Computers for Law School 2011 Forum

[fatduck]

I'm trying to choose a small-ish, efficient laptop PC that will also play Diablo 3 fairly well when it comes out.

Any suggestions on what kind of GPU I'm going to need? I've heard Intel's new integrated graphics are much improved, but I'm still skeptical.

Depends how pretty you want D3 to look. I'd keep my expectations low with integrated gfx, though.

Yeah, that's why I'm looking for one with a real GPU. But I haven't heard very good things about any of the common GPUs that you find in laptops, either. And I don't want to have to buy a big, heavy 17" laptop just to get a respectable GPU.

Such a quandary.

I don't know much about ATI's offerings but the GT 400M series should be adequate. It's nvidia's current midrange offering. If you want a little more power the GTS models are quite good, but might only be available in more powerful laptops.

[Adjudicator]

I'm trying to choose a small-ish, efficient laptop PC that will also play Diablo 3 fairly well when it comes out.

Any suggestions on what kind of GPU I'm going to need? I've heard Intel's new integrated graphics are much improved, but I'm still skeptical.

Depends how pretty you want D3 to look. I'd keep my expectations low with integrated gfx, though.

Yeah, that's why I'm looking for one with a real GPU. But I haven't heard very good things about any of the common GPUs that you find in laptops, either. And I don't want to have to buy a big, heavy 17" laptop just to get a respectable GPU.

Such a quandary.

I don't know much about ATI's offerings but the GT 400M series should be adequate. It's nvidia's current midrange offering. If you want a little more power the GTS models are quite good, but might only be available in more powerful laptops.

Thanks, I'll look for those. I anticipate that D3 is not going to be very demanding, but I do want it to look rather pretty if possible.

[fatduck]

I don't know much about ATI's offerings but the GT 400M series should be adequate. It's nvidia's current midrange offering. If you want a little more power the GTS models are quite good, but might only be available in more powerful laptops.

Thanks, I'll look for those. I anticipate that D3 is not going to be very demanding, but I do want it to look rather pretty if possible.

yea, i mean for what it's worth, my 2008 macbook runs starcraft 2 decently with an intel integrated chip, but only at the lowest graphics settings.

[savagedm]

Only law and med students are neurotic enough to make an entire thread devoted to laptops for school. No offense OP, but anything in your price range that has a basic word processor and internet capabilities is enough. You could use a freakin droid phone if it had a keyboard attachment for it.

That being said, re the Diablo 3 laptop... get an ASUS, best laptop I've ever owned, has a gts 360m cuda and can run literally every game on the market at mid to high graphics. It's amazing.

[KingRajesh]

I'm trying to choose a small-ish, efficient laptop PC that will also play Diablo 3 fairly well when it comes out.

Any suggestions on what kind of GPU I'm going to need? I've heard Intel's new integrated graphics are much improved, but I'm still skeptical.

Depends how pretty you want D3 to look. I'd keep my expectations low with integrated gfx, though.

Yeah, that's why I'm looking for one with a real GPU. But I haven't heard very good things about any of the common GPUs that you find in laptops, either. And I don't want to have to buy a big, heavy 17" laptop just to get a respectable GPU.

Such a quandary.

Get an Asus or that Alienware M11x.

[Adjudicator]

Yeah, actually I've been planning to get an ASUS from the start. I'm just trying to find one with a good graphics card.

Found this one on eBay and I think it might be the one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ASUS-N53SV-A1-15-6- ... 8257wt_885

Is it stupid to buy a laptop with so much power?

[traehekat]

TCR is that it doesn't matter. Get whatever you want, you don't need anything specific for law school.

[savagedm]

Yeah, actually I've been planning to get an ASUS from the start. I'm just trying to find one with a good graphics card.

Found this one on eBay and I think it might be the one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ASUS-N53SV-A1-15-6- ... 8257wt_885

Is it stupid to buy a laptop with so much power?

