Hello!

I am trying to help my friend buy a new laptop. Can anyone recommend laptops which are easy to use without a hand splint?

Thank you..

I find Acer and Toshiba make a good solid laptop.
Unfortunately the only way is to go out and try the keyboards of several models. Each model has a different feel.
A wireless mouse i find is a must. Don't go with the mini laptop sizes - get one that fits the hand comfortably.

If your friend is expecting to do a lot of keyboarding i.e. reports, writing a book etc. I would suggest getting Dragonspeak.
I have tried it and it works quite well BUT be prepared to spend a couple of hours "programming" it. This is basically reading various selections to form a "dictionary" of your voice. Don't try it if you are tired, I tend to slur my words and get some interesting results. Luckily Office '07 catches those most of the time.

Another good program to get is called Acronis Home - it is a backup program to allow quick restores - saves reprogramming Dragonspeak.

I have one friend in BC that is totally paralyzed - she can hardly talk and uses "puffer control" for everything she does. Despite this she has gotten quite a reputation for doing computer art and writing children's books - so it is possible.

Best of luck

It seems it's not what you're looking for so don't mind me but I did buy a netbook by MSI and it is now the only computer I use. It does everything I've ever needed to do on a computer and I've easily adjusted to the smaller keyboard size. It's so easy to carry around to classes etc. and is the only laptop I will ever need to use for the forseeable future. Although, other people might need to do more on a computer than I would, but it serves all my needs just fine.