Best Law School Laptop for the Money Forum

[Duralex]

For those interested, students (or anybody with a .edu email address) can get Microsoft Office 2010 full suite for $80. Link:

http://www.microsoft.com/student/office ... fault.aspx

Includes: OneNote, Word, Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, and Access all for $80.

Awesome. I needed Outlook too. I just need my school to give me an email address.

Just a hint about OL--you can sign up for a hosted single user exchange account w/most major providers and get a downloadable copy of OL for free. Then cancel during the trial period, or after a month (depending upon the provider) if you want. Not sure about '07 but with OL03 the clients provided by hosting companies were full copies, and were not restricted in any way. Good for people who run Mac Office but want/need Outlook (for Crossover, Parallels or BootCamp.)

[gtau]

For those concerned with spilling liquids on macs..Best Buy's Protection plan covers that. Their protection plan is better than applecare--expensive but worth it.

[missvik218]

HELP ME!!! I'm looking at this --LinkRemoved-- I like it, it's pretty, seems like it would be good?! Anyone who knows anything about laptops and what we're going to need to school have any suggestions similar which would be better? Or some insight into what is good and/or bad about the machine above?

[flyingpanda]

HELP ME!!! I'm looking at this --LinkRemoved-- I like it, it's pretty, seems like it would be good?! Anyone who knows anything about laptops and what we're going to need to school have any suggestions similar which would be better? Or some insight into what is good and/or bad about the machine above?

1.3 ghz seems slow. That computer sacrifices processor speed for battery life.

[missvik218]

HELP ME!!! I'm looking at this --LinkRemoved-- I like it, it's pretty, seems like it would be good?! Anyone who knows anything about laptops and what we're going to need to school have any suggestions similar which would be better? Or some insight into what is good and/or bad about the machine above?

1.3 ghz seems slow. That computer sacrifices processor speed for battery life.

Help me find something better!!!! PLEASE I don't really want to spend a ton more than $600 though.

[nealric]

1.3 ghz seems slow. That computer sacrifices processor speed for battery life.

It will be plenty fast for ordinary desktop usage as long as you don't load it down with crapware.
*Protip*: Delete every piece of pre-installed software (including whatever crap antivirus they include) when purchasing a new PC.


Basically any computer you can buy new today is plenty fast for law school purposes. If it seems slow, there is a software issue holding it up- it's not the hardware.

[flyingpanda]

Help me find something better!!!! PLEASE I don't really want to spend a ton more than $600 though.

I'm not that great with laptops, but I'm going to be buying one in the next few days, so I'll be doing some research.

[flyingpanda]

1.3 ghz seems slow. That computer sacrifices processor speed for battery life.

It will be plenty fast for ordinary desktop usage as long as you don't load it down with crapware.
*Protip*: Delete every piece of pre-installed software (including whatever crap antivirus they include) when purchasing a new PC.

Basically any computer you can buy new today is plenty fast for law school purposes. If it seems slow, there is a software issue holding it up- it's not the hardware.

It's not even dual core!

[savagecheater]

Finding a computer with non-Intel graphics for less than $800 is proving to be very difficult.

[Iconoclast]

Finding a computer with non-Intel graphics for less than $800 is proving to be very difficult.

The new M4500 integrated graphics are actually very good for typical laptop-type use. You won't be doing any real gaming with one, but for general use/movies there is no reason to spend the extra bucks for a dedicated card.

[Bustang]

Finding a computer with non-Intel graphics for less than $800 is proving to be very difficult.

T410i with edu discount starts out at 729 i believe.

[zeth006]

Finding a computer with non-Intel graphics for less than $800 is proving to be very difficult.

Are you looking for a laptop with a dedicated GPU (i.e. Nvidia or ATI) or a laptop with an integrated GPU that isn't Intel? Because if the latter, you won't find an i-series (e.g. i3/i5/7) CPU-equipped notebook that fits the bill. Intel, being the jerks they are, have refused to renew their licensing agreement with Nvidia to allow Nvidia to fit integrated chipsets that go with Intel's CPUs. You can, however, get a Macbook or Macbook Pro with Intel's Core 2 Duo CPU (P8600) and Nvidia's integrated 320M graphics. But that will cost extra.

