Best Law School Laptop for the Money Forum

[JOThompson]

I ended up paying an extra $100 and getting the T-410 with an i7 processor, fingerprint reader, Bluetooth, 4GB RAM, and 500 GB HD. $1300 with the three year Onsite. It might be more economical to just buy a decent laptop every other year, but I'd rather avoid the headache and buy an upscale one now.

[clint4law]

I ended up paying an extra $100 and getting the T-410 with an i7 processor, fingerprint reader, Bluetooth, 4GB RAM, and 500 GB HD. $1300 with the three year Onsite. It might be more economical to just buy a decent laptop every other year, but I'd rather avoid the headache and buy an upscale one now.

so did you get it in yet?

[zeth006]

I ended up paying an extra $100 and getting the T-410 with an i7 processor, fingerprint reader, Bluetooth, 4GB RAM, and 500 GB HD. $1300 with the three year Onsite. It might be more economical to just buy a decent laptop every other year, but I'd rather avoid the headache and buy an upscale one now.

Ditto. I'd personally avoid the Edge line. There's a good reason it costs less than the T410 line. Read:

Build quality is above average compared to consumer notebooks, but a step below business-grade ThinkPads. The screen hinges are noticeably smaller than what you might find on a standard ThinkPad; they are plastic-faced, not metal. ThinkPads have been known for strong screen hinges that last throughout the notebook's life without wearing out. Some smaller models, like the X200, have used smaller hinges to complement the smaller design, but the hinges on the ThinkPad Edge feel weak in comparison.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... ad+edge+14

[beach_terror]

The key in the above post is that it's still above standard consumer notebooks. For those of us on a budget, the Edge seems to be a solid way to combine both price and durability. Sure, it's not as good as ye old Thinkpad, but it's still designed tougher than any Acer/Toshiba/Asus/HP/Dell will be. I haven't received mine in the yet, but I'll be sure to post my thoughts. Just to clarify, I got the 14 inch matte black Thinkpad Edge with literally no alterations to the standard package (Intel processors, however).

[clint4law]

I ended up paying an extra $100 and getting the T-410 with an i7 processor, fingerprint reader, Bluetooth, 4GB RAM, and 500 GB HD. $1300 with the three year Onsite. It might be more economical to just buy a decent laptop every other year, but I'd rather avoid the headache and buy an upscale one now.

Ditto. I'd personally avoid the Edge line. There's a good reason it costs less than the T410 line. Read:

Build quality is above average compared to consumer notebooks, but a step below business-grade ThinkPads. The screen hinges are noticeably smaller than what you might find on a standard ThinkPad; they are plastic-faced, not metal. ThinkPads have been known for strong screen hinges that last throughout the notebook's life without wearing out. Some smaller models, like the X200, have used smaller hinges to complement the smaller design, but the hinges on the ThinkPad Edge feel weak in comparison.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... ad+edge+14

so what do you recommend? I have $1,000 budget

[kalvano]

The key in the above post is that it's still above standard consumer notebooks. For those of us on a budget, the Edge seems to be a solid way to combine both price and durability. Sure, it's not as good as ye old Thinkpad, but it's still designed tougher than any Acer/Toshiba/Asus/HP/Dell will be. I haven't received mine in the yet, but I'll be sure to post my thoughts. Just to clarify, I got the 14 inch matte black Thinkpad Edge with literally no alterations to the standard package (Intel processors, however).

Represent, yo.

[zeth006]

I ended up paying an extra $100 and getting the T-410 with an i7 processor, fingerprint reader, Bluetooth, 4GB RAM, and 500 GB HD. $1300 with the three year Onsite. It might be more economical to just buy a decent laptop every other year, but I'd rather avoid the headache and buy an upscale one now.

Ditto. I'd personally avoid the Edge line. There's a good reason it costs less than the T410 line. Read:

Build quality is above average compared to consumer notebooks, but a step below business-grade ThinkPads. The screen hinges are noticeably smaller than what you might find on a standard ThinkPad; they are plastic-faced, not metal. ThinkPads have been known for strong screen hinges that last throughout the notebook's life without wearing out. Some smaller models, like the X200, have used smaller hinges to complement the smaller design, but the hinges on the ThinkPad Edge feel weak in comparison.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... ad+edge+14

so what do you recommend? I have $1,000 budget

The Thinkpad T410i (Note the "i") with the 4gb RAM upgrade is $914.00 before taxes. If you're fine with 2GB of RAM, it starts at $829. Apply the student discount, and you can get this baby for under $1,000. I'd personally toss in the 3-year standard warranty.

