Best Law School Laptop for the Money Forum

[Bustang]

Just ordered the Edge, mainly due to the cost. Got it standard across the board, I'll toss on win7 professional and the 2007 office suite on when I get it. The only thing I'm not happy about is its not shipping until 7/22.. that wait time is a bit crazy, imo.

Mine shipped 6/25 when it said it was going to ship 7/5

[ResolutePear]

Thinkpad. It's not thin. It's not pretty. It's built for a lumberjack's rough hands.

But remember this: When your laptop gets dropped on the floor on the way to take your finals, the laptop you choose will decide if you've just failed the class or not.

[Bustang]

Thinkpad. It's not thin. It's not pretty. It's built for a lumberjack's rough hands.

But remember this: When your laptop gets dropped on the floor on the way to take your finals, the laptop you choose will decide if you've just failed the class or not.

This example is a bit extreme, but the principle behind it holds true. The plastic macbook I bought became very disappointing after a year of ownership. The plastic body chipped, broke and felt very flimsy when I moved it around. After 4 years of use, the wireless card barely works, the keyboard flexes too much and there are small areas of the unibody where the plastic broke off and left holes. The age old saying remains true: You get what you pay for. The ThinkPad is built like a tank. I'm hoping it will last me through law school with no qualms. I think the edge is built better than the entry level dells/sonys etc, but there is a qualitative difference for the extra $200.

[ResolutePear]

Thinkpad. It's not thin. It's not pretty. It's built for a lumberjack's rough hands.

But remember this: When your laptop gets dropped on the floor on the way to take your finals, the laptop you choose will decide if you've just failed the class or not.

This example is a bit extreme, but the principle behind it holds true. The plastic macbook I bought became very disappointing after a year of ownership. The plastic body chipped, broke and felt very flimsy when I moved it around. After 4 years of use, the wireless card barely works, the keyboard flexes too much and there are small areas of the unibody where the plastic broke off and left holes. The age old saying remains true: You get what you pay for. The ThinkPad is built like a tank. I'm hoping it will last me through law school with no qualms. I think the edge is built better than the entry level dells/sonys etc, but there is a qualitative difference for the extra $200.

Your example holds true. Where Apple wants you to buy a new MacBook roughly every over revise(every 2 years), Lenovo/IBM makes the Thinkpad to be rugged and last as long as possible to make it sensible for a corporation to put down a 2,000 unit order for their corporation(Think: at&t). You can also buy a Thinkpad through the outlet(http://outlet.lenovo.com) to save on the premium over an normal laptop. These laptops are built to take punishment, albeit - not like a Panasonic Toughbook. The Thinkpad is a good agreement between price, reliability, and power at any rate.

[zeth006]

Thinkpad. It's not thin. It's not pretty. It's built for a lumberjack's rough hands.

But remember this: When your laptop gets dropped on the floor on the way to take your finals, the laptop you choose will decide if you've just failed the class or not.

This example is a bit extreme, but the principle behind it holds true. The plastic macbook I bought became very disappointing after a year of ownership. The plastic body chipped, broke and felt very flimsy when I moved it around. After 4 years of use, the wireless card barely works, the keyboard flexes too much and there are small areas of the unibody where the plastic broke off and left holes. The age old saying remains true: You get what you pay for. The ThinkPad is built like a tank. I'm hoping it will last me through law school with no qualms. I think the edge is built better than the entry level dells/sonys etc, but there is a qualitative difference for the extra $200.

Your example holds true. Where Apple wants you to buy a new MacBook roughly every over revise(every 2 years), Lenovo/IBM makes the Thinkpad to be rugged and last as long as possible to make it sensible for a corporation to put down a 2,000 unit order for their corporation(Think: at&t). You can also buy a Thinkpad through the outlet(http://outlet.lenovo.com) to save on the premium over an normal laptop. These laptops are built to take punishment, albeit - not like a Panasonic Toughbook. The Thinkpad is a good agreement between price, reliability, and power at any rate.

Wish I had $3-4k to spend on a Panasonic Toughbook......

[ResolutePear]

Thinkpad. It's not thin. It's not pretty. It's built for a lumberjack's rough hands.

But remember this: When your laptop gets dropped on the floor on the way to take your finals, the laptop you choose will decide if you've just failed the class or not.

This example is a bit extreme, but the principle behind it holds true. The plastic macbook I bought became very disappointing after a year of ownership. The plastic body chipped, broke and felt very flimsy when I moved it around. After 4 years of use, the wireless card barely works, the keyboard flexes too much and there are small areas of the unibody where the plastic broke off and left holes. The age old saying remains true: You get what you pay for. The ThinkPad is built like a tank. I'm hoping it will last me through law school with no qualms. I think the edge is built better than the entry level dells/sonys etc, but there is a qualitative difference for the extra $200.

