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What Laptop Should I Get For Law School?
Before you go out and buy a big computer, remember what you’re going to use it for.
If you’re going into law school, you’ll need a computer for most of your classes. It will likely be used for emailing professors, saving files, opening PDFs, using file sharing, and writing lots of papers.
You don’t necessarily have to buy a high-end computer if you’re just starting. However, you will want a reliable one, that has an adequate size screen to watch videos or write papers, and is comfortable for long periods.
For your convenience, we recommend that you look for a computer that is light enough to carry around school or to the coffee shop.
1. RAM And Storage
The amount of RAM and storage needed depends on how much data you store. If you’re working on a research paper, you’ll want to save everything in one place. You might even consider saving multiple versions of your work.
For example, you could save the original draft, a copy that you’ve edited, and a final version ready for submission.
If you’re writing a term paper, you probably don’t need to save every single word. Instead, you can use a text editor like Microsoft Word to save each section of your paper separately.
You can also save a file to your computer in “read-only” mode. This way, you won’t accidentally make changes to the document while you’re working on it.
2. Battery Life
Unless you’re going after “that person” whose seat is always next to the power outlets, you need a computer that has a long charge time. Law school can be pretty stressful, so not wanting to constantly worry about whether your computer’s batteries are running out is something you don’t want to deal with.
You can purchase extra batteries for your laptop, but you need to shut it down first. Also, some laptops require special screws or other hardware to remove their battery casings. For example, if you’re using an Apple laptop, you might not even be able to replace its battery by yourself.
If you’re considering buying a new laptop, then it makes sense to look at laptops that can last longer than just two hours. You want something that can last you throughout several classes, or until you take a break to recharge it.
3. Weight
We were serious about carrying your computer around. Consider this carefully. A typical laptop weighs between two and eight pounds. Usually, the heavier the laptop, the larger its screen and the longer its batteries last.
Eighteen kilograms might not sound like much, but keep in mind that you’re going to be carrying this backpack for hours at a time. You don’t want it weighing down your shoulders all the time.
You should also take into account the additional pounds of equipment you might need for your computer. It is better to opt for a lighter computer so that you can carry it around easily.
5. Display Quality
The most important thing about a durable laptop is how large the display is. If you don’t like looking down at a tiny screen, you’ll probably end up hating law school. A 15-inch screen is ideal because it gives you plenty of room to work comfortably while still being small enough to fit into your backpack.
If you plan on doing a lot of writing, you might want to consider getting a model with a touchscreen. This allows you to use one hand to type away, saving both space and energy.
You’ll also want to make sure that your computer has good hours of battery life. Laptops tend to run hot, especially if you do a lot of video editing or gaming. Make sure that your laptop doesn’t overheat and shut itself off during class.
6. Processing Power
Processing power is one of those things that seems like it ought to be simple. After all, we measure processor speeds in gigahertz—that’s just a fancy way of saying “a billion cycles per second.” So, why are there so many different ways to express processor speed? Why are some processors faster than others? What exactly is a gigahertz anyway? How much difference does it make? These questions are what we’ll answer today.
The most common way to talk about processor speed is to say something like “Intel Core i7-8700K CPU @ 4.20GHz,” which tells us three things:
1. Intel’s latest flagship chip, the 8700K, runs at 4.2GHz.
2. That’s the base clock speed. It’s the highest base clock speed of any consumer desktop processor ever produced.
3. It’s running at stock settings.
That’s great information to know, but it doesn’t tell us anything about how fast the computer itself is. For example, let’s say I’m comparing two computers side by side. One says it has a 2.8GHz processor, while the other says it has a 3.0GHz processor. Which one is faster?
System Requirements For Law School Laptops
Your laptop should be able to handle basic tasks without crashing. It should have enough storage space for your files and programs, and its processor should be fast enough to run them smoothly.
If you don’t know anything about computers, these are fairly easy to figure out for yourself. You may be able to get them from the manufacturer’s website or by looking up the part number online. And even if you don’t understand the technical jargon, most stores selling electronic equipment will be able to help you.
If you want to buy a new computer, here’s a list of things you should look for when buying a new computer.
However, the best specs will ensure the fastest and best-performing law school laptop.
Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 or above Intel Core i7 8GB DDR4 16GB DDR4 256GB SSD 512GB SSD At least 13.3-inch No more than a 15-inch FHD IPS as you will be carrying it a lot Any Integrated Intel Graphics would be enough 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Up to 4 hours Up to 12 hours MS Windows 10 or any Apple OS higher than version 10.13
The Top 6 Laptops For Law Students
There are lots of great laptops available for law students. But if you’re looking for the best laptop for law students, there are a couple of key factors to consider.
