What type of laptop are you going to use for law school? Forum

[Mack.Hambleton]

Got one of the new gold MacBooks. My old MacBook Pro was such a pain to carry around all the time.

how do you like it?

[usn26]

I'm considering getting a refurbished iPad 2 for basic lugging around. Terrible idea for law school?

[wonka]

Post removed.

[dasani13]

Just got the new 13-in MBP!

[Blueberrypie]

Can I stick with my original macbook (2009) for law school or is it too dated? I can't imagine needing anything special. I'm basically only taking notes and writing papers right?

[haus]

I'm considering getting a refurbished iPad 2 for basic lugging around. Terrible idea for law school?

I have been using a 1st gen iPad mini (similar capabilities to the iPad 2) for reading, checking email on the go, and web surfing. I have been happy with it.

[Mack.Hambleton]

I'm considering getting a refurbished iPad 2 for basic lugging around. Terrible idea for law school?

dont think you could take exams on it and bad for note taking too

[Shelbinole]

Got one of the new gold MacBooks. My old MacBook Pro was such a pain to carry around all the time.

how do you like it?

I just ordered it last week and am waiting for it to be shipped. I'll let you guys know how it is once I get it . I played around with it a lot in the store and was pretty impressed, it didn't seem noticeably slower than the Pro or Air at all!

[stoopkid13]

I'm considering getting a refurbished iPad 2 for basic lugging around. Terrible idea for law school?

Depends on what you what you mean by "lugging around." Should be fine for email and websurfing. I think it might be worth taking a look at Windows 8.1 tablets so you have more flexibility (or waiting until summer for Windows 10). FWIW, I have an Asus T100 and an iPad Air and I much prefer my Asus.

[usn26]

I'm considering getting a refurbished iPad 2 for basic lugging around. Terrible idea for law school?

Depends on what you what you mean by "lugging around." Should be fine for email and websurfing. I think it might be worth taking a look at Windows 8.1 tablets so you have more flexibility (or waiting until summer for Windows 10). FWIW, I have an Asus T100 and an iPad Air and I much prefer my Asus.

dont think you could take exams on it and bad for note taking too

So, the idea would be to have a Macbook (Pro?) as my primary computer. I'd use that for exams, papers, outlines, etc. The iPad (or T100, since that seems interesting) would just be for classes, since I'm light on typed notes but would want to have the option, or other times I'd want to have a computer handy but not need a whole notebook.

I'd prefer to have a locker to stash the laptop in, but it seems like most law schools have terrible locker situations for 1Ls.

[storpappa]

Get your laptop carrying case or laptop backpack first.

THEN take that with you and get the largest size screen you want to carry with an extra battery, cable for your phone and wall charger / brick.
Fill the bag and walk around the store with it for a minute, then hold it or wear it during the entire sales and checkout transaction. If you don't like holding it for 5 minutes, it won't be comfortable for 3 years lugging it around.
Fashion first, comfort then fun features like 13 or 14.7

[storpappa]

I'd prefer to have a locker to stash the laptop in, but it seems like most law schools have terrible locker situations for 1Ls.

You should transfer to Alabama, you can reserve a spot in the library and just leave your stuff in your cubicle thingie all year long.

[w00kash]

If anybody is looking to save a little money on a macbook air, I bought the 2014 model brand new from B&H for 819 after tax today. Sorry for the semi-spam just thought it might be helpful for some of you. I swear I don't work for them.

[parisian]

Does anyone have an opinion whether it's a good idea to purchase Apple Care? the law school says it's strongly recommended to have one, but it seems to me Apple products are pretty reliable and the chances of using AC is kind of unlikely

[RareExports]

It's been a while since I've been laptop shopping. Macs are exceedingly bad, but I don't want any of this new hybrid tablet-computer/touchscreen bullshit that Windows brands have been doing lately. Are there any alternatives a la the old Toshiba Satellites?

[theramblingfool]

.

[abl]

Thoughts about the HP Spectre x360? I'm on the fence between that and the 13" RMB Pro.

[stoopkid13]

It's been a while since I've been laptop shopping. Macs are exceedingly bad, but I don't want any of this new hybrid tablet-computer/touchscreen bullshit that Windows brands have been doing lately. Are there any alternatives a la the old Toshiba Satellites?

