Last week I purchased a notebook, the Eee PC 1000H, for my virtual law practice and I want to recommend it for those attorneys taking their practices online. Since my law office is completely web-based, I have a number of different computers, including a PC and MacBook, which I switch out depending on where I will be working that day and what other programs I have installed on each.
I decided on the Eee PC because I’m not that fast at typing on a smartphone, and my laptop and MacBook, while not that heavy are still too big to comfortably sit in my lap while I work. The Eee PC is just the right size for me.
After I migrated over most of the data I wanted on the machine, I added TrueCrypt and set up the backup to an external harddrive. Basically, I stick in the Alltel wireless card and I’m good to go. Given that it is easily portable and I can type just as fast on it, I think it was well worth the under $400 that I paid.
Some of the drawbacks have included the need to attach an external cd drive in order to install software. The right side shift key is also a little off that of a traditional-sized keyboard so that has taken some adjusting to. Otherwise, I think it will be a valuable tool for my VLO.
Another benefit of this notebook is that I now have a backup Internet connection for my VLO. For anyone practicing with a virtual law practice, I recommend some form of secondary Internet connection if you do not trust what you currently use. Should the connection in my house become unreliable, I have the wireless card in my Eee PC as a backup and can just access all of my law office data and VLO that way. The wireless card is not as fast as the DSL at times, but it hasn’t been that noticeable so far when I’ve been using it around town.
Anyone considering going online with their law practice should check out these notebooks as an affordable mobile device. Have any other new hardware recommendations for the virtual law practice?
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