First, you should think about how you plan to use your laptop. Do you primarily write papers or take notes? Or maybe you prefer to browse the web and watch movies? Whatever you decide, you’ll want to find a laptop that suits your needs.
Second, you’ll want to pay close attention to the specs. You’ll want to make sure that your laptop has enough RAM and storage space to handle whatever tasks you might throw at it. And you’ll want to make sure that it has a fast processor speed.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure your laptop is comfortable to hold. After all, you’ll spend hours upon hours using it every day. So you’ll want to make certain that it fits comfortably in your hands.
We’ve tested dozens of quality laptops for lawyers and narrowed down the list to six of the best ones. These laptops were chosen after extensive testing and analysis. Each of them offers excellent performance, comfort, and value.
So whether you’re looking for a basic laptop for studying or a powerful laptop for researching, you’ll find a great option here.
Read through the entire article to learn more about the best laptops for law school students.
1. Microsoft Surface
This is a great laptop for law students. Not only does it have all the right features, but it also comes with a lot of versatility. It’s got a kickstand and an attachable keyboard, so you can convert it into a tablet if you’d like. And it’s got lots of portability benefits. It’s lightweight, small in size, and has a slim profile.
Plus, it’s got lots of memory options. You can choose between 8GB RAM / 128 GB storage, 16GB RAM / 512 GB storage, or 32GB RAM / 1TB storage. There’s no limit to how much memory you can add.
And it’s got a ton of connectivity options. It has USB 3.1 Type C, USB 2.0, HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, SD card reader, headphone jack, and microphone. All the connections you need are here.
There’s also a bunch of accessories available. You can charge the battery using the built-in charger, use a pen, attach an external monitor, or use a wireless keyboard.
In addition to all those portability benefits, there are also a bunch of security features. It has Windows Hello facial recognition, a fingerprint scanner, and iris scanning.
So whether you’re studying or working, this is a great laptop for gaming and students.
Pros
This is a great overall best laptop for law school. It’s versatile, powerful, and ready to work right away. You won’t be disappointed if you buy this computer.
The Microsoft Surface Pro X is a tablet/laptop hybrid that runs on an Intel processor. It has a high-resolution display and a long battery life. Plus, there’s a front and rear webcam for video conferencing or recording lectures. And it comes in two muted color options.
Because it’s Microsoft, it comes ready for activation of Microsoft 365 and other Microsoft software. Plus, it comes preloaded with Microsoft Office 2019.
You’ll love that the Surface Pro X is versatile, powerful, and ready for immediate use. It’s a great overall best affordable laptop.
Cons
That last pro could be a con. Because so many people utilize iPhones, a Microsoft laptop cool might feel like unchartered ground. If you’ve utilized Macs in the past then it’ll require some getting used to. Nonetheless, it’s an intuitive interface and simple to understand the system.
2. Acer Swift 3
For students studying law, there are two main reasons why you should consider getting the Acer Swift 3 instead of buying a cheaper model. First, it has a larger display screen than most affordable laptops. Second, it comes with eight gigabytes of memory. These are important factors if you plan on using your laptop for multiple purposes, including taking notes during class, watching movies, playing games, etc.
But before you rush out and purchase the Acer Swift 3, keep in mind that it doesn’t come with a built-in battery. As a result, you will need to either charge it every day or carry a power adapter with you wherever you go. And since it costs $649.99, you might want to think twice before purchasing it.
However, if you’re looking for a cheap compact laptop for college or high school, then the Acer Swift 3 is worth considering. It’s affordable, highly portable, and offers plenty of storage space. Plus, it comes with a great warranty. If you’re interested in learning more about it, read our review here.
Pros
This laptop is thin and lightweight. It’s great for students who spend a lot of time studying.
There’s plenty of space inside the laptop for storing books, papers, or notes. Plus, its sleek design makes it look pretty cool. You can store all your important documents right here.
This laptop has a bright 13.3-inch display with a crisp 1920 x 1080 resolution. There’s a wide viewing angle, so you won’t have any problems watching movies or playing games.
The keyboard is comfortable and responsive. Its keys are spaced well enough for fast typing. And, it’s spill-proof. No matter how much coffee you drink, the keyboard will still work fine.
The touchpad is smooth and responsive. It works perfectly for scrolling through web pages or using gestures.
Acer claims that this laptop lasts up to 11.5 Hours on a single charge. But if you plan on spending all day working, you might want to consider getting a bigger battery.
The USB Type C port lets you connect to multiple devices at once.
This laptop is backed by a 1-year warranty.
Cons
This laptop may have a decent battery life, but it doesn’t seem like it’s worth the price tag. You won’t be able to expand its RAM or storage capacity, either. And it seems like it would be hard to find a replacement part for it since it’s discontinued.
