Is it worth getting a PC just for OneNote? Forum

[ArtVandelay]

I'm trying to decide what type of laptop to get for LS. I've had both Mac and PC in the past and really prefer the Mac. I already checked, and my LS has full support for Macs.

The question I have is this: Everyone on this board seems to swear by OneNote. Is OneNote that much better than a Mac alternative like Circus Ponies that it justifies getting a PC? In other words, do the benefits of OneNote outweigh the benefits of a Mac?

I've heard about using Parallels and buying Windows and Office, but that just seems like way too much trouble and money.

[edit: changed the poll]

[quakeroats]

Parallels works fine for me with the Office suite.

[mpasi]

You might be better off getting the PC. Mac users have to install Boot Camp and buy a copy of Windows before they can run any PC-based software. On top of that, you have to buy a copy of OneNote. I personally think it's worth the hassle (I'm a Mac user, btw), but only if you can afford it all. If not, there's no shame in having a PC.

[d34d9823]

I personally think it's worth the hassle (I'm a Mac user, btw), but only if you can afford torrent it all. If not, there's no shame in having a PC.

[mpasi]

I personally think it's worth the hassle (I'm a Mac user, btw), but only if you can afford torrent it all. If not, there's no shame in having a PC.

LOL, I didn't want to say it.

[budafied]

I personally think it's worth the hassle (I'm a Mac user, btw), but only if you can afford torrent it all. If not, there's no shame in having a PC.

Says the potential lawyer, lol. But seriously, Windows 7 + Office 2010 is about $120 combined for any student. You just need to look up the deals Microsoft gives directly to students. Some schools (like Pitt) give you the software for free as well.

[d34d9823]

I personally think it's worth the hassle (I'm a Mac user, btw), but only if you can afford torrent it all. If not, there's no shame in having a PC.

Says the potential lawyer, lol. But seriously, Windows 7 + Office 2010 is about $120 combined free for any student anybody. You just need to look up the deals Microsoft gives directly to students. The Pirate Bay Some schools (like Pitt) give you the software for free as well.

[stonepeep]

Considering that there is about a 1% chance (if that high) that you will ever use a Mac in any legal work environment, I think the smart thing to do is to just suck it up and get a Windows-based machine now, unless you are already very familiar with Windows.

[zeth006]

VMWare Fusion with Office 2007 always works.

[zeth006]

I personally think it's worth the hassle (I'm a Mac user, btw), but only if you can afford torrent it all. If not, there's no shame in having a PC.

Says the potential lawyer, lol. But seriously, Windows 7 + Office 2010 is about $120 combined free for any student anybody. You just need to look up the deals Microsoft gives directly to students. The Pirate Bay Some schools (like Pitt) give you the software for free as well.

Errr, I'm not sure the mods are cool with advocating piracy.

[d34d9823]

Errr, I'm not sure the mods are cool with advocating piracy.

Not advocating it, just making people aware of their options. Also, no need to post, there's a handy button - the one with the ! on it.

[ResolutePear]

Some companies use torrent to distribute free student editions of their software to eligible students. Duh...

[ResolutePear]

Errr, I'm not sure the mods are cool with advocating piracy.

Not advocating it, just making people aware of their options. Also, no need to post, there's a handy button - the one with the ! on it.

<----This one?

[ResolutePear]

There's a program out by Microsoft called BizSpark. If you *cough* own a business (out of your home) *cough*, they'll give you 3 years of free software. Like, everything Microsoft has to offer. $100 dollar exit fee after you leave the program, but they didn't ask for any payment info.. sooooo... there you go.

[d34d9823]

<----This one?

Yes. If clicking on it does not work, you need to update your Windows install.

Please:
1. Insert and boot from your install CD
2. Choose "re-install windows"
3. Choose "create a new partition"
4. Choose your main drive

That should fix the problem

[ResolutePear]

<----This one?

Yes. If clicking on it does not work, you need to update your Windows install.

Please:
1. Insert and boot from your install CD
2. Choose "re-install windows"
3. Choose "create a new partition"
4. Choose your main drive

That should fix the problem

Dude that's totally just mean.

You forgot to tell them choose the 'Complete Format' vs the 'Quick Format' when the prompt comes up.

[Renzo]

Is it worth getting a PC just for OneNote?

No. But depending on what exam software your school uses, that might make it worth it. I run windows 7 from Boot Camp for tests because the windows version of the exam software is so much better than the OSX version.

[20160810]

Pen and paper worked OK for me. I'm sure whatever word processor you're already using will suffice. No need for gimmickry.

[12262010]

Pen and paper worked OK for me. I'm sure whatever word processor you're already using will suffice. No need for gimmickry.

+1

I just used word.

[03121202698008]

Circus Ponies is fine. I actually like it better in some ways. If you decide you want onenote, run vmware fusion. Be warned when following the parallels/crossover advice...onenote is not all that stable when run that way.

[ResolutePear]

Before giving this piece of advice - I'm not a law student, so take that into consideration... maybe:

On Windows I use Word in Outline mode.

On Mac I use TextMate.

Regardless of which one I use, I make sure I make a pdf of the "final" outline so I can view it wherever(Phone included).

On both platforms I use Dropbox to sync/backup/download and provide recovery should something go wrong.

[ArtVandelay]

If you decide you want onenote, run vmware fusion. Be warned when following the parallels/crossover advice...onenote is not all that stable when run that way.

Can anyone else back this up? Is VMWare better than Parallels?

Circus Ponies is fine. I actually like it better in some ways.

The poll seems to be going the other way. Can anyone else compare Circus Ponies to OneNote?

[Other25BeforeYou]

Pen and paper worked OK for me. I'm sure whatever word processor you're already using will suffice. No need for gimmickry.

Definitely agree. I don't get what the big fuss is about OneNote. I used the word processor in NeoOffice on my macbook or a pen and paper, and I can't figure out any way I would have (a) done better or (b) saved time if I had used something fancier.

[ResolutePear]

If you decide you want onenote, run vmware fusion. Be warned when following the parallels/crossover advice...onenote is not all that stable when run that way.

Can anyone else back this up? Is VMWare better than Parallels?

Circus Ponies is fine. I actually like it better in some ways.

The poll seems to be going the other way. Can anyone else compare Circus Ponies to OneNote?

I've used it for about an hour; just didn't like it. Not saying it's bad - just not for me personally. My perspective might be a bit skewed since I used a netbook with it.

VMWare *is* better than Parallels, but if OneNote is going to make up 80% of your computing time... why bother with that? Just get a Windows 7 laptop.

[03121202698008]

If you decide you want onenote, run vmware fusion. Be warned when following the parallels/crossover advice...onenote is not all that stable when run that way.

Can anyone else back this up? Is VMWare better than Parallels?

Circus Ponies is fine. I actually like it better in some ways.

The poll seems to be going the other way. Can anyone else compare Circus Ponies to OneNote?

Most of those people have never used Circusponies or didn't take the time to get used to the interface after already being used to OneNotes.