Buying a laptop for law school Forum

[marisacb1012]

Hey guys! So I still have my laptop from undergrad - it's a 2010 white macbook and it's getting really old and slow. I know I'm gonna need a new one when I start law school, but I don't think I can afford another mac, even though I love them! I'm looking around online and chromebooks look great, but they don't have the storage for microsoft word programs; everything is to be done on google drive. I do a lot of things on google drive anyway - that's usually where I type papers, make presentations, etc. Does anyone have any insight as to whether or not this is a feasible option in law school? Or is microsoft office simply a must have item?

[unfinishedthough]

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[zot1]

You'll need your computer for research, writing, maybe writing up case summaries, casebriefs.com, Facebook, Twitter, and whatever website will keep you distracted--like the ones with the you had one job pictures. If you can find a laptop that can do all of this, you're solid.

[Poldy]

It really just needs to be reliable so it won't crash when running the test taking software. If you search, there is is huge thread about this.

[Jaqen]

Chromebooks can't run programs other than Chrome so if your school uses Examsoft you'll need a laptop.

[zot1]

You'll need your computer for research, writing, maybe writing up case summaries, casebriefs.com, Facebook, Twitter, and whatever website will keep you distracted--like the ones with the you had one job pictures. If you can find a laptop that can do all of this, you're solid.

Oh yeah, ExamSoft. It ruins everything.

[p1921]

I would definitely get some sort of Mac; iMessage on it during class helps you stay sane.

[Archibald]

anyone have any thoughts about using microsoft surface for law school?

[TheRealSantaClaus]

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[Archibald]

anyone have any thoughts about using microsoft surface for law school?

The surface book, or surface pro? The surface "book" has gotten good reviews and I've considered picking one up, but I've heard it''s buggy. You can't beat Mac for reliability IMO.

i was thinking surface pro. surface book does look great though. ive just never been a mac person.. also like how lightweight and versatile the surface pros are

[marisacb1012]

Anyone currently in law school have a NON-mac laptop that works well with law programs that you would recommend?

[TheRealSantaClaus]

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[heythatslife]

Anyone currently in law school have a NON-mac laptop that works well with law programs that you would recommend?

I don't know what your budget is but Thinkpad T series for reliability.
I had an Asus Zenbook that I regretted buying a year later. Specs seemed good on paper and it looked pretty but keyboard is terrible (skipped keys 10% of time - it resulted in a typo that cost me $1k but that's another story) and durability is unacceptable (hinges disintegrated after a year of normal use and even the smallest spill on keyboard means you're screwed).

[EzraFitz]

anyone have any thoughts about using microsoft surface for law school?

The surface book, or surface pro? The surface "book" has gotten good reviews and I've considered picking one up, but I've heard it''s buggy. You can't beat Mac for reliability IMO.

i was thinking surface pro. surface book does look great though. ive just never been a mac person.. also like how lightweight and versatile the surface pros are

I have not looked too much into the surface pro. I know the "book" is more than powerful enough to function as a true workstation. I'd imagine you should be ok using the surface pro as your main laptop, but there are some limits as to what it can do (plus the keyboard dock is kinda meh). I have no idea how well it runs exam testing software, though I'd imagine it should work.

I switched to exclusively using my surface pro with type cover for law school a little over a month ago, and it has been way better than any laptop I've used thus far. I love a lot of the OneNote features that work nicely with the surface and it's pen. My school doesn't use exam software, so I can't speak to that, but I love the machine for school. Having an SSD is also a huge plus. I'm planning on getting the full dock for at home, but the type cover is plenty for class.

[Auxilio]

I absolutely love my Surface Pro, and have actually converted two others in my class to switch from their Macs--and they both seem very happy with the choice.

[87mm]

I absolutely love my Surface Pro, and have actually converted two others in my class to switch from their Macs--and they both seem very happy with the choice.

How much easier is it to take notes using the surface? Is it better than just hand writing? How is the keyboard for typing? Is a static built in keyboard faster? I have a mechanical keyboard for my desktop but I need a laptop soon for school in the fall. Debating that or the macbook air.

[White Dwarf]

I have an XPS 13 which I really like. The only downside is the 13" screen, but if you can deal with that I highly recommend it. You can find the 2014 model for $600-700 these days.

[Auxilio]

I absolutely love my Surface Pro, and have actually converted two others in my class to switch from their Macs--and they both seem very happy with the choice.

How much easier is it to take notes using the surface? Is it better than just hand writing? How is the keyboard for typing? Is a static built in keyboard faster? I have a mechanical keyboard for my desktop but I need a laptop soon for school in the fall. Debating that or the macbook air.

I find it much easier, and if it is your thing you can even use the pen and handwrite into OneNote, it works fairly well.

The type keyboard is quite good--the touch one not so much. I also have a nice mechanical keyboard at home and do fine with the Surface (although a bought a bit bigger discrete bluetooth keyboard for exams).

[EzraFitz]

I absolutely love my Surface Pro, and have actually converted two others in my class to switch from their Macs--and they both seem very happy with the choice.

How much easier is it to take notes using the surface? Is it better than just hand writing? How is the keyboard for typing? Is a static built in keyboard faster? I have a mechanical keyboard for my desktop but I need a laptop soon for school in the fall. Debating that or the macbook air.

I find it much easier, and if it is your thing you can even use the pen and handwrite into OneNote, it works fairly well.

