Computers for Law School 2011 Forum

[mikunta]

Anyone have any knowledge/experience re: the viability of setting up remote desktop between a cheap netbook for class/travel and a desktop at home? I remote connect to work all the time and it's glorious to have access to all my work files from pretty much any PC and I'd love to have the same for school so I dont have to worry about emailing/dropboxing things back and forth and can just remotely work access from an ultra-portable.

[ResolutePear]

Anyone have any knowledge/experience re: the viability of setting up remote desktop between a cheap netbook for class/travel and a desktop at home? I remote connect to work all the time and it's glorious to have access to all my work files from pretty much any PC and I'd love to have the same for school so I dont have to worry about emailing/dropboxing things back and forth and can just remotely work access from an ultra-portable.

Do you know how dropbox works?

[mikunta]

Anyone have any knowledge/experience re: the viability of setting up remote desktop between a cheap netbook for class/travel and a desktop at home? I remote connect to work all the time and it's glorious to have access to all my work files from pretty much any PC and I'd love to have the same for school so I dont have to worry about emailing/dropboxing things back and forth and can just remotely work access from an ultra-portable.

Do you know how dropbox works?

Yeah, I have 2 accounts and prefer zumodrive to DB a little bit for music hosting/playing since it works better on my phone. But a cloud folder can only do so much, I'd like to be able to access certain programs that are on my desktop etc. Also my desktop at work saves all documents to the file system for backup/indexing/universal network access and although I can save and access individual files I save to a specific folder (ie dropbox), I cannot access or save to the system as a whole unless I'm remotely logged in.

TL;DR Sorry if I was originally unclear - Im not looking for just remote file access which DB can easily accomplish. Im wondering if anyone has any experience with setting up remote desktop connections, and with netbooks specifically.

[ResolutePear]

Anyone have any knowledge/experience re: the viability of setting up remote desktop between a cheap netbook for class/travel and a desktop at home? I remote connect to work all the time and it's glorious to have access to all my work files from pretty much any PC and I'd love to have the same for school so I dont have to worry about emailing/dropboxing things back and forth and can just remotely work access from an ultra-portable.

Do you know how dropbox works?

Yeah, I have 2 accounts and prefer zumodrive to DB a little bit for music hosting/playing since it works better on my phone. But a cloud folder can only do so much, I'd like to be able to access certain programs that are on my desktop etc. Also my desktop at work saves all documents to the file system for backup/indexing/universal network access and although I can save and access individual files I save to a specific folder (ie dropbox), I cannot access or save to the system as a whole unless I'm remotely logged in.

TL;DR Sorry if I was originally unclear - Im not looking for just remote file access which DB can easily accomplish. Im wondering if anyone has any experience with setting up remote desktop connections, and with netbooks specifically.

VNC through an SSH tunnel.

But, you are aware of the risks and the performance hit, right? If you are - then there you go.

[mikunta]

That's what I'm really interested. Ive always heard those are the two big downsides, but how much of a performance hit is it really? My experience in this area is fairly limited. From what I've heard it's the specs of the computer you are connecting to which are important, as opposed to the machine you are connecting with. Would a basic (cheap) netbook have sufficient abilities to work well enough in this capacity? Are there min. specs for a processor/RAM that would be necessary for it not to be a major bust/pointless?

[BackToTheOldHouse]

What about that GoToPC I always hear about on talk radio? Maybe check that out.

[ResolutePear]

That's what I'm really interested. Ive always heard those are the two big downsides, but how much of a performance hit is it really? My experience in this area is fairly limited. From what I've heard it's the specs of the computer you are connecting to which are important, as opposed to the machine you are connecting with. Would a basic (cheap) netbook have sufficient abilities to work well enough in this capacity? Are there min. specs for a processor/RAM that would be necessary for it not to be a major bust/pointless?

The performance hit is dependent on the internet connections. Slower internet connections kill response times in the UI.