TCR is absolutely get a ThinkPad!

+1

Also, you'd have to check for your specific school, but I think Lenovo usually has pretty good student discounts.

[OnFleek]

I am thinking about getting a Dell XPS 13: http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-13-9343-laptop/pd

It seems like a really solid all-around laptop.
- Extremely light to tote around
- 15 hours of battery life
- Solid construction
- Big enough screen for just about everything

And the infinity screen is pretty awesome!

I've never been had a Mac and this seems like a poor time to start, so Dell seems like a good option. And the non-touch model with the i5 processor is WAY cheaper that a Macbook.

Anyone have any experience with Dell or this model specifically?

[ChemEng1642]

It's been a while since I've been laptop shopping. Macs are exceedingly bad, but I don't want any of this new hybrid tablet-computer/touchscreen bullshit that Windows brands have been doing lately. Are there any alternatives a la the old Toshiba Satellites?

TCR is absolutely get a ThinkPad!

+1 I love my new ThinkPad! And ThinkPads have by far my favorite keyboards (even in their ultrabook line).

[storpappa]

It's been a while since I've been laptop shopping. Macs are exceedingly bad, but I don't want any of this new hybrid tablet-computer/touchscreen bullshit that Windows brands have been doing lately. Are there any alternatives a la the old Toshiba Satellites?

If it has been a while, like 7 or 9 years, the market is much smaller for brands / choices. And the software updates on the mac side - which I would never buy - do give you more options in easier booting. Worth a trip to the local Apple store for a demo to at least spend an hour now before you make a purchase

[altf4]

I am thinking about getting a Dell XPS 13: http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-13-9343-laptop/pd

It seems like a really solid all-around laptop.
- Extremely light to tote around
- 15 hours of battery life
- Solid construction
- Big enough screen for just about everything

And the infinity screen is pretty awesome!

I've never been had a Mac and this seems like a poor time to start, so Dell seems like a good option. And the non-touch model with the i5 processor is WAY cheaper that a Macbook.

Anyone have any experience with Dell or this model specifically?

This is exactly what I have been thinking the past week or so that I've been looking around online, researching laptops: light, sturdy, good battery, cool screen, and I'm not so keen about switching over to Mac. I'd love some input, too, though, if anyone's ever used the series!

Does Dell have offline stores where we might be able to check it out before we buy?

[ms2014]

I am thinking about getting a Dell XPS 13: http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-13-9343-laptop/pd

It seems like a really solid all-around laptop.
- Extremely light to tote around
- 15 hours of battery life
- Solid construction
- Big enough screen for just about everything

And the infinity screen is pretty awesome!

I've never been had a Mac and this seems like a poor time to start, so Dell seems like a good option. And the non-touch model with the i5 processor is WAY cheaper that a Macbook.

Anyone have any experience with Dell or this model specifically?

I have a Dell XPS that is several years old at this point (maybe 2010ish?), but it held up remarkably well until a few weeks ago when my significant other killed part of the keyboard by spilling a drink on it. I think the one we have is 17 inches, so it's always seemed a bit heavy to me but I'm sure they've improved on the design in the past 5 years. It was definitely sufficient for everything we used it for (i.e. anything Microsoft Office related, Skyping, internet browsing, (some) gaming).

I've been considering a 13 inch Dell XPS for law school next year, since they are much cheaper than MacBooks, but I'm not crazy about Windows 8. I'm probably going to wait until later in the summer to see whether Windows 10 is released before making a final decision.

[storpappa]

COSTCO to test drive laptops like DELL. Costco which if you can buy your computer there. They provide an extra year of warranty coverage for free, help with repairs and the pricing

[stoopkid13]

COSTCO to test drive laptops like DELL. Costco which if you can buy your computer there. They provide an extra year of warranty coverage for free, help with repairs and the pricing

My dad likes buying computers from Costco for those reasons, but for me I don't like the limited choices. Also I think student discounts would be about equal to any cost savings. For some vendors, like Dell, Lenovo, Apple, you can get a student discount and customize the computer which I think is preferable.