EDIT: Damn student discount feature's not working. But you get the idea. Get the T-series instead of the Edge if you're willing to pay extra.

[savagecheater]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834114927

Thoughts on this?

The ThinkPad's tireless reliance on Intel GPUs is kind of making this choice difficult.

[ResolutePear]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834114927

Thoughts on this?

The ThinkPad's tireless reliance on Intel GPUs is kind of making this choice difficult.

They have Nvidia ones on their T-series.

[beach_terror]

FFFFUUUU

The Thinkpad Edge 14" is now on sale a week after I ordered mine. I could have got an extra gb of ram (3 instead of 2) and a 7200rpm 500gb harddrive instead of a 5400rpm 250gb for a whopping 50$ more.

Really annoyed. I'd return, but Lenovo "reserves the right" to charge a 20% restocking fee. Like what the f? 120$ to restock? Sweet bros.

[clint4law]

FFFFUUUU

The Thinkpad Edge 14" is now on sale a week after I ordered mine. I could have got an extra gb of ram (3 instead of 2) and a 7200rpm 500gb harddrive instead of a 5400rpm 250gb for a whopping 50$ more.

Really annoyed. I'd return, but Lenovo "reserves the right" to charge a 20% restocking fee. Like what the f? 120$ to restock? Sweet bros.

are you referring to the $729 deal?

[beach_terror]

Yes, I am.

[Mr. Matlock]

Next Saturday I shall be making my purchase. As of right now, 15" MBP with 3 yr warranty, 20" Acer 2nd monitor, Brother HL-2140 laser printer, and a 1TB portable HD. That deal on the T410 though is hella awesome though.

Why do I hate this process so much?

[yinz]

Next Saturday I shall be making my purchase. As of right now, 15" MBP with 3 yr warranty, 20" Acer 2nd monitor, Brother HL-2140 laser printer, and a 1TB portable HD. That deal on the T410 though is hella awesome though.

Why do I hate this process so much?

What tipped the scale in MBP's favor for you?

[clint4law]

Next Saturday I shall be making my purchase. As of right now, 15" MBP with 3 yr warranty, 20" Acer 2nd monitor, Brother HL-2140 laser printer, and a 1TB portable HD. That deal on the T410 though is hella awesome though.

Why do I hate this process so much?

What deal on the T410? Also, where you gonna pick up the monitor and portable HD from?

[zeth006]

Next Saturday I shall be making my purchase. As of right now, 15" MBP with 3 yr warranty, 20" Acer 2nd monitor, Brother HL-2140 laser printer, and a 1TB portable HD. That deal on the T410 though is hella awesome though.

Why do I hate this process so much?

Trust me. Spend a few years in a country like Korea where protectionism reigns high, and you'll be thankful. The beauty of living in America is you get access to electronics from foreign brands and not just domestic. The cutthroat pricing only makes it better.

[clint4law]

Is this a good deal?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16822152232

[ResolutePear]

Price to Size, it's a very good price.

I have never used Samsung-external drives and I have no clue what HD they use. Soooooo.... at your own risk!

[zeth006]

Price to Size, it's a very good price.

I have never used Samsung-external drives and I have no clue what HD they use. Soooooo.... at your own risk!

I'm no pro on hard drives, but Samsung HDDs tend to get positive reception. I wouldn't take the single 1-star review as there's a probably a better than just slim chance the reviewer has never owned the HDD.



If you want to get a better idea of what you're getting for your bucks, go to slickdeals.net and hang around there a while.

[clint4law]

Price to Size, it's a very good price.

I have never used Samsung-external drives and I have no clue what HD they use. Soooooo.... at your own risk!

I just picked it up....I'll have everything backed up on my laptop as well as flashdrive....do I'm willing to take a lil risk.

[clint4law]

Price to Size, it's a very good price.

I have never used Samsung-external drives and I have no clue what HD they use. Soooooo.... at your own risk!

