Best Law School Laptop for the Money Forum

[zeth006]

One more thing I'll mention about computers for LS. If you're a study at home type person rather than a study at school type person, getting a docking station or hub and monitor, full-size keyboard and mouse is a LIFE SAVOR. So much easier to type, research, have several things open at one when you have full-size stuff to dock your laptop to at home. if you're the study at school type then don't worry about it.

BUT DO GET YOURSELF A LAPTOP LOCK. Campus thieves know LS and biz students have laptops and would hang out in the library to steal laptops. Never leave your laptop alone for even a few seconds unless you lock it to a chair or table or something. Every single semester someone got their laptop stolen, usually with all their notes on it. You don't want to be that guy/girl.

Also backup ur shit. If you want to do it cheap get a free dropbox account and set it to synch your my docs folder. Also Windows Live Sych works great if you have two computers (also free). Windows Live Office gives you five gigs online for free, and Windows Sky drive gives you 20 gigs online for free.

The Windows Live Sych and Sky tip are useful.

[Chupavida]

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[zeth006]

"CSers" don't need powerful laptops. Code compiling isn't really a big deal. I however, will take any and all scraps of power and put them to good use. The less time I spend watching progress bars the better.

So yeah, bring on the 13" refresh.

Fair enough. Most law school uses won't require you watch too many progress bars. But if your notebook is an all-purpose machine, that's a different story.

And you are correct. CS and games like SC2 don't require a lot of raw performance power. Even the Asus Ul30VT with its low-power SU7300/210M are able to chug through SC2 at max settings.

But at the end of the day, it's each to his own. I'm on my MBP 13 right now and I've found the processor to be plenty powerful for what I do with it.

[Matthies]

As of right now, you cant customize the edge models. There is a slightly more expensive one with 4gig and W7 Pro, but then they downgrade you to a 250@5400. All of those models are integrated graphics

To me 250 gigs is just too small (unlesss your also useing an extrenal HDD, then no problem) Ram you can allways add later, so not as big an issue. You can also repalce the HDD in a laptop too, but not usually worth it.

250 GB hard drive too small? I literally had 2-3 days of continuous video data stored on my hard drive and it was 80 GB. Plus 15GB music, so I had way too much memory.

I know you have high standards for computers, but that seems a bit too much for LS. I mean seriously, what else will you have on a hard drive than music (maybe 60GB) and files (<5GB) on a laptop just for law school?

PORN

[Matthies]

One more thing I'll mention about computers for LS. If you're a study at home type person rather than a study at school type person, getting a docking station or hub and monitor, full-size keyboard and mouse is a LIFE SAVOR. So much easier to type, research, have several things open at one when you have full-size stuff to dock your laptop to at home. if you're the study at school type then don't worry about it.

BUT DO GET YOURSELF A LAPTOP LOCK. Campus thieves know LS and biz students have laptops and would hang out in the library to steal laptops. Never leave your laptop alone for even a few seconds unless you lock it to a chair or table or something. Every single semester someone got their laptop stolen, usually with all their notes on it. You don't want to be that guy/girl.

Also backup ur shit. If you want to do it cheap get a free dropbox account and set it to synch your my docs folder. Also Windows Live Sych works great if you have two computers (also free). Windows Live Office gives you five gigs online for free, and Windows Sky drive gives you 20 gigs online for free.

The Windows Live Sych and Sky tip are useful.

Live synch rocks, I use OneNote for everything (except ironiclly taking notes in class, but that's anouther story) and I have live synch on all my systems (also owrks on mac too) so anytime I update my onenote all my other notesbooks on all my other compuets have the same notes. Bliss

[zeth006]

One more thing I'll mention about computers for LS. If you're a study at home type person rather than a study at school type person, getting a docking station or hub and monitor, full-size keyboard and mouse is a LIFE SAVOR. So much easier to type, research, have several things open at one when you have full-size stuff to dock your laptop to at home. if you're the study at school type then don't worry about it.

BUT DO GET YOURSELF A LAPTOP LOCK. Campus thieves know LS and biz students have laptops and would hang out in the library to steal laptops. Never leave your laptop alone for even a few seconds unless you lock it to a chair or table or something. Every single semester someone got their laptop stolen, usually with all their notes on it. You don't want to be that guy/girl.

