The Ideal Law School Laptop Forum

[malagueno]

whatever you do, DON'T buy a mac book. God those are gay.

Wow! Don't think I've heard that use of "gay" since 5th grade. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[dotcom]

I just got a macbook for law school. Does anyone have any recommendations for what software will be most useful in law school? My computer knowledge is limited... I am specifically interested in note taking software. There seems to be a clear winner for PCs, and a hodge podge for macs.

Thanks!

[sheltron5000]

I don't have a good answer for ^ 'cause in the mac world it's so largely up to personal preference.

But for people considering a macbook who were scared off by the SATA I vs SATA II issue: Apple just released a firmware update that fixes it. Apparently they didn't test the firmware for SATA II since they don't ship any drives that use it.

[bigben]

whatever you do, DON'T buy a mac book. God those are gay.

DELETED

ROFL!

[dextermorgan]

I just got a macbook for law school. Does anyone have any recommendations for what software will be most useful in law school? My computer knowledge is limited... I am specifically interested in note taking software. There seems to be a clear winner for PCs, and a hodge podge for macs.

Thanks!

OmniOutliner Pro seems to be the most popular, but there are many options. Free trials are your friends.

[hoffb86]

So, I have had my mac a week now, I love it, but am already having to bring it in to the store. The headphone jack (which apparently is hit-or-miss on the macbooks) is broken. It was working fine, and then just stopped. I get sound out of the internal speakers, but when I plug the headphones in, there is a couple second delay where the speakers continue to work while it recognizes there are headphones in, and then no sound from the headphones.

I've tried other headphones, and its not the issue. I've also checked the sound settings, and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with them. So, I'm taking it in for some assistance. If all goes well, and I have no issues getting it resolved, I'm not going to have a gripe about mac, cuz I know that these glitches happen sometimes, on PCs too. Also, I've heard that mac customer assistance is awesome, so hopefully, this will hold true regarding this service.

Anyways, just thought I would update. Macs have issues too, all computers do!

[sheltron5000]

So, I have had my mac a week now, I love it, but am already having to bring it in to the store. The headphone jack (which apparently is hit-or-miss on the macbooks) is broken. It was working fine, and then just stopped. I get sound out of the internal speakers, but when I plug the headphones in, there is a couple second delay where the speakers continue to work while it recognizes there are headphones in, and then no sound from the headphones.

I've tried other headphones, and its not the issue. I've also checked the sound settings, and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with them. So, I'm taking it in for some assistance. If all goes well, and I have no issues getting it resolved, I'm not going to have a gripe about mac, cuz I know that these glitches happen sometimes, on PCs too. Also, I've heard that mac customer assistance is awesome, so hopefully, this will hold true regarding this service.

Anyways, just thought I would update. Macs have issues too, all computers do!

I've heard about this problem before. A lot of people think it's because of the integrated mic/headphone port apple uses on the 13". The apple headphones with mic seem to work better. See if you can find someone with an iPhone and try their headphones.

[hoffb86]

So, I have had my mac a week now, I love it, but am already having to bring it in to the store. The headphone jack (which apparently is hit-or-miss on the macbooks) is broken. It was working fine, and then just stopped. I get sound out of the internal speakers, but when I plug the headphones in, there is a couple second delay where the speakers continue to work while it recognizes there are headphones in, and then no sound from the headphones.

I've tried other headphones, and its not the issue. I've also checked the sound settings, and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with them. So, I'm taking it in for some assistance. If all goes well, and I have no issues getting it resolved, I'm not going to have a gripe about mac, cuz I know that these glitches happen sometimes, on PCs too. Also, I've heard that mac customer assistance is awesome, so hopefully, this will hold true regarding this service.

Anyways, just thought I would update. Macs have issues too, all computers do!

I've heard about this problem before. A lot of people think it's because of the integrated mic/headphone port apple uses on the 13". The apple headphones with mic seem to work better. See if you can find someone with an iPhone and try their headphones.

I did (I think, the headphones i borrowed from a friend were the iphone) ... no dice.... so, I am going to the genius bar tomorrow.

edit: and, if that is the case, and I would have to use those headphones, i dont think it will work for me, cuz they dont stay in my ears....

[sheltron5000]

The fix those people used was to pull the headphones out just a tinsy bit to get the right contact, but if you tried the iphone headphones you probably have a different problem.

[ubermensch]

For those considering a lenovo and concerned about ship times:

I ordered a t400 from lenovo last Wednesday. It shipped on Friday and should be here tomorrow or Wednesday.

[dextermorgan]

So, I have had my mac a week now, I love it, but am already having to bring it in to the store. The headphone jack (which apparently is hit-or-miss on the macbooks) is broken. It was working fine, and then just stopped. I get sound out of the internal speakers, but when I plug the headphones in, there is a couple second delay where the speakers continue to work while it recognizes there are headphones in, and then no sound from the headphones.

I've tried other headphones, and its not the issue. I've also checked the sound settings, and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with them. So, I'm taking it in for some assistance. If all goes well, and I have no issues getting it resolved, I'm not going to have a gripe about mac, cuz I know that these glitches happen sometimes, on PCs too. Also, I've heard that mac customer assistance is awesome, so hopefully, this will hold true regarding this service.

Anyways, just thought I would update. Macs have issues too, all computers do!

I've heard about this problem before. A lot of people think it's because of the integrated mic/headphone port apple uses on the 13". The apple headphones with mic seem to work better. See if you can find someone with an iPhone and try their headphones.