I didn't click the link because I'm in class, but Caveat Emptor bro! DON'T buy a used computer EVER. Refurbished or not, just do not do it, you will regret it.

[09042014]

Only law and med students are neurotic enough to make an entire thread devoted to laptops for school. No offense OP, but anything in your price range that has a basic word processor and internet capabilities is enough. You could use a freakin droid phone if it had a keyboard attachment for it.

That being said, re the Diablo 3 laptop... get an ASUS, best laptop I've ever owned, has a gts 360m cuda and can run literally every game on the market at mid to high graphics. It's amazing.

I've got a 330m and it's decent.

[savagedm]

Only law and med students are neurotic enough to make an entire thread devoted to laptops for school. No offense OP, but anything in your price range that has a basic word processor and internet capabilities is enough. You could use a freakin droid phone if it had a keyboard attachment for it.

That being said, re the Diablo 3 laptop... get an ASUS, best laptop I've ever owned, has a gts 360m cuda and can run literally every game on the market at mid to high graphics. It's amazing.

I've got a 330m and it's decent.

Word, I absolutely LOVE the Nvidia mobile series of that generation... best quasi-affordable cards on the market for the target audience.

[bk1]

This topic has never ever been discussed many times before.

You have to admit, unlike most other topics that have been repeated a million times this one actually does need to be updated every 3 months or so.

Maybe not every 3 months, but it does have to be updated and is worth starting a new thread. If you were looking at threads from 2008, you would probably read about how exam software isn't compatible with macs. Recently, much of the software used in law school is mac-compatible. This isn't a static topic like "zomg what should I wear to ASW?!?!"

It's been discussed very recently (within the last couple months) as to which PC one should buy. The general trend I've seen (and my personal favorites) has been toward recommending Lenovo Thinkpads or Asus Ultralights.

Also, most people have said that exam software is compatible with Macs but that you are SOL if you have problems with it whereas they will help if you are running Windows. Plus you can dualboot if necessary, not to mention the fact that you can contact the schools' IT departments directly to get a better handle on it.

So this topic was redundant.

[savagedm]

This topic has never ever been discussed many times before.

You have to admit, unlike most other topics that have been repeated a million times this one actually does need to be updated every 3 months or so.

Maybe not every 3 months, but it does have to be updated and is worth starting a new thread. If you were looking at threads from 2008, you would probably read about how exam software isn't compatible with macs. Recently, much of the software used in law school is mac-compatible. This isn't a static topic like "zomg what should I wear to ASW?!?!"

It's been discussed very recently (within the last couple months) as to which PC one should buy. The general trend I've seen (and my personal favorites) has been toward recommending Lenovo Thinkpads or Asus Ultralights.

Also, most people have said that exam software is compatible with Macs but that you are SOL if you have problems with it whereas they will help if you are running Windows. Plus you can dualboot if necessary, not to mention the fact that you can contact the schools' IT departments directly to get a better handle on it.

So this topic was redundant.

Yup, call the school, not TLS.

[luckdragon]

Basically Thinkpad or Mac. Nothing else comes close to the two when it comes to combination of keyboard usability, screen quality, and build quality. Thinkpads are sturdier, have matte screen (no glare), and have superior keyboard. Apple have better battery life, OS X, and design.

Also there is no "compatible with mac." That is not a thing. Apple computers have the same components as 'PC's and can run Windows and all the Windows programs.

[hokie]

This is my setup:



It's great because you can do bicep curls while you walk then sling it over your shoulder when your not working out (cuts time spent at the gym). Plus it's a great conversation starter . Highly Recommend!

[Reinhardt]

Nice Lian Li case.

[geoduck]

How has the MacBook air not come up yet? Especially if you wait till the next revision. 1440x900 on a 13.3 inch screen and 7 hours of battery life is pretty killer for me. If you want it to be your only computer and somehow really need discs, get a cheap external drive and keep it at home. The power is more than fine for standard business purposes.

