When you are on the hunt for a good laptop to use in your law firm or small law practice, there are many options to choose from – and that can make it hard to know where to start. It is still important to make the right investment though – and avoid making an under or over investment.

This review should give you some hardware to begin looking to if you might not know where to begin, as well as some features you should search for the next time you look for a good machine.

Comparison table

Product Image

Laptop

Dell XPS 13 7390 laptop

Google Pixelbook Go M3

Microsoft Surface laptop

Apple MacBook Pro

HP Flagship laptop

Display screen

13.3 inches

13.3 inches

13.5 inches

15 inches

17.3 inches

Core

10th Gen Intel Core i7-10710U

Intel Core m3/i7

Intel Core i7

9th Gen Intel Core i7

8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U

SSD

256 GB

256 GB

512 GB/1 TB

256 GB

512 GB

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Product Image

Laptop

Dell XPS 13 7390 laptop

Display screen

13.3 inches

Core

10th Gen Intel Core i7-10710U

SSD

256 GB

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Product Image

Laptop

Google Pixelbook Go M3

Display screen

13.3 inches

Core

Intel Core m3/i7

SSD

256 GB

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Product Image

Laptop

Microsoft Surface laptop

Display screen

13.5 inches

Core

Intel Core i7

SSD

512 GB/1 TB

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Product Image

Laptop

Apple MacBook Pro

Display screen

15 inches

Core

9th Gen Intel Core i7

SSD

256 GB

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Product Image

Laptop

HP Flagship laptop

Display screen

17.3 inches

Core

8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U

SSD

512 GB

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Best laptops for lawyers – Reviews

HP Flagship 17.3-inch laptop – best value for money

HP 2020 Newest 17.3 Inch Flagship Laptop Computer (8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U 3.9GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel HD 620, WiFi, Bluetooth, DVD, Windows 10)

• 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz) processor delivers fast, provides maximum high-efficiency power to go.
• 17.3 Inch diagonal HD+ SVA (1600 x 900) Display, Intel HD Graphics 620, DVD/CD burner, DTS Studio Sound with dual speakers.
• RAM is upgraded to 16GB memory for multitasking Adequate high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once. Hard Drive is upgraded to 512GB SSD provides massive storage space for huge files, so that you can store important digital data and work your way through it with ease. It gives you enormous space to save all of your files. Enhance the overall performance of the laptop for business, student, daily usage
• 1 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Headphone output/Microphone input combo.
• Windows 10 brings back the Start Menu from Windows 7 and introduces new features, like the Edge Web browser that lets you markup Web pages on your screen. | 1-Year Limited Warranty* | View description and warranty section below for more details.

$948.88

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Specs

• Uses an 8^th Generation Intel Core i5-8265U processor to provide maximum efficiency
• Display screen of 17.3 inches with a graphics card (Intel HD Graphics 620)
• RAM of 16 GB, while the hard drive storage is 512 GB
• Three USB ports (one USB Type-C, one USB 2.0 Type-A, one USB 3.0 Type-A)
• Limited warranty of 1 year
• Ethernet of 10/100/1000 Mbps

The laptop’s monitor is glossy and bright, while also being big enough to allow you to see the most of its vivid color scheme as possible. It also has a WLED backlight in order to brighten the screen when you are in dimly lit surroundings, and has a maximum resolution of 1600×900.

Its processing power will not disappoint you either, thanks to the use of a 7^th Gen Intel Core (i5-7200U). The i5 status means that it comes in a dual core structure that processes information 4 ways, which allows it to process data as quickly and efficiently as possible. This is further aided by the RAM, which you can select according to what fits your needs. The DDR4 is of three storage levels – 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB, while the HD ranges from 1 TB, 512 GB, 256 GB, and 128 GB. You might worry that this compromises the battery power, but that is not the case here – it has a battery life of 6 hours, which is more than enough when you need to get work done.

Verdict

If you are a frequent user of computers that come with a large screen, then this is a great option for you. Its speed, large memory, and processor will allow you to work at an unstoppable rate, while remaining comfortable as you view your work.

