What kind of computer is best for LS? Forum

[Blindmelon]

I spent 350 on a Lenovo S10-2 and I love it. Its light, has a long battery life, and even took my finals on it no problem. You don't need power or speed, go with cheap, light and small. Your back will thank you.

[Helmholtz]

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.

If you have a copy of Windows available, you can partition your hard drive so one side is OSX and the other is Windows. Then, whenever you start up your computer, you can select whether you want to boot up in Mac or in Windows.

[ArtVandelay]

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.

If you have a copy of Windows available, you can partition your hard drive so one side is OSX and the other is Windows. Then, whenever you start up your computer, you can select whether you want to boot up in Mac or in Windows.

So you're saying that some exams can only be taken via a Windows computer?

[ArtVandelay]

Most can only be taken on windows. (Note that it could be taken on a Mac with windows loaded, as described above.)

I didn't know that...so is a Mac even worth the hassle?

[Helmholtz]

Most can only be taken on windows. (Note that it could be taken on a Mac with windows loaded, as described above.)

I didn't know that...so is a Mac even worth the hassle?

Bootcamp is extremely easy to use (although it might be a pain if you have to switch OS' on a very regular basis, which I can't imagine you would have to do in LS) and student copies of Windows are usually super cheap. I'll be buying a new computer in the spring and will definitely buy another Mac.

[aer]

Most can only be taken on windows. (Note that it could be taken on a Mac with windows loaded, as described above.)

I didn't know that...so is a Mac even worth the hassle?

Bootcamp is extremely easy to use (although it might be a pain if you have to switch OS' on a very regular basis, which I can't imagine you would have to do in LS) and student copies of Windows are usually super cheap. I'll be buying a new computer in the spring and will definitely buy another Mac.

Just a warning about exam software and bootcamp. I originally planned on just partitioning my Mac's hard drive and using the Windows partition for everything law related. After I installed Bluebook (the exam software Duke uses) the Windows partition started to crash about every ten minutes. This occurred about two weeks before exams and so I had to run out and buy a new computer because I needed access to all of my notes and did not have the time to figure out what was actually wrong. I know people that used bootcamp with no problem so I may have just messed up something when I was installing software. Also, I think most exam software is now being made to work on both Macs and PCs. I would recommend checking with your school for specifics.

[2807]

I use a mac (macbook air) and love it. I run windows all the time in "fusion" . It is easy. Bootcamp does the same thing (allows you to run windows) and comes free with every new mac! But you do need a copy of windows. Bootcamp will run smoother,... fusion (and "parallels" a similar program) do the job, but there are issues with them. Don't worry, overall they are fine for the basic stuff. BUT-- Apple will support bootcamp (e.g. phone support, apple care stuff), not the others.

The Macbook Air has been great for me in school. MORE than enough power and guts to do ALL the regular notes/papers/email/web etc... I have had many macs including the Macbook Pro's and they are great, but for ease of use and small and lightweight (yet strong unibody-aluminum) The Macbook Air is great.

Just make sure you buy the separate CD/DVD unit for the rare occasion you will need it.

I have no law school or LSAT advice, but Mac's I know about!

I was curious if they were ok for law school too. Looks like I will be ok, but will have to confirm as time moves on. If you boot into BootCamp and run windows, you are running a windows PC, so everything should work fine. It is the other programs (Fusion or Parallels) that can have conflicts (however, I don't know of any)....

[eandy]

I have never had a problem with Dell laptops. I had my last one, an inspiron 1501, for four years without a problem. My sister uses it now at home. My dad got me a new dell studio. The only problem I had was that I had to buy a new charger after two years. No big deal. I take good care of my computer, though. I defrag once a week, delete temporary files, run anti-virus and anti-spyware programs without fail. Maybe that helped my last computer stay in top shape as long as it did.

For what you pay for a Mac, you can get a PC twice as good.

[beach_terror]

For what you pay for a Mac, you can get a PC twice as good.

Ding ding ding! It's cute when people say Mac are better than PCs when often times they compare an entry level (400ish dollar) PC computer to a 1000+$ Mac. You pay so much for the name on a mac, and they get away with it because they make the hardware for it, gotta love a monopoly. PC's are market driven, so the price of their components are driven down. I'd never buy a Mac because, for the same price, I could get a PC that shits all over it. Excuse my french.

[MC Southstar]

I'm just getting a mac so I can look like a douche and also so I can develop iphone apps in my free time.

[sckon]

I have a laptop which is pretty high end from the constant upgrades I do to it. This laptop will become my fooling around computer. I plan on getting a netbook or a cheap cheap notebook just for the simple task of taking notes. I also plan on getting a cheap desktop for home use.

[Helmholtz]

For what you pay for a Mac, you can get a PC twice as good.

