Need advise - Black's Law Dictionary: Digital or Paper?

[CareerChange]

Hello everybody! I am a soon-to-be 1L and am wondering if I should purchase the digital Black'd Dictionary + 3rd edition in Hardcover package or just the 9th edition in Hardcover. Both options cost about $90 on Amazon, was wondering if the digital version will be useful while preparing case briefs and outlines, or is it just better to purchase the old-fashioned hardcover book.

Thanks and I look forward to your thoughts. Good luck!

[botbot]

You will have access to a free digital copy from West once you start school.  Don't buy one.

If you start school and find yourself using the West copy often, buy the pocket version.

[Frogconcept]

If you have an iphone, I'd recommend the Black's app.  It's $50, and you always have it handy.  That being said, don't lose your iphone; I've invested so much in the apps that were I to lose it, I'd almost have to buy another one...it's an amazing marketing strategy.

[;;;;;]

You will have access to a free digital copy from West once you start school.  Don't buy one.

If you start school and find yourself using the West copy often, buy the pocket version.

I agree.  I have a print one and never use it.  The only time it has come in handy is during law review write-on when you are not allowed to go on westlaw.  If you need it then, just check it out for a week from your library.  When you are writing a brief and using westlaw black's, it is nice to be able to copy and paste.

[UnbiasedObserver]

You will have access to a free digital copy from West once you start school.  Don't buy one.

If you start school and find yourself using the West copy often, buy the pocket version.

Botbot's correct.  Just wait until you get the free Westlaw version. 

[jalex519]

I think the pocket version is very useful since you can carry it around easily and quickly reference it while reading cases. I used mine quite a bit during 1L. It's also only $30.

The hardcover version is too big IMO and like others have said, there is no need to pay for a digital version since you can get free access to one through Westlaw.

[thorc954]

dont bother with either. 

I went through all of law school without ever using a black's law dictionary in any format.  If you dont understand a word, it probably isnt important (or at least not important enough to spend the time looking it up).

[M_Cool]

Or you can just Google the word to see what it means..  the only reason to use Black's is if you are actually going to cite to an exact definition. 

[Georgiana]

Or you can just Google the word to see what it means..  the only reason to use Black's is if you are actually going to cite to an exact definition. 

I agree... Google will solve everything  

And if you cannot find it on Google/wiki you can use the West version to look it up or just ask someone. 

The use of random Latin phrases has decreased significantly and I didn't think the vocab used during 1L was very difficult to master without a legal dictionary. 

[thorc954]

I agree.  Google anything you dont know (or wikipedia, that got me through Con Law).