Dell XPS 13 7390 laptop – our choice

Dell XPS 13 7390 Laptop 13.3 inch, FHD InfinityEdge Touch, 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10710U, UHD Graphics, 256GB SSD, 16GB RAM, Windows 10 Home, XPS7390-7138SLV-PUS

• Infinityedge display, enables a 13. 3" Screen In an 11-inch form Factor with an 80. 7% screen-to-body ratio
• Vibrant colors: by maximizing the color spectrum with 100% RGB color and a 1500: 1 contrast ratio, every Shadow takes shape and even bright scenes gain definition.
• Beautiful from every angle: The anti-reflective screen combined with superior 400-nit brightness frees you to enjoy your entertainment outdoors.
• Stunning strength: The XPS 13 is cut from a single block of aluminum, so it's more durable than a machine that's pieced together.
• Cooler than ever: The XPS 13 is the first laptop built with Gore thermal insulation, which provides thermal conductivity levels lower than air in a thin, flexible format.

$1,288.00

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Specs

• Uses an Infinity Edge display, 13.3 inches, and a screen-to-body ratio of 80%
• Constructed purely from aluminum
• Screen contrast ratio of 1500:1 and 100% on the RGB scale, which allows for vibrant display
• Micro SD card reader
• Includes Gore Thermal Insulation, which gives it thermal conductivity levels that are lower than air
• Waves MaxxAudio Pro to enhance the sound quality, even at high volume

In terms of its build, it takes a unique approach through using a single block of aluminum to construct the chassis. This is different from other Dell XPS flagship models which come in a 2-in-1 conventional design or the conventional clamshell format, and helps it to stay durable for much longer than usual. Other than that, the use of a single block in its construction also allows it to stay as lightweight as possible, rather than sacrificing a significant penalty with the size and weight.

The design is very stylish as well, as it comes with 3 color scheme choices – you can choose a black carbon-fiber interior with a Platinum silver exterior, or an Arctic White interior with a Rose Gold or Frost exterior. The design enhancement also extends to the interior, which uses a 6-core i7-10710U CPU, a 13.3—inch touch screen, SSD capacity of 512 GB, and a RAM of 16 GB. All this is a very good value that comes at an attractive price, in contrast to most Dell XPS laptops that are very expensive.

Verdict

As this packs the latest Intel generation (10^th Gen) of CPUs (which now feature a 6-core design), we easily consider the Dell XPS 13 as among the most powerful laptops you can buy today.

Microsoft Surface 3 laptop – best in battery life

Sale

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 – 13.5" Touch-Screen – Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory – 1TB Solid State Drive – Matte Black

• Clean, Elegant Design: Thin and light, starting at just 2.79 pounds, Surface Laptop 3 is easy to carry
• Choose from rich tone-on-tone color combinations: new Sandstone, plus Matte Black, Cobalt Blue, and Platinum
• Improved speed and performance to do what you want, with the latest processors: Surface Laptop 3 is up to 2 times faster than Surface Laptop 2
• More ways to connect, with USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting to displays, docking stations and more, as well as accessory charging
• All day power on the go, with up to 11.5 hours of battery life, Plus standby time when you’re away, Go from empty to a full battery with fast charging up to 80 percent in about 1 hour

$1,749.00

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Specs

• Very elegant and clean design, with a weight of 2.79 lbs.
• Variety of color combinations available – Platinum, Cobalt Blue, Matte Black, Sandstone
• Includes USB-A and USB-C ports to connect to various devices
• Boosts in performance and speed, along with the latest processor
• 11.5 hours battery life
• 13.5-inch display screen

You can easily see the Microsoft Surface laptop as Microsoft’s answer to the Apple MacBook, as it focuses on portability and comfort – however, it lacks some of the features you would expect in a high-end Windows notebooks, like the watchband-style 360-degree hinges and webcam privacy shutters. This is fine though if you are looking to experience Windows mobile as it was intended by Microsoft in the first place.

