The 6 Best Laptops for Law School Reviewed

If you’ve recently started law school, you’ll know that a good laptop is essential. Law students need a portable, reliable machine that can run programs or software such as PracticePanther, MyCase, Clio Manage, Legal Files, and TimeSolv.

You’ll need a decent-sized RAM for all those documents and Excel sheets, excellent security, and strong internet connectivity for web or cloud-based research and applications.

A good battery will also come in handy for those late-night library sessions, and something portable and lightweight is essential – so it’s easy to carry back and forth between class and the courtroom.

The tech industry is notorious for its fast pace and built-in obsolescence, so we understand that buying a laptop to last you at least the next few years can seem like a pretty impossible task.

That’s where we come in.

We’ve scoured the internet for the best laptops for law school students so that you don’t have to. This way you can spend less time fretting about which laptop to buy, and more time focusing on what really matters.

In a hurry? Find our top pick below…

The 6 Best Laptops for Law School

1. DELL XPS7390-7954SLV-PUS 2-in-1 Convertible Touchscreen Laptop

The Dell XPS is one of the most efficient and resourceful notebooks for law students and professionals alike, offering 2-in-1 laptop and tablet functionality in a sleek and innovative design that is cut from a single block of aluminum for maximum durability.

With a Core i7-1065G7 processor, this laptop runs at increased speed thanks to multiple cores, while the graphics-optimized processor is capable of turbo clock speeds of up to 3.9GHz.

With a huge RAM of 32GB, you’ll process data with effortless efficiency, at speeds of 3733MHz, which allows you to browse more than 30 internet tabs at once – alongside other platforms and software – allowing you to multitask with ease without worrying about slowing your machine down.

With 512 GB of additional SSD, you’ll have plenty of room for documents, case notes, and lecture materials, and while this isn’t a mind-blowing capacity for the SSD unit, the storage module is upgradeable.

Added features include the FHD+ resolution with InfinityEdge screen which enhances your online lecture experience, while the built-in webcam with 4-element lens increases image sharpness for high-quality zoom meetings and conference calls.

It doesn’t stop there either: DELL has boosted efficiency and convenience with built-in sensors which allow the computer to instantly start-up when it is opened, regardless of what power mode it’s in.

The fingerprint scanner built into the power button also allows you to start up and log in all with the press of a single button, while a next-generation MagLev keyboard is 24% thinner than regular keyboards, with a 19% larger touchpad and 7% larger 16:10 screen to boost productivity and minimize distractions.

2. Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage, 2.6GHz Intel Core i7)

It seems like an obvious choice, but MacBooks are powerful and dependable, making them a top choice for any student who can afford one.

The MacBook Pro boasts an enviable 8-core processor with turbo clock mode, Hexa-core architecture, and Hyper-threading technology which handles multithreaded applications with ease.

A sizable 16GB RAM allows effortless running of management tools like PracticePanther, or legal software like OneHub and Shape Software.

The 100-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery is Apple’s most powerful MacBook battery yet and offers up to 11 hours of wireless browsing and video playback while sustaining the large retina display.

This MacBook has a work ethic that will match your own, so you can power through late-night library sessions without worrying about compromising on brightness or processing speed.

Apple’s Magic Keyboard makes typing quiet and effortless while the Touch Bar allows you to prioritize shortcuts.

The Escape Key allows quick switching between modes and views for maximum efficiency and a trust-worthy Touch ID maximizes security while increasing your ease of access.

3. HP Spectre x360 15t Touch 10th Gen Intel i7-10510U

The HP Spectre x360 15t is a convertible laptop that not only looks good but performs extremely well too.

The Intel Core i7-9750H chipset and Hexa-core stand out in their own right, with clock speeds of up to 4.5GHz, while the single-core performances allow you to multi-task with ease.

While it’s probably not high on your list of essential requirements, this laptop does feature NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, which comes in handy for some downtime now and again.

Clubbed with 4GB of VRAM, this graphics card is great for recreational gaming or for connecting multiple external displays to maximize your workflow.

An upgradeable 16GB RAM can more than handle multiple applications and software like Clio. In addition to this, HP also offers a fast 512GB solid-state drive to achieve super-fast ‘read and write’ speeds.

