Best screen size to work on airplanes?

[mcveigh]

I was flying recently and my old thinkpad T400 is a little big to comfortably use on a plane. I can't tilt the screen to the angle I want without hitting the back of the chair in front of me.

Does anyone have thoughts on the best size to use on a plane? I think an 11inch like the macbook air would be too small for me.

 

[corkyg]

I have always used a 15-n screen with no problems. It also depends a lot on where you are sitting.

 

[mcveigh]

I think it's more the depth of the base. The T400 is kinda big smaller depth would let me pull the laptop closer and therefore angle the screen back more.
Right now the screen is hitting the chair-back in front of me

Maybe I should lose weight.

 

[Commodus]

The sweet spot in my experience is 13 inches... maybe 14, if you get a sufficiently compact model. That's small enough that you can use your system without it being jammed into your stomach. Anything bigger and you'll probably want to pony up for business class.

 

[corkyg]

A lot depends on the laptop's aspect ratio. A 15-in screen in letterbox format is no taller than a smaller screen in standard format.

Alas! Business class is not an option in continental USA - only international flights, In USA you have to pony up to 1st class or "enhanced economy."