The touch screen is among the innovations of the Microsoft PixelSense system, through its 2256×1504 display resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio that makes it well-suited to word processing and web surfing.

The laptop uses an SSD of 256 GB capacity and a memory of 16 GB, in addition to a 10^th Generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 in a 4-core design. Note that you can also expand the SSD to 1 TB or 512 GB, although you will need to do this when you are purchasing the laptop, not later. It also offers Iris Plus integrated graphics, which means that its display quality is very high.

Verdict

Thanks to its solid battery life and very satisfying keyboard, this laptop model is excellent at getting the basics right, and is an excellent portable choice.

Google Pixelbook Go M3 – best Chromebook option

Google Pixelbook Go - Lightweight Chromebook Laptop - Up to 12 Hours Battery Life[1] - Touch Screen Chromebook - Just Black

• Good to Go: Pixelbook Go lets you stay unplugged for up to 12 hours [2] so you don't need to carry a charger. And when you do need a charge get up to 2 hours of use in just 20 minutes so you can keep going. [3]
• Made to move Pixelbook Go is lightweight - Barely 2 pounds It's 13 millimeter thin with a grippable design making it easier to carry [1]
• Get it done Fast: Pixelbook Go starts up in seconds and makes working a breeze. The 8th Gen Intel Core Processor is quick and responsive powering everything you do. And Chrome OS doesn't slow down over time so it always feels like new. [6]
• Go without worry: Pixelbook Go is designed to prevent things from getting off track. The Titan C security chip and built-in anti-virus software help protect your data. And Chrome OS updates automatically with the latest features and security. [5]
• Built for comfort: A backlit keyboard and Hush Keys make using Pixelbook Go comfortable and quiet. The touchpad is spacious and accurate so you only need to use a light touch. The fan less design stays cool to let you comfortably use it on your lap.

$649.89

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Specs

• Battery life of up to 12 hours
• Lightweight and very portable due to its slim design
• Includes an in-built antivirus and a Titan C security chip to protect your data
• 13.3 HD touchscreen display
• Very comfortable keyboard

The laptop is not the flashiest laptop ever, but instead takes a more ‘basic’ approach through its minimal branding, ridged pattern on its underside, and the metallic body. In fact, its appearance is quite reminiscent of a MacBook, so you are assured of its durability and slimness.

Its main selling point is its keyboard, as it has a supremely smooth feel and plenty of room between the keys. They are also quiet as you tap away, making the experience of using it very smooth and comfortable – even when you are typing at full speed.

In terms of its performance, you will get various versions of the laptop depending on what you are willing to spend. If your budget is tight, you will get 64 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM, and an Intel Core m3, while the highest spending will get you a 4K display, 256 GB SSD, 16 GB RAMM, and Intel Core i7. Considering you are spending a lot of money, this may seem like a bad bargain compared to the other options on this list – but whatever you choose, it will still serve you well.

Verdict

There is plenty you should enjoy about this laptop, because it might be the first Chromebook we see that actually stands a chance for the future. It has a very good design, and is very enjoyable to use, especially if you are a fan of Chrome OS laptops.

Apple MacBook Pro – best business laptop

Apple MacBook Pro (15-Inch, Latest Model, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage) - Space Gray

• 9th-generation 8-Core Intel Core i9 Processor
• Brilliant Retina Display with True Tone technology
• Touch Bar and Touch ID
• Radeon Pro 560x Graphics with 4GB of video Memory
• Ultrafast SSD

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Specs

• Uses a 9^th generation Intel Core i7 processor, has 6 cores
• Ultrafast SSD and processing power
• It comes with 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports
• Includes an Intel UHD Graphics 630 card
• Touch ID and Touch Bar
• True Tone technology

From the external features, it looks similar to any Apple machine – it has a gigantic touchpad, a Touch Bar, Retina display, and sleek aluminum builds. It incorporates a very powerful processor – the 9^th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, as well as an AMD Radeon Pro Vega graphics card that will boost its video memory capacity.

