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I know a laptop isn't required at all schools, but I still think I'm going to upgrade from my netbook. Does any one know what a good laptop for law school is?

MRAJ wrote:I know a laptop isn't required at all schools, but I still think I'm going to upgrade from my netbook. Does any one know what a good laptop for law school is?

IBMBP. Also, please, please, please use the search function at the bottom of the page. TYIA.

13 inch MBP FTW.

I am thinking about getting a new Mac as well. Will it be a real problem for me that programs like One Note and testing software(?) don't work on a Mac. Would I have to partition the hard drive?

I would definitely talk to the school and ask what works best with their system... I know that GW purposely makes their system hard for Mac users to use, as they prefer PCs and for undergrad you could only register for classes on a PC (Mac users had to go to the library at 7 am to register for classes)

mbusch22 wrote:13 inch MBP FTW.

+1. specifically the 13 inch. fits in lots of places


(that's what she said)

If you're getting a MBP, wait a couple of weeks, there's a refresh coming probably that might put the i5 in the 13 inch, plus there's the free iPod.

TheStrand wrote:If you're getting a MBP, wait a couple of weeks, there's a refresh coming probably that might put the i5 in the 13 inch, plus there's the free iPod.

This is solid advice. The consensus seems to be that the new ones should be coming out in April.

TheStrand wrote:If you're getting a MBP, wait a couple of weeks, there's a refresh coming probably that might put the i5 in the 13 inch, plus there's the free iPod.

This is solid advice. The consensus seems to be that the new ones should be coming out in April.

Pick what you prefer, there is no best.

If you like Macs/OSX, get a Macbook Pro. If you like Windows or want more bang for your buck, get a quality Windows machine (Asus Ultralight series and Lenovo Thinkpad series are my picks but Sony Vaios are supposed to be good as well).

As for specs: you don't need much power, a Core 2 Duo or i3 will be just fine. You won't need much RAM, a couple gigs is more than enough. How big a HDD you get will have to do with how much space you need for storing things like music. You want something portable but not too small so a screen size in the 13-14 inch range would be ideal (15+ is too big, 12- is too small). Overall, you will probably just be surfing the web, wordprocessing, and watching videos so it really doesn't need to be all that powerful.

You can get a Asus UL or Thinkpad Edge for around 600, that's what I would get if I were in the market for one now.

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I would get the 11" Thinkpad x100e. It's ultra convenient for carrying around. Then, have a 23" monitor in you dorm, so you can plug it in when you are in your room.

Oh, and if you're worried about getting a mac and having issues with software, all macs from the last couple of years and all the new ones have Boot Camp; you can partition and then install Windows and switch off depending on what you want to do wiht your laptop, and the awesome thing is that most campus computer stores have heavily discounted student software. Like Windows 7 for $20 so I wouldn't necessarily worry about that too much.

ExamSoft works on Macs now too. Actually worked better than most PCs during my exams. (doesn't do the weird shut-down thing right before the exam, either)

icpb wrote:I would get the 11" Thinkpad x100e. It's ultra convenient for carrying around. Then, have a 23" monitor in you dorm, so you can plug it in when you are in your room.

11" is kind of cramped for typing a several hour long exam, at least in my opinion.

Personally, I have a 15.4" that I hauled around throughout undergrad and it will be what I am taking to law school. I don't mind carrying the extra size/weight (I'm used to it) and having a 1920x1200 screen resolution (something that is rare even in 15" laptops, iirc) is a godsend when it comes to putting two documents or web pages up side by side.

I cannot stand Macs. I grew up on PC. The feel of Macbooks makes me nauseous. Cool story, bro.

icpb wrote:I would get the 11" Thinkpad x100e. It's ultra convenient for carrying around. Then, have a 23" monitor in you dorm, so you can plug it in when you are in your room.

Have you ever tried to type 6,000 words in 3 hours on an 11-inch keyboard?

kalvano wrote:

icpb wrote:I would get the 11" Thinkpad x100e. It's ultra convenient for carrying around. Then, have a 23" monitor in you dorm, so you can plug it in when you are in your room.

Have you ever tried to type 6,000 words in 3 hours on an 11-inch keyboard?

I intend on keeping a keyboard with me for emergency situations. I understand it may be difficult but hopefully having smaller hands will help, lol

youngblood wrote:

kalvano wrote:

icpb wrote:I would get the 11" Thinkpad x100e. It's ultra convenient for carrying around. Then, have a 23" monitor in you dorm, so you can plug it in when you are in your room.

Have you ever tried to type 6,000 words in 3 hours on an 11-inch keyboard?

I intend on keeping a keyboard with me for emergency situations. I understand it may be difficult but hopefully having smaller hands will help, lol

Just get a 13" or 14" computer. It's not that much more expensive, and trust me, it's well worth it for exams and notes.

It is more expensive when you already have the net book....

youngblood wrote:

kalvano wrote:

icpb wrote:I would get the 11" Thinkpad x100e. It's ultra convenient for carrying around. Then, have a 23" monitor in you dorm, so you can plug it in when you are in your room.

Have you ever tried to type 6,000 words in 3 hours on an 11-inch keyboard?

I intend on keeping a keyboard with me for emergency situations. I understand it may be difficult but hopefully having smaller hands will help, lol

How do you casually "keep a keyboard with you"? That sounds like a pain. If anything you'd only need the spare keyboard for exams. If you're trying to furiously type notes during class you're probably taking too may notes anyway.

Acer 1830t. Only $500 and has been generally awesome.

Buy an Asus with an i3 processor.

If you want a Windows OS, Toshiba makes awesome laptops. I've had one now for 9 years (that's right), and it's running like the day I bought it. Lenovo seems to be the laptop of choice for business, though everyone I know who has one is always complaining about them. The Sony Vaio is also a high quality machine. I had one for five years and sold it, and it ran perfectly throughout that time.