Best Law School Laptop for the Money Forum

[burvowski]

If your browser looks even remotely like this, THAT is the reason why your computer gets slower over time:

[kalvano]

Hey, that's what my mother's browser looks like every time I try and help her out.

I finally had to set up remote login so I didn't have to drive 75 miles each way every time she had a computer problem.

I can even fix it from my phone now.

[Son of Cicero]

What's the difference between T, X, SL, and whatever the other models are for Lenovo?

Are there build differences? Certain models to avoid?

Avoid all of them. See my previous post a few pages back for my first round of attacks on Lenovo. I'll expand soon with shocking new details on Lenovo's despicable conduct.

[100Miles&Runnin']

The more I read this thread, it seems like every computer somebody recommends, somebody else has had a bad experience with it. I've missed a few pages; is there a model that everybody likes, and nobody has bad things to say about? Or is that just asking for too much?

[burvowski]

The more I read this thread, it seems like every computer somebody recommends, somebody else has had a bad experience with it. I've missed a few pages; is there a model that everybody likes, and nobody has bad things to say about? Or is that just asking for too much?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anecdotal_evidence

[kalvano]

The more I read this thread, it seems like every computer somebody recommends, somebody else has had a bad experience with it. I've missed a few pages; is there a model that everybody likes, and nobody has bad things to say about? Or is that just asking for too much?

http://www.cray.com/Home.aspx


Might be a little tough to take to class.

[missinglink]

MBP 15.4/2.66/CTO

PROCESSOR 065-9134 2.66GHz Intel Core i7

MEMORY 065-9135 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRM - 2x2GB

HARD DRIVE 065-9140 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200

OPTICAL DRIVE 065-9145 SuperDrive 8X DL

DISPLAY 065-9412 MBP 15"HR Antiglare WS Display

Almost jumped on a T410s, but I couldn't get by the crappy display. Can't pay premium prices for a machine with a subpar display.

The 13" was probably the perfect form factor for portability, but I couldn't get by how bad the glossy screens are to look at and work on. It's hard to believe that these have become the standard. So that meant an upgrade to the 15". By measurements and weight, it's actually not a whole lot bigger. The difference is more mental than physical.

I'll be loading Windows 7 for Boot Camping ExamSoft and OneNote. I do some serious photography work in my (dwindling) free time, and will probably stick with OSX for that and general internet and media.

I wouldn't call this the best law school laptop for the money. For just that purpose, it's overkill.

[Mr. Matlock]

MBP 15.4/2.66/CTO

PROCESSOR 065-9134 2.66GHz Intel Core i7

MEMORY 065-9135 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRM - 2x2GB

HARD DRIVE 065-9140 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200

OPTICAL DRIVE 065-9145 SuperDrive 8X DL

DISPLAY 065-9412 MBP 15"HR Antiglare WS Display

Almost jumped on a T410s, but I couldn't get by the crappy display. Can't pay premium prices for a machine with a subpar display.

The 13" was probably the perfect form factor for portability, but I couldn't get by how bad the glossy screens are to look at and work on. It's hard to believe that these have become the standard. So that meant an upgrade to the 15". By measurements and weight, it's actually not a whole lot bigger. The difference is more mental than physical.

I'll be loading Windows 7 for Boot Camping ExamSoft and OneNote. I do some serious photography work in my (dwindling) free time, and will probably stick with OSX for that and general internet and media.

I wouldn't call this the best law school laptop for the money. For just that purpose, it's overkill.

Fuck it. I'm going with the CRAY.

[Chupavida]

.

[burvowski]

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... u=A3336421

only 24-core processor? Is that good enough for One-Note?

[Mr. Matlock]

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... u=A3336421

only 24-core processor? Is that good enough for One-Note?

For $55,000.00, you'd think the piece of shit would come with a monitor at least.

[zeth006]

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... u=A3336421

only 24-core processor? Is that good enough for One-Note?

For $55,000.00, you'd think the piece of shit would come with a monitor at least.

And a cappuccino machine.

[Tangerine Gleam]

I think I'm gonna jump on the Asus ULV80vt. I think I've checked its Amazon page every day for the past 2 weeks, expecting something to change. I don't know what my problem is -- I should just jump on it. I keep searching for Asus news of a new 14" laptop release, but nothing has come up.

http://www.amazon.com/UL80Vt-A1-14-Inch ... 496&sr=8-1

Any objections? Any chances of a new model by August that I should wait for? I want something lightweight and portable. Not looking to spend much money. Don't want a Mac.