The keyboard size has not changed from previous models, and the Touch Bar is a touch-sensitive display that has plenty of contextual controls that will change according to the app you are using at that moment.

Verdict

Thanks to its powerful CPU (Intel Core i9), this laptop is a very sleek 2019 version of the initial MacBook Pro. It is powerful enough to handle a variety of functions as well, which include data analysis and multimedia editing.

The laptops we do not recommend

ASUS Chromebook Flip laptop – the touchpad is uncomfortable to use

ASUS Chromebook Flip C434-DS384T 2 in 1 Laptop, 14" Touchscreen Full HD 4-Way NanoEdge, Intel Core M3-8100Y Processor, 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC Storage, Backlit KB, Silver, Chrome OS (Renewed)

• 14 inch touchscreen FHD 1920x1080 4-way NanoEdge Display featuring ultra-narrow bezels (5mm thin) around each side of the display that allows for a 14 inch screen to fit in the body of a 13inch laptop footprint.
• The FHD display has a durable 360 degree hinge that can be used to flip the touchscreen display to tent, stand, and tablet mode.
• Powered by the Intel Core m3-8100y Processor (Up to 3.4 GHz) for super-fast and snappy performance. If you use a ton of tabs or run lots of apps, this has the power to get it all done with ease.
• 8GB DDR3 RAM; 64GB eMMC storage and 2x USB Type-C (Gen 1) and 1S Type-A (Gen 1) ports plus a bright backlit keyboard.
• The lightweight (3lbs) all-aluminum metal body makes the C434 both durable and beautiful for a timeless look that will never go out of style.

$479.88

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It also does its best to promote good performance, although the RAM is smaller than the other picks in this list – 4 GB, and an Intel Core m3-8100Y CPU. Considering that this is a very expensive choice, it is not worth picking it if you are planning to do multimedia streaming alongside your work.

Verdict

Even though this laptop has a beautiful design and includes great specs, it loses marks because of the uncomfortable touchpad – and that is disappointing, considering how expensive it is.

What should you look for when buying a laptop for your law tasks?

Whether you want a tablet, desktop, or laptop only

If your plan is to own only one computer, it is best to get a tablet with a keyboard, or a laptop. Many lawyers prefer using a full-feature Windows table or laptop as their primary computer, while they might use other computing devices to handle everything else – so the choice is entirely up to you.

Regardless of what you decide to go with, resist the idea of getting a big, bulky laptop – instead, if you need an additional computer, get a desktop. If you want portability instead, choose a lightweight laptop – do not mix the two functionalities, or else it will become difficult for you to manage your files and documents on the go.

Your budget

The price of the laptop is not really a major factor, but it can be a good guide to show you the models to look for. Many computers will have similar hardware that comes at similar price points as well, so make sure you are selecting what you actually require.

In addition to this, ensure that the model you are buying can last you for 3 to 4 years before you decide to upgrade it – in fact, aim to spend at least $1,000 on a very good laptop, as this will last for a long time and has enough specs to handle your tasks highly efficiently and without breaking down as often.

Warranty

This might not be as essential for a desktop option, but it is very important for a laptop. The best laptops in the market will have a warranty of three or four years, and will even cover events such as accidental damage. This is because laptops are meant to be portable in the first place, and they might sometimes suffer accidents that render them out of commission – so you do not want to spend so much money in their repair in these cases.

The OS you want

The operating system that the computer uses will ultimately determine the experience you get, and there are 3 varieties:

Windows – the most common OS, and has the widest selection of apps while also being very easy to use.

MacOS – only available on Apple devices, which are quite expensive. It also lacks support for touchscreens.

Chrome OS – in order to use it, the device must be connected to the internet at all times. It is the most secure OS though, and does not take as much power as the other two options.

Final thoughts

It is understandable that you might experience challenges when you are a lawyer and need to keep hundreds of records of your case files and important documents for a case, as the challenge is to remain as organized as possible. However, it is important to take advantage of the technological advancements that are currently in the industry, and buy a good machine that will serve you well for many years to come while remaining efficient enough to store what you need.

