are spoken and displayed on braille display	14 Hot Keys for quick access to various braille display options or Whiz Wheels scroll forward and back through menus or documents. Press the whiz wheel to toggle between line, sentence, paragraph, or focus panning mode or first letter navigation and arrow keys (cursor cross) + enter to select, if navigating menus via keyboard
Ports or slots	SD card slot, two USB host ports, one USB client port, serial port, infra-red port, compact flash slot, external microphone jack, headphone jack, PCMCIA slot, 56k dial-up modem, Bluetooth transceiver Wireless and Ethernet are supported through optional cards sold separately	USB supporting both client and host mode, infrared, 2 compact flash type I or II ports, headphone jack, microphone jack Wireless and Ethernet are supported through optional cards sold separately
Speech	KeyNote Gold fully adjustable: pitch, volume and rate keyboard echo speech is responsive in speed to the speed of input ie when you braille quickly, it speaks quickly	JAWS fully adjustable: pitch, volume and rate
Help	Context sensitive: press space & h built in fully indexed user guide	Press space & dots 1234 then C for Control help or H for context sensitive help built in fully indexed user guide
Visual Display - can use your computer as a visual monitor	Yes	Yes
Dimensions	Weight: 1.3kg Dimensions: 25cm x 15.5cm x 5cm	Weight: 1.81 kg Dimensions: 31.75cm x 17.3cm x 4.9cm
Battery life	about 20 hours to charge: 2 - 3 hours from flat No need to fully discharge before recharging	about 14 hours to charge: 2.5 – 3.5 hours from flat No need to fully discharge before recharging
Functions	Keyword - word processor designed for blind users Can read and produce Microsoft Word documents Automatic translation between braille and text files Internet browser Email Voice Recorder File Manager Media Player - supports internet streaming, MP3 and windows media Scientific Calculator Stop Watch Calendar - date, time Planner - schedule appointments, set reminder alarms Active Sync - allows file sharing with a computer	Freedom Scientific word processor Microsoft® Windows® CE.net 4.2 with PocketPC 2003 Translates both ways between braille and text files JAWS® screen reader Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Inbox Voice Recorder Notes Pocket Word Pocket Excel Pocket Internet Explorer File Explorer Windows Media Player 9 for Pocket PC Supports internet streaming MP3 and Windows Media Calculator Stop Watch Active Sync - allows file sharing with a computer
Note	Handy carry case included	Handy carry case included Need to re-load settings if battery goes flat (can back up settings)
Optional Extras	GPS	FS Reader (reads Daisy files) Modem GPS
Questions	Ramona Mandy (03) 9686 2601 ramona.mandy@humanware.com	Brett Scarr 1300 791 777 software@quantech.com.au Or Lee Kumutat (02) 8844 9831 leek@quantech.com.au
Further information	http://www.humanware.com Or Tutorials	http://www.freedomscientific.com Or Teachers guide

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