Also backup ur shit. If you want to do it cheap get a free dropbox account and set it to synch your my docs folder. Also Windows Live Sych works great if you have two computers (also free). Windows Live Office gives you five gigs online for free, and Windows Sky drive gives you 20 gigs online for free.

The Windows Live Sych and Sky tip are useful.

Live synch rocks, I use OneNote for everything (except ironiclly taking notes in class, but that's anouther story) and I have live synch on all my systems (also owrks on mac too) so anytime I update my onenote all my other notesbooks on all my other compuets have the same notes. Bliss

Good stuff. As for laptop locks, I've been doing that since I got my first notebook years ago. I still get stares and remarks about my lock. Guess most people never hear about people both poor and rich who routinely pick up unlocked laptops either to make a quick buck at the corner pawn shop or simply for the mere sake of stealing.

Though I doubt I'll be going to a school with a heavily cutthroat atmosphere this fall, it's still a precaution worth taking.

EDIT: Scratch that. Just had someone at Borders discover right now he even has a lock port!

[cardnal124]

As of right now, you cant customize the edge models. There is a slightly more expensive one with 4gig and W7 Pro, but then they downgrade you to a 250@5400. All of those models are integrated graphics

To me 250 gigs is just too small (unlesss your also useing an extrenal HDD, then no problem) Ram you can allways add later, so not as big an issue. You can also repalce the HDD in a laptop too, but not usually worth it.

250 GB hard drive too small? I literally had 2-3 days of continuous video data stored on my hard drive and it was 80 GB. Plus 15GB music, so I had way too much memory.

I know you have high standards for computers, but that seems a bit too much for LS. I mean seriously, what else will you have on a hard drive than music (maybe 60GB) and files (<5GB) on a laptop just for law school?

PORN

Seriously, if you need more than 250 GB for porn, you have a problem. 80GB basically enables you to watch a new 20 min clip every day for 3 years before seeing the same one again.

[zeth006]

Seriously, if you need more than 250 GB for porn, you have a problem. 80GB basically enables you to watch a new 20 min clip every day for 3 years before seeing the same one again.

And just how do you know this?

[cardnal124]

Seriously, if you need more than 250 GB for porn, you have a problem. 80GB basically enables you to watch a new 20 min clip every day for 3 years before seeing the same one again.

And just how do you know this?

That's classified. I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.

[Matthies]

Seriously, if you need more than 250 GB for porn, you have a problem. 80GB basically enables you to watch a new 20 min clip every day for 3 years before seeing the same one again.

Maybe you missed it above, but I have 12TBs on my network. I have taken it upon myself to safe guard porn for future generations. In the basement, in a lead lined EMP proof bunker I keep a dedicated emergency porn backup laptop, 7 TBs of the best porn of the last 25 years in most genres, a generator, and a satellite antenna. After a nuclear war, natural disaster, or zombie apocalypse I can be back up and broadcasting porn within in 72 hours.

[irie]

Seriously, if you need more than 250 GB for porn, you have a problem. 80GB basically enables you to watch a new 20 min clip every day for 3 years before seeing the same one again.

And just how do you know this?

That's classified. I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.

there's porn

...and then there's porn in HD

80GB just doesn't go as far today as it used to.

[zeth006]

Seriously, if you need more than 250 GB for porn, you have a problem. 80GB basically enables you to watch a new 20 min clip every day for 3 years before seeing the same one again.

Maybe you missed it above, but I have 12TBs on my network. I have taken it upon myself to safe guard porn for future generations. In the basement, in a lead lined EMP proof bunker I keep a dedicated emergency porn backup laptop, 7 TBs of the best porn of the last 25 years in most genres, a generator, and a satellite antenna. After a nuclear war, natural disaster, or zombie apocalypse I can be back up and broadcasting porn within in 72 hours.

I was about to reply "Looks like you've prepped your stuff for a zombie apoc" until I read your last sentence. Looks like it's confirmed.

[Matthies]

Seriously, if you need more than 250 GB for porn, you have a problem. 80GB basically enables you to watch a new 20 min clip every day for 3 years before seeing the same one again.

And just how do you know this?

That's classified. I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.

there's porn

...and then there's porn in HD

80GB just doesn't go as far today as it used to.

and now they have porn in HD and 3D with sourround sound!

Its kind of disturbing actually

[Mr. Matlock]

and now they have porn in HD and 3D with sourround sound!

Its kind of disturbing actually

Ok, this grabbed my attention!!!