People also complain about the webcam and speakers being low quality. Since this laptop isn’t upgradable, you might want to consider getting a computer that’s compatible with Windows 10 instead.
3. LG Gram Laptop
This is the ideal laptop if you plan on doing a lot of studying or working on documents during law school. You won’t have to worry about running out of battery life. And since it’s made by LG, you know it will perform well.
The LG Gram laptop comes with a 15.6-inch display and 8GB RAM. That should be plenty of space to store files and run multiple programs simultaneously without any lag. And thanks to its Intel processor, it’s powerful enough to handle anything you throw at it.
The LG Gram is also equipped with a backlit keyboard, 3D audio rendering, and Intel HD graphics. All of those features combine to give you a comfortable experience while using this laptop.
So if you’re planning on getting a new laptop for law school, consider the LG Gram. It’s a powerhouse that lasts longer than most other laptops on the market today.
Pros
This LG Gram laptop comes with a 15.6-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It’s also highly praised for its audio and graphics capabilities. It has 2-cell lithium-ion batteries, which makes it last all day and all night long. And since it weighs less than 3 pounds, it won’t weigh down your backpack or bag.
The laptop also comes with a USB port, HDMI port, Ethernet port, SD card slot, and headphone jack. You can connect your smartphone, tablet, printer, etc., through the USB port.
There’s also a built-in webcam and microphone, so you can record video calls and conduct live chats with your family members.
In terms of performance, the laptop has a quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 128 GB SSD storage space, and Windows 10 operating system.
The laptop also supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology, Bluetooth 4.0, and a fingerprint reader.
As far as durability goes, the laptop has a scratch-resistant glass screen size, aluminum chassis, and magnesium alloy hinges.
Cons
This light laptop doesn’t come with a lot of storage space. While it does include a 1TB hard drive, it only comes with 8GB of RAM. You might find yourself running low on room for files or programs after a while.
While it does have a sleek light design, its price tag is a bit high. At $1,299, this laptop isn’t cheap. But if you’re willing to spend a little extra cash, this is a great option.
It’s also worth noting that this laptop uses Windows 10 Home instead of Windows 10 Pro. If you plan on using this computer for school work, you might want to consider getting Windows 10 Professional instead.
So if you’re looking for a powerful laptop that will last all day and all night, then the LG Gram laptop should be on your list.
4. Lenovo Yoga
This is a great laptop if you’re looking for a powerful computer that will last throughout your entire law career. You won’t find anything else quite like it.
The Lenovo Yoga is a high-end laptop with a built-in keyboard and touchpad. Its large size makes it ideal for viewing documents or playing games. There is 16 GB RAM, which is enough for all of your important documents and files.
Windows 10 Home is preinstalled, which means you’ll be able to customize the operating system to suit your needs. And the screen resolution is a gorgeous 4k display for law school, which should allow you to view any document or game without pixelation.
There is also 2 GB of dedicated graphics storage, which should be sufficient for all of your gaming needs.
With its sleek light design, fast performance, and long battery life, this is a fine choice for anyone looking for a powerful expensive laptop that will last throughout their legal career.
Pros
This light laptop has a lot of great qualities, including a sleek design, long battery life, and a high-resolution bright display system. And the price isn’t bad either. You can buy this friendly laptop for less than $1,000. But don’t let its price fool you. There are lots of reasons why this computer is a great choice for law school.
Here are a few of the pros of getting this laptop:
• It has a powerful graphics processor.
• Its large hard drive means that you won’t run out of space any time soon.
• Its long battery life means that you won’t have to worry about running out of power during lectures or exams.
• Its high-resolution display makes studying easier.
• It comes with Windows 10 Pro, which gives you access to Microsoft Office 365.
Cons
This is probably the heaviest laptop that you’ll ever buy. You won’t find any laptops that weigh less than 3 lbs., so you might want to think about getting a backpack or carrying case.
Another thing you should know is that this laptop isn’t cheap. It costs $2,000, which is pretty expensive for a laptop. But you wouldn’t expect anything else from Apple, would you?
So if you’re thinking about buying this laptop, you’d better be prepared to pay a lot of money for it. And if you’re planning to carry it everywhere, you’d better invest in a nice backpack or carrying case.
5. ASUS UX333FA-AB77 ZenBook
With its ultra-slim profile, this laptop is ideal for students who want a powerful machine that fits easily in their bag or backpack. Whether you’re doing research, writing papers, editing documents, or watching movies, this laptop makes it easier than ever to stay productive wherever life takes you.
Its sleek durable design and compact size make it ideal for travel, whether you’re commuting between classes or heading off on vacation. And thanks to its military-grade TPM chip, this laptop offers total peace of mind.
A one-touch login lets you log in quickly and securely, and its exclusive OneKey™ function means you never have to worry about losing track of your passwords again. You can also customize your settings using the dedicated buttons on the keyboard, including adjusting brightness, volume, and audio playback.
