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Would an 8 Pound Laptop Be Too Much to Lug Around?

G

Garuda

Banned
I need a laptop for medical school.

In college I always travelled light. Usually went to class with 2-3 one subject notebooks and a pencil or two in my bag.

I found a few Compaq AMD notebooks that I like. Both are about $1000. One is 7 pounds, the other 8.2 pounds. With a bag, both will come to 9-10 pounds I figure.

I have a sense for how much 10 pounds is, but not what it'll be like in terms of laptop usage. For those of you that have more experience with laptops, do you think that would be too much carry around? Should I aim for a smaller laptop? Thanks.
 
it's very hard to say what is "too much" for someone else...

my laptop was advertised at 8.5 pounds, and I've carried it around all day while visiting clients.. It wasn't really too much and it won't make you sore the next day 🙂, although I complain a lot about it.

I won't be getting a laptop much over 6 pounds again.
 
IMO, 8+ lb is too much for med school. You're moving around a lot and anything to ease the pain would be good. Also, I seem to remember that battery life tends to be better with lightweights just because those laptops are optimized for mobility.

Widescreen would also be a bad idea regardless of weight--It's too bulky.
 
too much, i used to have a 5lbs laptop and now I have a 3.2lbs one. Much better easier to fit into bags and its just great
 
It depends on how much you are moving around, I have an Emachines M6805 and w/ all the crap I put in the bag it's prolly 10+ pounds, and I'm a field repair tech for a major school system so I move around alot, but it doesn't really bother me. If you are walking long distances between classes I would suggest getting something as light as possible though or just get something not super heavy and get a backpack to carry it in instead of a bag of some sort. Just my 2 cents... 🙂
 
Some laptops give you the option of different screen sizes.

How exactly does that work? Is the base part of the laptop the same regardless of the attatched upper (screen) portion?

One of the laptops I liked is available in 14". I was wondering if the 14" version (which is $50 cheaper) might weigh less.
 
Originally posted by: Garuda
Some laptops give you the option of different screen sizes.

How exactly does that work? Is the base part of the laptop the same regardless of the attatched upper (screen) portion?

One of the laptops I liked is available in 14". I was wondering if the 14" version (which is $50 cheaper) might weigh less.
Click to expand...

Not signifcant enough if it does at all. They just stick a slightly larger bezel on the screen, so it in fact looks weird with the fatter frame and saves almost nill weight. You want to go with a system that was designed for a specific smaller screen size to save any real weight.
 
why not weigh a couple of those glossyassed medical textbooks - figure out which one weighs 8 pounds and try carrying it around all day.

That's what made me realize I was better off investing the money in the T40 I got - it's light and durable and easy to carry around.
 
I've lugged the Inspiron 8100 around school before. That thing with two batteries weighed closed to 10lbs I believe. I don't put it in my backpack, I have a separate carry case with me and my backpack on my back, so it was manageable.

The T-series IBM weighing in @ what, 6lbs, are remarkable considering it's physical size.
 
Originally posted by: ViperV990
I have a Toshiba R100 (2.4 lbs or 3 lbs w/ 2nd battery)

Can't imagine carrying around anything above 3-4lbs...
Click to expand...
I agree. I currently carry an old sony r505 series that's about 3.8lbs and I think it's too heavy now. 😉 I'm eyeing a Sharp Actius MM20 as it's replacement. Under 2lbs for less than $1500! Quite the steal. 🙂
 
I have an HP Pavilion zd7010 almost 10 pounds (17" Screen). I keep it in a tragrus backpack that is large eough to hold it and padded enough not to kill me. With a good case it is not too bad.
 
Originally posted by: werk
I agree. I currently carry an old sony r505 series that's about 3.8lbs and I think it's too heavy now. 😉 I'm eyeing a Sharp Actius MM20 as it's replacement. Under 2lbs for less than $1500! Quite the steal. 🙂
Click to expand...

Might want to check out this funny little article about the Efficeon:

http://www.vanshardware.com/articles/2004/05/040517_efficeonFreeze/040517_efficeonFreeze.htm

😀

Can't beat the weight/size tho. The only thing that is in the same class is the X505, at twice the cost...
 
Originally posted by: ViperV990
Originally posted by: werk
I agree. I currently carry an old sony r505 series that's about 3.8lbs and I think it's too heavy now. 😉 I'm eyeing a Sharp Actius MM20 as it's replacement. Under 2lbs for less than $1500! Quite the steal. 🙂
Click to expand...

Might want to check out this funny little article about the Efficeon:

http://www.vanshardware.com/articles/2004/05/040517_efficeonFreeze/040517_efficeonFreeze.htm

😀

Can't beat the weight/size tho. The only thing that is in the same class is the X505, at twice the cost...
Click to expand...
I'd heard of the thermal throttling issue, but I didn't know it was that bad. I really don't need that powerful of a notebook (mostly for connecting to clients networks/vnc/etc and checking email), so it doesn't bother me that much. It is a bit dishonest, though...🙁
 
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