[Geat27]

I strongly recommend a Lenovo Thinkpad. These are extremely durable computers built from good components with chassis originally designed by IBM. The trackpoint, a small red pointing stick in the center of the keyboard, is much faster and easier to use than a touch pad (each Thinkpad also comes with a touch pad).

These laptops will probably fall behind the competition as Lenovo, a Chinese company which bought IBM's personal computer business and still builds its products on designs from that business, is able to leverage the advantage of these great, classic designs less and less. But for now the T line Thinkpads are excellent. They'll last longer and serve you better than any other machine except perhaps a Macintosh. They've been built with attention to detail: the hinges connecting the screen to the compute are thick and solid metal -- they'll never break. The keyboards are very firm, and the screens are very bright.


--LinkRemoved--

[zeth006]

I strongly recommend a Lenovo Thinkpad. These are extremely durable computers built from good components with chassis originally designed by IBM. The trackpoint, a small red pointing stick in the center of the keyboard, is much faster and easier to use than a touch pad (each Thinkpad also comes with a touch pad).

These laptops will probably fall behind the competition as Lenovo, a Chinese company which bought IBM's personal computer business and still builds its products on designs from that business, is able to leverage the advantage of these great, classic designs less and less. But for now the T line Thinkpads are excellent. They'll last longer and serve you better than any other machine except perhaps a Macintosh. They've been built with attention to detail: the hinges connecting the screen to the compute are thick and solid metal -- they'll never break. The keyboards are very firm, and the screens are very bright.


--LinkRemoved--

Protip: Just make sure to buy a 3-year warranty or scout out any B&M computer tech places nearby. If they're highly rated on yelp.com, that works too.


Laptop longevity is always hotly debated. My friend still has his heavy HP from 4 years ago. He's never had any problems with it besides key paint wearing off. But browse through HP forums on the web, and you hear complaints aplenty about quality issues.

[entropy111]

About the lenovo edge..

I would stay away from them....I got my huge loan money..and was thinking..alright..im finally go get a brand new ThinkPad like I've always wanted...So I bought a SL400. Piece.of.shit.

Okay..it wasn't that bad...worked great..but it was NOT a thinkpad...didnt have metal hinges, the case was sorta flimsy, keyboard had flex (push on it and it'll bend it)...And then the back was covered in this very HP-ish, very non-IBMish gloss...

So, I figure...Lenovo took over IBM's thinkpad line..which is known for being rock solid. And now tehy are making these cheaper versions that are stamped "thinkpad" but i bet money they're made in a different factory and have nothing to do with anythign originally thinkpad.

Back to the ThinkPad "Edge"..It looks suspiciously like a lenovo-eque Ideapad.....Too plastic-y

Can't go wrong with a T series...good size. solid build... and its a real thinkpad

pricey though....i'd check on Craisglist...older thinkpads usually work great (reformat as soon as you get it!)

[camstant]

About the lenovo edge..

I would stay away from them....I got my huge loan money..and was thinking..alright..im finally go get a brand new ThinkPad like I've always wanted...So I bought a SL400. Piece.of.shit.

Okay..it wasn't that bad...worked great..but it was NOT a thinkpad...didnt have metal hinges, the case was sorta flimsy, keyboard had flex (push on it and it'll bend it)...And then the back was covered in this very HP-ish, very non-IBMish gloss...

So, I figure...Lenovo took over IBM's thinkpad line..which is known for being rock solid. And now tehy are making these cheaper versions that are stamped "thinkpad" but i bet money they're made in a different factory and have nothing to do with anythign originally thinkpad.

Back to the ThinkPad "Edge"..It looks suspiciously like a lenovo-eque Ideapad.....Too plastic-y

Can't go wrong with a T series...good size. solid build... and its a real thinkpad

pricey though....i'd check on Craisglist...older thinkpads usually work great (reformat as soon as you get it!)

I think you're probably right. The edge doesnt seem like quite the tank that the T series is. I think buying a new one would be worth getting for the 3 yr warranty though...

[zeth006]

About the lenovo edge..

I would stay away from them....I got my huge loan money..and was thinking..alright..im finally go get a brand new ThinkPad like I've always wanted...So I bought a SL400. Piece.of.shit.

Okay..it wasn't that bad...worked great..but it was NOT a thinkpad...didnt have metal hinges, the case was sorta flimsy, keyboard had flex (push on it and it'll bend it)...And then the back was covered in this very HP-ish, very non-IBMish gloss...