[Mr. Matlock]

I think I'm gonna jump on the Asus ULV80vt. I think I've checked its Amazon page every day for the past 2 weeks, expecting something to change. I don't know what my problem is -- I should just jump on it. I keep searching for Asus news of a new 14" laptop release, but nothing has come up.

http://www.amazon.com/UL80Vt-A1-14-Inch ... 496&sr=8-1

Any objections? Any chances of a new model by August that I should wait for? I want something lightweight and portable. Not looking to spend much money. Don't want a Mac.

Ask yourself this question; Do I need this now? If yes, jump on it. If no, why not wait until a week or 2 before class?

[Tangerine Gleam]

I was set on the Asus UL80vt (14"), but then I just saw that the UL30vt (13.1"), which is about the same price, has a bigger hard drive (500GB instead of 320GB). Why is this? I'd prefer the bigger screen, but I don't think I want to go any bigger than 14" if I want to ensure long battery life and good mobility. Why would the smaller computer in the same series have a significantly larger hard drive?

EDIT: Nevermind. UL30vt doesn't have an optical drive. Going with the 80.

[mav3]

calling all techies:

I recently bought a new macbook, but i didn't buy an external hard drive (no more money for now...). is there some sort of online way to back up files?

[IBThatGuy]

Ask yourself this question; Do I need this now? If yes, jump on it. If no, why not wait until a week or 2 before class?

This is the correct answer in any computer-buying situation, unless you come across a truly exceptional deal. The price for any given feature inevitably goes down. You've got a full six weeks before you even start cutting it close. Sounds like you don't need it now. Wait.

if you can go higher,

i'd say Mac because it'll save you money in the long run. In undergrad, I went through 3 $800 computers in 3 years as they'd get viruses and gradually die out. I've had a $2000 macbook pro for 4 years... it's just as fast as when i first bought it and almost impossible to get a virus on. i think it's worth the extra cost, because you don't have to worry about a new computer for a decade and the amount of time you save because of its quickness totals about an hour a week in many cases, and over the course of 10 years, that's 520 hours. if you believe your time is worth over $1.80 an hour, it's a no brainer.

There's also the option of taking the time to learn how to use a computer properly and just not getting any virus. If you're getting lots of viruses, the issue isn't with the PC, it's with you.

I don't even remember the last time I got a virus. Susceptibility really is up to the user - not the OS.

[blurbz]

Can I get by without an optical drive?

[zeth006]

Can I get by without an optical drive?

Depends. You can create a bootable version of Windows in case you wish to do clean installs. If ExamSoft is installable via only CD/DVD, you may want to shell out roughly $50 for an external optical drive.

[yoitsmebenny]

calling all techies:

I recently bought a new macbook, but i didn't buy an external hard drive (no more money for now...). is there some sort of online way to back up files?

If it's a relatively small size (< 5GB) of files, check out Microsoft's services "Live Mesh" or "SkyDrive". Non-MS alternatives include Dropbox.

[Torvon]

What do you guys prefer for screens on Macs? High-res Glossy or Anti-Glare? Any good information available to help me make an informed deicision or is this just something I'll have to go to the closest Apple Store and decide based on personal preference?

[ApexChaser]

What's the difference between T, X, SL, and whatever the other models are for Lenovo?

Are there build differences? Certain models to avoid?

T = standard Thinkpad with the largest amount of available options
X = compact and portable flagship but no optical drive
SL = stripped down, lower-end copy of the T

The T series is, and will be, the defacto flagship. Probably the biggest build difference between the comparable T and SL lines is the lesser cage support in the SL. If it's between the L, SL, T,and X for a Thinkpad, I would stick with the T and X series.

I just got my X tablet today and am very impressed by the build quality. I would rate the X201t build quality as equivalent, or even surpassing, the T line. There is still a lengthy delay in X201 availability at the moment though.

[Tangerine Gleam]

What's the best free virus protection software for PC's? My new laptop should be arriving today but I don't think I can afford another Kapersky subscription right now.

[Chupavida]

.

[Mr. Matlock]

What's the best free virus protection software for PC's? My new laptop should be arriving today but I don't think I can afford another Kapersky subscription right now.

CNET and personal reviewers like AVG the best:

http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus ... ?tag=mncol

You can take a look at their other reviews here:

http://www.cnet.com/1770-5_1-0.html?que ... s&tag=srch