Library & Technology

Specifications for Laptop Computers

The specifications below are intended to help guide you in the purchase of a new laptop computer. You are not required to purchase a laptop that meets or exceeds these specifications, but doing so will help to ensure your laptop computer remains useful throughout your 3-year law school career.

PC Laptop Specifications

Feature
Recommended
Minimum
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz or better
Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz or better
Memory (RAM) 4GB
2GB
Hard Drive 160GB or more
80GB or more
Display 14" or larger
Wireless Card 802.11 g/n
802.11 g/n
Optical Drive CD-RW/DVD combo player
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows XP Professional
Software Microsoft Office 2007
Microsoft Office 2007
Battery 3 hours or more battery life and extra battery
3 hours or more battery life
Anti-virus McAfee is available at no cost to all students
McAfee is available at no cost to all students
Warranty 3 year
Insurance Check the provisions of your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
Storage Device 4GB USB Flash Drive
Backup 160GB External Hard Drive
4GB USB Flash Drive

 

Mac Laptop Specifications

Feature
Recommended
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz or better
Memory (RAM) 4GB
Hard Drive 160GB
Display 13" or larger
Wireless Card 802.11 g/n
Optical Drive CD-RW/DVD combo player
Operating System OS 10.6
Software Microsoft Office for Mac 2008
Battery 3 hours or more battery life
Anti-virus McAfee is available at no cost to all students
Warranty AppleCare Protection Plan
Insurance Check the provisions of your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
Storage Device 4GB Flash Drive
Backup 160GB External Hard Drive

The Levin College of Law does not endorse any specific vendor but will post information regarding companies meeting its technical specifications at discount prices. Since the law school does not provide support for student computers, we recommend that students carefully investigate vendor support.

Dell Discount Program

Apple Discount Program

Software: The law school uses the following software applications:

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer)
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite (WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, Presentations)
  • Adobe Reader (available free of charge to anyone | download)
  • McAfee Virus Scanner (available free of charge to faculty, staff and students | download)
  • Lexis-Nexis
  • Westlaw
  • Examsoft (Exam taking software, currently optional by professor, optional by student)

Microsoft Office Suite Variations: Microsoft offers MS Office 2007 in several packages. Most students choose the Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007 Edition (it's less expensive).

Microsoft Office Home & Student Edition 2007 includes:

  • Microsoft® Office Word 2007
  • Microsoft® Office Excel 2007
  • Microsoft® Office Onenote 2007
  • Academic Pricing Available
  • Licensing: 3 PCs in one household

Microsoft® Office Standard Edition 2007 includes:

  • Microsoft® Office Word 2007
  • Microsoft® Office Excel 2007
  • Microsoft® Office Outlook® 2007
  • Microsoft® Office PowerPoint® 2007
  • Licensing: 1 PC, 1 user
  • Standard Pricing

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