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I have had my current laptop since freshman year and am looking for a replacement. Also, I have an ipad with a bluetooth keyboard which is nice, but can not run at the same capacity of a laptop. Would anyone suggest getting the Surface Pro 2 as a viable replacement for a future law student?

Pros:
Hardware capabilities to run most programs (i.e. AutoCAD, Lexis Nexis, etc.)
Easy to carry
Overall good workstation for those on the go

Cons:
Smaller screen
?????

I'd make sure it's compatible with Examsoft (if your school(s) use that, you can call and ask), and whether or not your school(s) would allow a tablet instead of a traditional laptop for use with exams.

I wouldn't have a tablet as a primary computer, just as a sidekick/backup. For the price of a Surface Pro, you can get a perfectly decent laptop (or a cheap laptop and a Surface RT/Surface 2.)

Specs for Examsoft:
2GHz Intel® Core™/Celeron™ or equivalent x86 processor
2GB RAM
1GB of free hard disk space
1024x768 screen resolution

Specs for Pro:
1.6 GHz Core i5
4GB RAM (for basic entry model), ~8GB RAM (high end)
64GB-512GB of free hard disk space
1920x1080 screen resolution

I'd say Pro could run any program law school has with ease.

Yeah, you could easily use it as a full feature laptop. Just make sure you head to a MSFT store or find a friend who has one to test out typing on it before you buy it.

Even the original, cheaper surface pro will run just fine if you don't mind battery life concerns. I believe the power cover will also be compatible with it to alleviate battery life. It still uses an x86 architecture, and has more than enough memory/processing power to handle that software. Plus, I imagine it'll be a lot cheaper and you get all the portability benefits.

If you like the form factor and all it's pros and cons then it would do just fine for law school.

lost129 wrote:Specs for Examsoft:
2GHz Intel® Core™/Celeron™ or equivalent x86 processor
2GB RAM
1GB of free hard disk space
1024x768 screen resolution

Specs for Pro:
1.6 GHz Core i5
4GB RAM (for basic entry model), ~8GB RAM (high end)
64GB-512GB of free hard disk space
1920x1080 screen resolution

I'd say Pro could run any program law school has with ease.

I didn't mean the technical specs, I meant if it will run without any issues. I know several people who had to handwrite after Examsoft and their computer didn't get along.

I don't see why Examsoft wouldn't work on a Surface Pro 2...

I mean, I don't either, but that would be my number one concern. Examsoft isn't exactly cutting-edge technology and I'd just be concerned about compatibility issues.

Thanks for the responses! I will have to continue doing research and look at the device in person. I just wanted another perspective from other 0Ls and up before I blew money on a replacement.