[legalnoeagle]

About to pull the trigger on a laptop (T410s), but before I do, I want to resolve the SSD vs. HDD issue I'm wrangling with. As in, do I really need to drop the extra $$$ on a SSD? Is it worth it?

Also, does anyone know of student discounts or coupons for the lenovo shop? I found a 5% e-coupon but was wondering if there is something out there that can cut the price a little bit more...

[SAOJD10]

Anyone know where you can get a cheap copy of windows 7 full version? Need it for my mac

[missinglink]

OEM copy of Windows 7 Home Premium is on Amazon for $99.00.

[Snoopy1216]

Anyone know where you can get a cheap copy of windows 7 full version? Need it for my mac

Im not sure, but I would trying googling it and seeing if any legit sites are carrying sale items.

Im getting my mac this week. And, I am just curious as to why you are opting to put windows on it (considering as well).

[kalvano]

Fry's sells builder copies of OS's (no customer support, etc) for cheap.

That's how I buy my OS's.

[Bustang]

I received my Lenovo T410i today. My first thought- I am glad I bought this laptop. The keyboard, matte design, and overall feel are amazing. I love the finger print scanner, I love how fast it wakes up, the battery life thus far seems very impressive (lots of internet usage+installing programs for 1:15 has used 15% battery life). I'm still getting used to the track pad+red button (I am coming from a macbook). I'll write a longer review once I've used the laptop for a few days.

Edit: The only "bad" thing I can say at this point is that the 9 cell battery does not connect 100% to the bottom of the case. It has just the slightest amount of play to it.

[Mr. Matlock]

Anyone know where you can get a cheap copy of windows 7 full version? Need it for my mac

Im not sure, but I would trying googling it and seeing if any legit sites are carrying sale items.

Im getting my mac this week. And, I am just curious as to why you are opting to put windows on it (considering as well).

The majority, if not all, law schools require a windows based OS for exam taking software. If you have a mac, you then need to set up boot-camp or parallels or both (not sure exactly how that works, but will be finding out soon enough myself). That will then allow you to take the exam at your school.

[yinz]

Anyone know where you can get a cheap copy of windows 7 full version? Need it for my mac

Im not sure, but I would trying googling it and seeing if any legit sites are carrying sale items.

Im getting my mac this week. And, I am just curious as to why you are opting to put windows on it (considering as well).

The majority, if not all, of law schools require a windows based OS for exam taking software. If you have a mac, you then need to set up boot-camp or parallels or both (not sure exactly how that works, but will be finding out soon enough myself). That will then allow you to take the exam at your school.

@Bustang: Any specific reason(s) you went Mac --> Lenovo? I'm on the fence between a 13" MBP and the T410. I have heard some stories about the Lenovo which give me pause.

[Bustang]

Anyone know where you can get a cheap copy of windows 7 full version? Need it for my mac

Im not sure, but I would trying googling it and seeing if any legit sites are carrying sale items.

Im getting my mac this week. And, I am just curious as to why you are opting to put windows on it (considering as well).

The majority, if not all, of law schools require a windows based OS for exam taking software. If you have a mac, you then need to set up boot-camp or parallels or both (not sure exactly how that works, but will be finding out soon enough myself). That will then allow you to take the exam at your school.

@Bustang: Any specific reason(s) you went Mac --> Lenovo? I'm on the fence between a 13" MBP and the T410. I have heard some stories about the Lenovo which give me pause.

OneNote, didn't want ANY issues with compatibility, cost, my overall impressions of sturdiness, I really really like Windows 7. Every manufac. is going to have their anecdotal stories about this or that. Bottom line: the Thinkpad series is and will likely always be the benchmark for business/professional laptops. Also, it feels lighter than the macbook. This may be due to the fact that the macbook is made out of alum. but the Thinkpad feels lighter. (IBsomeonegoesonthewebsiteandlooksatweights)

[Luis Gomez]

when u get your laptop try this:

https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTI5MDcwNDg5

[Snoopy1216]

I just bought a Mac and Parallels. Before I open/install it, has anyone had any experience with it? How necessary do you guys think it is?

[zeth006]

when u get your laptop try this:

https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTI5MDcwNDg5

Hah, trying to increase your own storage capacity via an invite?

[gren74]

Stay away from HP. It only took a few months before the touchpad was acting up. Still works, but can be a pain to deal with.