Incoming Students
The School of Law is committed to creating an environment in which students have maximum opportunities to use state-of-the-art computing and networking technologies. At Duke, networked computing resources are used extensively in the curriculum, for research, for communications within the law school community, and for external communications outside the law school.
The Law School's Student Research Network is designed to support law student computing needs, providing access to word processing, legal research databases, electronic mail, the Internet and the World Wide Web, as well as to electronic courseware and instructional exercises. The School currently maintains terminals for student use in the library and provides additional live network connections for students with portable computers. Wireless networking is available throughout the building and elsewhere on campus.
Because of the importance of access to networked communication in all aspects of student life and the extent to which the school relies on electronic communications, the law school strongly recommends that all entering JD and LLM students own a portable (notebook or laptop) computer. This portable computer should meet the specifications recommended by our Computing Services department.
A portable computer provides a versatile platform the student can use throughout the law school, elsewhere on campus, at home and while traveling. Duke's student financial aid budget includes $2,500 towards the cost of purchasing a new computer, which will cover the cost of purchasing a portable computer. Please contact the Law School Financial Aid Office for details. Students purchasing new computers are eligible for special package deals and finance plans through the Duke Computer Store, which can be contacted at cpustore@duke.edu or (919) 684-8956. Promotions will again be available for the Duke Technology Advantage program beginning in early June. Computers available under this program included extended warranties that cover screen replacement and damage to plastic parts. Order your computer at the Duke Computer Store technology advantage web site. Any of the Dell or Lenovo notebook computers listed on that site meet our recommended specifications. When you contact the store be certain to tell them you are an admitted law student.
For further information about law school computing services contact Kenneth J. Hirsh, Director of Computing Services, by e-mail at ken@law.duke.edu or by phone (919) 613-7155.
Recommended Specifications for New Computers 2008-2009
This information was updated April 24, 2008
Duke Law School Strongly Recommends Students Own a Notebook Computer
Because of the importance of access to networked communication in all aspects of student life and the extent to which the school relies on electronic communications, the law school strongly recommends that all entering JD and LLM students own a portable (notebook or laptop) computer. Computers should meet the specifications in the table found at the bottom of this document. Please play particular attention to the detailed information in the following paragraphs.
Why Windows XP Professional Edition or Windows Vista Business or Ultimate?
Will Vista Work on the Law School Network?
What about Macintosh computers?
Why would I need a DVD drive?
How do you set the specifications?
What if I have a computer that does not meet the specifications or no computer at all?
Can I get financial assistance?
Where Should I Buy? What Brand Should I Buy?
What About Insurance?
Recommended Specifications for New Portable Computers
Why Windows XP Professional Edition or Windows Vista Business?
Windows XP is the operating system used on Student Research Network computers provided for student use and on faculty and staff computers. It is used by most law firms. The Professional edition of XP, and the Business and Ultimate editions of Vista, as opposed to the Home editions of both products, provide full compatibility with the school's NetWare and Microsoft networks, providing you access to network storage and network printers. Using a Home edition will place you at a distinct disadvantage.
What are the different versions of Windows Vista?
Please go to the Microsoft Windows web site to learn the distinctions among the various editions of Windows Vista.
What about Macintosh computers?
Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro computers running Mac OS X Leopard with BootCamp and Windows are acceptable for use in the law school. Two law school programs must be run in Windows: the Electronic Bluebook examination software and the Contracts Experience course DVD required for some sections of contracts. The Electronic Bluebook software may not be run in an emulator such as Parallels or VirtualPC. You must boot into Windows to take exams with this software. Please note that Windows does not come with the Macintosh and you will need to buy a copy. You will find the lowest price at the Duke Computer Store.
1. Some sections of the first year contracts course use The Contracts Experience DVD in lieu of a casebook. You must use a DVD to load the software.
2. Much commercially available software is now distributed on DVD.
How do you set the specifications?
We recommend specifications that describe a computer that should serve you well throughout your three years at the law school. Our recommendation is substantially the same as that Duke University makes to its incoming undergraduate students, and takes into account serviceability of your computer.
What if I have a computer that does not meet the specifications or no computer at all?
Computing Services staff provides a comprehensive level of service for computers meeting the specifications. While we do not perform hardware repair or replacement, we do help with nearly any other problem, including removing viruses and spyware, reinstalling the operating system, and backing up data before you send a defective hard drive for replacement. Because computers not meeting the specifications often have nonstandard or inferior parts and because Windows Home edition does not support Novell and Microsoft advanced networking features, we are unable to provide such a comprehensive level of support for computers that do not meet the specifications.