[FalafelWaffle]

I really have fallen in love with Apple's keyboards. No matter how great the specs or how sweet the price, an off-center keyboard is a deal-breaker for me.

This is ok

This is unacceptable

And this is atrocious --ImageRemoved--

Not THE most important thing, and I say this not as an Apple loyalist, just using their keyboard style (And the consistency of it) as an example. Island style as on the new Pros I couldn't care less about. Keyboard placement though...essential for me.

[FalafelWaffle]

I have a Macbook Pro and plan on using Bootcamp just in case I need something that will only work on windows, and I'm pretty sure Onenote is not made fo Macs. Also, any thoughts on the advantages of Onenote v Word?

Consider OmniOutliner http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnio ... /features/

[FalafelWaffle]

Parallels/VMware is still pretty shitty.

No

[FalafelWaffle]

I have a Macbook Pro and plan on using Bootcamp just in case I need something that will only work on windows, and I'm pretty sure Onenote is not made fo Macs. Also, any thoughts on the advantages of Onenote v Word?

One note is nice but having to reboot to use it sounds retarded. Maybe you can get WINE running on it and use it without having to reboot.

I bet Word is okay, but I love having one note. Not sure if I'd dual boot just to have it though.

+1, Boot Camp sounds cool and all but rebooting into Windows fucking blows. Parallels/VMware is still pretty shitty, but better.

CrossOver (an emulator) can supposedly run Office 07, including OneNote, but I've never tried it myself. Not sure about Wine.

An easier solution is to just boot into Windows 7 all the time.

Why? Just run OneNote through Parallels

[FalafelWaffle]

you are SOL if you have problems with it

Nope. This question can only be answered on a case-by-case basis. Depends entirely on your school's IT dept

[FalafelWaffle]

Basically Thinkpad or Mac. Nothing else comes close to the two when it comes to combination of keyboard usability, screen quality, and build quality. Thinkpads are sturdier, have matte screen (no glare), and have superior keyboard. Apple have better battery life, OS X, and design.

Also there is no "compatible with mac." That is not a thing. Apple computers have the same components as 'PC's and can run Windows and all the Windows programs.

Thinkpads are ugly as fuck. There's something to be said for design consistency (I guess?), but other than the blue enter key, my 2001 Thinkpad (somewhere in a closet) looks pretty much the same as a new one. I'm being glib, but they really do look like shit. Looks aren't everything-but if you're going to spend hours a day staring at the damn thing buy one that doesn't make you gag. Plenty of inexpensive HPs, Toshibas, and other Lenovos that don't look like shit. I think most PCs are pretty comparable (the Toshiba Protege is what I would get if I wanted a new PC laptop), except for Dell or Gateway. I wouldn't get those two.

Although I agree 100% on the Thinkpad's keyboard usability.

[beachbum]

Bro, you can quote multiple posts in a single reply. Seriously, I promise it works.

[FalafelWaffle]

Bro, you can quote multiple posts in a single reply. Seriously, I promise it works.

Bro, if you're talking to me, I know that. I generally quote the specific point I'm referring to/don't like my little box of magic wisdom cluttered by other posts.

[kalvano]

Thinkpads are ugly as fuck. There's something to be said for design consistency (I guess?), but other than the blue enter key, my 2001 Thinkpad (somewhere in a closet) looks pretty much the same as a new one. I'm being glib, but they really do look like shit. Looks aren't everything-but if you're going to spend hours a day staring at the damn thing buy one that doesn't make you gag. Plenty of inexpensive HPs, Toshibas, and other Lenovos that don't look like shit. I think most PCs are pretty comparable (the Toshiba Protege is what I would get if I wanted a new PC laptop), except for Dell or Gateway. I wouldn't get those two.

Although I agree 100% on the Thinkpad's keyboard usability.

Who gives a shit how it looks?

All that matter is how usable it is. The Thinkpad has a fantastic keyboard and it won't poop a lung when someone's backpack knocks it off the table as they try and squeeze by.