While you may think the 15.6 inch 4K screen isn’t essential for your average law student, you’ll find it difficult to use anything else after experiencing the high definition clarity and responsiveness of this display.

You’ll also experience flawless internet connectivity courtesy of the Wi-Fi 6 enhancement.

This doesn’t mean compromising on battery though, as the battery on the x360 promises to endure 15 hours, so you needn’t worry about this swift, compact machine cutting out on you halfway through your assignment.

4. Microsoft Surface Book 3 – 15″ Touch-Screen” Touch-Screen

The Microsoft Surface Book 3 is a detachable laptop that doesn’t compromise on processing power.

With an Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor, this portable, lightweight laptop can handle single and multithreaded tasks, while the 16GB RAM processes information at 3733MHz, allowing you to multitask with ease across multiple apps and programs.

The lower 25W TDP, paired with a Turbo Boost clock speed of 3.9GHz, ensures reliable performance and efficiency with minimal heat generation.

While the GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU, coupled with 4GB VRAM, allows you to play a majority of games at 1080p, making it a versatile, work-and-play option for part-time gamers.

The 13.5-inch display is sharp, vivid, and extremely responsive to touch, while the PixelSense panel performs even in high levels of sunlight, in case you venture outdoors to meet clients.

Regardless of which mode you use it in, this gadget weighs a mere 3.62 pounds making it highly portable and lightweight, with a battery that puts others on the market to shame thanks to its 17.5-hour backup promise.

All in all, this is a robust laptop, powerful tablet, and portable studio in one.

5. Lenovo Yoga 730 15.6 Inch 4K UHD” Touch-Screen

The Lenovo Yoga is highly-rated for its infamous 360° Flip-and-Fold design making it versatile and modern, and, weighing 4.17 pounds, this laptop can easily be slipped under one arm and carried with ease.

Thanks to the power-efficient Intel Core i7-8550U processor and four cores with a maximum clock speed of up to 4.0GHz, this is one of the best chipsets to rely on for the mid-range single-threaded tasks.

Lenovo doesn’t neglect gaming capacity either, and offers an entry-level NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU with 2GB VRAM.

Supporting the processor is the 16GB DDR4 RAM that ensures seamless multitasking coverage for using multiple applications simultaneously, along with the addition of a 512GB SSD module.

It would be silly not to mention the high-end 4K display of this machine, which boasts multi-touch capabilities, color accuracy, and sharper viewing angles thanks to the 3640 x 2160 pixel display.

The Lenovo Yoga also comes equipped with a standard backlit keyboard for comfortable typing regardless of lighting conditions, a responsive trackpad for increased efficiency, and a secured fingerprint scanner to maximize security.

6. Google Pixelbook Go – Lightweight Chromebook Laptop

Cheaper doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality; enter the Pixelbook Go.

This lightweight Chromebook has an impressive battery life, allowing you to stay unplugged for up to 12 hours. When you do need to charge up, just 20 minutes of charge will give you up to 2 hours of battery, making this laptop ideal for lawyers who are always on the go.

Weighing just 2 pounds and featuring a 13 mm thin, easy-grip design, the Pixelbook Go is the most lightweight and portable on our list.

The 8th Gen Intel Core is quick and responsive, powering up in seconds, while the Titan C security chip and built-in antivirus software allow you to rest assured that your documents and passwords are well protected.

While the 8GB RAM could be better, this laptop is great for general reading and writing, and basic multitasking.

Features such as the backlit keyboard, ultra-quiet keys, and a spacious touchpad increase comfort and ease-of-use, while the HD touchscreen display and dual stereo speakers make this multifunctional laptop great for leisure time too, allowing you to stream movies, edit photos, or video call with the 1080p webcam.

Buyer’s Guide

If you’re not tech-savvy, it can be pretty difficult, not to mention overwhelming, to figure out what you don’t need in a law school laptop, and what you do need.

You certainly don’t want to splash out on a machine that prioritizes high-speed graphics when you’re after something portable, fast, and efficient for writing and running various cloud programs, right?

That’s where our Buyer’s Guide comes in. We’ve highlighted all of the key aspects to consider before you buy, so you can make an informed decision on a laptop that will perform as well as you do.

