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I think I'm gonna get a Inspiron 7000 series 13" with the hybrid 500 gb hard drive. The XPS's look nice but 256 gb just isn't enough for me and there's no way I'm spending $1800 on a laptop.

Iwanttolawschool wrote:Ive never used a mac, is it hard to get used to?

I just want a 14-15" screen that's readable outside, nice keyboard, and ability to do some gaming. So far I've heard that Samsung might be my best bet, but it's expensive.

Sorry for the crazy late reply, but no, absolutely not, macs are incredibly user friendly. One of the majorly attractive things about them is just how intuitive they are. The rMBP 15in with the special graphics card is a decent gaming laptop from what I hear, but yeah that shit ain't cheap.
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As for all the comments re: BATTERY LIFE, I have a 2012 non-retina MBP and my battery life is totally fine. I haven't heard any complaints about the recent rMBP models either, although the longevity certainly isn't on par with the Airs or anything...

I've made my decision btw - I think for the price, rMBP > MBA, despite the extra .5 pounds. That extra weight is negligible (which I determined by waltzing around the house with a 3 pound stack of random crap in one hand and a 3.5 one in the other... very scientific method of comparison, obv), especially when you consider how much xtra sheer power you're getting and how much nicer the screen is.

Now my next agonizing decision is 8gb RAM vs 16gb. I don't code or game or anything anymore, but I'm a gigantic tab whore. Thoughtssss?

Just purchased a Lenovo Thinkpad T450, and I really love the thing. It has the best/most comfortable keyboard I've ever found on a laptop. With the 6 cell battery I've been able to work on it (just general internet browsing/MS office) for ~12-15 hours between charges, and stream netflix for ~3.5-4 hours. Definitely recommend it.

neubreed wrote:

Iwanttolawschool wrote:Ive never used a mac, is it hard to get used to?

I just want a 14-15" screen that's readable outside, nice keyboard, and ability to do some gaming. So far I've heard that Samsung might be my best bet, but it's expensive.

Sorry for the crazy late reply, but no, absolutely not, macs are incredibly user friendly. One of the majorly attractive things about them is just how intuitive they are. The rMBP 15in with the special graphics card is a decent gaming laptop from what I hear, but yeah that shit ain't cheap.
-------------------------------------------------

As for all the comments re: BATTERY LIFE, I have a 2012 non-retina MBP and my battery life is totally fine. I haven't heard any complaints about the recent rMBP models either, although the longevity certainly isn't on par with the Airs or anything...

I've made my decision btw - I think for the price, rMBP > MBA, despite the extra .5 pounds. That extra weight is negligible (which I determined by waltzing around the house with a 3 pound stack of random crap in one hand and a 3.5 one in the other... very scientific method of comparison, obv), especially when you consider how much xtra sheer power you're getting and how much nicer the screen is.

Now my next agonizing decision is 8gb RAM vs 16gb. I don't code or game or anything anymore, but I'm a gigantic tab whore. Thoughtssss?

Wow, I think 8gb ram is way more than majority of people need. I know Chrome can use tons of memory but damn 16 is a lot.

neubreed wrote:

Iwanttolawschool wrote:Ive never used a mac, is it hard to get used to?

I just want a 14-15" screen that's readable outside, nice keyboard, and ability to do some gaming. So far I've heard that Samsung might be my best bet, but it's expensive.

Sorry for the crazy late reply, but no, absolutely not, macs are incredibly user friendly. One of the majorly attractive things about them is just how intuitive they are. The rMBP 15in with the special graphics card is a decent gaming laptop from what I hear, but yeah that shit ain't cheap.
-------------------------------------------------

As for all the comments re: BATTERY LIFE, I have a 2012 non-retina MBP and my battery life is totally fine. I haven't heard any complaints about the recent rMBP models either, although the longevity certainly isn't on par with the Airs or anything...

I've made my decision btw - I think for the price, rMBP > MBA, despite the extra .5 pounds. That extra weight is negligible (which I determined by waltzing around the house with a 3 pound stack of random crap in one hand and a 3.5 one in the other... very scientific method of comparison, obv), especially when you consider how much xtra sheer power you're getting and how much nicer the screen is.

