Good Idea to Have Multiple Laptops for Law School? Forum

[scifiguy]

Do you keep a separate laptop for purely school work (and literally used for nothing else) in law school?

Wondering if there would be any unusually big drawbacks to that (notwithstanding the cost of having multiple computers, which would be fine for me). TVM.

[sublime]

..

[tsutsik]

Why would you do that?

[brotherdarkness]

.

[IgosduIkana]

I watched a law student's video blog and he advised to purchase a monitor so that you had extra screen space to view documents. But I'm a 0L so I have no idea whether that's beneficial.

[ph14]

I watched a law student's video blog and he advised to purchase a monitor so that you had extra screen space to view documents. But I'm a 0L so I have no idea whether that's beneficial.

Dual monitors are quite useful.

[SFSpartan]

I had to buy a new computer for work a couple months before I started 1L. While I wasn't happy about it at the time, it is nice to have dual screens. However, I think I'd rather have a gigantic monitor instead of two laptops, as it can be a pain to run them both.

[deebanger]

I have two laptops, but it was kind of because I had to.

I had a chromebook, which I use to take to class because it is light and easy to use. But because it wouldn't work with examsoft, I had to get a real laptop (15" Thinkpad) which I use mainly as a desktop, aside from for exams and do most of my work on.

I am not sure what you mean by disadvantages. Like, what are you concerned about?

How was the chromebook? Im thinking about using one for taking notes, as its so light, but was a little worried as there is no word, so How did u take notes? Google docs?

[sublime]

..

[deebanger]

I have two laptops, but it was kind of because I had to.

I had a chromebook, which I use to take to class because it is light and easy to use. But because it wouldn't work with examsoft, I had to get a real laptop (15" Thinkpad) which I use mainly as a desktop, aside from for exams and do most of my work on.

I am not sure what you mean by disadvantages. Like, what are you concerned about?

How was the chromebook? Im thinking about using one for taking notes, as its so light, but was a little worried as there is no word, so How did u take notes? Google docs?

Yea, most of my classes don't allow laptops, but yea I mainly use google docs. Although I think there are Microsoft Office Web Apps that you can use that I have been too lazy to set up.

I think it is great for what it is: A cheap, light, quick laptop for webbrowsing, email, and basic word processing/spredsheet work in a pinch.

Thank you!, I think its pretty good for its price, and will look into it, and do you have that 250 dollar google one or the asus one.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Do you keep a separate laptop for purely school work (and literally used for nothing else) in law school?

Wondering if there would be any unusually big drawbacks to that (notwithstanding the cost of having multiple computers, which would be fine for me). TVM.

There's no need to do this - as long as your laptop will run examsoft (or whatever exam software your law school uses, if it uses any at all), you can just use whatever laptop you use for the rest of your life for school stuff as well. I mean, if you have two laptops and want to do this, sure, and having a really light minimal thing for class notes and another computer for working at home makes sense, too, but it's not necessary. (And I know that I would invariably want something on the one computer while working on the other, which would annoy me.)

[rinkrat19]

Keep everything in the cloud. Dropbox/Google/SkyDrive/whatever. Have it all syncing constantly. Have an external monitor (I recommend one that can turn vertically) for reading/writing work.

I have my old 17" beast of a laptop sitting on a shelf. I was glad for that when the hard drive died in my new laptop. I ran home and was up and running in the exact same file I'd been taking note in earlier in 20 minutes. But I wouldn't buy a second new computer just to have it on hand.

Now I have a Surface 2 with the Type Cover, and have actually used it instead of a computer in several classes. It's not a 100% laptop replacement, but it's synced to the same files, has full Office 2013, and just for straight note-taking it's fine. It's also really nice for reading PDFs of cases and articles--much nicer than leaning over a laptop at a desk.

[deebanger]

Keep everything in the cloud. Dropbox/Google/SkyDrive/whatever. Have it all syncing constantly. Have an external monitor (I recommend one that can turn vertically) for reading/writing work.