Desktop computers for law students are available in the law library, but we do not provide loaner notebook computers to students.
Can I get financial assistance?
Duke's student financial aid budget includes $2,500 towards the cost of purchasing a new computer, which should cover the cost of purchasing a portable computer meeting our recommended specifications. Please contact the Law School Financial Aid Office for details.
Where Should I Buy? What Brand Should I Buy?
Students purchasing new computers are eligible for special package deals and finance plans through the Duke Computer Store, which can be contacted at cpustore@duke.edu or (919) 684-8956. Promotions for delivery in the fall will be available from the Duke Technology Advantage Program in late spring. Computers available under this program included extended warranties that cover screen replacement and damage to plastic parts and provide a loaner computer if repairs cannot be completed within two days. Order your computer at the Duke Computer Store Technology Advantage web site beginning in late spring. Any of the Dell, Lenovo or MacBook notebook computers listed on that site meets our recommended specifications. When you contact the store, be certain to tell them you are an admitted law student.
We recommend that you avoid buying your computer from a big-box store such as Circuit City or Best Buy. The models carried in these showrooms are not optimized for use in a networked professional school environment. In our experience, the Dell and Lenovo computers available from the Duke Computer Store are more reliable and are more easily configured for networked environments than are the Compaq, HP, Sony and Toshiba models typically available in big-box stores, or the notebook computers available from Gateway. Obtaining repairs on these brands is often problematic and the warranty is typically only one year. We also recommend that you review the annual reliability surveys published by PC Magazine .
Even if you use your security cable religiously and never leave your computer unattended, you should carry financial protection in the event of loss. The law school, like other public facilities, does experience theft. Most homeowners and renters insurance policies cover computers as insured contents, subject to the policy deductible. Review your policy and if you believe your coverage is insufficient, you may wish to purchase a computer insurance policy from Safeware.
| Recommended Specifications for New Portable Computers | ||
| Features | Recommended Specification | Comments |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo Processor 1.8 Ghz | Dell, Lenovo and MacBook Pro computers feature this processor. |
| Memory (RAM) | 2 GB Vista / 1 GB Windows XP | You need this much to run Vista optimally. |
| Video RAM | 256 MB | Sufficient to support the Windows Aero interface. |
| Hard Drive | 60.0 Gigabyte | Buy a larger hard drive if you will be saving media (music or video) files. |
| Display | N/A | Display size is a matter of personal preference. Larger displays make for easier reading, but may add weight to the computer. 14.1 inches is now a common size |
| Modem (Optional) |
56 kbps meeting v.90 standard | You'll use dial-up only when a high-speed connection is not available. |
| Network Interface | Wired Ethernet 1000/100 BaseT and WiFi 802.11g or 802.11n | Wireless networking is available throughout the law school and across the Duke campus. Your computer should be equipped with at least 802.11g wireless capability. If your computer does not have integrated wired or wireless network capability, then we recommend you purchase a separate network card to provide network connectivity. Duke is expected to support the 802.11n standard by the end of 2008. |
| Operating System | Windows XP Professional Edition with SP2, Windows Vista Business or Ultimate Edition, or Mac OS X or Leopard with BootCamp and Windows. | Please see details above. |
| Optical Drive | DVD or DVD/CD-RW | Please see details above. |
| Diskette Drive | Not required | Instead, purchase a USB Flash Memory drive to allow exchanging files. |
| Carrying Case | Designed for portable computers | It should have sufficient padding, keep the computer snug and offer room for the accessories you use every day. |
| Warranty | 3-year warranty | A 3-year warranty will provide coverage throughout your law school career. Computers purchased from the Duke Computer Store carry at least a 3-year warranty. Duke Computer Repair services Dell, Lenovo and Macintosh computers. |
| Security kit | Providing cable and lock. Never leave your computer unattended in a public area, even when it is secured. | Kensington and others manufacture cables that will hook the security port on your computer. You should have and use a cable; however, remember that a while a lock may deter casual thieves it will not absolutely prevent theft. |
| Internet Access Provider |
You will need to arrange for an Internet Service Provider account for home access. Information about accounts, including high-speed accounts available in Durham, is available at the Computing Services web site . | |
| Insurance | Check the provisions of your homeowner's or renter's policy. Consider a special policy from Safeware . | |
