Laptops v. Desktops; The Race is Getting Tighter
By John J. Nagle III
(Published in The Advocate, official publication of the Baltimore County Bar Association, 1998).
A few years ago, in this column, I suggested that laptop computers would become a viable alternative to desktop PCs. I reread my article and was amazed to see how dated the information had become. That is a given, however, in modern communications. Although the specs are ever-improving, my argument that laptops should be seriously considered by lawyers, remains the same.
Since my last article, laptops have become as powerful as desktops. They are boasting speeds of 233 MHz with huge storage capacities, powerful memory, amazing media, and much improved graphical capabilities. Of course, the advantage of using a laptop is the same as it as been from the first generation machines - their portability. For lawyers who regularly travel, spend time in court, or who wish to simply own one computer for use at home as well as the office, laptops are the way to go.
With a laptop, you have the ability and flexibility to be connected to every part of your practice. In a very real and practical sense, you own a portable, second office with all of the same capabilities of your main office, such as word processing, calendaring, networking, faxing, and surfing the Internet.
When shopping for a laptop, look for the following minimum specifications (if you don't understand some of these terms, feel free to call me): Pentium II processor (MMX) with a clock speed of 133 MHz, 24MB RAM, 1.6GB hard drive, active matrix screen display, touch pad or trackball pointer, sound card, 12X CD-ROM drive, and "smart", lithium battery. So that you don't have to manually rewire external devices such as a keyboard, mouse or monitor each time you get back to the office, you can order a port replicator/docking station, which allows the user to simply "plug in" the laptop. For connection to a network or outside phone line, you will need a "card" which fits into the laptop's PCMCIA slot. I have bought what is known as a "combo" card which combines a network connection and a 56K modem into a single device.
Laptop computers are much improved in terms of durability. With name brand models, rigorous endurance tests are conducted which subject the laptop to extreme heat, cold, drops, spills and other disasters that might occur on the road. Many computer magazines regularly report the test findings so that you can determine which manufacturer to consider. A laptop must be tough. They are expensive and should be able to handle a high degree of wear and tear.
Software has made it easy to have a virtual office with you when you are away but still must remain in touch. LapLink or pcAnywhere allow you to dial into your office network by remotely taking control over a designated PC. You can check office e-mail, transfer files to and from the firm's network and use software applications which are loaded on the remote desktop but not on your host laptop. Fax programs, such as WinFax Pro, allow you to send and receive faxes. By way of example, when I was on vacation last summer, I was preparing for a protracted trial. Due to a rigid pre-trial schedule, several deadlines occurred. I had to have the ability to review a host of pleadings and correspondence on a frequent basis. This was accomplished in two ways. Some of the documents were faxed from my office's fax machine directly to my laptop. I was able to review them, "redline" them with comments and instructions, and fax them back to the office. My client preferred to send me drafts of pleadings via the Internet so that I would have clean copies. These documents were edited through WordPerfect and returned to the client, again, by way of the Internet. I was also able to connect to my office network to send and receive files. The end result was that I was able to go on vacation, as well as enjoy it. (The case settled of course!)
There are still some important down sides with laptops. I mentioned the cost. A laptop is still much more expensive than a PC. Today's most powerful laptops can cost as much as five thousand dollars. For most lawyers, however, the kind of power which that price buys is not necessary. You can expect to pay somewhere in the range of $2500 for a decent, name-brand laptop, which will last for years, from an obsolescence standpoint. Of course, you will pay more when you add in the cost of options such as a network card/modem and docking station. Another matter to consider is that laptops can be prohibitively expensive to upgrade, primarily because the design and parts are "proprietary" which obligates you to deal only with the specific manufacturer.
When all is said, however, laptop computers will continue to improve both in performance and price. They arm you with a practice-saving tool at times when you need it. Desktop PCs still lead the race in office automation although laptops are steadily gaining in market share. Laptops are here to stay.