What kind of computer is best for LS? Forum

ArtVandelay · Post by **ArtVandelay** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:29 pm

Mac vs. PC?

13" vs. 15"?

Netbook? Laptop? Desktop? iPad?

[edit: poll added]

daesonesb · Post by **daesonesb** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:33 pm

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Mr. Matlock · Post by **Mr. Matlock** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:35 pm

It's a bit bulky, but she's a work horse!

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biggamejames · Post by **biggamejames** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:35 pm

daesonesb · Post by **daesonesb** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:36 pm

bloodonthetracks · Post by **bloodonthetracks** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:38 pm

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Post by **Helmholtz** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:40 pm

ArtVandelay wrote:I was planning on getting a 15" macbook, which I would just bring with me everywhere. But now I'm thinking about getting a netbook to bring to class and a desktop to keep in my room. What do people in LS now recommend? Would a netbook be too small to bring to the library to work on papers and stuff?

Just get a 15" macbook along with an external monitor/keyboard/mouse, that's what I'm planning on.

Mr. Matlock · Post by **Mr. Matlock** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:41 pm

Helmholtz wrote:
ArtVandelay wrote:I was planning on getting a 15" macbook, which I would just bring with me everywhere. But now I'm thinking about getting a netbook to bring to class and a desktop to keep in my room. What do people in LS now recommend? Would a netbook be too small to bring to the library to work on papers and stuff?
Just get a 15" macbook along with an external monitor/keyboard/mouse, that's what I'm planning on.

What a buzz kill.

Chupavida · Post by **Chupavida** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:43 pm

daesonesb · Post by **daesonesb** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:48 pm

NO MORE SENSIBLE ANSWERS!

bobothecat · Post by **bobothecat** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:49 pm

I'm all for the netbook for in class use...during the semester, I saw a number of my classmates make the switch from laptop to netbook. law textbooks are just too heavy to have to lug a laptop around. If you go the netbook route, I'd definitely recommend one with a full size keyboard for ease and comfort...

chicoalto0649 · Post by **chicoalto0649** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:51 pm

17" Macbook pro is the way to go. Sure its a beast to lug around but that type of space it affords you to view documents and type is really impressive. ...plus you can sneak in a workout carrying it with you from class to class

daesonesb · Post by **daesonesb** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:54 pm

Ok fine have your way.

What about the Macbook air? Sure the screen's small, but it's lighter than anything else if that's the criteria.

aer · Post by **aer** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:54 pm

Check out One Note. It is note taking software that is currently only available on Windows machines. I have a Macbook that I got in undergrad, an external monitor and a netbook so that I can use One Note. I've heard that there are some programs for Macs that work for note taking, but I personally prefer One Note. Other than the Mac/PC question the main thing to consider when picking out a new computer is portability. You don't want to have to lug a heavy computer around in addition to your textbooks.

chicoalto0649 · Post by **chicoalto0649** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:56 pm

daesonesb wrote:Ok fine have your way.

What about the Macbook air? Sure the screen's small, but it's lighter than anything else if that's the criteria.

I dunno about that, I hear they really suck out on memory and other things unless you upgrade it but the upgrades would put the cost right up there with a mac book...

Note- I did get a 17'' mac book pro for christmas and I now know what kind of joy a parent feels when their first child is born....so I'm all mac book all the way

Signed-

Ex-PC user

daesonesb · Post by **daesonesb** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:59 pm

external hard drive? I'm sure the ram sticks aren't that much.

Chupavida · Post by **Chupavida** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 4:10 pm

chicoalto0649 · Post by **chicoalto0649** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 4:17 pm

Chupavida wrote:The air is about as niche as it gets. You are not that niche.

One way around the OneNote issue is running Fusion or Parallels. It's a fairly complex solution to the problem, but if you're going to have a boot camp partition anyway, you're only a couple steps from running OneNote in OSX.

And you 17inchers are crazy. Trece for lief.

Were just hoping to give everyone else in our 1L classes laptop envy. The enormity of our laptops will make others reconsider their choice to attend law school because surely they can not compete with someone who needs 17'' of screen to take ,what most surely are, superior notes. Thus their grades will suffer and make competition less stiff.

Chupavida · Post by **Chupavida** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 4:31 pm

bloustmaster · Post by **bloustmaster** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:03 pm

assuming you aren't gaming or anything else, you do not need an expensive computer. you need 2 things:

1. reliable: you do not want all of your notes to disappear when your computer breaks down.
2. internet: getting briefs off the internet, westlaw/nexis, google docs for notes.

don't be stupid and spend 1200 on a mac like i did. you do not need it, and will not get any benefit from the extra $.

ArtVandelay · Post by **ArtVandelay** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:32 pm

I'm not gaming, just looking for a good, reliable machine. I'm definitely going with Mac though; I've had way too many 4-hour phone calls with Dell and Microsoft to be willing to buy any more of their products.

chicoalto0649 · Post by **chicoalto0649** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:47 pm

ArtVandelay wrote:I'm not gaming, just looking for a good, reliable machine. I'm definitely going with Mac though; I've had way too many 4-hour phone calls with Dell and Microsoft to be willing to buy any more of their products.

This too...

beach_terror · Post by **beach_terror** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:42 pm

ArtVandelay wrote:I'm not gaming, just looking for a good, reliable machine. I'm definitely going with Mac though; I've had way too many 4-hour phone calls with Dell and Microsoft to be willing to buy any more of their products.

I've built various windows based computers, and managed their upkeep for 7+ years, with very limited problems. My suggestion: don't buy dell. I work tech support at my UG, and our warranty is with dell... awful.

mollyml05 · Post by **mollyml05** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:53 pm

I use a 13" Macbook and I love it. Light, easy to use, doesn't take up valuable counter space in the lecture halls.

Also, to those who recommend One Note, the "Mac version" is NoteBook by Circus Ponies. I use it to take class notes and find it very helpful. I'm not sure it's quite as good as One Note, but it's about as close as you'll come on a Mac. You can download a free 30-day trial on circusponies.com and the actual version is $30 with the academic discount.

ArtVandelay · Post by **ArtVandelay** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 8:44 pm

betasteve wrote:Also, I love my Apple but I can understand some that hate the idea of messing with Bootcamp for Exam software.

Could you elaborate? I have no idea what that is.

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