Now my next agonizing decision is 8gb RAM vs 16gb. I don't code or game or anything anymore, but I'm a gigantic tab whore. Thoughtssss?

Ya you don't need 16. Certainly not if you're mainly web browsing. Intense video editing maaybe.

Clemenceau wrote:

neubreed wrote:

Iwanttolawschool wrote:Ive never used a mac, is it hard to get used to?

I just want a 14-15" screen that's readable outside, nice keyboard, and ability to do some gaming. So far I've heard that Samsung might be my best bet, but it's expensive.

Sorry for the crazy late reply, but no, absolutely not, macs are incredibly user friendly. One of the majorly attractive things about them is just how intuitive they are. The rMBP 15in with the special graphics card is a decent gaming laptop from what I hear, but yeah that shit ain't cheap.
-------------------------------------------------

As for all the comments re: BATTERY LIFE, I have a 2012 non-retina MBP and my battery life is totally fine. I haven't heard any complaints about the recent rMBP models either, although the longevity certainly isn't on par with the Airs or anything...

I've made my decision btw - I think for the price, rMBP > MBA, despite the extra .5 pounds. That extra weight is negligible (which I determined by waltzing around the house with a 3 pound stack of random crap in one hand and a 3.5 one in the other... very scientific method of comparison, obv), especially when you consider how much xtra sheer power you're getting and how much nicer the screen is.

Now my next agonizing decision is 8gb RAM vs 16gb. I don't code or game or anything anymore, but I'm a gigantic tab whore. Thoughtssss?

Ya you don't need 16. Certainly not if you're mainly web browsing. Intense video editing maaybe.

I agree that it's more than I need now, but since I'm trying to squeeze 4-5 yrs from my macbook, I'd rather upgrade now to future proof it (especially since later upgrades aren't an option). The question is more whether I'm going to need to draw upon that 16gb during that 4-5 yr period.

just buy the dell xps 13 w/ i5 processor and 8gb RAM for $750 new on ebay. shit is insane.

I was thinking about getting a new laptop for LS, but I actually see no reason too. I have a 2012 MBP with 4GB RAM and 500GB HD. All I really need it for is internet/MS Word/Movies/Netflix. Its still running fast and anything I can always upgrade to a SSD and increase RAM.

WeeBey wrote:I was thinking about getting a new laptop for LS, but I actually see no reason too. I have a 2012 MBP with 4GB RAM and 500GB HD. All I really need it for is internet/MS Word/Movies/Netflix. Its still running fast and anything I can always upgrade to a SSD and increase RAM.

That's where I'm at, but it's stupid heavy, and I am not a big girl.
I think if I wasn't so 'light! shiny! new! want!!! neeeeeed' I'd be sticking it out with my old laptop as well

FloridaCoastalorbust wrote:just buy the dell xps 13 w/ i5 processor and 8gb RAM for $750 new on ebay. shit is insane.

That's an awesome deal. Wish I'd found that.

Seriously zero regrets w/the XPS over a Macbook.

Flokkness wrote:

FloridaCoastalorbust wrote:just buy the dell xps 13 w/ i5 processor and 8gb RAM for $750 new on ebay. shit is insane.

That's an awesome deal. Wish I'd found that.

Seriously zero regrets w/the XPS over a Macbook.

I'm debating the XPS vs the HP Spectre x360. Leaning towards the HP, looks like more bang for the buck at the higher end.

I'm trying to decide between an XPS 13 and an Inspiron 7000 15. I already have a Surface (not pro- so it runs RT) so I feel like I can go with a bigger, less portable, but cheaper and more powerful laptop.

IsThisForReal wrote:I'm trying to decide between an XPS 13 and an Inspiron 7000 15. I already have a Surface (not pro- so it runs RT) so I feel like I can go with a bigger, less portable, but cheaper and more powerful laptop.

Yeah I feel like if you have a tablet already you can just get a keyboard for that and then get something cheaper and larger that you don't lug around every day

I'm trying to decide between the XPS13 and the surface pro. I want something windows that will last at least all three years of school + will be able to run the test software (whatever that may be.) What are some pros/cons between the two?