I'm no pro on hard drives, but Samsung HDDs tend to get positive reception. I wouldn't take the single 1-star review as there's a probably a better than just slim chance the reviewer has never owned the HDD.



If you want to get a better idea of what you're getting for your bucks, go to slickdeals.net and hang around there a while.

i found it on slickdeals actually....so you think it was a good buy?

[clint4law]

I ended up paying an extra $100 and getting the T-410 with an i7 processor, fingerprint reader, Bluetooth, 4GB RAM, and 500 GB HD. $1300 with the three year Onsite. It might be more economical to just buy a decent laptop every other year, but I'd rather avoid the headache and buy an upscale one now.

Ditto. I'd personally avoid the Edge line. There's a good reason it costs less than the T410 line. Read:

Build quality is above average compared to consumer notebooks, but a step below business-grade ThinkPads. The screen hinges are noticeably smaller than what you might find on a standard ThinkPad; they are plastic-faced, not metal. ThinkPads have been known for strong screen hinges that last throughout the notebook's life without wearing out. Some smaller models, like the X200, have used smaller hinges to complement the smaller design, but the hinges on the ThinkPad Edge feel weak in comparison.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... ad+edge+14

so what do you recommend? I have $1,000 budget

The Thinkpad T410i (Note the "i") with the 4gb RAM upgrade is $914.00 before taxes. If you're fine with 2GB of RAM, it starts at $829. Apply the student discount, and you can get this baby for under $1,000. I'd personally toss in the 3-year standard warranty.

EDIT: Damn student discount feature's not working. But you get the idea. Get the T-series instead of the Edge if you're willing to pay extra.

what do you think of the $729 deal?
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... D=hpa00678&

[Mr. Matlock]

Next Saturday I shall be making my purchase. As of right now, 15" MBP with 3 yr warranty, 20" Acer 2nd monitor, Brother HL-2140 laser printer, and a 1TB portable HD. That deal on the T410 though is hella awesome though.

Why do I hate this process so much?

What tipped the scale in MBP's favor for you?

Light, battery length, ease of use, overall quality, and a mac store within a mile of my house for service needs. Plus my wife really wants the free ipod touch that comes with it.

What deal on the T410? Also, where you gonna pick up the monitor and portable HD from?

--LinkRemoved--

Best Buy for the monitor, Costco for the external HD and Ebay for the Brother laser printer.

[ResolutePear]

Build quality is above average compared to consumer notebooks, but a step below business-grade ThinkPads. The screen hinges are noticeably smaller than what you might find on a standard ThinkPad; they are plastic-faced, not metal. ThinkPads have been known for strong screen hinges that last throughout the notebook's life without wearing out. Some smaller models, like the X200, have used smaller hinges to complement the smaller design, but the hinges on the ThinkPad Edge feel weak in comparison.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... ad+edge+14

so what do you recommend? I have $1,000 budget

The Thinkpad T410i (Note the "i") with the 4gb RAM upgrade is $914.00 before taxes. If you're fine with 2GB of RAM, it starts at $829. Apply the student discount, and you can get this baby for under $1,000. I'd personally toss in the 3-year standard warranty.

EDIT: Damn student discount feature's not working. But you get the idea. Get the T-series instead of the Edge if you're willing to pay extra.

what do you think of the $729 deal?
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... D=hpa00678&[/quote]

Yeah, it's pretty good. They say the build quality isn't the same as the T-series though; I would beg to differ but having never used one for more than a week.. I'm not in the position to give a definite if that's a make or break for you.

[clint4law]

Next Saturday I shall be making my purchase. As of right now, 15" MBP with 3 yr warranty, 20" Acer 2nd monitor, Brother HL-2140 laser printer, and a 1TB portable HD. That deal on the T410 though is hella awesome though.

Why do I hate this process so much?

What tipped the scale in MBP's favor for you?

Light, battery length, ease of use, overall quality, and a mac store within a mile of my house for service needs. Plus my wife really wants the free ipod touch that comes with it.

What deal on the T410? Also, where you gonna pick up the monitor and portable HD from?

--LinkRemoved--

Best Buy for the monitor, Costco for the external HD and Ebay for the Brother laser printer.

is the t410 a better deal than the one for $729 here:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... D=hpa00678&