Top 5 Best Laptops For Law School 2023:
- Acer Chromebook R 13 Convertible
- HP Spectre x360 13t Touch Laptop
- Acer Spin 7
- Apple MacBook Air
- ASUS ZenBook
Any modern student has to own a laptop, and law school students are no exception to this rule. Not just any laptop will do, though. If you are a law student or want to become one, you have to have a machine that meets the requirements of a law school you plan to attend.
Most law schools nowadays require you to use the law practice software such as MyCase, PracticePanther, or Clio Manage. For this reason, we have tested an array of laptops and made a list of Top 5 machines that can handle all the popular software used in law schools and law firms.
The best laptop for law school should enable you to complete all your assignments and give exams more easily. You can also use it to browse the internet safely and make good use of unlimited case studies available online.
There are quite a few laptops that meet the requirements set for law students, but we have found the five best ones on the market to make your selection super-easy. Stay tuned to find out more!
Best Laptops For Law School – Comparison Table
| Product | ASUS ZenBook | Apple MacBook Air | Acer Chromebook R 13 Convertible | Acer Spin 7 | HP Spectre x360 13t Touch Laptop |
| Screen size | 13″ | 13″ | 13.3″ | 14″ | 13.3″ |
| Weight – pounds | 2.6 lbs | 2.96 lbs | 3.28 lbs | 2 lbs | 1.32 lbs |
| CPU | Intel i7 | Intel i5 | MediaTek MT8127 | Intel i7 | Intel i7 |
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | 4 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | 128 GBSSD | 32 GB eMMC | 256 GB SSD | 512 GB SSD |
| Price | $$$ | $$$ | $ | $$$ | $$$$$ |
5 Best Laptops For Law School In 2023: Detailed Reviews
1. ASUS ZenBook – Portable Slim Design Laptop For Students Who Are Always On The Go
The ASUS ZenBook features a 13-inch ultra-slim screen with small bezels for sleek appearance and premium look. With a 95% screen-to-body ratio, the size of the screen is just right to keep the unit compact enough to carry and big enough not to strain your eyes when working long hours. The portability is further enhanced by its low weight of only 2.6 pounds.
The Asus ZenBook is equipped with an 8th generation i7 CPU, which should satisfy the requirements of any law school in the USA. More importantly, it is a higher-end processor that will have no trouble handling anything you do for school.
The Intel HD Graphics 620 is also more than good enough for any law school student. Unfortunately, it is not the best option for gamers.
Having 16 GB of DDR3 RAM, you will not have to add more for a long time. Still, a more energy-efficient DDR4 RAM would be a better option. The good news is that this ZenBook has up to 14 hours of battery life even with this configuration. It means that you can last the entire day without recharging your laptop.
The ASUS ZenBook is highly durable, resistant – it meets the MIL-STD-810G military standard for reliability. Going to school is hardly like entering a warzone, but better to be safe than sorry!
Thanks to the 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD storage, you will have the freedom to save all your work and favorite music, photo, or video files. The unique ErgoLift design will keep you comfortable while typing.
Pros
- Slim design
- Windows 10 OS
- Meets the MIL-STD-810G military standard
- SSD storage
- Ergonomic keyboard
Cons
- Less energy-efficient DDR3 RAM
- Not suitable for gamers
2. Apple MacBook Air – High-end Laptop You Can Pair Up With Your Iphone
If you already use an iPhone or iPad, you can add the Apple MacBook Air to the list of your devices, too, if you can afford it, of course. Yet, even though it is a bit pricey, this machine is an excellent solution for any law school student.
First of all, it features a 13-inch display that makes it compact enough to carry and big enough to work on without straining your eyes. The LED-backlit widescreen display of this laptop and the resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels allow for a clear view in all light conditions.
The configuration meets the requirements of most law schools, too, since this unit boasts 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage. It has an Intel i5 dual-core processor, with a speed of 1.8 GHz, which should cover all your needs as a law student.
The battery life of up to 12 hours is a great advantage too. It allows you to get your work wherever you are. As far as GPU is concerned, this unit comes with Intel HD Graphics 6000 card that can handle quite a few games.
The MacAir weighs only 2.96 pounds, and you can easily take it with you when you commute or travel. There are two USB 3 ports, one Thunderbolt 2 port, and a MagSafe 2 power port. The operating system is the Apple OS X Yosemite 10.10.2.
