Recommendations on a laptop for law school

[vkw104]

Hey all,
I'm just beginning to delve into the world of Thinkpads and I was hoping you all could give me some advice.

I'm entering law school in the Fall and would like a rock-solid laptop to last me the 3 years. I'll have a workhorse desktop as well, but I figure to be on campus most of the time. I don't have a ton to spend, so I'm trying to decide between the T410 and Thinkpad Edge. (so $6-800)

Here are a few things that I hope will help you ...help me.
* I'm not sure how to handle battery life. Lenovo is giving free upgrades on batteries but I'm not sure if I need a 9-cell. There are AC adapters everywhere, but would it be wise to just get the larger battery? Even if it juts out?
* I don't plan on playing games or anything on there, so integrated graphics are probably fine.
* I think a lot of my work will be done in word processing, as well as a bunch of time spent online researching.
* Reliability/comfort typing is my number one priority, since I'll be using the laptop for finals.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[ZaZ]

I'd say if you're plugged in most of the time, the larger battery is just going to add more weight. If you find at some point in the future you need more battery life, you can always pick a larger one later. I'd say a T410 over a Edge is a no-brainer.

[pac8819]

I just ordered a t410i for school and it's also going to be my first Thinkpad by the way. It should arrive sometime next week I hope.
T410i/T410 over the edge because it has a larger matte screen which is good since you'll be reading and writing on it a lot. You can also upgrade the resolution to wxga+ (1440x900).. There is a disk drive, Thinklight and some other nice features the edge doesn't have.

*I was originally going to get the 6 cell but since I chose the T410i with "enhanced portability package" , it only allowed me to choose the 9 cell. I'm actually real happy that I got the 9 cell because it doesn't stick out as it did on the older T400 and the battery life is great . Also, like you said, it's a free upgrade at the moment which made my decision for it easy.. I would never have paid extra for it but since it's not extra then why not. I can always buy a smaller 6 cell later if I want.

*Mine is coming with i3-330m processor and integrated graphics. From what I've read, the current intel graphics are more than enough for office work and most other things. It should also help your computer run cooler, quieter and save battery life.

*I'll be doing basically the same type of work and feel the computer will handle these tasks without breaking a sweat.. If you do a lot of multitasking.. maybe try to get 4gb of ram if you can.. the "portability package" also came standard with 4gb of ram which was a plus for me.

*T series is a proven design. I don't like the edge mainly because of the glossy screen, chicklet keys and lack of a disk drive is inconvenient for me when I want it.

The "T410i Enhanced Portability Package" seemed like a great deal to me. I ordered mine early in may and added the wxga+ lcd option along with a couple other things.

update: that one ^^ I was referring to is no longer listed on the website as of today..

[irus]

i used a t42p for my law school and its worked great, t410i should be even better. the only thing is these machines do break down and you should order a 3-4 year warranty onsite nbd (next business day) + 3-4 year TPP (accidental protection). this really gives the requisite peace of mind when you don't have time to bother about computer breakdowns.

[ZaZ]

Accidental is going to push you well above $800 and you have to order it within 30 days of purchase. The regular warranty you can upgrade at any time it's under warranty.

[irus]

law school and life in general is busy unless you want to spend countless weeks/months hassled. accidents happen. and its well worth spending 100 odd dollars extra on tpp than crying over spilt milk later.

as a rule of thumb i keep 25% of my budget for warranties + tpp.

[Navck]

I would recommend you to go in the direction of a X series with an Ultraslim adapter if you want to be more portable. (To some extent, tablet for quick information taking.)

I'd also recommend for you to go to a Microcenter/Frys and find a generic AC cord that is 6 feet long instead of the tiny, 3' cable you're given with the AC adapter and Ultraslim adapter (Tho, carry both, its easier to take the smaller cable out sometimes.)

[vkw104]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I'm not sure how to multi-quote, so I'll just try this way:

> As for the T410 Enhanced Portability package, I was one click away from purchasing it. It looked like an amazing deal, but I decided to sleep on it. Of course, it's now gone.

> I think I'll seriously consider an extended warranty program, but I think my CC covers me another year. It'd just probably be more of a hassle. I'm relatively careful with my stuff (haven't had an accident yet), but of course I probably jinxed it just now.