So, I figure...Lenovo took over IBM's thinkpad line..which is known for being rock solid. And now tehy are making these cheaper versions that are stamped "thinkpad" but i bet money they're made in a different factory and have nothing to do with anythign originally thinkpad.

Back to the ThinkPad "Edge"..It looks suspiciously like a lenovo-eque Ideapad.....Too plastic-y

Can't go wrong with a T series...good size. solid build... and its a real thinkpad

pricey though....i'd check on Craisglist...older thinkpads usually work great (reformat as soon as you get it!)

I think you're probably right. The edge doesnt seem like quite the tank that the T series is. I think buying a new one would be worth getting for the 3 yr warranty though...

As long as you don't plan to do much beyond doing law school stuff and watching youtube clips, check out the Sony Vaio Y. It's got some reviews on youtube and it's been reviewed on the web quite often.

[kalvano]

I mean seriously, what else will you have on a hard drive than music (maybe 60GB) and files (<5GB) on a laptop just for law school?

I have 148.6GB of music on my computer.

[kalvano]

About the lenovo edge..

I would stay away from them....I got my huge loan money..and was thinking..alright..im finally go get a brand new ThinkPad like I've always wanted...So I bought a SL400. Piece.of.shit.

Okay..it wasn't that bad...worked great..but it was NOT a thinkpad...didnt have metal hinges, the case was sorta flimsy, keyboard had flex (push on it and it'll bend it)...And then the back was covered in this very HP-ish, very non-IBMish gloss...

So, I figure...Lenovo took over IBM's thinkpad line..which is known for being rock solid. And now tehy are making these cheaper versions that are stamped "thinkpad" but i bet money they're made in a different factory and have nothing to do with anythign originally thinkpad.

Back to the ThinkPad "Edge"..It looks suspiciously like a lenovo-eque Ideapad.....Too plastic-y

Can't go wrong with a T series...good size. solid build... and its a real thinkpad

pricey though....i'd check on Craisglist...older thinkpads usually work great (reformat as soon as you get it!)

I think you're probably right. The edge doesnt seem like quite the tank that the T series is. I think buying a new one would be worth getting for the 3 yr warranty though...

Damn, a new Edge was exactly the model I was thinking of. A 13" model with the Intel. What's up with all the AMD processors, by the way? No thanks.

$799 currently, with Bluetooth, Core2Duo, Windows 7 Pro, Trackpoint and all. Only weighs 3.6 pounds.






Edit - also, is the lack of an optical drive that big a deal? I've heard you can simply turn in your exams on thumb drives.

[camstant]

About the lenovo edge..

I would stay away from them....I got my huge loan money..and was thinking..alright..im finally go get a brand new ThinkPad like I've always wanted...So I bought a SL400. Piece.of.shit.

Okay..it wasn't that bad...worked great..but it was NOT a thinkpad...didnt have metal hinges, the case was sorta flimsy, keyboard had flex (push on it and it'll bend it)...And then the back was covered in this very HP-ish, very non-IBMish gloss...

So, I figure...Lenovo took over IBM's thinkpad line..which is known for being rock solid. And now tehy are making these cheaper versions that are stamped "thinkpad" but i bet money they're made in a different factory and have nothing to do with anythign originally thinkpad.

Back to the ThinkPad "Edge"..It looks suspiciously like a lenovo-eque Ideapad.....Too plastic-y

Can't go wrong with a T series...good size. solid build... and its a real thinkpad

pricey though....i'd check on Craisglist...older thinkpads usually work great (reformat as soon as you get it!)

I think you're probably right. The edge doesnt seem like quite the tank that the T series is. I think buying a new one would be worth getting for the 3 yr warranty though...

As long as you don't plan to do much beyond doing law school stuff and watching youtube clips, check out the Sony Vaio Y. It's got some reviews on youtube and it's been reviewed on the web quite often.

I'm just not sure I could go to a 13" screen, especially if its my only computer. And I'll be staring at it all day...

[camstant]

Edit - also, is the lack of an optical drive that big a deal? I've heard you can simply turn in your exams on thumb drives.

Probably not a huge deal, especially since you can get portable ones relatively cheap.

[beach_terror]

Just get a 14 inch Edge, they come with cd drives.

[kalvano]

Just get a 14 inch Edge, they come with cd drives.

I'd much rather save the weight.