NoBladesNoBows wrote:

AquafiNa wrote:I'm trying to decide between the XPS13 and the surface pro. I want something windows that will last at least all three years of school + will be able to run the test software (whatever that may be.) What are some pros/cons between the two?

I'm also considering an XPS 13. Based on the research I've done it's one of the best, if not the best, ultra-portable available. My roommate has a Surface and it seems pretty cool, but keep in mind that it's not a computer, it's a tablet. My school specifically states that it does not meet the laptop requirement. It would probably work, but I don't plan to take the risk and would advise that you don't either.

Just FYI (well for others anyway) - most Surfaces do not meet the laptop requirement but the Surface PRO generally does. They have different systems.

ChemEng1642 wrote:

NoBladesNoBows wrote:

AquafiNa wrote:I'm trying to decide between the XPS13 and the surface pro. I want something windows that will last at least all three years of school + will be able to run the test software (whatever that may be.) What are some pros/cons between the two?

I'm also considering an XPS 13. Based on the research I've done it's one of the best, if not the best, ultra-portable available. My roommate has a Surface and it seems pretty cool, but keep in mind that it's not a computer, it's a tablet. My school specifically states that it does not meet the laptop requirement. It would probably work, but I don't plan to take the risk and would advise that you don't either.

Just FYI (well for others anyway) - most Surfaces do not meet the laptop requirement but the Surface PRO generally does. They have different systems.

Okay thanks to both! Is it worth getting touch screen on the xps? I'm not sure how much it would be used? The touch is obv the main sell of the SP and it makes sense to use with onenote. Will the laptop requirements be posted on the schools admitted students site?

I currently own a 2012 Macbook Air 11". Keep using it, or get a new one?

jawsjawsjaws wrote:I currently own a 2012 Macbook Air 11". Keep using it, or get a new one?

If you can wait I would. Skylake is just around the corner, probably in mid 2016, and will be a big change in processors. I would wait myself if I wasn't lugging around a mid 2009 macbook that struggles to turn on. Haha

AquafiNa wrote: Okay thanks to both! Is it worth getting touch screen on the xps? I'm not sure how much it would be used? The touch is obv the main sell of the SP and it makes sense to use with onenote. Will the laptop requirements be posted on the schools admitted students site?

Laptop requirements are posted, but are clearly outdated. Basically anything that can do word processing and runs full windows or Mac OS will be fine.

http://www.law.harvard.edu/about/admini ... specs.html

Too excited for after work...FIN-UH-LLY going to be getting a brand new MBP w/ retina.

After having the same dinosaur of a computer for 6 years, it's nice to upgrade. Haven't used my computer in about a year now (been using work comp instead), and turned it on to a lovely 34,000 updates LOL.

AquafiNa wrote:

ChemEng1642 wrote:

NoBladesNoBows wrote:

AquafiNa wrote:I'm trying to decide between the XPS13 and the surface pro. I want something windows that will last at least all three years of school + will be able to run the test software (whatever that may be.) What are some pros/cons between the two?

I'm also considering an XPS 13. Based on the research I've done it's one of the best, if not the best, ultra-portable available. My roommate has a Surface and it seems pretty cool, but keep in mind that it's not a computer, it's a tablet. My school specifically states that it does not meet the laptop requirement. It would probably work, but I don't plan to take the risk and would advise that you don't either.

Just FYI (well for others anyway) - most Surfaces do not meet the laptop requirement but the Surface PRO generally does. They have different systems.

Okay thanks to both! Is it worth getting touch screen on the xps? I'm not sure how much it would be used? The touch is obv the main sell of the SP and it makes sense to use with onenote. Will the laptop requirements be posted on the schools admitted students site?

I would skip the touch screen if you plan to switch to Windows 10 when it comes out.

And the Surface Pro is a full laptop. It runs full Windows 8, whereas Windows 8 RT was built specifically for the tablet and is on all of the non-Pro's. You just have to watch out for memory and RAM limitations.

Finally got my new gold MacBook yesterday! I love it so much, would def recommend.

Shelbinole wrote:Finally got my new gold MacBook yesterday! I love it so much, would def recommend.

Pro or Air?

Sorry if only one of them has the color options and I'm just dumb.