The post Best laptops for lawyers appeared first on Laptop Grader.

We live in a world where everything is increasingly costly, and your money is always stretched thin, forcing you to find ways of spending your money as wisely as you can. You are not alone if you want to buy all products and services at a reasonable price, but sometimes it can prove to be a difficult task when you are looking for laptops that are friendly to a tight budget.

While the task is challenging, it is possible to get some good options that will still serve you well, despite the trade-offs that you will get. We have tested plenty of these options, and our findings show that they will solve your daily tasks, while also leaving you with some funds in your bank account.

Comparison table

Product Image

Laptop

Lenovo Thinkpad T500 laptop

ASUS Chromebook C202 laptop

Acer Chromebook 11 N7 laptop

Dell Chromebook notebook laptop

High performance RCA Viking Pro

Display size

15.4 inches

11.6 inches

11.6 inches

11.6 inches

10.1 inches

Processor

Intel T9600

Intel Celeron N3060

Intel Celeron N3060

Intel Celeron N2840

1.3GHz Quad core

Battery life

11 hours

8 hours 35 minutes

10 hours 35 minutes

9 hours 9 minutes

6 hours

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Product Image

Laptop

Lenovo Thinkpad T500 laptop

Display size

15.4 inches

Processor

Intel T9600

Battery life

11 hours

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Product Image

Laptop

ASUS Chromebook C202 laptop

Display size

11.6 inches

Processor

Intel Celeron N3060

Battery life

8 hours 35 minutes

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Product Image

Laptop

Acer Chromebook 11 N7 laptop

Display size

11.6 inches

Processor

Intel Celeron N3060

Battery life

10 hours 35 minutes

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Product Image

Laptop

Dell Chromebook notebook laptop

Display size

11.6 inches

Processor

Intel Celeron N2840

Battery life

9 hours 9 minutes

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Product Image

Laptop

High performance RCA Viking Pro

Display size

10.1 inches

Processor

1.3GHz Quad core

Battery life

6 hours

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Best laptops under 150 dollars reviews

Lenovo Thinkpad T500 laptop – our choice

Lenovo Thinkpad T500 15.4" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.40GHz, 160GB HDD, 2048MB DDR3 RAM, DVD/CD-RW, No Operating System)

• Processor: Core 2 Duo 2.40GHz, Memory Installed: 2GB DDR3. Upgradeable to 8GB
• Hard Drive: 160GB SATA HDD 7200RPM, Optical Drive: DVD/CD-RW, Software: No Operating System. HDD has been completely wiped
• Screen: WXGA W/LED Backlight (1280x800, 129dpi, 200+ nit)
• Ports & Slots: 3 USB, IEEE 1394a, VGA, Microphone/line-in, Headphone/line-out, DisplayPort, Standard ExpressCard 34/54mm
• Power: 10.8V 4.53Ah Li-ion Battery Pack, Lenovo AC Adapter 20V

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Specs

• Uses a Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz processor
• Power source is a 10.8V 4.53Ah Li-ion battery
• Default memory is 2 GB, upgradeable to 8 GB
• 3 USB slots
• Display screen of 1280×800

Its design is slightly different compared to previous Lenovo models, even though these changes are not as obvious to the untrained eye. Its right side has a gentle slope, though the difference here is that its rubber feet have gone through some changes because they have a softer feel compared to before. The expansion and upgrade is still very easy, and you can remove its 5 screws and then remove the keyboard and palm rest.

This laptop includes an Intel T9600 processor that has a cache 6 MB and clocking 2.8GHz. Even though the SSD is not the latest one, the inclusion of a 7200rpm hard drive will help to transfer data at a faster rate. It also performs very well in gaming, unlike what you would expect from budget laptops.

Its cooling system also works very well without producing a lot of annoying noises – even during gaming session.

Verdict

This laptop is a great improvement from its predecessor, the T61, as it has a faster processor, larger touchpad, a better graphics card,