Great advice from everyone. I am convinced more and more on the 13" for the bigger screen, yet portability at the same time. I don't want to be mid semester and always hoping for a better screen. I'm sure the 13" is portable enough
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MBA for Law School- Yes or No? 13 or 11?
- Thread starter erialvzz805
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I am finishing my 1L year right now. Last exam on thursday and then it is HOOORAAYY BEER! That said, I moved from a 13" Pro to an 11" i7 air and it has been amazing. A few classmates have the 13" but I can say without a doubt the 11" packs a punch and I use it exclusively with no other desktop to back me up or ext. monitor. I have had no other needs. My papers have been all done on this computer as well as some excel work for a financial consulting job I have been doing too. The extra 2" saved helps a ton. I would opt for the 11" any day and I was worried initially. After a day or two of usage, there were no more doubts! Those textbooks are beasts! By the time you get 2 Casebooks, an outline and 2 E&E's in your backpack with your laptop and are carrying a hornbook, you'll be very grateful.
That said - get DROPBOX!!! A time capsule wouldn't hurt either. I run a 2TB in my apartment. I have no worries ever with my stuff. I am always safe and backed up.
Good luck!
That said - get DROPBOX!!! A time capsule wouldn't hurt either. I run a 2TB in my apartment. I have no worries ever with my stuff. I am always safe and backed up.
Good luck!
Can somebody please tell me what Time Capsule does exactly. I mean i know it backs up your computer, but can you save files/movies/songs/ there specifically and still have access to them through the computer? i.e save songs on time capsule and play them on my laptop, save photos on time capsule and still access them on my computer?
TimeCapsule is just an Apple WiFi router with a hard disk in it, a Network Storage device if you like. You can store anything on it or use Time Machine on your Mac to make automatic backups to it. You could achieve the same thing with any NAS or Apple Airport with USB drive plugged in.
The 11" is great, but also consider what you'll do with the computer when you're not taking notes in class, writing, researching, or whatever else you law school kids do (med school FTW!).
But seriously, I had an 11" and traded up to a 13" not only for the extra height for the pixels meant less scrolling through documents, but also because when I wanted to kick back and watch an episode of HIMYM or South Park I had a bigger screen to enjoy.
The extra 0.5lbs won't do anything to you or your back, it's going to be the books that kills it. So yes, the 11" is more portable and "cooler" but the 13" is more practical in terms of work AND life use.
But seriously, I had an 11" and traded up to a 13" not only for the extra height for the pixels meant less scrolling through documents, but also because when I wanted to kick back and watch an episode of HIMYM or South Park I had a bigger screen to enjoy.
The extra 0.5lbs won't do anything to you or your back, it's going to be the books that kills it. So yes, the 11" is more portable and "cooler" but the 13" is more practical in terms of work AND life use.
My advice is get a macbook air but do not go to law school. More lawyers is the last thing we need.
I thought about the same thing. Then I got accepted and my mind changed immediately.
I guess trying out the 11 first to see how I like it wouldnt be a bad idea.
I finished law school a couple of years ago. My recommendation is to buy the computer that the school's IT supports and is also compatible with the exam taking software. A computer in law school is not about coolness, computing power, or portability, but rather a law school computer needs to be bullet-proof when it comes to running the exam software. The best computer in the world is of no use if no one can diagnose and fix a problem during the first hour of a four hour exam. In addition, writing for 3 hours non-stop is not fun.
If programs such as Examsoft work on an MBA then get an MBA. The extra size of the 13 is easier on the eyes. Also, if using MS Word, there is Notebook layout that supports audio notes keyed to your typed notes - just need to get a USB microphone since the internal mike picks up keystrokes. Greatest thing ever for notetaking - if you missed something you can type in go back to audio notes and they audio recording can be cued directly to your "go back to audio notes" typed.
Good luck.
If programs such as Examsoft work on an MBA then get an MBA. The extra size of the 13 is easier on the eyes. Also, if using MS Word, there is Notebook layout that supports audio notes keyed to your typed notes - just need to get a USB microphone since the internal mike picks up keystrokes. Greatest thing ever for notetaking - if you missed something you can type in go back to audio notes and they audio recording can be cued directly to your "go back to audio notes" typed.
Good luck.
As a current law student, yes it will be fine as long as you get an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The external monitor is great for writing papers..one for the paper and one for research. Also, don't get the apple display...ridiculously overpriced.
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At my school, yes
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At my school, yes
Accord. While I love the 11, if I was relying on an MBA at law school, and in the library, and on the sofa, I'd go for the 13.
And always listen to advice from someone with "fsu" in their name.
I am a 4th year med student and I went with the MBP for the added power. I have to create a lot of slideshows for school and what, and while the MBA is an amazing machine (I own one) I use my MBP for school. Plus a lot of my textbooks come with CD;s that my professors use during lessons so being able to load the CD without having to carry around an external was a huge plus me. You also may benefit from the extra power depending how intense law school it. Anyway thats just my .02 from a medical student.
Consider how important battery life is to you. Also I highly recommend getting 4gb of RAM over 2gb. I currently have mail, safari and iTunes open on my mac using 3,1 gb of RAM. Mountain Lion and future software will only require more powerful components. The RAM in the Macbook air is not user replaceable.
Loyola Law School student here.
there are about 90 people in my section. I would say about 40 own the 13" macbook pro. ~20 own other older gen macs, ~10 own MBAs, and the rest are windows laptops.
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Say goodbye to your eyes.
there are about 90 people in my section. I would say about 40 own the 13" macbook pro. ~20 own other older gen macs, ~10 own MBAs, and the rest are windows laptops.
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Say goodbye to your eyes.
