Laptop Information

In order to be successful in law school and in your legal career, Saint Louis University School of Law strongly recommends that you have a laptop. The laptop computer has become a vital tool for law school students and practicing attorneys. Whether you envision yourself in the courtroom, the boardroom, in private practice or public service, purchasing a good quality laptop computer now will help you develop skills and habits in law school that will contribute to your success as an attorney. In addition, students with a laptop computer have the option of taking final exams on the computer as long as it meets our minimum requirements.

Minimum Requirements

Regardless of where you purchase your laptop computer, its specifications meet or exceed the requirements listed below.

What does the School of Law Recommend?

The most important reason to buy a high quality laptop is so that you can take all of your final exams on the computer using the Extegrity Exam4 software (see www.Exam4.com). The Law School has made arrangements with CDWG to offer the ThinkPad at special low prices. In the event of a hardware or software problem with your IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad purchased from CDWG, the Law School has an arrangement with a local service vendor that provides technical support for students.

For more information about the IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad models that the Law School recommends, you can contact our CDWG representative directly, or visit www.cdwg.com/slulaw

CDWG Sales Representative: Brad Wolken, Account Manager
(866) 222-3803, e-mail: bradwol@cdwg.com

The School of Law has two computer labs with 25 computers each. These labs are reserved specifically for students. Word processing software, web browsers, on-line legal research sites and a variety of other applications are available at all law school workstations. While there is generally little difficulty in finding an available computer, exceptions exist. Laptop computers offer greater flexibility and portability by allowing you to use wireless technology available throughout the law school and campus. In addition, a great majority of students are using computers in the classroom.

CDWG Sales Representative: Brad Wolken, Account Manager
(866) 222-3803, e-mail: bradwol@cdwg.com - www.cdwg.com/slulaw

What about other laptop makes and models?

If you already own a laptop that meets the recommended technical specifications (see Minimum Requirements above) you may still take advantage of the School of Law’s Exam4 laptop option for final exams. Though the ITS staff will provide support, potential hardware/software compatibility issues may limit support remedies. Windows XP is used in the School of Law labs and classrooms. If your laptop uses an operating system other than Windows XP, see the chart below for the technologies available.

Can a laptop be purchased using my financial aid?

For information, please e-mail our financial aid coordinator, Jackie Koerner, at fin_aid@law.slu.edu.

What software will I need?

Microsoft Word is a popular word processing program and is used in many law firms. Microsoft Works is found on some new computers but is not recommended because it uses a different file format and may not be compatible with Word. Most programs can convert files from one program to the other, but you run the risk of losing formatting during the process. It is critical that the word processing program which you utilize is able to save documents in Word format. Note that the University standard for word processing is Microsoft Word.

In addition to current Microsoft Windows updates and patches, you must have a current anti-virus package installed and up-to-date. Symantec Anti-Virus is provided Free by the University and is available at the law school ITS Help Desk.

What basic information about computers do I need to know?

If you are going to use a computer to do work, it is crucial that you take the time to learn about your computer! There are dozens of helpful introductory books available that can be found in most bookstores. It is advisable to learn about the basic Windows functions so that you understand how to organize, copy, move, and delete files.

Learn how to make backup copies of your work, and remember to do so regularly. Every semester we encounter students who have lost a course outline or final paper simply because they failed to save their work. Sometimes the documents can be recovered, but often they cannot.

What if I have further questions?

For further information about laptop requirements, software purchases, or other questions related to School of Law computing, contact Jim Lapointe at (314) 977-4071, jlapoint@slu.edu, or drop by Morrissey Hall, Room 242 located inside the Omer Poos Law Library.