Laptop Size

[jcme]

My current PC is starting to get cranky from old age. Since I'm not a hardware geek I usually let it ride it's life out and replace it instead of putting money into upgrades.

Since it started acting cranky and I really would prefer a laptop, I've been keeping a close eye on PC prices. It seems that now the 17 and 13 inch versions are priced in line with the standard 15 inch version.

I had also been looking at the mini-PCs. I love the fact that they are so convienient to carry around, but the keyboards and features are definitely too small to use as a primary PC.

What is your preference on laptop size and why?

Take care

[celtictigeress]

I have a 15-inch. It's a little heavy but still easily toted around when I want to go somewhere to write, and the keyboard is large. The important thing to think about when deciding to get a laptop is what you need it for. Will you travel frequently with it? If so, it might be worth smaller features to get something less bulky. If it's just for you and you'll only be lugging it out to coffee houses or libraries, then you can get something with bigger features that is easier to use.

[YellowRoseTex]

Hi JC,
Personally I hate typing on a laptop. I have been, due to necessity at home as my PC still is not set back up after the hurricane. The screen is fine, it's the keyboard that I find cumbersome. But thank goodness I have it or I wouldn't be connected. ;)

[minimom]

I have a 15" laptop. Love it. I have a desktop that I never use, in fact we have another one ordered and when it comes in I won't use it at all. My laptop is 3 years old. It's not heavy, even when I have it in the case. I'm able to do everything on it that I could do on the desktop, except I can take this one wherever I want to go. When this one goes, I'll not hesitate to get another laptop. I will say that my last laptop had a definite different "feel" to the keyboard. I absolutely love the feel of the keyboard on this one. At school, I have a desktop and I hate the keyboard on it.

But it's all a matter of personal preference. I would suggest that you go to a store and try out a few different models, both laptops and desktops and see what you prefer.

Good luck with your decision.

Pam

:dance:

[bescapkgp]

I have a 17 inch laptop and never use our desk top computer anymore.

[jcme]

Thanks ladies.

I know my next PC will be a laptop because I the flexibility of using it in various rooms in my house. I have narrowed down brands based on reliability, price and keyboard feel.

I like the large screen size of the 17 inch, plus the numeric keypad is a nice bonus. To me those things make it a desktop replacement without the need for a monitor and separate keyboard. I love how portable a 13 inch laptop could be but the screen size is so much smaller. I'm concerned about it being too small if I'm not working at my computer desk where I would have a 17inch monitor. As for the keyboard, it would definitely need to be full sized.

With either a 15 inch or 13 inch laptop, I would have a monitor and separate keyboard set up for when I needed to work a long time on the PC or need to spread out papers on my desk. The 17 inch, I would use as-is.

All three sizes would work for me, it is just a matter of setting priorities and picking the best one.

Take care

[jcme]

Hi JC,
Personally I hate typing on a laptop. I have been, due to necessity at home as my PC still is not set back up after the hurricane. The screen is fine, it's the keyboard that I find cumbersome. But thank goodness I have it or I wouldn't be connected. ;)

When we first got laptops at work, even though we had a docking station and separate keyboard, I forced myself to get used to the laptop's keyboard....including using the pointing stick instead of a mouse (my first laptop didn't have a touchpad).

Now I can use either and the only thing that drives me crazy is the touchpad. I lean my hands on it so have it turned off on my work PC. If I get a home laptop, I guess I'll need to learn to use the touchpad since the pointing stick seems to be going the way of the dinousaur and is already extinct on consumer or low end business laptops :-(

Although I'm comfortable with laptop keyboards, I will say a separate keyboard always has a better feel...and I love having the numeric keypad.

Take care

[QuiltAngel]

I have a 13 inch laptop and I like it for it's portability. I have been using a laptop for about 5 years now so have gotten very use to the keyboard.

One can hook up their laptop to a larger monitor and to another keyboard if they want to. My husband had an accident and broke the monitor on his, but was able t continue using it by hooking up to another monitor until we got it replaced.

[YellowRoseTex]

JC,
That's a good idea to force myself to use the laptop keyboard when at work. I always dock and use my keyboard. Same with the mouse. My dh is a wiz using his touchpad, but I am all fumble fingers. :signlol: Guess it's just like when I taught myself the calculator. I forced myself to use only one hand and to keep my fingers at the proper position.

Good luck on your purchase!

[aquachick]

I am a physical therapist and let me preface this by saying I use my 13" MacBook laptop everywhere in my house, including flopped on my bed (mostly to watch tv shows online). I recently read an article which described the downfalls of using a laptop- first is the size of the keyboard which can cause the hands to cramp up. Second is the angle of your head while looking down at the screen while using it, as opposed to a desktop which hopefully is positioned at eye level. If you are having neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain , tingling in your fingers or have been treated for those things in the past, you want to be very careful to move around and stretch while you are using your laptop.

It suddenly made sense to me as to why my neck and shoulders are aching!