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I have a Lenovo G580 with Windows 8 on it (I got it for $300). I have had it for about 1 year. It is still in pretty good condition. I am wiping it and restoring it to factory settings right now. My question is, is this laptop good enough for Law School, or should I buy a Macbook Air? Anyone have a G580, or use a Lenovo for Law School?

You will be running Word and a browser window. It's fine.

kalvano wrote:You will be running Word and a browser window. It's fine.

I dunno.... 15+ gChat windows can be taxing.

You will not just be running Word and a Browser window. If its fine for you now, then it should stay fine. If you anticipate doing anything which may be taxing, or you may require more, upgrade to something better before school starts.

Just remember to use Dropbox or Google Drive (regardless of how new your laptop is) so that your work is backed up in real time.

Miznitic wrote:You will not just be running Word and a Browser window. If its fine for you now, then it should stay fine. If you anticipate doing anything which may be taxing, or you may require more, upgrade to something better before school starts.

What else will the OP need besides word and a web browser?

I think that quite literally, all I have ever used on my computer for law school purposes is word, the Internet, and excel.

What else are people using?

BigZuck wrote:

Miznitic wrote:You will not just be running Word and a Browser window. If its fine for you now, then it should stay fine. If you anticipate doing anything which may be taxing, or you may require more, upgrade to something better before school starts.

What else will the OP need besides word and a web browser?

I think that quite literally, all I have ever used on my computer for law school purposes is word, the Internet, and excel.

What else are people using?

Not sure about you, but when I was in school I did lots of things ranging from games, videos, or anything to distract myself from the law school tedium. From a practical standpoint, you're not going to be using just word and a browser. You'll have multiple tabs open, multiple word instances open, OneNote (which tends to be a stupid resource hog), a PDF or ten. Perhaps a video or audio recording of the lectures. Etc.

I witnessed people who bragged about 300$ laptops and the limitations they encountered. I'm not saying buy a $5k plus laptop, but upgrade to something that isn't going to be taxed by more than a simple browser and word processor. If that TRULY is going to be what you're going to use it for, and never anything more, then get a Chromebook and be done with it. If, however, you're like the majority of people - get something that will allow you do more.

Yanky91 wrote:I have a Lenovo G580 with Windows 8 on it (I got it for $300). I have had it for about 1 year. It is still in pretty good condition. I am wiping it and restoring it to factory settings right now. My question is, is this laptop good enough for Law School, or should I buy a Macbook Air? Anyone have a G580, or use a Lenovo for Law School?

No. You need like a super-fancy mac. This IS LAW SCHOOL!!!!!

Pokemon wrote:

Yanky91 wrote:I have a Lenovo G580 with Windows 8 on it (I got it for $300). I have had it for about 1 year. It is still in pretty good condition. I am wiping it and restoring it to factory settings right now. My question is, is this laptop good enough for Law School, or should I buy a Macbook Air? Anyone have a G580, or use a Lenovo for Law School?

No. You need like a super-fancy mac. This IS LAW SCHOOL!!!!!

No you don't. You need only whatever it is you want and you're comfortable with. I personally like Mac, but others don't.

Miznitic wrote:

BigZuck wrote:

Miznitic wrote:You will not just be running Word and a Browser window. If its fine for you now, then it should stay fine. If you anticipate doing anything which may be taxing, or you may require more, upgrade to something better before school starts.

What else will the OP need besides word and a web browser?

I think that quite literally, all I have ever used on my computer for law school purposes is word, the Internet, and excel.

What else are people using?

Not sure about you, but when I was in school I did lots of things ranging from games, videos, or anything to distract myself from the law school tedium. From a practical standpoint, you're not going to be using just word and a browser. You'll have multiple tabs open, multiple word instances open, OneNote (which tends to be a stupid resource hog), a PDF or ten. Perhaps a video or audio recording of the lectures. Etc.

I witnessed people who bragged about 300$ laptops and the limitations they encountered. I'm not saying buy a $5k plus laptop, but upgrade to something that isn't going to be taxed by more than a simple browser and word processor. If that TRULY is going to be what you're going to use it for, and never anything more, then get a Chromebook and be done with it. If, however, you're like the majority of people - get something that will allow you do more.

I wouldn't buy a 300 dollar laptop for law school, but I'd buy the cheapest one with an i3 processor you can find.

He'll know if there is something his laptop won't do like play video, which I doubt it has any trouble doing.

If you can use it now, it'll be fine for law school.

Desert Fox wrote: I wouldn't buy a 300 dollar laptop for law school, but I'd buy the cheapest one with an i3 processor you can find.

He'll know if there is something his laptop won't do like play video, which I doubt it has any trouble doing.

If you can use it now, it'll be fine for law school.

+1

Yes. If it works for now, you shouldn't need anything (see my above post). If you do decide to upgrade, an i3 with a minimum of 4gigs should suffice (though I might recommend 8gb).

Thanks for all the replies. I had a Macbook from 2004 that I really loved. Unfortunately I spilled coffee on it a little over a year ago. That was when I decided to buy this refurbished Lenovo g580. I certainly prefer the Macbook. These are the specs for the Lenovo:

Intel® Core™ i5-3230M processor
Windows® 8
4GB DDR3 memory, 500GB HDD storage
15.6” HD LED display
Integrated Intel® HD 4000 graphics
Dolby® Advanced Audio™ for crisp, clear surround sound
Integrated DVD reader/writer
Integrated 720p HD webcam, USB 3.0 ports

One problem is that the battery life really sucks. I barely get 3 hours on this thing. I think it is from leaving it plugged in a few times accidentally. Also, it is kind of heavy (especially with the power cord). I also hate the new windows, and it won't let me revert. I would prefer a Macbook, but I would have to take out more loans. I guess it would be stupid to take out more loans just because I want a shiny, new, more powerful, better, computer.

Yanky91 wrote:Thanks for all the replies. I had a Macbook from 2004 that I really loved. Unfortunately I spilled coffee on it a little over a year ago. That was when I decided to buy this refurbished Lenovo g580. I certainly prefer the Macbook. These are the specs for the Lenovo:

Intel® Core™ i5-3230M processor
Windows® 8
4GB DDR3 memory, 500GB HDD storage
15.6” HD LED display
Integrated Intel® HD 4000 graphics
Dolby® Advanced Audio™ for crisp, clear surround sound
Integrated DVD reader/writer
Integrated 720p HD webcam, USB 3.0 ports

One problem is that the battery life really sucks. I barely get 3 hours on this thing. I think it is from leaving it plugged in a few times accidentally. Also, it is kind of heavy (especially with the power cord). I also hate the new windows, and it won't let me revert. I would prefer a Macbook, but I would have to take out more loans. I guess it would be stupid to take out more loans just because I want a shiny, new, more powerful, better, computer.

That's plenty powerful enough for law school. And you'll be able to play any sort of video you want. And you can play most games although low quality.

Three hours battery life doesn't suck.

Alright, I will stay with the Lenovo. Thanks Desertfox and fellow TLSers.

edit* my old Macbook was from 2006 not 04, and it was frosted flakes great.