Your example holds true. Where Apple wants you to buy a new MacBook roughly every over revise(every 2 years), Lenovo/IBM makes the Thinkpad to be rugged and last as long as possible to make it sensible for a corporation to put down a 2,000 unit order for their corporation(Think: at&t). You can also buy a Thinkpad through the outlet(http://outlet.lenovo.com) to save on the premium over an normal laptop. These laptops are built to take punishment, albeit - not like a Panasonic Toughbook. The Thinkpad is a good agreement between price, reliability, and power at any rate.

Wish I had $3-4k to spend on a Panasonic Toughbook......

Yeah, I hear you can shield yourself from a grenade with one of the higher end models.

But seriously - for a student or lawyer to need it.. he'd have to be going to the Middle East or something in which case you can use it as cover against grenades

[zeth006]

At that point, a higher risk for alcoholism, divorce, and suicide are the least of his worries.

I hear that a Toughbook was once used to block a bullet.

[ResolutePear]

Yep. I believe it only failed once they got to the bigger caliber rifles.

[JOThompson]

If you're getting a Lenovo, make sure to utilize the student discount. You can combine it with the checkout code USXSUMMERSAVINGS for an additional 5% off. I'm getting the T410 upgraded to 4GB with a 3 YR Onsite Warranty for a little under $1200.

[kalvano]

If you're getting a Lenovo, make sure to utilize the student discount. You can combine it with the checkout code USXSUMMERSAVINGS for an additional 5% off. I'm getting the T410 upgraded to 4GB with a 3 YR Onsite Warranty for a little under $1200.

That is awesome.

[legalease9]

I got this one for LS.


http://www.amazon.com/UL80Vt-A1-14-Inch ... 610&sr=8-1

[ResolutePear]

If you're getting a Lenovo, make sure to utilize the student discount. You can combine it with the checkout code USXSUMMERSAVINGS for an additional 5% off. I'm getting the T410 upgraded to 4GB with a 3 YR Onsite Warranty for a little under $1200.

That is awesome.

Indeed. Thanks for the heads up. I'm probably looking into an SL-series for myself.

[Mr. Matlock]

If you're getting a Lenovo, make sure to utilize the student discount. You can combine it with the checkout code USXSUMMERSAVINGS for an additional 5% off. I'm getting the T410 upgraded to 4GB with a 3 YR Onsite Warranty for a little under $1200.

That is awesome.

Are you still going with the Edge?

[kalvano]

If you're getting a Lenovo, make sure to utilize the student discount. You can combine it with the checkout code USXSUMMERSAVINGS for an additional 5% off. I'm getting the T410 upgraded to 4GB with a 3 YR Onsite Warranty for a little under $1200.

That is awesome.

Are you still going with the Edge?

Like I said, I don't need it to survive nuclear warfare. I haven't really seen anything in the T-series to make it worth the extra money to me.

My goal is as thin and light as possible.

So yes, probably. Especially with that coupon code, it makes what I want even less expensive, under $700.

[HBK]

Any thoughts about using SquareTrade for warranties instead of the manufacturer? Experiences?

[ResolutePear]

Squaretrade is pretty good, but not onsite last I checked.

[Emma.]

New MBP arrived today and it is sooo pretty. Totally worth $135 for the hi-res antiglare screen, IMO.

[cranberry]

I bought a really tiny HP Mini 311 with a 11.6" screen. I went to play with them at a computer store and the little screen was fine, and the keyboard is comfortable. I called HP to place the order and they gave me a big discount over the phone.

I already have a 15" laptop and couldn't convince myself to buy something that was just 1-2" smaller to have a pound less in my backpack. If it's miserable when it arrives I'll just keep it as a pet.

[fjk88]

I'm about to pick up a 15" macbook pro and was wondering if it was worth the extra $45 to upgrade the HDD from 5400 rpm to 7200 rpm. Any thoughts?

[Matthies]

I'm about to pick up a 15" macbook pro and was wondering if it was worth the extra $45 to upgrade the HDD from 5400 rpm to 7200 rpm. Any thoughts?

you gonna use it for playing games, watching movies, stuff like that? Really spped won't matter much for LS stuff, just load times on games and such

[fjk88]

I'm about to pick up a 15" macbook pro and was wondering if it was worth the extra $45 to upgrade the HDD from 5400 rpm to 7200 rpm. Any thoughts?

you gonna use it for playing games, watching movies, stuff like that? Really spped won't matter much for LS stuff, just load times on games and such

mainly LS stuff and movies...possibly a game or two if i have the time for it, but i have an xbox for that.

[ResolutePear]

I'm about to pick up a 15" macbook pro and was wondering if it was worth the extra $45 to upgrade the HDD from 5400 rpm to 7200 rpm. Any thoughts?

you gonna use it for playing games, watching movies, stuff like that? Really spped won't matter much for LS stuff, just load times on games and such

If you're *only* going to use it for LS-related stuff - get it with an SSD. Much more reliable and less prone to breaking down over a fall or something.

[kalvano]

Quick question before I order - is the Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 wireless worth the extra money?

[StrictlyLiable]

Quick question before I order - is the Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 wireless worth the extra money?

How much?

[kalvano]

Quick question before I order - is the Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 wireless worth the extra money?

How much?

Like $30.