I did (I think, the headphones i borrowed from a friend were the iphone) ... no dice.... so, I am going to the genius bar tomorrow.

edit: and, if that is the case, and I would have to use those headphones, i dont think it will work for me, cuz they dont stay in my ears....

I wouldn't be surprised if they just switch it out on the spot. Macs tend to have issues when a new product is launched, but Apple always handles it well.

[particleman]

Hey all, I'm considering switching to Mac and have been looking at the Mac Book Pro 13" and 15". I currently have a 15" screen laptop so I'm wondering if a 13" is too small. Anyone out there have a 13" screen and feel like it's not big enough? Anyone with a 15" think their laptop is too heavy?

[dextermorgan]

Hey all, I'm considering switching to Mac and have been looking at the Mac Book Pro 13" and 15". I currently have a 15" screen laptop so I'm wondering if a 13" is too small. Anyone out there have a 13" screen and feel like it's not big enough? Anyone with a 15" think their laptop is too heavy?

I have the 13" right now. I perviously had a 15" and I do not notice a difference in regular use. I am however, going to get a 15" for law school because I feel that the ability to have Westlaw/Lexis and a word processing document open side by side at a comfortable size makes it worth it. I also don't think that the extra pound will bother me too much (the 15" MBP is still lighter than many similarly sized Windows notebooks). Just my $0.02.

[hoffb86]

I wouldn't be surprised if they just switch it out on the spot. Macs tend to have issues when a new product is launched, but Apple always handles it well.

You think it is something they readily have the parts for and could do on the spot, or locally? I really don't want to be without my brand new computer for a week while they ship it off. My appointment is for 7:20pm tonight, so I wouldn't demand that it be done like while I wait, but I would like it back ASAP.

[djshack]

When I went in to get the cracked top of my white MacBook replaced, the guy told me it'd be a few days and they'd call me. I let him know I could NOT wait (just because I didn't want to), and he had a tech guy do it in five minutes. Just be pushy.

[djshack]

For those considering a lenovo and concerned about ship times:

I ordered a t400 from lenovo last Wednesday. It shipped on Friday and should be here tomorrow or Wednesday.

When I ordered mine a few months back I received the computer before the estimated ship date.

[KristaLyn]

So what is the best way to upgrade to 7? I just called Lenovo and I just got my computer today, but since I ordered it before the 26th of June, they won't honor the free Windows 7 upgrade. I also got vista business, so I am worried that upgrading to Windows 7 Business will be twice as expensive.

[hoffb86]

When I went in to get the cracked top of my white MacBook replaced, the guy told me it'd be a few days and they'd call me. I let him know I could NOT wait (just because I didn't want to), and he had a tech guy do it in five minutes. Just be pushy.

Thanks. on my way over there now. So we will see... I've had it a week, they should be accomodating. This shouldn't happen on a brand new computer, i have no problem being a little pushy.

[djshack]

So what is the best way to upgrade to 7? I just called Lenovo and I just got my computer today, but since I ordered it before the 26th of June, they won't honor the free Windows 7 upgrade. I also got vista business, so I am worried that upgrading to Windows 7 Business will be twice as expensive.

I pre-ordered from Microsoft. But I have Home Premium (to Home Premium is $50). It doesn't seem to explicitly mention on the website that you need to get the same level, so you may be able to get Home Premium if you don't mind the "downgrade."

[n4sir1999]

I just ordered my Lenovo X200 today, really excited about it bc it's my first laptop (I'm a desktop kinda guy)

BTW, this thread is great

[hoffb86]

When I went in to get the cracked top of my white MacBook replaced, the guy told me it'd be a few days and they'd call me. I let him know I could NOT wait (just because I didn't want to), and he had a tech guy do it in five minutes. Just be pushy.

Thanks. on my way over there now. So we will see... I've had it a week, they should be accomodating. This shouldn't happen on a brand new computer, i have no problem being a little pushy.

Soooo I get all the way out there, its about a 25inute train ride, to find out my appointment is actually tomorrow. Oops.

So they say I can try to come back in an hour so I go and have dinner, some awesome Indian food, come back, and they couldn't help me. Looks like I will be going back tomorrow. Will update again then.

[sentinal5656]

i want to go with a quad core processor....


soo tempting

[Lee Kitty Oswald]

There was a post above about the advantage of 15 in screens over 13 in ones. Does it seem that more people in law school use a 15 in one? Also, does anyone know if there are 15 in ones that aren't too heavy? Thanks!

[elex360]

Although i'm not in law school, I do bring my 15 inch macbook pro around with me quite a bit nowdays. It's rather light and does everything I'll ever need it to do. And when I do need to use windows, i'll load up parallels. BTW, if you do go with a mac, load the free quicksilver mac app on it. You'll be able to do so many commands through the keyboard and customize things, that will make your life sooo much easier.

Good luck to all of you with your decisions!

- Patrick

[UNC2009]

So what is the best way to upgrade to 7? I just called Lenovo and I just got my computer today, but since I ordered it before the 26th of June, they won't honor the free Windows 7 upgrade. I also got vista business, so I am worried that upgrading to Windows 7 Business will be twice as expensive.

I pre-ordered from Microsoft. But I have Home Premium (to Home Premium is $50). It doesn't seem to explicitly mention on the website that you need to get the same level, so you may be able to get Home Premium if you don't mind the "downgrade."

I would like to know the answer to this question as well. I have XP Business, but don't feel like I need it for law school. Would Windows 7 Home be OK for law school? I didn't see anything on the microsoft upgrade site that said you had to use the same version of Windows 7 as you had of Vista (Home to Home, Business to Business). Can anyone verify this and tell me if I need Business or would home be just fine?