Computer for Law School Forum

[Kristyrr]

So my computer is pretty much dead at this point and need a new one. I am currently using a Macbook Pro and have loved it for the 4 years that I've had it. I know that both Macs and PCs have gone through major revamping since I last bought a computer. So I don't know which to get. I will be starting law school in the fall and was wondering if there were a preference of Mac or PC for law students. I know that pretty much all law schools are compatible with both, which makes the decision that much harder.

[narwhal]

So my computer is pretty much dead at this point and need a new one. I am currently using a Macbook Pro and have loved it for the 4 years that I've had it. I know that both Macs and PCs have gone through major revamping since I last bought a computer. So I don't know which to get. I will be starting law school in the fall and was wondering if there were a preference of Mac or PC for law students. I know that pretty much all law schools are compatible with both, which makes the decision that much harder.

Personally, I prefer PCs, but only because I grew up with them -- Macs have their advantages, too (durability, etc). The bottom line, I think, is that as long as your school doesn't require one or the other, you should use the one you are more comfortable with. The fewer adjustments you have to make during 1L year, the better.

[Titleist]

I have a MacBook Pro 13.5 inch and I absolutely love it. I always used a PC but mine crashed my junior year. I am so glad I made the switch. Besides being more efficient it is super portable.

[kalvano]

Pick one or the other based on which you like, they are pretty much completely interchangeable.

I would go for one of the new PC Ultrabooks, personally.

[r6_philly]

I wanted to select both because I am using parallels with Windows XP as a virtual machine on a MBP 15 and it does both OS wonderfully concurrently. My wife has a new Mac Book Air and it runs equally as well with XP.

[vanwinkle]

I love the new 13" Macbook Air. It's thin, light, has decent battery life, and is more powerful than my old 2009 Macbook Pro. Unless you need a CD/DVD drive (they're actually really easy to live without these days), it's a good choice.

[c3pO4]

You had a MBP for 4 years and you're asking whether to get a PC? WTF is wrong with you man. Macs are compatible with the exam software, if that's what your asking.

[lifestooquick]

I have, and love, both. I use my PC laptop for law school simply because I LOVE LOVE LOVE OneNote. And, yes, I know about Circus Ponies, but I just don't like it as much.

[introversional]

I've been PC for life; thinking of switching to the Mac-side. (macbook air 13 inch or pro, not sure)

What is the oddest/quirkiest/most unnatural thing I can expect if I do this transition and how long will it feel weird?

[kalvano]

For me, it was two things. One, Windows offers a lot of options that you can customize, and Macs are more controlled. I'm sure there is some way to do a lot of the same things, but you can't just go to Control Panel and change any damn thing you want. And two, right-clicking. I do that all the time, and any time I use a Mac, it drives me nuts that you can't.

Other than that, it won't take very long at all to adjust.

[headandshoulderos]

For me, it was two things. One, Windows offers a lot of options that you can customize, and Macs are more controlled. I'm sure there is some way to do a lot of the same things, but you can't just go to Control Panel and change any damn thing you want. And two, right-clicking. I do that all the time, and any time I use a Mac, it drives me nuts that you can't.

Other than that, it won't take very long at all to adjust.

1 - Mac is a more easily customizable operating system. There are few settings you can't change, that you would want to change. The Mac OS is unbelievably better than windows.

2 - Mac's allow a secondary click, it's much easier than PC's. What you are missing is a two button mouse, which is antiquated and much clumsier. Also, the Mac trackpad is 5 years ahead of any PC trackpad on the market.

HTH. Windows sucks.

[T00L]

FWIW - These days all mac laptops have right-click. Actually the "trackpad" on a mac is infinitely more advanced than their PC cousins.

EDIT: apparently the poster above me and I had the same worthy response at the same time.....so..... double proof!

[kalvano]

It's always fun to see Mac fanboys presenting opinion as utter fact.

[Zazelmaf]

I use pen and paper, it's the most reliable. However, next would be mac. Windows sucks.

[headandshoulderos]

It's always fun to see Mac fanboys presenting opinion as utter fact.

It's always fun to see Windows users try to justify their inferior products.

[kalvano]

It's always fun to see Mac fanboys presenting opinion as utter fact.

inferior products.

[headandshoulderos]

Inevitably all windows users can fall back on is that mac users are passionate about apple. For some reason, this is considered a diss.

[coldshoulder]

Cool. This argument has never been done before.

[r6_philly]

I have, and love, both. I use my PC laptop for law school simply because I LOVE LOVE LOVE OneNote. And, yes, I know about Circus Ponies, but I just don't like it as much.

I agree with OneNote. I use it on my mac.

[introversional]

I'm such a douche. I've been a lifelong PC user but due to my 1L'ness, have become intrigued by the form/aesthetic and glowing white apple on those slimmer, more attractive, silver macs. All the dumb broads in my section are also taking far more artful notes than I am on my 8 year old Dell. Their notes seem more colorful and memorable than mine. This is not reverse-sarcasm PC trolling; I genuinely think masterful form is sometimes an alluring/relevant thing with technology. However, I'm going to need some more pro-mac facts in terms of it's programs, user-friendliness, reliability, and so forth, otherwise, I may have to un-douche myself and go buy a $600 lenovo instead. Please advise. I'm confused.

[03121202698008]

It's always fun to see Mac fanboys presenting opinion as utter fact.

Regardless of opinion about the trackpad, saying you cannot right-click is simply wrong. Click with two fingers on the track pad or hold Ctrl while clicking if on non-trackpad Mac.

[Renzo]

I've been PC for life; thinking of switching to the Mac-side. (macbook air 13 inch or pro, not sure)

What is the oddest/quirkiest/most unnatural thing I can expect if I do this transition and how long will it feel weird?

You can't quit a program by hitting the tiny red button in the corner of the window. It will still be running, you just won't have any windows open. Outside of that, there's basically no adjustment.

[introversional]

I've been PC for life; thinking of switching to the Mac-side. (macbook air 13 inch or pro, not sure)

What is the oddest/quirkiest/most unnatural thing I can expect if I do this transition and how long will it feel weird?

You can't quit a program by hitting the tiny red button in the corner of the window. It will still be running, you just won't have any windows open. Outside of that, there's basically no adjustment.

Wtf, well then how do you quickly close programs or browser windows then? Sorry for these trivial questions, but I'm mac-tarded.

Also, are there any quirks involved with created folders, sub-folders, etc, on a macbook?

[03121202698008]

I've been PC for life; thinking of switching to the Mac-side. (macbook air 13 inch or pro, not sure)

What is the oddest/quirkiest/most unnatural thing I can expect if I do this transition and how long will it feel weird?

You can't quit a program by hitting the tiny red button in the corner of the window. It will still be running, you just won't have any windows open. Outside of that, there's basically no adjustment.

Wtf, well then how do you quickly close programs or browser windows then? Sorry for these trivial questions, but I'm mac-tarded.

Also, are there any quirks involved with created folders, sub-folders, etc, on a macbook?

Clicking the red dot sometimes closes the window. In fact PCs, do this as well for some (albeit less) programs. For some programs, clicking the red dot simply closes the window and minimizes it to the task bar. E.g., Word will still technically be open if you close all of the windows. You can force it close by right-clicking in the dock and closing it there. There is really no reason to though in most cases, the task manager halts the process so it's not consuming battery power or resources.

[lsatcrazy]

2 Words: Boot Camp.