is a 13 inch laptop enough for law school exam? Forum

[sangr]

hello guys

just wondering, does a LS exam require a lot of flipping through windows? because i just got a rather small screened laptop - 13 inches - and its a little smaller than what im used to. i didnt get the 15 because it was bigger and heavier. however if the 13 inch is a hindrance i would have to return it.

can any LS students give me their input?

[abc12345675]

Why do people post SO many threads on here about computers for law school!?!?

here is what you need out of your computer in law school:

- Microsoft Word
- Adobe PDF
- Mozilla Firefox

Any basic computer will do! If you're comfortable with the screen size, then get it.

[sangr]

i was actually asking more about the screen size. i realize my question may have been worded poorly.

the 15 inch laptop is easier on my eyes, but it is a big heavier and bigger

whereas the 13 inch is much smaller and convenient.

however the smaller one is not as optimal for my eyes. and it is a bit smaller

im just wondering if during exams or something ill ever have to read huge amounts of words and such through my laptop. or if i can get by with just microsoft word (or whatever writing i do)

thanks

[barestin]

You can't "flip through windows" on a law school exam because your computer will be locked into a basic word processing document to ensure that you are not cheating. Any sized screen will do, as long as you are able to read whatever it is that you are typing. The most important question is if your 13inch screen is big enough for you to facebook stalk and watch youtube cat videos during lecture, but that is a matter of personal preference.

[abc12345675]

i was actually asking more about the screen size. i realize my question may have been worded poorly.

the 15 inch laptop is easier on my eyes, but it is a big heavier and bigger

whereas the 13 inch is much smaller and convenient.

however the smaller one is not as optimal for my eyes. and it is a bit smaller

im just wondering if during exams or something ill ever have to read huge amounts of words and such through my laptop. or if i can get by with just microsoft word (or whatever writing i do)

thanks

On exams your computer is locked into software. All you do on the computer is type your answer.

[sambeber]

You can't "flip through windows" on a law school exam because your computer will be locked into a basic word processing document to ensure that you are not cheating.

On exams your computer is locked into software. All you do on the computer is type your answer.

Yeah, that's not necessarily true.

[sangr]

lol so i may have to flip through windows, or read a lotta text?

[abc12345675]

You can't "flip through windows" on a law school exam because your computer will be locked into a basic word processing document to ensure that you are not cheating.

On exams your computer is locked into software. All you do on the computer is type your answer.

Yeah, that's not necessarily true.

Well I guess I should have said I've never had an exam where that wasn't the case. I guess it can depend on school/professor

[sambeber]

lol so i may have to flip through windows, or read a lotta text?

Read a lot of text, probably not a huge concern.

I go to a school where all essay exams are taken in Word. So, instead of flipping through my paper outline, I just pull it up side-by-side with my Word document and do a quick ctrl+F when I'm looking for something specific. Saves a lot of time, and I don't have to constantly look up and down. You should figure out what your school does in this regard before you make a decision on a computer.

[homestyle28]

I have an 11.6 inch screen thinkpad and thought it was fine. My school doesn't use examsoft or other lockdown software. In open note exams I never thought having two windows next to each other would be helpful, you just alt+tab to onenote or your outline, ctrl+f to find a term then scan what you want to say about it. I also printed out my checklists and outline to have hardcopy. The reality is that one a timed exam if you are greatly consulting your notes for details you've probably already lost.

[sambeber]

I have an 11.6 inch screen thinkpad and thought it was fine. My school doesn't use examsoft or other lockdown software. In open note exams I never thought having two windows next to each other would be helpful, you just alt+tab to onenote or your outline, ctrl+f to find a term then scan what you want to say about it. I also printed out my checklists and outline to have hardcopy. The reality is that one a timed exam if you are greatly consulting your notes for details you've probably already lost.

The bolded is a little bit of an overstatement (or at least over-generalization), don't you think? To me, the point is that (1) you're consulting for details, not for what personal jurisdiction is, for instance, and (2) if you have two windows open side-by-side, you can type in one while scanning/reading the other, thus making you more efficient. Not to say your way doesn't work, but it's surely not the only way. I also printed out checklists, tables, and flowcharts on exams, and referenced those frequently -- wasn't "lost" in the least.

[Grazzhoppa]

I always take at least a 30 inch monitor in addition to my laptop for all exams. including undergrad. sometimes ill bring my HDTV and hookup my xbox if im bored during the test.

[Chucky21]

Ipad and bluetooth roll-up keyboard is prob the way to go.

[izy223]

I always take at least a 30 inch monitor in addition to my laptop for all exams. including undergrad. sometimes ill bring my HDTV and hookup my xbox if im bored during the test.

thats why i bought a mac the thunderbolt port makes it easy to connect my laptop to a 27inch hdtv monitor

[Grazzhoppa]

I always take at least a 30 inch monitor in addition to my laptop for all exams. including undergrad. sometimes ill bring my HDTV and hookup my xbox if im bored during the test.

thats why i bought a mac the thunderbolt port makes it easy to connect my laptop to a 27inch hdtv monitor

word. sometimes ill bring a mac and a pc, just in case. separate monitor for each one obviously. plus the tv and xbox which is pretty much a given for all my exams now.

[AreJay711]

I have a 17 incher that I bust out exam time. It allows you to split the screen for open note exams. It is also handy to have two computers for outlining. Accordingly, I suggest two cheap computers.

[ilovesf]

Yes.

[dextermorgan]

Just buy a fucking macbook. That's what you're asking right?

[bloobook]

.

[sambeber]

Just buy a fucking macbook. That's what you're asking right?

[chasgoose]

FWIW I switched from a 15 in MBP to a 13 in MBA after 1st semester. I did much better second semester...

[homestyle28]

I have an 11.6 inch screen thinkpad and thought it was fine. My school doesn't use examsoft or other lockdown software. In open note exams I never thought having two windows next to each other would be helpful, you just alt+tab to onenote or your outline, ctrl+f to find a term then scan what you want to say about it. I also printed out my checklists and outline to have hardcopy. The reality is that one a timed exam if you are greatly consulting your notes for details you've probably already lost.

The bolded is a little bit of an overstatement (or at least over-generalization), don't you think? To me, the point is that (1) you're consulting for details, not for what personal jurisdiction is, for instance, and (2) if you have two windows open side-by-side, you can type in one while scanning/reading the other, thus making you more efficient. Not to say your way doesn't work, but it's surely not the only way. I also printed out checklists, tables, and flowcharts on exams, and referenced those frequently -- wasn't "lost" in the least.

I'm sure this depends abit on personal styles, and how each prof rights their exams. Whenever I flipped back to notes it was to confirm something I thought I knew, or make sure I got a case name or detail right. But if you're in depth reviewing your outline on personal jurisdiction, as opposed to glancing at your checklist, I think you're probably in trouble.

[FlanSolo]

It's threads like these that make me so happy I'm done with 1L.

[fatduck]

It's threads like these that make me so happy I'm done with 1L.

Why did you take the time to post? Must not be too busy at that 1L SA you didn't get.

didn't quite delete fast enough

Sent from my 1L SA

[FlanSolo]

It's threads like these that make me so happy I'm done with 1L.

Why did you take the time to post? Must not be too busy at that 1L SA you didn't get.

didn't quite delete fast enough

Sent from my 1L SA

Nice catch. Quoted from my 1L SA.