http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_onlinetools.html
That will allow you to convert to html or txt, I'd suggest html for zoom and txt for braille.
I primarily use an ALVA display. I haven't had many problems aside from a few stuck braille keys that were (mostly) very easily serviced. I use JAWS as my screenreader with that. I have windows XP (home, I think) One thing to consider: sometimes, you can get them ALOT cheaper used. I've seen pacmates with 20 cell displays go on ebay for 500usd, which is really, really cheap. Also, push to get funding through your local rehab departments. I can understand the struggle to keep up with the prices- I've done my share of "You said that cost -how- much?!" with some of those nicer 80 cell deals.