Firstly though, here’s a breakdown of some of the key tech terms that will frequently crop up in your search for the ideal laptop:

• CPU – central processing unit: where processes such as calculating, sorting, and searching take place. The quality of the CPU dictates how smoothly and quickly your whole computer runs.
• GPU – Graphics processing unit: this rapidly manipulates memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame, and is more important for gamers.
• RAM – Random Access Memory: the super-fast storage that your computer uses to hold data it needs in the short term.
• SSD module – Solid-State Drive: this is a solid-state storage device used to store data persistently using flash memory, and functioning as secondary storage in the hierarchy of computer storage.

Laptop Features

RAM and storage

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and none of your programs, files, or applications would run without this.

If you’re a law student, you’re likely to spend hours at a time trawling through case files and documents, and using law software or applications, so a sizable RAM is essential.

You’ll want a minimum of 6-8GB RAM, but ideally 16-32GB so you’re not faced with the issue of deleting files to create space.

Battery Life

A good battery is essential for any student, particularly law students who often have a heftier workload than most, and are likely to take their laptop back and forth between lectures, the library, and home.

A lot of modern laptops can fall short when it comes to battery capacity, as they’re overloaded by the latest graphics cards and high-resolution screens that drain the battery.

There are a few out there that manage to strike the balance, however: the HP Spectre x360 and MacBook Pro are two that stand out from the crowd when it comes to battery reliability and longevity.

Weight and Compactness

A law student or young professional’s day can consist of anything from meeting clients, to attending class, to smashing out assignments in the school library or coffee shop.

With this in mind, you don’t want a laptop that weighs a tonne and can’t be easily transported from A to B. Look for a model that weighs in the region of 3 to 4 lbs so you know it’s compact and lightweight enough to slip under your arm or in a bag.

CPU and GPU

While an Intel Core i9 processor for basic law school work may seem unnecessary, the Intel i7 or i5 models will ensure a fast, lag-free experience while multitasking.

Display

While you may not have the time to use your laptop for hours of gaming and Netflix (well, maybe sometimes) – it’s still important to consider the quality of your display, seen as you’ll be looking at it probably every day for the foreseeable future.

You probably want a minimum screen size of 13 inches, and look for features such as “thin bezels” and widescreen FHD display to ensure clarity from multiple angles.

While a shiny display enhances color, many people find a matte display easier to look at for prolonged periods, and if you’re going to be using your laptop in bright areas it’s worth looking out for technology such as PixelSense, which improves visibility even in sunlight.

Other Things to Consider

Price

Because a law student needs a high clock speed and sizable RAM for running multiple programs and multitasking, this does tend to bump the price up a notch.

However, don’t be tempted to go for a cheaper version of the laptop with a lower RAM, as chances are you’ll end up with limited space and you’ll have to fork out to upgrade it, and that’s if an upgrade is even possible.

Sure, you can get laptops for $200-300, but they’ll end up costing you more in the long run once they break early on.

Not only that, but you don’t need the added stress of a laptop that processes at snail pace – you have enough stress as it is! Go for the best laptop you can afford.

Warranty

It’s always tricky to decide whether to pay that little bit extra for an extended warranty, but in our opinion, it’s worth doing.

If you’re going to splash out on a quality laptop it’s worth spending a little extra to cover yourself if it ends up getting damaged for whatever reason. This will save you money in the long run, and you’ll get on-site service and customer support from the company.

Frequently Asked Questions

What laptop should I buy for law school?

Everybody has their preferences when it comes to laptops, and there’s no go-to lawyer laptop. A law school student should look for a laptop that is lightweight and compact, with a good RAM and processor and a prolonged battery life for longevity.

Our top pick is the DELL XPS7390, with the Apple MacBook Pro coming in as a close second.

Is a laptop necessary for law students?

Yes. While there will be some computers available at your school, ideally you need your own laptop to write assignments and read documents on, particularly if you work in various locations or will be meeting clients or professors.

A laptop also allows you to compress all those heavy law books into one machine, so it will save you lugging around bags of books.

What is the most important laptop attribute for lawyers?

In our opinion, battery longevity is the most important attribute. Even the fastest, most high-tech machine won’t make a good impression if it’s continually running out of battery in the courtroom or at meetings.

All students, but particularly law students and young professionals, need a laptop that can last most of the day without losing juice.

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