I have my old 17" beast of a laptop sitting on a shelf. I was glad for that when the hard drive died in my new laptop. I ran home and was up and running in the exact same file I'd been taking note in earlier in 20 minutes. But I wouldn't buy a second new computer just to have it on hand.

Now I have a Surface 2 with the Type Cover, and have actually used it instead of a computer in several classes. It's not a 100% laptop replacement, but it's synced to the same files, has full Office 2013, and just for straight note-taking it's fine. It's also really nice for reading PDFs of cases and articles--much nicer than leaning over a laptop at a desk.

hey! does the surface have the capability to run exam soft?, and do you use the surface to take notes in class? Thank you!

[sublime]

..

[ph14]

Keep everything in the cloud. Dropbox/Google/SkyDrive/whatever. Have it all syncing constantly. Have an external monitor (I recommend one that can turn vertically) for reading/writing work.

I have my old 17" beast of a laptop sitting on a shelf. I was glad for that when the hard drive died in my new laptop. I ran home and was up and running in the exact same file I'd been taking note in earlier in 20 minutes. But I wouldn't buy a second new computer just to have it on hand.

Now I have a Surface 2 with the Type Cover, and have actually used it instead of a computer in several classes. It's not a 100% laptop replacement, but it's synced to the same files, has full Office 2013, and just for straight note-taking it's fine. It's also really nice for reading PDFs of cases and articles--much nicer than leaning over a laptop at a desk.

Is there anyway to do this with dropbox? I've noticed that it doesn't seem to sync automatically? For example, i'll write a paper, save it in my dropbox folder. Then i'll update it. But if I try and access it on the cloud within a day or two, only the 1st version will be available.

[rinkrat19]

Keep everything in the cloud. Dropbox/Google/SkyDrive/whatever. Have it all syncing constantly. Have an external monitor (I recommend one that can turn vertically) for reading/writing work.

I have my old 17" beast of a laptop sitting on a shelf. I was glad for that when the hard drive died in my new laptop. I ran home and was up and running in the exact same file I'd been taking note in earlier in 20 minutes. But I wouldn't buy a second new computer just to have it on hand.

Now I have a Surface 2 with the Type Cover, and have actually used it instead of a computer in several classes. It's not a 100% laptop replacement, but it's synced to the same files, has full Office 2013, and just for straight note-taking it's fine. It's also really nice for reading PDFs of cases and articles--much nicer than leaning over a laptop at a desk.

Is there anyway to do this with dropbox? I've noticed that it doesn't seem to sync automatically? For example, i'll write a paper, save it in my dropbox folder. Then i'll update it. But if I try and access it on the cloud within a day or two, only the 1st version will be available.

You have to install the Dropbox software to your computer and it integrates with Explorer. It creates a local Dropbox folder on your system that automatically syncs, and you just store all your school stuff in there. It works perfectly.

I actually have my Dropbox nested inside my SkyDrive so that my Surface (works better with SkyDrive) can also sync. If I change a file on either of my laptops or on my Surface and save it, the changed file syncs to both clouds and then to every computer/tablet the next time it turns on.

hey! does the surface have the capability to run exam soft?, and do you use the surface to take notes in class? Thank you!

The Surface 2 can only install apps from the Microsoft Store. The Surface Pro 2 is more of a full computer (and costs full computer $$) and can install outside software, although I have no information about Examsoft in particular. I wouldn't want to use a Surface for exam-writing, though. Any loss of typing speed or ease navigating around multiple windows will hurt. I wouldn't even want to take an exam on a laptop smaller than 14" minimum, let alone a tablet.

I have used my surface for class note-taking. It's pretty decent for that, although I tend to carry my laptop anyway. I use it about half of the time in a class in a historic classroom where there's no laptop power and my laptop doesn't fit on the old wooden desks very well.

[ph14]

Keep everything in the cloud. Dropbox/Google/SkyDrive/whatever. Have it all syncing constantly. Have an external monitor (I recommend one that can turn vertically) for reading/writing work.