> The X series looks amazing, as does the 410s, but unfortunately it's a bit out of my price range. The $80x for the T410 Portability package (after taxes) was already pushing it.

The only reason I was considering the Thinkpad Edge was because of the portability and battery life benefits, but it seems the consensus is that the T410 is an all around better choice?

[pac8819]

The only reason I was considering the Thinkpad Edge was because of the portability and battery life benefits, but it seems the consensus is that the T410 is an all around better choice?

I think the edge is still a very good choice if it has everything you want and you don't mind working on the glossy screen. For long periods of reading and writing I prefer matte just because I get headaches easily and feel like it's easier on my eyes. The keyboard differences b/w the T and Edge is probably more personal preference, I'm sure they are both about equal. They also have most of the same ports as the T410 and the 14-15" edge models also have disk drives which I didn't know until now..
So I'd say it basically comes down to overall design and whether you want a glossy or matte screen.

don't forget to use the student store for the education pricing and check to see if there are any other ecoupons you can use.

[ZaZ]

If Lenovo ever restocks the outlet, you could look at the X200, which more likely be in your price range. The downside is you can upgrade from the base warranty and I don't think a lot of the CC warranty extensions cover refurbed units. eBay is another option.

[vkw104]

I think the edge is still a very good choice if it has everything you want and you don't mind working on the glossy screen. For long periods of reading and writing I prefer matte just because I get headaches easily and feel like it's easier on my eyes. The keyboard differences b/w the T and Edge is probably more personal preference, I'm sure they are both about equal. They also have most of the same ports as the T410 and the 14-15" edge models also have disk drives which I didn't know until now..
So I'd say it basically comes down to overall design and whether you want a glossy or matte screen.

don't forget to use the student store for the education pricing and check to see if there are any other ecoupons you can use.

Ah, I think I'm going to be spending a lot of time staring hopelessly at the screen, so I think matte would be the big draw. I completely forgot to factor that in. Thanks for the reminder.

Hmm, no Thinkpads available at my undergrad or law school bookstores, unfortunately.

[pac8819]

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... u_highered

[irus]

you could pick up a fully loaded t60 from ebay for around $400 and buy a post warranty pack for it 41C9281 (2 year nbd onsite) but no TPP. this will give you what you want in your budget.

http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bi ... =en#@2h@60@

[GrandMasterKhan]

x201 with the base and also buy a monitor. lightweight, power and you have a desktop too to work on at home. imo, its a no brainer unless you want to lug all your stuff around. the other positive about an ultraportable is its not too heavy to carry to the restroom to breaks etc. so you dont leave it in the library and find it gone when you get back etc.

imo the T series unless you get the T410s is too heavy to lug around as you will most likely lug the AC adapter with you. Get discrete graphics and then the adapter is even heavier and with books and all its a sure way to develop back problems.

dont worry about cost only efficiency and practicality so you can focus on school imo.

[irus]

.......... its not too heavy to carry to the restroom to breaks etc. so you dont leave it in the library and find it gone when you get back....

.....so you can focus on school imo.....

if i have to carry the laptop to the restroom then where is the focus, more over what exactly are you watching and doing in the restroom that your taking it over there


seriously, if you get a fancy toy most people will be eying it and that will distract you. keep a level head and work within your budget its more than sufficient.

[GrandMasterKhan]

Most universities are in "urban" areas. Be it the students or the "locals," their is a lot of theft in libraries usually for high ticket portable items ie notebooks iPods, mobile phones etc. but not books. New Dehli has no such crime? Never been but hard to believe.

[irus]

New Dehli has no such crime? Never been but hard to believe.

that's not a good argument to defend taking the laptop to the restroom. Time out. topic is going offtrack.

ok so most recommeded T series and GMK recommended X series..

lets keep going.

[eyestrain]

If it were me, I'd skip the desktop, and buy both a nice $150-$300 15" R60, T60, or R52, with intel graphics, for use at home/dorm, and as a backup, and for classes/libe also buy a $150+ 12-13" X model, X40 or newer.

I don't see why anything more than 1.25GB and a Pentium M is needed for office type software. These computers are cool, quieter, cheaper, and still reliable.