This laptop comes preloaded with Windows 10 Pro, giving you access to the latest version of Microsoft Office 365 and thousands of apps available through the Windows Store. And thanks to its built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology, you can connect wirelessly to fast networks anywhere you go.
The 13.3-inch IPS display delivers brilliant color accuracy and wide viewing angles, letting you enjoy crisp, detailed images even if you’re sitting farther away. Its NanoEdge panel minimizes distractions by eliminating distracting bezels, allowing you to focus on your work without being distracted by extraneous elements.
This laptop also boasts a premium keyboard made with anti-glare keys, which helps reduce glare and reflections to keep your eyes comfortable during long periods of study.
For added convenience, this laptop has integrated stereo speakers and dual microphones for improved voice clarity and noise cancellation. Plus, it supports Dolby Audio Premium for rich, immersive sound.
This laptop comes equipped with a 256GB SSD drive, which provides ample storage for your files and programs. Thanks to its speedy PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slot, you can add additional storage capacity with just a simple adapter card.
To keep your laptop running smoothly, this model features 8th Generation Intel® Core™ processors, providing faster performance and longer battery life.
Pros
This laptop is great for law school students because it’s fast, has plenty of storage, is easy to use, and comes with an ASUS warranty. You can use professional-grade software on it and it has lots of ports for integration and presentation purposes.
The extended battery life should last you through your entire day, so you won’t have to worry about running out of juice during class or exams. And since it’s made by ASUS, you know that it’s built to last.
There are a lot of laptops out there, but this one stands above the others thanks to its faster speed, storage space, ease of use, and warranty. It’s a great choice for law school students!
Cons
There are two major cons to buying this laptop. First off, the price. At $1,299, this laptop isn’t cheap. But if you want something that’s going to last and give the best experience possible, then this might be worth the price.
Another con is the size. While it’s smaller than the MacBook Pro 13″, it still feels quite large. You won’t feel cramped using this laptop, but it’s bigger than the average 11″.
But despite its size, this laptop offers great performance. It comes equipped with an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB RAM. And since it’s running Windows 10 Home, you’ll enjoy access to Microsoft Office 365, OneDrive storage, Skype, and more.
Overall, this laptop is a solid choice for students who want a powerful machine that lasts. But if you’re looking for something cheaper or smaller, then consider our next pick instead.
6. Flagship Dell Inspiron 15
This is a great choice if you’re planning on doing a lot of law school research. You won’t have any problems running multiple programs at once or accessing your law school files quickly thanks to its powerful quad-core i7 processor. And since it has a 12 MB cache memory, you’ll be able to access your files faster.
Plus, it comes equipped with an Intel Iris Xe graphics card, which means you’ll be able to play games and watch movies without any trouble.
This laptop is built well enough to last through years of heavy usage. It has a metal body, so it can withstand bumps and falls without any problems. And it has a very sturdy build, so you won’t have to worry about the computer breaking down.
The laptop is also very slim and lightweight, so you can carry it around easily. Plus, its hinge is very strong, so there’s no risk of the screen wobbling or falling off.
The Dell Inspiron 15 is a great choice if you’re looking for a laptop that won’t heat up or run out of power. It has excellent thermals, so you won’t have to worry about the computer overheating. And its average battery life is really impressive. You can use it all day without worrying about it running out of juice.
This laptop has a very good battery backup, so you’ll be able to use it all day without having to recharge it. Its 6-cell 70.9 Whr Long-Life Battery can last for up to nine hours on a single charge, so you’ll be fine using it all day without needing to plug it in.
The Dell Inspiron also has fast charging technology, so you can charge it quickly. It takes only 1 hour and 40 minutes to fully charge the battery. So, you’ll be able to start working right away after getting it charged.
A great laptop for law school should have enough memory to handle all of your law school needs. You’ll need lots of RAM to open multiple programs simultaneously, and fast memory speeds to keep everything running smoothly.
So if you’re looking for a laptop that has plenty of memory and extra speed, consider getting the Dell Inspiron 15. It comes with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB M PCIe SSD. Both of those specs are ideal for law school.
This laptop has plenty of memory and a fast SSD, so you’ll be able to open multiple programs at once without any problems. And since it has a fast processor, you’ll be able to boot up quickly and load programs quickly.
This laptop comes with a 15. FHD display. It’s very clear and has an anti-glare feature. You won’t have trouble seeing anything on the screen size. And since it’s anti-glare, you can use it in any environment.
But if you want to use it as a tablet, you’ll have to turn off the touch function. Since it’s a touchscreen, you can use it as a tablet. But you’ll have to disable the touch function.
The display is also very bright, which means you can use it in almost any environment.