The Ideal Law School Laptop

[burvowski]

Jesus, guys, buy some velcro gloves or something. I don't think I've ever dropped a laptop once in the my 22 years on this planet.

[superflush]

That being said...should I be worried about taking exams on my mac using Bootcamp? Has anyone run into problems doing this?

Just find out what the deal is at your school.

[wakefield]

That being said...should I be worried about taking exams on my mac using Bootcamp? Has anyone run into problems doing this?

Just find out what the deal is at your school.

I'll be able to use bootcamp to take exams on windows (using examsoft). I've just never needed to run bootcamp before, so I guess I'm nervous about potential glitches.

[goblue1646]

Is the only difference between the 13inch Macbook Pro and the normal Macbook the aluminum cover? Is there really no other difference? Because I love how the MBP looks, but is it worth an extra 200 bucks?!?!?!

Yes. Never question whether it's worth it.
You should really up it to 15, get the matte screen, and an SSD.
Btw, Cram & Jam has officially started.

i WISH. that would take me up to about $2000, and i'm pretty much a homeless person as it is.

thanks for the advice guys, i'll get the aluminum for sure.

[superflush]

i WISH. that would take me up to about $2000, and i'm pretty much a homeless person as it is.

thanks for the advice guys, i'll get the aluminum for sure.

Here's the Cram & Jam link: http://www.apple.com/campusoffer/

[findbosco]

I've read through 8 pages of the fine comments and considerations on here - thank you kindly to the contributors - but am still unsure as to what to purchase [paralysis through analysis]. I've read with interest the recommendations for Lenovo's and am wondering if that extends to their bargain computers as well, such as the one listed below:

Intel Pentium Processor T4400 ( 2.20GHz 800MHz 1MB )
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 32
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M
3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz
14.0" WXGA LED Backlight TFT 1366x768
Industry Standard Touchpad
250GB 5400
DVD Recordable (Dual Layer)
6 Cell Lithium-Ion
Broadcom 11b/g Wi-Fi wireless
One year parts and labor (system battery: one year)
2Yr Basic Limited Warranty Extension

All this for $498.97.

My Mom has a Lenovo, which has been nothing but problems [granted, it was a refurb deal, R61e, from Tiger Direct].

I've also considered the Macs, but at $950, that's out of my price range [anyone know if rumors of a July $100 edu deal are to be believed?].

Words of wisdom for the poor of pocket?

EDIT: Just read the latest post by superflush - looks like Mac is only running a $50 discount this year.

EDIT2: For those who haven't discovered the Lenovo 'Family & Friends' discount, details follow:
http://www.lenovo.com/contractor
704919

Supposedly you'll need the code above but likely just at checkout, as I personalized [but did not purchase] and did not need the code.

[superflush]

I've also considered the Macs, but at $950, that's out of my price range [anyone know if rumors of a July $100 edu deal are to be believed?].

Words of wisdom for the poor of pocket?

EDIT: Just read the latest post by superflush - looks like Mac is only running a $50 discount this year.

This discount for Mac is depending on the cost of the computer to begin with. - http://www.apple.com/campusoffer/
I got $200 off of mine. The cheapest MacBook would be $950 after the education discount. You would also get a $200 rebate for an iPod and a $100 rebate for a printer.

[juevonate]

Good thread.

[yinz]

Good thread.

Old thread.

[Luis Gomez]

when u get your laptop try this:

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

[angiej]

I have a 3 year old HP that I love dearly and has been very reliable. By the time I enter law school it will be 4 years old. Is this a recipe for disaster? Can I just have it checked out and "tuned up" or is it wise to buy new before entering law school?

[superflush]

I have a 3 year old HP that I love dearly and has been very reliable. By the time I enter law school it will be 4 years old. Is this a recipe for disaster? Can I just have it checked out and "tuned up" or is it wise to buy new before entering law school?

Get a MacBook Pro.

[superflush]

[edit]: posted the same things twice.