For the 15" you could consider one with a higher res SXGA+ screen instead of just XGA, though that might requre or be easier to find with an ATI chip (I don't recall, for R/T60, if SXGA+ without ATI is just uncommon, or not available; maybe only TN SXGA+ in R60, and for IPS you need ATI and T60?)
I'd avoid the R52 with ATI, but the R60 or T60 with ATI should be fine, just a little less reliable, cool, and quiet. You could make your own "Frankenpad" if you really want SXGA+ and don't want the ATI chip, there's posts here about that, George here helped me make the 1st one in my sig. R52 uses cheaper memory than R51 and is a tiny bit faster, but might be a touch louder.

X40 is nice, but if you're going to be using the small model a lot, may be worth paying up for one with a better screen, if it fits the budget. For $150, you could buy a very used but working X40 with no hard drive, some flash to run it, and max out the memory. I haven't priced the newer X models. The X60 tablet offers higher resolution should you want that, and the newer models offer larger 13ish" screens I believe, but still pretty light&small.

For about $15-$30 used/China you can get both a small dock "ultrabase" for the X computer and a "ultrabay" hard drive caddy, which will more easily allow sharing a hard drive between the two computers, if the models' ultrabay types match up. X40,X41,X60,X60tab,R60,T60,R52 all match up using "Ultrabay Slim" so you could have a hard drive that usually sits in the 15" R60 for example, then sometimes goes into the Ultrabase to transfer files to/from the X__ model. You can even take the ultrabase with you, but it adds thickness and a little weight.
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/UltraBase_X4
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/X6_UltraBase
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Ultrabay

If you buy used, be careful and look for advice here first, but you can end up with very good values.

[irus]

i really like the idea of a t60 in the dorm and x30/40 for the classes! very nice eyestrain.

[vkw104]

Whoa, there are a ton of options with Thinkpads. And here I was, thinking accessories were just mousepads and flash drives

The thing is, I built my workhorse desktop in undergrad and it's pretty well-spec'd out. It'd be a pain to break down the parts and sell them, or even to sell the whole thing since it's a custom-job.

The main reason I want a new laptop rather than an older one is warranty/reliability. I know there's that statistic that says a majority of computer failures happen within the first year or so, but I'm going to law school for a reason - I don't like math. But seriously, I have to read more about the Ultrabays...this is the first I've heard of them.

Thanks again for all the help.

Oh, if anyone's keeping score, I'm still leaning towards a T410, but I'm gonna check Ebay for used models and see how the prices match up.

[eyestrain]

New or used, if a main concern is reliability, follow the advice of people here with lots of experience and/or exposure to good info on breakdowns. (not me, but from my reading there do seem to be some with first hand or at least good secondhand knowledge)

Otherwise, you could end up with a new model that is less reliable than a well chosen used one.

One obvious thing for reliabliltiy is to go with integrated graphics, those models seem to be more reliable. At first it might have been mostly T4x models? But lately I've been seeing posts about even T6x models with discrete graphics problems, and not just Nvidia, occasionally ATI too. Others will know much more about this...

[Navck]

A personal piece of advice, if you have to leave your laptop unattended, it should be within your LoS and also within your personal reach of "punching any potential run-off-with-your-Thinkpad-types."

That or put your Thinkpad into suspended, load it into your bag and walk into the restroom that way.

Also, don't leave your Thinkpad OR bag in a car, especially if it screams laptop bag. Thinkpads might not look as shiny as a HP or Sony or Macbook/Pro but you're more or less likely to have it taken from you as a penalty for negligence.

However, you can ignore most of this advice if you happen to live where the closest streetlight is about 15 miles, your driveway is over three miles long and you can leave the keys in your car when its parked in town.

Edit: Personal thing, I get a 3 year warranty with my Thinkpads. First year covers any potential failures, second year lets me replace the keyboard if it gets shiny, third year if the fan starts growling.

[vkw104]

Quick question,
Does anyone know the difference between the L and T models? It is it just you trade weight for being "greener"/cost?

[pac8819]

Does anyone know the difference between the L and T models? It is it just you trade weight for being "greener"/cost?

My dad just got one of the SL models which is very similar to the L. I think it's a real nice notebook, there are small difference between the L and T series. You can order an L series with basically all the same internal components as a T series so the biggest difference is the screen, case and location of some things.

