Laptops at the Law School

In order to get the most from your Law School experience we strongly encourage all students to obtain a laptop computer.

Laptops have become a very important tool for most law students, who use them regularly to help organize and complete academic work assignments, write answers to essay questions on examinations, and complete many of the computer-automated administrative processes at the Law School, including registering for classes and job interviews.

If you are not already comfortable using a computer generally and typing on a keyboard specifically, we recommend that you take steps to become so.

While not mandatory, laptop ownership is an integral part of our long-term strategy as we expand our web-based instructional technology and laptop exam programs. Most students now use their laptop to take in-class essay exams; you may feel at a disadvantage if you don't.

Laptop Advantage
The advantage of a laptop is the mobility and flexibility it will provide you at the Law School. The computer labs are available exclusively for law student use:

• Sub-3 Library Computer Lab -- 24 desktops
• Student Commons -- 6 desktops
• Sub-2 Library CALR -- 15 desktops

However, they get very busy, especially during peak times of the academic year. Owning a laptop not only allows you to avoid long lines and crowded conditions, but also enables you to do your work in a location of your choice, for instance in the historic Reading Room, the Student Commons, the Law Library, or the Law Quad grounds.

Wireless Network
Students with wireless laptops are able to connect to the University's wireless network to print, perform online legal research, and access the Internet and e-mail. To use wireless you will need a computer with an IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, IEEE 802.11 a/b/g or IEEE 802.11b/g wireless LAN network card that supports 802.1X/WPA2 and a network browser.   

Laptop Exams
The Law School permits the use of laptops for most in-class essay exams. Students are also permitted to use laptops for take-home exams. The approved versions of Electronic Bluebook (EBB) works with Windows and Mac operating systems.

Network Connectivity Support
LawIT provides laptop support for wireless and other Law School network-related connectivity issues only. For more information about laptop support at the Law School, please see our student laptop support policy.

ITS Computer Support & Repair, located in the U-M Computer Showcase on the ground floor of the Michigan Union, provides low-cost assistance with a variety of software and laptop maintenance and repair problems, with walk-in support service for all types of computers. For hardware repairs, however, they only service Apple, Dell and HP computers (both warranty and non-warranty repairs).

Laptop Financing
If you anticipate the need for school loan funds to pay off your computer, note that you may not order the computer more than one month before the start of the academic year in order to qualify. The Office of Financial Aid (734.764.5289) has further information on laptop financing options.

Laptop Configuration
Please use our recommended PC laptop configuration table as a guide.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact LawIT.