Jim Eidelman's Laptop Notes and Tips

NOTE: In 1988, after I had given an all-day, everything-you-need-to-know-about-computers presentation for ICLE, someone said after seeing my course materials, "You ought to publish this stuff!" I began to put together The Law Office Computer Survival Guide, which I intended to sell and keep up to date as a loose-leaf reference service. It never was published, as I set it aside to get "Corporate Update" out the door. This is the beginning of my efforts, in a different format, to do a "brain dump" of information and opinions, and to keep this up to date. The good news is that you won't have to file the pocket parts, and I won't have to ship it to you. The bad news is that I haven't figured out how to charge for it. Stay tuned, and feel free to ask questions, answer questions, or make suggestions. -- Jim Eidelman

I have been consulting in the use of laptop computers for trial lawyers for a number of years, including a presentation at the ICLE trial advocacy institute on the subject of computers in the courtroom.

I will attach to this memo a copy of some of my articles and course materials on the subject, and will create links on this Web page to some other useful pieces of information.

In the meantime, the most important points are:

• Portable computers involve making compromises. They are more expensive, slower, become obsolete faster, have worse keyboards, worse monitors, etc.
• Trial lawyers need high-end systems for many of their needs, with CD ROMS, fast performance, good graphics, etc. In laptop computers, this combination is often particularly expensive.
• I am on the move all the time, and I use and recommend a laptop as a "desktop replacement" if you work the way I do.
• If most of your work is home and office, then a desktop machine each place is better.
• If you are just getting started in building a database you intend to take "on the road" to court, etc., it is best to build the database on desktop machines, then get the laptop when you need to hit the road. That way:
• 1. By waiting, you get the most "bang for the buck" at the time you need it.
  2. Your needs are better defined, so you truly understand what compromises you want to make (price vs. speed vs. battery life vs. weight, etc.)
• For actual courtroom use, while everyone thinks a laptop is best, a desktop is better, and most lawyers will set up a desktop computer at a trial. Laptops are great for motions, however, and for mediations. Also for depositions.

Articles:

Eidelman, Portable Law Office 1995, September1995, Law Technology Product News

My outline for Minnesota CLE Program: www.lawtech.com/jimtips/minnlap1.doc (Word 8 format)

Links to Laptop Info and Vendors:

Add-on devices:

Splitters for Video display on more than one monitor, and to use a keyboard and mouse on the same PS/2 port:  http://www.ymouse.com/  

Other Links

 Back to Jim's Tips: www.lawtech.com/jimtips

Back to Eidelman Assocates' www.lawtech.com