I have my old 17" beast of a laptop sitting on a shelf. I was glad for that when the hard drive died in my new laptop. I ran home and was up and running in the exact same file I'd been taking note in earlier in 20 minutes. But I wouldn't buy a second new computer just to have it on hand.

Now I have a Surface 2 with the Type Cover, and have actually used it instead of a computer in several classes. It's not a 100% laptop replacement, but it's synced to the same files, has full Office 2013, and just for straight note-taking it's fine. It's also really nice for reading PDFs of cases and articles--much nicer than leaning over a laptop at a desk.

Is there anyway to do this with dropbox? I've noticed that it doesn't seem to sync automatically? For example, i'll write a paper, save it in my dropbox folder. Then i'll update it. But if I try and access it on the cloud within a day or two, only the 1st version will be available.

You have to install the Dropbox software to your computer and it integrates with Explorer. It creates a local Dropbox folder on your system that automatically syncs, and you just store all your school stuff in there. It works perfectly.

I actually have my Dropbox nested inside my SkyDrive so that my Surface (works better with SkyDrive) can also sync. If I change a file on either of my laptops or on my Surface and save it, the changed file syncs to both clouds and then to every computer/tablet the next time it turns on.

Explorer? I have a dropbox folder on my system that purports to automatically sync, and I do store all my school stuff on there. But even when it updates and has the little green checkmark it doesn't always have the latest version (I think, mainly, when I am saving a new version of a document with the exact same name). I assume there is some sort of user error there, but not sure what.

[rinkrat19]

Keep everything in the cloud. Dropbox/Google/SkyDrive/whatever. Have it all syncing constantly. Have an external monitor (I recommend one that can turn vertically) for reading/writing work.

I have my old 17" beast of a laptop sitting on a shelf. I was glad for that when the hard drive died in my new laptop. I ran home and was up and running in the exact same file I'd been taking note in earlier in 20 minutes. But I wouldn't buy a second new computer just to have it on hand.

Now I have a Surface 2 with the Type Cover, and have actually used it instead of a computer in several classes. It's not a 100% laptop replacement, but it's synced to the same files, has full Office 2013, and just for straight note-taking it's fine. It's also really nice for reading PDFs of cases and articles--much nicer than leaning over a laptop at a desk.

Is there anyway to do this with dropbox? I've noticed that it doesn't seem to sync automatically? For example, i'll write a paper, save it in my dropbox folder. Then i'll update it. But if I try and access it on the cloud within a day or two, only the 1st version will be available.

You have to install the Dropbox software to your computer and it integrates with Explorer. It creates a local Dropbox folder on your system that automatically syncs, and you just store all your school stuff in there. It works perfectly.

I actually have my Dropbox nested inside my SkyDrive so that my Surface (works better with SkyDrive) can also sync. If I change a file on either of my laptops or on my Surface and save it, the changed file syncs to both clouds and then to every computer/tablet the next time it turns on.

Explorer? I have a dropbox folder on my system that purports to automatically sync, and I do store all my school stuff on there. But even when it updates and has the little green checkmark it doesn't always have the latest version (I think, mainly, when I am saving a new version of a document with the exact same name). I assume there is some sort of user error there, but not sure what.

Are you opening the document IN that folder, working in it, and saving it right there in the folder, and closing it? No messing about with overwriting versions and such.

I've never had an issue except with OneNote, which seems to not actually close files when you exit (I think because it doesn't actually ever stop running). But if I make sure to actually close out of the file, it works.

[BigZuck]

Really surprised this question was taken seriously and that people recommend dual monitors and stuff.

Maybe it's the inner boomer in me asking but what exactly are you guys using these computers for (law school wise)? The only thing I do is type papers, briefs, outlines etc. and legal research. And then take exams at the end of the semester.

[ph14]

Really surprised this question was taken seriously and that people recommend dual monitors and stuff.

Maybe it's the inner boomer in me asking but what exactly are you guys using these computers for (law school wise)? The only thing I do is type papers, briefs, outlines etc. and legal research. And then take exams at the end of the semester.