Pros
- Fast processing speed
- SDXC card slot
- Sufficient RAM and internal storage
- Excellent display
Cons
- Might be too much for a student budget
- Outdated CPU
3. Acer Chromebook R 13 Convertible – Versatile Budget-friendly Option
Acer Chromebook Convertible is an affordable option suitable for law students who have to manage on a tight budget. It is a versatile machine that features a 13.3-inch Full HD Touch screen and can double as a tablet. With a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, it will not strain your eyes even when you work long hours.
This Chromebook might not be a top-end product, but it features a top-of-the-range battery. Namely, its lithium-polymer battery of 4670 mAh will keep this machine running for up to 12 hours, which is more than enough for you to finish your work in case of power failure or another kind of emergency no matter where you are.
With 4 GB LPDDR3 RAM installed, this device meets the requirements of law schools across the country. It also features a MediaTek MT8127 processor and a processing speed of 2.1 GHz.
When it comes to storage, you might find that 32 GB of internal memory is disappointing, but it should be enough for keeping all your school documents and files If you want to store music or movies, you’ll have to rely on a USB memory stick or external storage.
Luckily, there are all the ports you need to connect your devices, including the USB 3.0, USB 3.1, DisplayPort, and an HDMI port. The graphic card installed on this laptop is the Imagination PowerVR GX6250.
Being compact and weighing around 3.28 pounds, you can easily pack it up into your school bag or backpack and take it with you. The Chrome OS by Google is user-friendly and suitable for beginners.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Compact and portable
- The screen can move 360 degrees
Cons
- Fragile
- Low storage capacity
4. Acer Spin 7 – Versatile Convertible Unit Of Top-class Performance
If you want a convertible laptop that can be folded into different modes but do not wish to sacrifice top-class performance, look into the Acer Spin 7. This laptop features a 7th generation Intel core processor and 8GB of RAM, which is more than enough for any respectable lawyer.
The Acer Spin 7 can be used in four different ways – a tent mode, PC, tablet, and display mode. You adjust it to your current needs and preference. It is one of the lightest laptops on our Top 5 list since it weighs a mere 2 lbs. Moreover, being only o.43 inches thick, it is ultra-portable and can travel with you wherever you go.
This versatile laptop holds a 7th generation Intel core processor under its hood. It has an impressive speed of 1.3GHz and is loaded with storage of 8GB RAM. Furthermore, you have 256GB SSD storage available for even better efficiency and performance. You won’t have to deal with any lags even when multitasking, that’s for sure!
The Acer Spin is an ideal laptop to take to your classes since it has a battery life of up to 8 hours on a single charge. You will not have to spend any time looking for charging sockets around your school.
A backlit keyboard is a great advantage since it allows you to work and study even at nighttime without disturbing your roommates. The multi-touch support is yet another extra-feature worthy of praise. It will provide you with intuitive control.
Pros
- Fast Wi-Fi technology
- In-built Bluetooth
- 256GB of SSD storage
- Folds into four different modes
- Ergonomic backlit keyboard
Cons
- Limited connectivity options
5. HP Spectre x360 13t Touch Laptop – High-end Performer For Students With No Budget Restrictions
If budget is no issue, you can check out the pricey HP Spectre x360 13t Touch Laptop. There is no doubt that you will feel wowed by its stylish, ultra-thin design and exceptional performance. After all, more often than not, you get what you pay for.
The HP Spectre is a super-slim unit with chamfered corners and faceted edges. It measures 14.00 x 9.88 x 0.70 inches and weighs an incredible 1.32 lbs. Being ultra-portable, you won’t even feel it in your school bag or backpack, and it will not weigh you down at all.
It also features a battery that can last up to 12-hours, so it is an ideal solution for a student on the go. The 13.3″ Full HD IPS micro-edge touch screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and an HD Active Stylus Pen provides exceptional clarity and vivid colors. Corning Gorilla Glass will keep it scratch-free.
As far as connectivity is concerned, you are fully covered. There are USB-C port, an SD card reader, and Thunderbolt support too. With Core i7-8565U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 512 GB of SSD storage, this is the most powerful and versatile unit on our list. You can use it for games or watching videos too. There are even powerful speakers that will bring any audio or video content to life.
A few extra features make this laptop stand out. You have a discrete fingerprint sensor to secure your work and a few cool accessories. As a bonus, there is a free 3-year subscription to McAfee internet security.