In your law school experience, have you guys ran into situations where you need the CD drive of your computer? i.e the textbooks/casebooks come with CD inserts?
you could just get the separate superdrive for the mba. Or you could use remote drive, if you have another windows computer/laptop.
If you are going to be taking the air w/ you everywhere get the 13" just because of the bigger battery. PPT, videos, reading over big size files use more battery than basic doc editing. The 13" might last you a day's class +more w/out having to carry the power plug everywhere like you would w/ the 11"
This. Battery is a big perk in the 13". Battery + real estate = no brainer for a sole computer*. Buying some cheap monitor with poor resolution to plug your svelte MBA into is like slapping some giant plastic case on a naked iPhone
.*I'm just a poor scientist not a law student.
I don't want to derail this thread too much, but as an attorney I feel it is my obligation to warn you against attending law school unless you've already looked into the deceptive employment outcomes posted on law schools' webpages and you've realized the amount of nondischargeable debt you'll take on to earn a JD. I went to a T14 and ended up with what I consider a dream job, but I am sickened by the law school deans and professors who are leaving an entire generation of law students with crippeling debt loads and few employment opportunities.
To answer your original question: the major test taking software -- like Electronic Bluebook and ExamSoft -- all run on Macs. You'll be fine with a MBA.
To answer your original question: the major test taking software -- like Electronic Bluebook and ExamSoft -- all run on Macs. You'll be fine with a MBA.
I'd say definitely the 13". For me, I'd only consider the 11" if it is only for portable use, where you have either a desktop computer or monitor at home. But if a substantial part of the use of the MBA is mobile - at lectures, studying in libraries, and cafes etc., then the 13" is the way to go.
I've used 15" MacBook Pros for several years, and bought a 13" for portable use. I found that when using a 13", there was hardly a time when I felt cramped and was yearning for more screen space. But when I've used an 11", I feel the lack of screen-space immediately - something I never feel when using the 13".
I'll pitch two arguments to convince you to get a 13":
- a lawyer's craft is in writing and formulating arguments, and also reading arguments. Often, when writing, you want to see the flow of ideas on the page, as one paragraph links with paragraphs above and below. With a 13", it provides adequate space above and below - but with the 11" widescreen dimensions, you get precious little height on the writing page.
- Often you need two panels open, e.g. word processor and email / word processor and browser / two word processor panels. These times occur very often, for me at least. With the 11", I believe you'll get frustrated with the wide 11" screen when needing several windows open. (I speak from the perspective of only ever having used a 13").
Admittedly, the 11" is definitely more portable - but you would only get the 11" if you don't believe the above would trouble you. The 13" is very fairly easy to carry, and can be used as your only computer - where, for primarily used as a writing tool, I wouldn't be happy with a 11" because I like to see the flow of writing below and above what I'm writing, and often have multiple windows open.
When people give kindly advice about the portability of the 11", ask them if their work and study primarily involves writing, and formulating your thoughts on the screen, i.e. the craft of an attorney. If those people are just emailing, web browsing and watching movies, then 11" is fine.
Sure, there are also writers who love the 11" - but it hinges on whether you're the sort of writer that likes a lot of screen space when you're writing, and whether you often use multiple windows that you need to see simultaneously.
I note other comments that said the 11" is good for taking notes - probably true. For note taking, you are just recording what you are hearing in the lecture. For note taking, you're not needing extra screen space for help you think on the screen. I'd agree that 11" is ok for note taking, but, for me, not so good for writing my own material. For instance, after writing an argument, you like to stand back and re-read what you're written, and see how it flows. For that a screen with more height is nicer.
Best not to buy a MacBook Air now until we see what Apple has to offer at the WWDC conference on 11 June 2012.
I've used 15" MacBook Pros for several years, and bought a 13" for portable use. I found that when using a 13", there was hardly a time when I felt cramped and was yearning for more screen space. But when I've used an 11", I feel the lack of screen-space immediately - something I never feel when using the 13".
I'll pitch two arguments to convince you to get a 13":
- a lawyer's craft is in writing and formulating arguments, and also reading arguments. Often, when writing, you want to see the flow of ideas on the page, as one paragraph links with paragraphs above and below. With a 13", it provides adequate space above and below - but with the 11" widescreen dimensions, you get precious little height on the writing page.
- Often you need two panels open, e.g. word processor and email / word processor and browser / two word processor panels. These times occur very often, for me at least. With the 11", I believe you'll get frustrated with the wide 11" screen when needing several windows open. (I speak from the perspective of only ever having used a 13").
Admittedly, the 11" is definitely more portable - but you would only get the 11" if you don't believe the above would trouble you. The 13" is very fairly easy to carry, and can be used as your only computer - where, for primarily used as a writing tool, I wouldn't be happy with a 11" because I like to see the flow of writing below and above what I'm writing, and often have multiple windows open.
When people give kindly advice about the portability of the 11", ask them if their work and study primarily involves writing, and formulating your thoughts on the screen, i.e. the craft of an attorney. If those people are just emailing, web browsing and watching movies, then 11" is fine.
Sure, there are also writers who love the 11" - but it hinges on whether you're the sort of writer that likes a lot of screen space when you're writing, and whether you often use multiple windows that you need to see simultaneously.
I note other comments that said the 11" is good for taking notes - probably true. For note taking, you are just recording what you are hearing in the lecture. For note taking, you're not needing extra screen space for help you think on the screen. I'd agree that 11" is ok for note taking, but, for me, not so good for writing my own material. For instance, after writing an argument, you like to stand back and re-read what you're written, and see how it flows. For that a screen with more height is nicer.
Best not to buy a MacBook Air now until we see what Apple has to offer at the WWDC conference on 11 June 2012.
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Don't forget the better battery life for the 13'', it's the main reason why I bought a 13'' when I sold my 2010 11''.