These setups rely on your computer being up(If it crashes, you're screwed.), the host internet to be up, and your internet to be up as well.

Minimum specs are 1Ghz,1GB/RAM for the most part when using a graphical UI. You can cut that down a lot using a command line.

TL;DR: Have a plan B.

[bk1]

The performance hit is dependent on the internet connections. Slower internet connections kill response times in the UI.

And this is what I would be most worried about if you're planning on doing it in class. I would expect campus WiFi to generally be just mediocre.

[mikunta]

TL;DR: Have a plan B.

Good point. If it's not reliable than it's defeating the purpose. I appreciate the insight, I thought it might be something worth exploring but it sounds like it'd be more of a headache/annoyance than a help.

[howell]

Anyone have any knowledge/experience re: the viability of setting up remote desktop between a cheap netbook for class/travel and a desktop at home? I remote connect to work all the time and it's glorious to have access to all my work files from pretty much any PC and I'd love to have the same for school so I dont have to worry about emailing/dropboxing things back and forth and can just remotely work access from an ultra-portable.

Although, like the others mentioned, I wouldn't rely on having a constant internet connection at school, Windows Live Mesh does what you're looking for pretty well. 5 GB of Dropbox-like space (i.e., copied between all of your computers and online) and it allows you to remote to any computer you have it installed on. I try to keep what I need on my netbook, but I can always pop into my home machine if I need anything (programs or files - you can drag and drop files from the remote machine to your local one). Mesh works on Macs, but I'm not sure about the remote feature.

[Eugenie Danglars]

Any thoughts on the Lenovo IdeaPad?

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPad-08 ... 20&sr=1-13

[mikunta]

Anyone have any knowledge/experience re: the viability of setting up remote desktop between a cheap netbook for class/travel and a desktop at home? I remote connect to work all the time and it's glorious to have access to all my work files from pretty much any PC and I'd love to have the same for school so I dont have to worry about emailing/dropboxing things back and forth and can just remotely work access from an ultra-portable.

Although, like the others mentioned, I wouldn't rely on having a constant internet connection at school, Windows Live Mesh does what you're looking for pretty well. 5 GB of Dropbox-like space (i.e., copied between all of your computers and online) and it allows you to remote to any computer you have it installed on. I try to keep what I need on my netbook, but I can always pop into my home machine if I need anything (programs or files - you can drag and drop files from the remote machine to your local one). Mesh works on Macs, but I'm not sure about the remote feature.

I'll definitely check this out. Thank you!

[ColomboHeat]

Any thoughts on the Lenovo IdeaPad?

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPad-08 ... 20&sr=1-13

I would like to hear some impressions of the IdeaPad keyboard vs. the ThinkPad keyboard.


edit: but for that price I would probably spring for the V series in a larger screen size.

[oldhippie]

Any thoughts on the Lenovo IdeaPad?

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPad-08 ... 20&sr=1-13

I would like to hear some impressions of the IdeaPad keyboard vs. the ThinkPad keyboard.

me too.....

[kalvano]

i'm leaning towards a lenovo just based on all of the endorsements ITT (pc vs mac debate aside ) and i'm wondering from those who have bought them....where do you recommend getting one for a good price? go direct to the lenovo site? some other site? big box store? i have bought one computer in the last 12 years and just got it from best buy, so i'm hoping y'all have some better ideas.....
tyia

Lenovo has a student store with student discounts on top of other promotions.

[Marionberry]

There is also an online Lenovo outlet that has some pretty good deals occasionally, especially if you're willing to get a refurbished unit.

[istara]

Any thoughts on the Lenovo IdeaPad?

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPad-08 ... 20&sr=1-13

I would like to hear some impressions of the IdeaPad keyboard vs. the ThinkPad keyboard.

me too.....