[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?

[angiej]

I have a 3 year old HP that I love dearly and has been very reliable. By the time I enter law school it will be 4 years old. Is this a recipe for disaster? Can I just have it checked out and "tuned up" or is it wise to buy new before entering law school?

Get a MacBook Pro.

But what about all of the law school incompatability issues? Are they really solved with bootcamp?

[yoitsmebenny]

I have a 3 year old HP that I love dearly and has been very reliable. By the time I enter law school it will be 4 years old. Is this a recipe for disaster? Can I just have it checked out and "tuned up" or is it wise to buy new before entering law school?

Get a MacBook Pro.

But what about all of the law school incompatability issues? Are they really solved with bootcamp?

With Boot Camp, it is virtually indistinguishable from a "standard" PC. There should be absolutely no compatibility issues.

[angiej]

I have a 3 year old HP that I love dearly and has been very reliable. By the time I enter law school it will be 4 years old. Is this a recipe for disaster? Can I just have it checked out and "tuned up" or is it wise to buy new before entering law school?

Get a MacBook Pro.

But what about all of the law school incompatability issues? Are they really solved with bootcamp?

With Boot Camp, it is virtually indistinguishable from a "standard" PC. There should be absolutely no compatibility issues.

And what about memory space? Doesn't it take up enough to slow things down?

[yoitsmebenny]

Get a MacBook Pro.

But what about all of the law school incompatability issues? Are they really solved with bootcamp?

With Boot Camp, it is virtually indistinguishable from a "standard" PC. There should be absolutely no compatibility issues.

And what about memory space? Doesn't it take up enough to slow things down?

Boot Camp runs Windows natively, so you are using the full system resources to run it (meaning it isn't virtualized and you aren't running OS X in the background). All of the MBPs have more than enough system memory to handle XP and even 7.

[superflush]

And what about memory space? Doesn't it take up enough to slow things down?

Yes, it will essentially ruin the computer so it won't run properly.
No, are you kidding. You'll be fine.

[Mr. Matlock]

And what about memory space? Doesn't it take up enough to slow things down?

Yes, it will essentially ruin the computer so it won't run properly.
No, are you kidding. You'll be fine.

What is the difference between boot camp and parrallels? Is it the same thing or do you need one or the other OR both?

[superflush]

What is the difference between boot camp and parrallels? Is it the same thing or do you need one or the other OR both?

Boot Camp just lets you dual-boot with Windows.
Parallels (or VMware Fusion) is for virtualization. You don't need Parallels or VMware unless you want to virtualize.

[yoitsmebenny]

And what about memory space? Doesn't it take up enough to slow things down?

Yes, it will essentially ruin the computer so it won't run properly.
No, are you kidding. You'll be fine.

What is the difference between boot camp and parrallels? Is it the same thing or do you need one or the other OR both?

Boot camp runs Windows natively on the computer. Parallels runs a "virtualized" Windows from within the OS X operating sytem.

[wakefield]

And what about memory space? Doesn't it take up enough to slow things down?

Yes, it will essentially ruin the computer so it won't run properly.
No, are you kidding. You'll be fine.

What is the difference between boot camp and parrallels? Is it the same thing or do you need one or the other OR both?

to use examsoft, you'll definitely need bootcamp. your schools website should tell you whats ok/what exam software they use.

[Rand M.]

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?

I have it installed on my machine and use it from time to time. I use it with Windows 7, and have no complaints. Everything runs smoothly, and it offers a good number of different 'views' that are convenient for different things.

Also, I would like to point out that while everyone is advising using bootcamp/parallels/vmware, one should first check with your school. It may be the case that their exam software is compatible with Mac OS X. Or, it could be the case that there is no exam software at all. At U of C for instance, you just compose the exam in your word processing program of choice, and then email it to turn it in. If you have no software, then you have no software compatibility issues. Everyone's situation will be different.

[badwithpseudonyms]

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