What is wrong with a 17.0'' Laptop !!!

[goodking]

Why are so many people skeptical about getting a 17 inches Notebook.
Personally, I believe it is the right choice for me. I needed to install AUTOCAD, SOLIDWORKS and AUTODESK INVENTOR. All these softwares most often require larger view space.

What do you suggest?

 

[Parasitic]

Personal preference is a big key I presume. Some hate small screens, and some hate the limited portability.
For me 15" full screen and up is too big; the 15.4" wide is kinda a stretch.

 

[Brainonska511]

I see a laptop as something that you should be able to carry without it adding a significant amount of weight to what you already carry. A 17" laptop is like carrying an extra textbook. With a smaller laptop, you can always hook up an external monitor if you really need the extra screen space. Of course, other reasons to get a 17" laptop could be you need desktop power and don't have the space to house such a machine.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

My bro has a 17" notebook and loves it. I prefer my 15.4" notebook.

 

[aigomorla]

the biggest thing about 17 notebooks is the batterylife and weight.

The screen size makes most 17inchers very bad in terms of weight cuz of battery life.


I have a 8710p, which is a 17inch. Added the extra travel battery and i get about 7 hours of battery life. But it weighs like a small child.

 

[Brutus04]

I got a 17" for the wife in lieu of a desktop...she loves it!

 

[Rankor]

I prefer 13"-14" notebook for portability.

I have an E1705 as a desktop replacement.

I purchased an Asus G1S 15.4" to replace the 14.1" Compaq V2000Z that I gave to my wife.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

It's all preference.

I'm having the debate with myself right now. I want the technology available only in the 17" model, but I'm skeptical that it just might be too big.

 

[frostedflakes]

They have their uses, as others have pointed out it all comes down to what you're looking for in a laptop. Obviously if it will be sitting on a desk 90% of the time and you need the performance they offer, it makes a lot of sense. If integrated video is adequate for your needs and you plan to use the laptop mainly on the go, 12-14" would make a lot more sense.

I think most people's beef with them is a 17" notebook is kind of an oxymoron, it's a contradiction to call something that isn't very portable a laptop. Probably why a lot of companies market them as DTR, desktop replacements.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Do you really need a laptop at all? With a desktop you can get a 20 - 30" monitor and put in a better CAD graphics card for less money.

Maybe you need a desktop for work and something like an Asus Eee, Nokia N810 or a $500 basic laptop for wandering around.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: goodking
Why are so many people skeptical about getting a 17 inches Notebook.

What do you suggest?

When I was looking for a new lappy, I wanted a 17" but settled for a 15.4"

As it turned out, the 15.4" lappy bordered on being too big to carry around. The only saving grace was, it (barely) fits inside my hard-shell briefcase.

It is definitely too big for use on an airplane!

Once I get to wherever I'm going, the extra size is nice, I suppose, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd get a 13"...

Having said that, when I'm here at the house, I simply plug my lappy into a 19" Dell monitor, keyboard and mouse, using a KVM switch.

So, my "suggestion" is to get a small-ish lappy, and hook it up to a 19"-24" monitor when you want to do CAD, et cetera!

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you decide you do need a laptop, Dell Small Business is the area of Dell that offers CAD versions of video cards instead of gaming cards.

 

[corkyg]

I had a 17-in laptop - a 9.5 lb. behemoth. No fun to travel by air with - it won't even open on the seat tray. If the person reclines - forget it.

Like has been said - personal choice. If you want a portable desktop - go for it.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Well I just solved the debate and bought a 14incher. I was able to get an HD2600 dedicated in it so that sold me as my worst fear was a low end graphics card or integrated.

When it came down to it the 17" was like $1700 more 9lbs plus the the power brick and when I thought it I said I don't really play computer games THAT much, nor do I want to have to haul this beast for 30 minutes or more on my shoulder.

I went with an Asus F8 series if anyone is familiar.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Well I just solved the debate and bought a 14incher. I was able to get an HD2600 dedicated in it so that sold me as my worst fear was a low end graphics card or integrated.

When it came down to it the 17" was like $1700 more 9lbs plus the the power brick and when I thought it I said I don't really play computer games THAT much, nor do I want to have to haul this beast for 30 minutes or more on my shoulder.

I went with an Asus F8 series if anyone is familiar.

I know which one that is - I remember the anticipation over at NotebookReview.com for this notebook, as the W3 series was EOLed and there was really no 14" Asus notebook with a midrange GPU to take its place until the F8 came out.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

People are still somewhat bananas over the F8SV, although oddly enough I haven't seen ANYTHING on the F8SA which is the same but with an HD2600. Frankly to me the 8600m and HD2600 are the same thing give or take few fps over there. A couple fps more is not enough to justify an extra $150 to $200.

 

[Fraggable]

I don't understand that big deal about 17" laptops and the weight. I've owned a HP DV8000 series for 2 years and weight was never an issue. Size was only an issue once when I went to buy a backpack, it was hard to find one to fit it that long ago. I weigh less than 150 and have no problem carrying it along with all kinds of other stuff in my bag. The power brick is no bigger than the one for a Inspiron 1420.

Since then I've upgraded to a Dell Inspiron 1720 with a WUXGA screen as much power and features as your average desktop and it's absolutely perfect for what I need. I do tech support, mostly remotely, and with dual drives (something not available on sub-17"ers) you can run backups, images, virtual PC, whatever you want off the second drive.