What is the difference? The keyboard on that IdeaPad looks the same as the one on the ThinkPad x100/x120e, except offset (or at least the buttons on the right look more squished). But I could be missing something. I haven't tried the ThinkPad 220 version keyboard yet, but a lot of my coworkers have them. I'll see if I can do a comparison at next week's meeting. FWIW, all the reviews I've read online about various systems seem to say great things about all of the Lenovo keyboard types when compared to other brands.

[ColomboHeat]

ThinkPad (12.5'' x220 pictured) keyboard:




IdeaPad (12.5'' U260 pictured) keyboard:

--ImageRemoved--


IMO these are two very different keyboards. the ThinkPad looks like it has more functionality and makes better use of space. It has a more traditional design with the shape of the keys as well as full size tab, caps lock, shift, control, alt, enter, space bar, delete, etc. buttons not to mention the red nub.

The keyboard on the x100/x120e is probably one of the first ThinkPads to not have a "ThinkPad Keyboard" so to speak. Maybe somebody could correct me if I am wrong? *EDIT: Here is the full size T420 for comparison:




The x100/x120e has a chicklet keyboard similar to the IdeaPads. Their promotional materials describe it as an "accutype" keyboard designed to minimize typos. I haven't gotten my hands on one:




Please try the x120e vs. x220 comparison if you get a chance, and let us know what you think! I know for a fact that I want a Lenovo for the keyboard, I just don't know yet which Lenovo keyboard it is that I want.

[oldhippie]

wow, thanks for that keyboard comparison!

[kalvano]

My Thinkpad Edge has the final keyboard pictured. It's fantastic.

[YourCaptain]

ResolutePear is going to disagree with me, but: a Latitude (Dell) should be up for consideration. I've had one for almost a year now - it's fast as well, quite solid, and it has a solid keyboard that'll roll with what you want.

[ResolutePear]

ResolutePear is going to disagree with me, but: a Latitude (Dell) should be up for consideration. I've had one for almost a year now - it's fast as well, quite solid, and it has a solid keyboard that'll roll with what you want.

I do think they overall have shoddy quality assurance standards, but in my book - it's Thinkpad then everything else.

I've went into this in length - you really want something that is solid vs pretty when your grade depends on your laptop being in working order, and if it broke, you want next day, onsite repair. I always dealt with Thinkplus, and I think they're pretty awesome.

You really don't want to ever use your laptop as a crutch, imo - nor do you want to be a target because you have a "popular" notebook while at a coffee shop, library, etc.

Search for my posts, some are belligerent, but informative imo.

[hotshot234512]

So someone briefly mentioned this and im seriously considering this laptop:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-NP900X3A- ... 41966&s=pc

It's the Samsung series 9. That is the style of computer I want (i.e. this or the mac air), I prefer windows 7 to mac, because I don't want to transition to a mac, or ever worry about compatibility issues (which from what i hear is mainly a non-issue). I would consider switching to mac air, if the refresh blows the samsung out of the water.
I know its expensive, but to me this is the biggest purchase heading into law school and I want a machine I can see myself enjoying while at law school.

So I would love to hear a few thoughts on this laptop.

[YourCaptain]

You're paying $1,600 for a low-grade small-screen laptop with shoddy construction?

If you're going to shell that out get a Latitude E6420 or a Thinkpad T420; you can't go wrong either way

btw - there's a significant difference between a chiclet keyboard and a proper keyboard like something on the latitude/thinkpad; the feel is quite different and more natural.

[beachbum]

My last laptop was a Dell Latitude, and I hated it. The thing wouldn't recognize its own charger. Over the course of about 4 years, I had the charger replaced 3 times. Each time, things would be great for a couple months, then it would suddenly give me the standard "plugged in but not charging, please insert a Dell 90W power adapter" message. I also had the laptop sent back to Dell to get its motherboard switched out, and that didn't solve the problem either. The overall build quality of the computer seemed a bit lacking too, particularly when compared to my new Thinkpad. Also, Dell's customer service is INFURIATING.