Anything that requires you to be looking at more than one thing at once. For example, writing a paper while conducting Westlaw research. Flip back and forth between Westlaw and your paper, or just have both up at once. Many, many other examples, especially with journal work, where you can put up a source and then compare to the document. Checking a block quotation? Enjoy flipping back and forth 10 times or you can just get dual monitors. Checking the online Bluebook, same thing, etc. etc.

There's tons of other possibilities out there of other ways you can make your life easier and more efficient by using multiple monitors.

[BigZuck]

Really surprised this question was taken seriously and that people recommend dual monitors and stuff.

Maybe it's the inner boomer in me asking but what exactly are you guys using these computers for (law school wise)? The only thing I do is type papers, briefs, outlines etc. and legal research. And then take exams at the end of the semester.

Anything that requires you to be looking at more than one thing at once. For example, writing a paper while conducting Westlaw research. Flip back and forth between Westlaw and your paper, or just have both up at once. Many, many other examples, especially with journal work, where you can put up a source and then compare to the document. Checking a block quotation? Enjoy flipping back and forth 10 times or you can just get dual monitors. Checking the online Bluebook, same thing, etc. etc.

There's tons of other possibilities out there of other ways you can make your life easier and more efficient by using multiple monitors.

Never done anything journal wise, that makes sense.

For legal research, I'm really weird in that I print out cases and then highlight them and write on the actual paper itself. #boomer4lyfe

[tsutsik]

Dual monitors are nice. But I don't know why anyone would think they need two laptops, with one devoted exclusively to law school.

[rinkrat19]

Really surprised this question was taken seriously and that people recommend dual monitors and stuff.

Maybe it's the inner boomer in me asking but what exactly are you guys using these computers for (law school wise)? The only thing I do is type papers, briefs, outlines etc. and legal research. And then take exams at the end of the semester.

Anything that requires you to be looking at more than one thing at once. For example, writing a paper while conducting Westlaw research. Flip back and forth between Westlaw and your paper, or just have both up at once. Many, many other examples, especially with journal work, where you can put up a source and then compare to the document. Checking a block quotation? Enjoy flipping back and forth 10 times or you can just get dual monitors. Checking the online Bluebook, same thing, etc. etc.

There's tons of other possibilities out there of other ways you can make your life easier and more efficient by using multiple monitors.

Never done anything journal wise, that makes sense.

For legal research, I'm really weird in that I print out cases and then highlight them and write on the actual paper itself. #boomer4lyfe

I print out some things in PDF booklet format (my printer automatically prints 4 pages per sheet in such a way that I fold the stack over and staple it), but I try to avoid killing trees if I can. Plus you can't search a paper copy for text.

Every single lawyer's office I've been in has had two monitors, one oriented vertically. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

[ph14]

Really surprised this question was taken seriously and that people recommend dual monitors and stuff.

Maybe it's the inner boomer in me asking but what exactly are you guys using these computers for (law school wise)? The only thing I do is type papers, briefs, outlines etc. and legal research. And then take exams at the end of the semester.

Anything that requires you to be looking at more than one thing at once. For example, writing a paper while conducting Westlaw research. Flip back and forth between Westlaw and your paper, or just have both up at once. Many, many other examples, especially with journal work, where you can put up a source and then compare to the document. Checking a block quotation? Enjoy flipping back and forth 10 times or you can just get dual monitors. Checking the online Bluebook, same thing, etc. etc.

There's tons of other possibilities out there of other ways you can make your life easier and more efficient by using multiple monitors.

Never done anything journal wise, that makes sense.

For legal research, I'm really weird in that I print out cases and then highlight them and write on the actual paper itself. #boomer4lyfe

I print out some things in PDF booklet format (my printer automatically prints 4 pages per sheet in such a way that I fold the stack over and staple it), but I try to avoid killing trees if I can. Plus you can't search a paper copy for text.

Every single lawyer's office I've been in has had two monitors, one oriented vertically. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

I don't like the asymmetry based on no rational reasoning. Is it just easier to read documents on a vertical screen? Maybe I should try it.

[Tiago Splitter]

If you're using student loans to finance law school then no.