Best Tech Gadgets and Services for Lawyers on a Budget
It costs to be on the cutting edge. When it comes to going digital, going paperless, going hi-tech, you can easily start shelling out thousands of dollars on products and services, some of which may be obsolete in a few years, or even months. But if you shop around, you can stay on top of many tech trends without breaking the bank.
To help you out, here are our best affordable gadget and service reviews, from the FindLaw archives.
1. The Best Scanner Under $300
What do you do with all those paper files in today's digital age? Scan 'em. You could contract that task out to a document services company, or spend a few grand on a massive Xerox machine that can scan hundreds of pages at a time. Or, you could get a completely adequate scanner for just a few hundred bucks. Here are the ones we recommend.
2. The Best Printer Under $100
No matter how paperless you want to be, you'll still need a decent printer. And, like scanners, you can still find quality printers on the cheap. There are even ones that won't bleed you dry in ink costs! Here's our top pick for the best printer for less than a Benjamin.
3. Best Ultrabook Under $1,300
An "ultrabook" is a super slim, incredibly low-power notebook that you can carry around as easily as, well, an actual notebook. They're the weight of a netbook, but with a battery life and functionality more akin to a traditional laptop. Check out which models are the best and most affordable here.
4. Best Law Firm Billing Software Under $60 a Month
You gotta spend money to make money, they say, and that's particularly true for your billing software. But you don't have to spend a ton of money. Billing software can help you keep better track of your time, thus improving your finances, organize your client accounts, and even help you manage your whole practice. And there are great options for less than you spend on your monthly Internet bill.
5. The Best Bluetooth Headsets for Lawyers
Bluetooth headsets might not be the most fashionable accessory, but they are a helpful one. If you need to talk and type (or talk and do anything hands free, really), a Bluetooth earpiece is a great solution. Here's our top pics.
6. Cloud Storage Price Wars: Best Free and Paid Options
Free up your office and computer space by storing your files on the cloud. Not only are they no longer on your hard drive, you can access them from pretty much anywhere: your office, the courthouse, a Starbucks bathroom -- anywhere with Wi-Fi.
7. Coffee Tech -- An Update on the Best Ways to Make Coffee
Want to really save some cash? Cut out that daily iced venti hazelnut macchiato and start brewing your own coffee.
Related Resources:
- The Rise of the Cheap Smartphone is Huge For Lawyers and Marketing (FindLaw's Technologist)
- 5 Cheap Gadgets Every Road-Warrior Lawyer Must Have (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Chromebooks: Cheap or Not, Mostly Useless for Lawyers (FindLaw's Technologist)