The type keyboard is quite good--the touch one not so much. I also have a nice mechanical keyboard at home and do fine with the Surface (although a bought a bit bigger discrete bluetooth keyboard for exams).

Yeah, the type keyboard is really hard to complain about. If I have one, it is that when I start to type really fast (read, above 100 wpm) I start to mistype a little, and will miss spaces between the words every now and again, because the keys are a little closer together than a standard keyboard. Will be using something standard for exams because of this, but for notetaking it has never been an issue at all.

Also, one note for the surface is AWESOME in that, if you hand write your notes in one note, it will still be keyword searchable. A really cool feature IMO.

[87mm]

I absolutely love my Surface Pro, and have actually converted two others in my class to switch from their Macs--and they both seem very happy with the choice.

How much easier is it to take notes using the surface? Is it better than just hand writing? How is the keyboard for typing? Is a static built in keyboard faster? I have a mechanical keyboard for my desktop but I need a laptop soon for school in the fall. Debating that or the macbook air.

I find it much easier, and if it is your thing you can even use the pen and handwrite into OneNote, it works fairly well.

The type keyboard is quite good--the touch one not so much. I also have a nice mechanical keyboard at home and do fine with the Surface (although a bought a bit bigger discrete bluetooth keyboard for exams).

Yeah, the type keyboard is really hard to complain about. If I have one, it is that when I start to type really fast (read, above 100 wpm) I start to mistype a little, and will miss spaces between the words every now and again, because the keys are a little closer together than a standard keyboard. Will be using something standard for exams because of this, but for notetaking it has never been an issue at all.

Also, one note for the surface is AWESOME in that, if you hand write your notes in one note, it will still be keyword searchable. A really cool feature IMO.

Dizzam. As long as the exam software works on the surface pro I may consider getting that over the macbook air. I love handwriting my notes (engineer).

As for typing fast... i average 60-90wpm. Peaked over 100 but I need to be in the zone. Guess it shouldnt be a problem.

How angry would people in the room be if I brought my desktop mechanical keyboard to the exam? They type amazingly but they make obnoxious klack klack sounds

[Auxilio]

I absolutely love my Surface Pro, and have actually converted two others in my class to switch from their Macs--and they both seem very happy with the choice.

How much easier is it to take notes using the surface? Is it better than just hand writing? How is the keyboard for typing? Is a static built in keyboard faster? I have a mechanical keyboard for my desktop but I need a laptop soon for school in the fall. Debating that or the macbook air.

I find it much easier, and if it is your thing you can even use the pen and handwrite into OneNote, it works fairly well.

The type keyboard is quite good--the touch one not so much. I also have a nice mechanical keyboard at home and do fine with the Surface (although a bought a bit bigger discrete bluetooth keyboard for exams).

Yeah, the type keyboard is really hard to complain about. If I have one, it is that when I start to type really fast (read, above 100 wpm) I start to mistype a little, and will miss spaces between the words every now and again, because the keys are a little closer together than a standard keyboard. Will be using something standard for exams because of this, but for notetaking it has never been an issue at all.

Also, one note for the surface is AWESOME in that, if you hand write your notes in one note, it will still be keyword searchable. A really cool feature IMO.

Dizzam. As long as the exam software works on the surface pro I may consider getting that over the macbook air. I love handwriting my notes (engineer).

As for typing fast... i average 60-90wpm. Peaked over 100 but I need to be in the zone. Guess it shouldnt be a problem.

How angry would people in the room be if I brought my desktop mechanical keyboard to the exam? They type amazingly but they make obnoxious klack klack sounds

I spent a lot of time weighing this option, I don't think you can get away with it. Maybe with browns.

Also, of course the exam software works, it's just windows laptop in software terms.

[87mm]

I absolutely love my Surface Pro, and have actually converted two others in my class to switch from their Macs--and they both seem very happy with the choice.

How much easier is it to take notes using the surface? Is it better than just hand writing? How is the keyboard for typing? Is a static built in keyboard faster? I have a mechanical keyboard for my desktop but I need a laptop soon for school in the fall. Debating that or the macbook air.

I find it much easier, and if it is your thing you can even use the pen and handwrite into OneNote, it works fairly well.

The type keyboard is quite good--the touch one not so much. I also have a nice mechanical keyboard at home and do fine with the Surface (although a bought a bit bigger discrete bluetooth keyboard for exams).

Yeah, the type keyboard is really hard to complain about. If I have one, it is that when I start to type really fast (read, above 100 wpm) I start to mistype a little, and will miss spaces between the words every now and again, because the keys are a little closer together than a standard keyboard. Will be using something standard for exams because of this, but for notetaking it has never been an issue at all.

Also, one note for the surface is AWESOME in that, if you hand write your notes in one note, it will still be keyword searchable. A really cool feature IMO.

Dizzam. As long as the exam software works on the surface pro I may consider getting that over the macbook air. I love handwriting my notes (engineer).

As for typing fast... i average 60-90wpm. Peaked over 100 but I need to be in the zone. Guess it shouldnt be a problem.

How angry would people in the room be if I brought my desktop mechanical keyboard to the exam? They type amazingly but they make obnoxious klack klack sounds

I spent a lot of time weighing this option, I don't think you can get away with it. Maybe with browns.

Also, of course the exam software works, it's just windows laptop in software terms.

Thanks for all the info. I may actually try out the Surface Book. It looks exactly like what I am looking for (outside price).