Battery life: Some laptops have even less power. I have an older one that’s got maybe 2 hours time. Some of us will want to plug in to nearby outlets if they want to do so.

Wired: Directly connecting the two laptops will require a crossover ethernet cable as I mentioned. I neglected to mention that you can use wireless, setting it up so only those laptops with the right settings can communicate. Either regular wireless (802.11b, g or newer) or bluetooth can be used. But of course, the old standby of a null modem cable on the modem port can be used.

Wireless: The range can be around the same as the UbiDuo, but as you go further out from the access point, the lower your speed will be. This is true no matter what you use. Ever heard of the Cantenna?

Number of devices: If you add on a hub or switch, you can increase how many laptops you have connected. Adding on a router removes the requirement of someone having to set the IP on each laptop since the router will assign the IP.

Chatting: Not just one person on the laptop. Multiple people can talk at the same time with the right client program. Multiwindowed and IM-like clients do exist.

TTY use: You’re right on the TTY thing. I’ve not used that part, but others have. As usual, it all depends on the client program you use.

Space usage: Whoo… This is pretty much where the UbiDuo beats all!

You got good points on the use of an interpreter. However, not everyone will want to take the time to type out stuff to you. Some have pretty bad typing skills. Others have been known to leave a keyboard smoking since they type so fast.

Either way, both methods are methods of helping you communicate with someone. Good responses here. Good knowing there’s someone who knows their stuff. Hope to meet you sometime!

I, too, have known Jason, president of sComm, for more than 2 years and had the great opportunity of meeting him at
the NAD conference in California. You can’t get a better deaf president of a company than Jason!