17" or 15.4"

[octopus41092]

So, I have the choice between two systems. Specs are the same except the screen. The 17" is 1680x1050, the 15.4" is only 1280x800. My concern is that the 17" is too big. Anyone have experience with 17" laptops? When I do carry it around it'll be in a backpack and if it's not it'll just be around the house. One thing I'm concerned with is though is weight. How much weight difference in general is there between a 15.4" and a 17"? Which should I get?

 

[IlllI]

look online and find how much it weighs. then find something you have at home that weighs the same and lug it around all day and see if you are ok with it

 

[corkyg]

Two years ago, I had a 17-incher. Never again! My primary use of a laptop is for travel. It weighed close to 9 lbs with battery installed, and then add to that all the stuff to carry with it - A/C adapter, cord, cables, mouse, and "stuff." Few backpacks can handle a 17-incher without putting strain on it. When travelling by air, it is almost impossible to open up a 17-incher on a standard airline traytable.

So - it really depends on your planned usage. I went from 17-in to 15.4, and now have gone back to 14.1. Smaller is better for the Road Warrior.

 

[hans030390]

I have a 17" Gateway P-6831FX. It fits fine in my standard backpack and isn't too bad like that. Carrying it in the laptop bag, while more suited for it, really hurts my shoulder. Then again, carrying a 15.4" does the same.

It depends on what you want to do with it, though. The lower resolution will allow you to play games at higher settings with the native resolution, for example. Something to consider...otherwise, I prefer the extra screen space.

 

[octopus41092]

I do prefer more screen space. I currently have a 14.1" non wide with 1400x1050 and my desktop is dual 22" monitors 1680x1050 each. As for the backpack I have the Alienware one which carries 17" ones perfectly fine. Also, for the stuff I carry with it probably going to be just the AC adapter and maybe a mouse. I would prefer the 15.4" if it had 1680x1050 but it's way more expensive. I dunno, I'm currently looking around for other 15.4" ones maybe with at least 1440x900.

I'm looking to build a barebone but I need something less than $575 w/ a DVD drive. Does anyone know if Compal is any good? For the 17" and 15" I'm looking at the MSI's but those seem to be more expensive. Although I really like the brushed aluminum... Anyone know where I can get a MSI 1651 ID-2 for cheap?

 

[IlllI]

compal and clevo/ sager are major oem companies. they basically build systems for other companies

 

[nerp]

I had a 15.4 and even that was tiresome to lug around and quite big. I now have a 13.3 and I think it's really the ideal size. The screen doesn't compromise on readability/usability that much and it's small and light enough that I can really treat it like an honest-to-god notebook.

 

[cbn]

Originally posted by: IlllI
compal and clevo/ sager are major oem companies. they basically build systems for other companies

If looking for a "barebones" kit would you suggest clevo/sager then?

Are barebones laptops worth it?

For a desktop I can't imagine going "pre-built" but maybe the situation with laptops is different? (I have no experience with laptops myself)

 

[Babbles]

I have a 17" Dell Inspiron that I use as a desktop replacement - which is exactly why I went with 17", I never intended to carry this around. I do, though, lug it around on somewhat rare occasions when visiting family or the soon-to-be-in-laws.

I would never, ever want to carry my 17" around on a daily basis. It gets heavy quick. For home use, it is absolutely fantastic and I couldn't be happier with it, but again not for daily transportation. In fact I am looking for a 10" - 13" to carry around for graduate school because I refuse to carry my 17". Additionally when it comes to 17" notebook bags and backpacks, the pickings are much more slim.

My fiancee has a 15.4" that she carries around a few times a week when she goes in, and it doesn't seem to be too heavy or otherwise much of a burden.

 

[Diz2K2]

I have a 17" Acer and like Babbles said I didn't intend to buy for alot of travel. It does make for a nice desktop setup and looks great when viewing movies. The occasional times I did have to carry it around, it does get heavy quickly. Normally I am driving most of the time so the bag I use is more for storage and keeping the laptop safe from getting damaged. It does seem to get more attention from others than my small size laptops.