-The lcd screen on the 14" L is a wider 16x9 ratio with 1366x768 resolution. The T410 is a taller 16x10 ratio screen which comes in either 1280x800 or 1440x900(option) resolution. I like 16x10 because it's what I'm used to using all the time and I wanted the 1440x900 resolution.

-The cases are very similar but the T410 is a hair thinner.. The difference in width and depth is mainly due to the 16x9 vs 16x10 displays. Here are the exact dimensions H x W x D:
T410- (27.6 to 31.9) mm x 333.5mm x 239mm/ 5.0lbs (6 Cell) vs. L412- (32 to 36) mm x 344 mm x 233 mm/ 5.22 lbs (6 cell)

-The speakers are located to the sides of the keyboard on the T and on the L they are located below the screen on the lid.
Build quality is a strong point for all Thinkpads so I wouldn't imagine they are much different in that regard.. I've used my dads SL510 a few times while waiting for my T410 and it feels light and solid. I can't really think of any other differences worth noting.. T series also has the Thinklight which you may or may not care about.

[vkw104]

My dad just got one of the SL models which is very similar to the L. I think it's a real nice notebook, there are small difference between the L and T series. You can order an L series with basically all the same internal components as a T series so the biggest difference is the screen, case and location of some things.

-The lcd screen on the 14" L is a wider 16x9 ratio with 1366x768 resolution. The T410 is a taller 16x10 ratio screen which comes in either 1280x800 or 1440x900(option) resolution. I like 16x10 because it's what I'm used to using all the time and I wanted the 1440x900 resolution.

-The cases are very similar but the T410 is a hair thinner.. The difference in width and depth is mainly due to the 16x9 vs 16x10 displays. Here are the exact dimensions H x W x D:
T410- (27.6 to 31.9) mm x 333.5mm x 239mm/ 5.0lbs (6 Cell) vs. L412- (32 to 36) mm x 344 mm x 233 mm/ 5.22 lbs (6 cell)

-The speakers are located to the sides of the keyboard on the T and on the L they are located below the screen on the lid.
Build quality is a strong point for all Thinkpads so I wouldn't imagine they are much different in that regard.. I've used my dads SL510 a few times while waiting for my T410 and it feels light and solid. I can't really think of any other differences worth noting.. T series also has the Thinklight which you may or may not care about.

Ahhh, I see. Thanks for the in-depth info. Always good to have more options when the next round of promotions/sales come up. Does anyone have a handle on how often they happen?

[GrandMasterKhan]

you might have attended IIT in India but you probably have not attended a US university. As I said most people DO take their laptop to the restroom esp if studying alone at the library. Otherwise, it WILL be GONE. lol.

[irus]

lol ill keep that in mind when i come to a us university.

[underclocker]

You've received a lot of good info already.

Here's my take.

Luckily, at least the computing demands for law school are low. Nearly any laptop made in the last 5 years will work just fine.

Since you have the desktop / in room part taken care of, I think leaning toward a more portable solution is the right way to go. The T410s is pretty much the ideal all-around machine. It's lighter than most (maybe all) 14" widescreen laptops, plus it sacrifices nothing. It has an optical drive, 6 cell battery, etc.

If you don't want to stretch for a T410s, and you want to stay under $800 range, I'd focus on finding a T400s. Routinely, they are available on eBay for under $900. Sometimes barely used, sometimes in sealed boxes! You may not get an SSD model for the price, but if you want the camera and your law schoool permits it, you might find one equipped with the camera. Many will have existing warranty remaining.

Here is a perfect example, with warranty for $889 delivered, model 2801-AQU with Webcam, Bluetooth, etc., pick it up! --> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0633063968

I'd say the T400s is the only way to go.

P.S. If you're considering leaving a laptop unattended, even by your side while chatting on the phone, it will be stolen. Many people have laptops stolen while they are holding them! You will get much more satisfaction from tossing your new ThinkPad in a lake. While in public, never let it out of your site. Never.

[dorronto]

"You will get much more satisfaction from tossing your new ThinkPad in a lake."



...I love it Ed....true true statement..

Ron

[RealBlackStuff]

T400 plus lots of extras: $650.- http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=87215