Ding ding ding! It's cute when people say Mac are better than PCs when often times they compare an entry level (400ish dollar) PC computer to a 1000+$ Mac. You pay so much for the name on a mac, and they get away with it because they make the hardware for it, gotta love a monopoly. PC's are market driven, so the price of their components are driven down. I'd never buy a Mac because, for the same price, I could get a PC that shits all over it. Excuse my french.

Actually, I think you guys are confusing "good" for "more powerful hardware." I am on my first Macbook, before that it was all Dells or HPs, and let me tell you, there is no way in hell that I'm going back to a PC anytime soon. Frankly, the people who usually give spiels about PCs being so much better for the money and Mac users being hipster brand whores have never owned a Mac in their life, unlike the huge number of Mac devotees who have had numerous Windows computers.

[sckon]

For what you pay for a Mac, you can get a PC twice as good.

Ding ding ding! It's cute when people say Mac are better than PCs when often times they compare an entry level (400ish dollar) PC computer to a 1000+$ Mac. You pay so much for the name on a mac, and they get away with it because they make the hardware for it, gotta love a monopoly. PC's are market driven, so the price of their components are driven down. I'd never buy a Mac because, for the same price, I could get a PC that shits all over it. Excuse my french.

Actually, I think you guys are confusing "good" for "more powerful hardware." I am on my first Macbook, before that it was all Dells or HPs, and let me tell you, there is no way in hell that I'm going back to a PC anytime soon. Frankly, the people who usually give spiels about PCs being so much better for the money and Mac users being hipster brand whores have never owned a Mac in their life, unlike the huge number of Mac devotees who have had numerous Windows computers.

How much power do you need to operate a word processing program?

[booboo]

For what you pay for a Mac, you can get a PC twice as good.

Ding ding ding! It's cute when people say Mac are better than PCs when often times they compare an entry level (400ish dollar) PC computer to a 1000+$ Mac. You pay so much for the name on a mac, and they get away with it because they make the hardware for it, gotta love a monopoly. PC's are market driven, so the price of their components are driven down. I'd never buy a Mac because, for the same price, I could get a PC that shits all over it. Excuse my french.

Actually, I think you guys are confusing "good" for "more powerful hardware." I am on my first Macbook, before that it was all Dells or HPs, and let me tell you, there is no way in hell that I'm going back to a PC anytime soon. Frankly, the people who usually give spiels about PCs being so much better for the money and Mac users being hipster brand whores have never owned a Mac in their life, unlike the huge number of Mac devotees who have had numerous Windows computers.

For fun.

[Doritos]

For what you pay for a Mac, you can get a PC twice as good.

Ding ding ding! It's cute when people say Mac are better than PCs when often times they compare an entry level (400ish dollar) PC computer to a 1000+$ Mac. You pay so much for the name on a mac, and they get away with it because they make the hardware for it, gotta love a monopoly. PC's are market driven, so the price of their components are driven down. I'd never buy a Mac because, for the same price, I could get a PC that shits all over it. Excuse my french.

Actually, I think you guys are confusing "good" for "more powerful hardware." I am on my first Macbook, before that it was all Dells or HPs, and let me tell you, there is no way in hell that I'm going back to a PC anytime soon. Frankly, the people who usually give spiels about PCs being so much better for the money and Mac users being hipster brand whores have never owned a Mac in their life, unlike the huge number of Mac devotees who have had numerous Windows computers.

How much power do you need to operate a word processing program?

I plan on alt-tabbing between Call of Duty and Word in class.

[beach_terror]

For what you pay for a Mac, you can get a PC twice as good.

Ding ding ding! It's cute when people say Mac are better than PCs when often times they compare an entry level (400ish dollar) PC computer to a 1000+$ Mac. You pay so much for the name on a mac, and they get away with it because they make the hardware for it, gotta love a monopoly. PC's are market driven, so the price of their components are driven down. I'd never buy a Mac because, for the same price, I could get a PC that shits all over it. Excuse my french.

Actually, I think you guys are confusing "good" for "more powerful hardware." I am on my first Macbook, before that it was all Dells or HPs, and let me tell you, there is no way in hell that I'm going back to a PC anytime soon. Frankly, the people who usually give spiels about PCs being so much better for the money and Mac users being hipster brand whores have never owned a Mac in their life, unlike the huge number of Mac devotees who have had numerous Windows computers.

I've never owned a Mac, that's correct. However, I work at my schools UG tech center and I come in contact with my fair share of Macs. Like I said before, I've owned and operated a single desktop for 7+ years and have had multiple other home pc's and laptops, and I've never had a problem. I had a Sony Vaio from like 2001 that we just gave to away to my grandmom that was working perfectly. I never understand how some people find PC's to be unreliable, but then I figure it's people who don't schedule defrags, click on shady pr0n offers (as tempting as they may be), and can't troubleshoot when they do something wrong. I love Windows, but I think that's because I understand computers much more than the "average Mac hipster", and the average Window's user for that matter.