Pros
- Luxurious design
- Powerful audio
- Long battery life
Cons
- High price
- Thick bezels
What Should Law School Students Consider Before Choosing a Laptop?
Most law schools have their list of minimal laptop requirements for their students. If you have already enrolled, you can check out your school’s website or call the main student office for more info on that.
As most law schools have similar criteria, we have done thorough research and made the following list of most common laptop specifications issued by the law schools in our country:
- Security: TPM (Trusted Platform Module) compatible
- CPU: Intel Core i5 Processor or above
- RAM: Minimum 4GB but mostly 8GB
- Storage: At least 100GB
- Display Size: No specific requirements
- GPU: No specific requirements
We have also made a more detailed list of all the features you need to consider before buying a laptop for law school. Here it goes:
1. Battery Life
One of the most important features of any laptop is the battery life. As a student, you will sometimes need to work long hours on the computer, especially during the exams. In those cases, a long battery life allows you to get out of the house and find some quiet place in nature to study in peace.
Imagine having to turn in a paper on short notice, and there is a sudden power failure in your neighborhood. It is a horrid scenario, but quite realistic. A laptop with at least a few hours of battery life can be a life-saver in such a situation.
2. Size And Weight
Being young, you do not want to feel tied up. A compact and lightweight laptop will give you the freedom to go where you please and still get the work done.
The best laptop for law students should fit easily into an average bag or backpack. It should not weigh you down or put too much strain on your shoulders or back. The ideal weight is somewhere between 2 lbs to 4lbs.
Slim design laptops are a great option. Yet, they usually lack some components the standard models offer, such as a disk drive. You can overcome that by purchasing an external DVD/CD ROM drive, but you will have to think about taking it with you continually.
Size has a lot to do with the screen, too, so that is our next consideration. Check out the following section to learn more.
3. Screen/Display
Considering you are a law student, you will spend the following few years looking at the screen. For this reason, you should get a unit that has a display of a minimum of 13 inches. If you go for less, the laptop might be a bit smaller and more comfortable to carry, but you sacrifice clarity and risk having to deal with eye strain all the time. The best laptops also feature a widescreen HD display, so consider that as well.
4. Storage/RAM
As a student, you will need to download and store a lot of files as well as some heavy software. You will probably use the laptop to store your personal music, picture, and video files. Therefore, your computer should have at least 6 to 8 GB of RAM and extra storage for all your data. In this way, you will never have to face the unpleasant decision of what to delete when you need to make space for an important document or file.
5. Additional Features
Laptops come with all sorts of extra features that can make your student days more bearable. You should consider them when shopping for a laptop. For example, multiple USB ports will allow you to connect all your devices at the same time. Of course, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity are a must.
6. Brand
It is important to choose a laptop made by a reputable company as it is more likely to prove reliable over the years of regular use. A recent TechRepublic’s research has shown which brands are deemed most and least reliable by users and IT experts. The following charts represent the results of this research:
This is how users and experts see it, but what are the actual numbers? How often do laptops malfunction? Look at the following chart, and you’ll know which laptop is truly the most reliable one at the market:
7. Warranty
The law school syllabus is stressful enough without adding the issues with your laptop. It is an unwritten rule that machines last at least as long as their warranty period. If that is true, it would be best to choose a laptop that has an extended warranty.
It is also a good idea to spend a bit more money and extend the warranty since that can sometimes mean significant future savings. Repairing a laptop costs a lot of money, you should try to avoid that cost.
8. Price
Price is also an important consideration, even more so when you are a student. The best school laptop should thus provide more features at a lesser price.
Final Words
It is time to choose the best laptop for law school!
It should be a much easier decision if you have read our buying guide and reviews. Still, we will give you a helping hand once again and narrow your choices even further.
If you are on a low budget, as most students are, you can manage with a budget-friendly Acer Chromebook R 13 Convertible. It might not be the best performer out there, but you will manage to get most of your schoolwork done.
If, on the other hand, money is no issue, you can enjoy the top-performance of HP Spectre x360 13t Touch Laptop. It is definitely worth every penny and will make your study days easier.
Finally, for a perfect balance of price and performance, as well as superb versatility, you can turn to our top-pick Acer Spin 7. We are sure you will be successful no matter what choice you make!