Sorry I'm talking about me so much, but maybe that will help you a bit.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Fraggable
I don't understand that big deal about 17" laptops and the weight. ... Sorry I'm talking about me so much, but maybe that will help you a bit.

OK - I would surmise you have not travelled extensively overseas carrying laptop, large camera bag, pouch with personal items, and helping wife carry her roll-on. When you have to tote everything from one end of an airport to another (Miami is the pits!) and then stand in a long line and manage all this stuff through security screening, it can be a strain.

BTW - this thread ended four notes ago when OP announced he bought a 14.1 incher.

So, chill out, enjoy the orange and pink sky and pour that scotch!

 

[Fraggable]

Originally posted by: corkyg

Originally posted by: Fraggable
I don't understand that big deal about 17" laptops and the weight. ... Sorry I'm talking about me so much, but maybe that will help you a bit.

OK - I would surmise you have not travelled extensively overseas carrying laptop, large camera bag, pouch with personal items, and helping wife carry her roll-on. When you have to tote everything from one end of an airport to another (Miami is the pits!) and then stand in a long line and manage all this stuff through security screening, it can be a strain.

BTW - this thread ended four notes ago when OP announced he bought a 14.1 incher.

So, chill out, enjoy the orange and pink sky and pour that scotch!

Well sure with all that other stuff it may be a problem. A 14" laptop with all that other stuff could be a pain. That stuff without a laptop could be a pain. The wife alone could be a pain.

I missed the part where he bought a laptop.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Haha, Gooking was the OP, I was the one that stated I solved my personal dilemma!

Like Fraggable has stated, it's all just down to preference. Some people can handle the traveling with a 17" notebook.

And no matter where you travel via flying taking something heavy in carry on is a huge pain, especially when you have to take it out at security. I travel a lot so that's why I picked the 14". And over Thanksgiving I traveled with my PS3 in my carry-on which is a hefty 11lbs, and after running from one end of the terminal to the other with that thing on my back it was murder. Not to mention my fear of having it get banged around.

A 17" would be a blast to have, especially with a new 8800m GTX like the Sager 9261, but I would be dreading everytime I had to take it somewhere.

My suggestion to the OP is to go to a store like best buy and get a feel for the different sizes and weights. Then if he still wants a 17" get a 12lb weight and try carrying it around for a while and see how you feel afterwards.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: goodking
Why are so many people skeptical about getting a 17 inches Notebook.

What do you suggest?

It is definitely too big for use on an airplane!

Havent had an issue with it in coach. The screen might be a big overpowering tho, but im not complaining.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: goodking
Why are so many people skeptical about getting a 17 inches Notebook.

What do you suggest?

It is definitely too big for use on an airplane!

Haven't had an issue with it in coach. The screen might be a big overpowering tho, but I'm not complaining.

How can you use a 17" notebook on a plane? I have trouble using my 14" notebook - if it's sitting on the tray table and someone starts to lean back, I have to move it uncomfortably close to me (at that height), or relegate it to lap usage.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
It's all preference.

... in a nutshell.

For potential buyers, find some books/magazines that weigh close to what your potential notebook will weigh, and carry them around in a bag for a few days going where you think you would take your future notebook.

Note that in standard coach, you won't be able to easily use any larger notebook, and 14" is probably the dividing point. I have a 15.4" widescreen and cannot open it up to type. To watch movies I have to tilt it so bottom of notebook is basically laying on my body.

If you're pretty much going to leave it on a desk, consider getting a Shuttle SFF.

I actually think those $300-400 notebooks that keep going on sale (various brands/retailers, usually with mobile Sempron or Celeron M and 15.4" widescreen) are killer deals for what they offer.

Speaking of killer deal, AFAIK Gateway only offers a single 17" notebook on their site, the NX860XL. It is on sale for a couple of days and can be had for $1420 shipped with these specs:
Core 2 Duo 1.83GHz 2MB cache
2GB RAM
160GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
DVDRW
17.1" widescreen 1920x1200 resolution
256MB Geforce Go 7900GS
(price is with 3 year warranty and extra mouse options unchecked, and using promo code NX860150)
http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529667769.php

Though the rest of the specs are ho-hum, that seems a great deal for the video card and the high-rez monitor.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: aigomorla
Haven't had an issue with it in coach. The screen might be a big overpowering tho, but I'm not complaining.

How can you use a 17" notebook on a plane? I have trouble using my 14" notebook - if it's sitting on the tray table and someone starts to lean back, I have to move it uncomfortably close to me (at that height), or relegate it to lap usage.

Exactly!

Not calling anyone a liar, but...

The only way I can use my 15.4 wide on a plane is by placing it on my chest and playing it like an accordian!

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: aigomorla
Haven't had an issue with it in coach. The screen might be a big overpowering tho, but I'm not complaining.

How can you use a 17" notebook on a plane? I have trouble using my 14" notebook - if it's sitting on the tray table and someone starts to lean back, I have to move it uncomfortably close to me (at that height), or relegate it to lap usage.

Exactly!

Not calling anyone a liar, but...

The only way I can use my 15.4 wide on a plane is by placing it on my chest and playing it like an accordian!

wow... i seriously dont have an issue with it on coach. If someone is leaning back, the screen tilts fine and i can watch all my movies on HD and widescreen. Infact on the past trips i went on, the person next to me always asks if i have an extra headphone jack so they can sneak the movie in also.

So far ive taken this 17inch laptop on the plane 4 times, and all 4 times i havent had an issue with it. given two of my trips were business class, andthe two coach was on virgin atlantic, and continental airlines.