I don't hate Macs, but there's no way in hell I'm spending an extra 600$ for the Apple name when I can get a 400$ pc and make it run much better.

Everyone who comes to the tech center that has done something wrong on their part (ie shady pr0n offers, or trying to watch a TV show on some chinese website) always says "omg I'm so getting a Mac, PCs are so unreliable". I sit back and try not to laugh at them.

[Vincent Vega]

I have a MacBook Pro, and I have been told it is just fine. Make sure you get one that supports Boot Camp so you can install Windows, too, for exam taking (I think all Macs these days work with Boot Camp).

[BruceLee]

jJust get an Acer Timeline. 8+ battery life with half the costs of an Apple and similar specs.

--ImageRemoved--

[sckon]

jJust get an Acer Timeline. 8+ battery life with half the costs of an Apple and similar specs.

--ImageRemoved--

Im sold. Where did you buy it from?

[dextermorgan]

jJust get an Acer Timeline. 8+ battery life with half the costs of an Apple and similar specs.

Find a Apple computer with a 1.3 ghz processor.

[am060459]

go with dell. stay away from hp (lots of motherboard issues). macs are too overrated (if you spend the same amount of money on a dell you can customize it and have it at optimal performance). others simply suk (acer, toshiba, etc use cheap parts).

[beebs]

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 $.

I've had my mac iBook G4 for 4 and 1/2 years. Never had to wipe the hard drive, never had to remove viruses, never lost any data, never crashed.

Can't say the same for the PC's I had that didn't last half as long.

Mac >>> PC

Definitely worth the extra money.

[am060459]

Dell Inspiron 14 Notebook: $1248

SYSTEM COLOR Obsidian Black
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8700 (2.53GHz/1066Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate, 64bit, English
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 - Word, Excel + PowerPoint
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 2 Year Basic Service Plan
In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis: for issues covered by Limited Hardware Warranty, technician and/or part will be dispatched, if necessary, usually in 1 or 2 business days following Remote Diagnosis. During Remote Diagnosis, you may be asked to access the inside of your system (where safe to do so) or to participate in troubleshooting until a cause can be isolated.
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
BATTERY OPTIONS 85 WHr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
HARD DRIVE 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
WIRELESS CARDS IntelJWiFi Link 5100 802.11agn Half Mini-Card
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam w/facial recognition
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0

this laptop has microsoft office added (most dont need this as they already have the CD [$100]), has Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate [$120] (most go with Windows 7 Home Premium) and other features that are not necessary like Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam w/facial recognition ($25). so this laptop comes in around $1000 (minus the features mentioned) while a BASIC Macbook Pro comes in at $1700.

[Vincent Vega]

Dell Inspiron 14 Notebook: $1248

SYSTEM COLOR Obsidian Black
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8700 (2.53GHz/1066Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate, 64bit, English
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 - Word, Excel + PowerPoint
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 2 Year Basic Service Plan
In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis: for issues covered by Limited Hardware Warranty, technician and/or part will be dispatched, if necessary, usually in 1 or 2 business days following Remote Diagnosis. During Remote Diagnosis, you may be asked to access the inside of your system (where safe to do so) or to participate in troubleshooting until a cause can be isolated.
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
BATTERY OPTIONS 85 WHr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
HARD DRIVE 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
WIRELESS CARDS IntelJWiFi Link 5100 802.11agn Half Mini-Card
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam w/facial recognition
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0

this laptop has microsoft office added (most dont need this as they already have the CD [$100]), has Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate [$120] (most go with Windows 7 Home Premium) and other features that are not necessary like Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam w/facial recognition ($25). so this laptop comes in around $1000 (minus the features mentioned) while a BASIC Macbook Pro comes in at $1700.

My MacBook Pro was $1200 and it came with a free iPod Touch.

[am060459]

Dell Inspiron 14 Notebook: $1248

SYSTEM COLOR Obsidian Black
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8700 (2.53GHz/1066Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate, 64bit, English
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 - Word, Excel + PowerPoint
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 2 Year Basic Service Plan
In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis: for issues covered by Limited Hardware Warranty, technician and/or part will be dispatched, if necessary, usually in 1 or 2 business days following Remote Diagnosis. During Remote Diagnosis, you may be asked to access the inside of your system (where safe to do so) or to participate in troubleshooting until a cause can be isolated.
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
BATTERY OPTIONS 85 WHr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
HARD DRIVE 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
WIRELESS CARDS IntelJWiFi Link 5100 802.11agn Half Mini-Card
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam w/facial recognition
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0

this laptop has microsoft office added (most dont need this as they already have the CD [$100]), has Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate [$120] (most go with Windows 7 Home Premium) and other features that are not necessary like Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam w/facial recognition ($25). so this laptop comes in around $1000 (minus the features mentioned) while a BASIC Macbook Pro comes in at $1700.

My MacBook Pro was $1200 and it came with a free iPod Touch.

well i doubt your macbook pro is as good as the dell. compare the specifications.