Good Computer for Those About to Enter Law School Forum

[swishin and dishin]

Hey all,

Going through the process of researching a new laptop to buy for my first year, and I just wanted to see what some current law students have to say, in addition to what other 0L's have bought/are planning on buying.

All advice is appreciated
Thanks again

[chem]

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... start=1500

[TTH]

Can we sticky a computer thread or--even better--have someone write something for the content competition about this?

btw, Macbook Pro

[smelltheglove]

Not a Dell.

[09042014]

Hey all,

Going through the process of researching a new laptop to buy for my first year, and I just wanted to see what some current law students have to say, in addition to what other 0L's have bought/are planning on buying.

All advice is appreciated
Thanks again

Law school doesn't require a powerful computer, it doesn't even require a decent computer. I'd get the cheapest Asus you can find online.

[zonto]

Not a Dell.

I beg to differ. The 16x9, 1080p screen on my XPS15 is a lifesaver for exams and memo writing with window snapping in Windows 7. Plus, I got hardware that would cost $1800 or more in a MBP for $900 shipped.

About this time every year, Dell puts the new model laptops into their Outlet as "refurbished." This can mean it was returned or it can just mean the person cancelled before Dell shipped it but after it was built. Periodically, you can get coupons for up to 25% off those already-reduced prices. You can get models that were just released for 40-50% off what they would cost you new on Dell's retail site. Same (or sometimes better) warranty and everything.

[MachineLemon]

http://www.newegg.com

Good deals and reviews. I buy a lot of stuff here.

[psm11]

Can we sticky a computer thread or--even better--have someone write something for the content competition about this?

btw, Macbook Pro

Macbook Pro all the way

[drmguy]

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... start=1500

TLDR: Nearly everyone on TLS thinks macs are the best.

[09042014]

Can we sticky a computer thread or--even better--have someone write something for the content competition about this?

btw, Macbook Pro

Macbook Pro all the way

Too expensive.

[Extension_Cord]

Just get a cheap laptop if its just for law school. I use a $500 laptop that I bought 2 years ago. Its way more than I need to run Word.

Don't waste your money on more computer than you need.

[thegrayman]

Lenovo T420

most baller keyboard out there, and trust me you'll be doing a shitload of typing

[AVBucks4239]

--ImageRemoved--

[omninode]

--ImageRemoved--

Ultrabook? Nice.

[tarp]

I second the recommendation of the Lenovo T series. Solid laptops. Although, incidentally, the keyboard did fail on mine after almost 2 years of very intense use. I bought a spare on ebay for $30 or $40 and swapped it out.

[Iceman389]

If you plan on taking notes on your laptop and doing all of your work on it, the biggest thing to look for is durability as opposed to what is under the hood. All you need to be able to run is Word/Onenote and the exam software that your school uses (which I am pretty sure windows 98 can run). Your computer will be your life and if anything happens to it especially in November/April you will be fucked so durability would be number one thing to look for. Keyboard comfort is also something to keep in mind since you will be doing a lot of typing. Spending anything over $1,000 for a laptop used exclusively for law school is ludicrous.

[istara]

I <3 my Lenovo x220. Most students here have Macs. Macs are too expensive for my blood, and I like to play the occasional pc video game to get my mind off ConLaw, and I love OneNote...

It's just a preference thing though. The keyboard is awesome, but I certainly don't think it's the reason I did well on my exams.

[nealric]

It's really just personal preference. Any laptop is perfectly capable of typing notes.

[NeighborGuy]

It's really just personal preference. Any laptop is perfectly capable of typing notes.

This. The question is, do you want to pay $500 or less for a PC that takes notes, or $1000+ for a Mac that takes notes?

[omninode]

I think it's a bit reductive to say that the only thing you need a computer for is taking notes. That may be true for some people, but I personally do a lot more than that with my machine.

But it is probably true that somebody who doesn't already know they need a mac, doesn't need a mac.

[rad lulz]

[coldshoulder]

This thread. It has NEVER been done before.

Search function yo

[mrloblaw]

If you already own any sort of notebook. lawlschool isn't going to require doing anything that your current machine can't do. 1L I used a three year old $500 dell I got on sale at a typical big box electronics store, and it was fine. This year, I bought a 11" macbook air; the only difference is that it feels like I'm carrying around one less casebook all day.

Both the cheap dell and macbook are fine for anything else I'd do with a computer, too, from web-browsing to outputting video to my TV.

[shepdawg]

Your computer choice will have a minimal effect on your success in law school. I have seen people with a $200 netbook land law review, and people with MBPs fail out.

That said, the laptop is your #1 "tool" of the trade, so you should get something you like to use. I started out with a mid-grade $700 Asus, and now I'm looking spend my day in front of a $1500-$2000 badass computer.

[portaprokoss]

I spent WAY to much time looking for a computer.

The PCs that cops and the military use are the Lenovo T series. They are tough as nails and very high quality. Also, the 3-year warranty is very good: an IBM tech comes to your house next day. They are expensive but they are worth it. I can cram three casebooks, hornbooks, binders into my backpack and I'm not worried about the pressure hurting my computer.

If you want to get a lenovo T series you have a lot of choices, but I'll make it easy:

T-420 (a little bit thicker w/ a lot more battery)

T-420s + optional solid state drive (a little bit thinner w/ a lot less battery)

I picked the T420s for portability. The battery lasts long enough for me. Having the solid state drive helps it last longer and run quieter. I don't need to plug it in class or during a final exam. I just plug in if I'm studying at the library. It's never been an issue. However, if you like to go all day without plugging in I would get the T-420.

It's a lot of computer. Definitely more than I need. But I don't have to worry about shit going wrong. I can worry about other stuff. And if something does go wrong, someone with a computer science degree is going to show up at my house in under 24 hours and fix it.

P.S. I was a Mac person before law school. I switched to Mac because of all the virus and spyware stuff on windows. It always seemed like it was breaking. However, I think that Windows 7 and the new Microsoft office function just as well as a mac. Microsoft now has their own antivirus (security essentials) which is very good; i haven't had any problems.