Computers Anyone here carry a 17" laptop?

memyselfI · 03-04-2010, 05:20 PM

My son seems to think bigger is better and wants one of these. However, I'm concerned that it's going to be too big to actually be portable. I know these are mostly used for desktop replacements.

Anyone here use one as a portable laptop? How much do you hate life having to carry it around all day?

**Buck** · 03-04-2010, 05:23 PM

Yeah I do, its not too bad, only like 10 lbs.

But I would recommend a shoulder strap carrying case instead of just holding it by hand, it makes it a little easier.

Miles · 03-04-2010, 05:27 PM

I have never understood the appeal of a 17" if you will be more than occasionally carrying it around. Too big of a form factor, too heavy and the larger screen reduces batter life and you need a desk/table to really use one for more than a few minutes. However if he is a student he will may not notice the extra 5-7 lbs as much since he will be likely be carrying books around as well.

IMO a 13.3" and an external monitor for home is the way to go.

Valiant · 03-07-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles

I have never understood the appeal of a 17" if you will be more than occasionally carrying it around. Too big of a form factor, too heavy and the larger screen reduces batter life and you need a desk/table to really use one for more than a few minutes. However if he is a student he will may not notice the extra 5-7 lbs as much since he will be likely be carrying books around as well.

IMO a 13.3" and an external monitor for home is the way to go.

Computer games plan and simple.. If he says that is not the reason he is lying.. Well unless he is drawing or using it for a cad class.. I have a nice touch screen laptop I use for that..

**BigRedChief** · 03-07-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

Computer games plan and simple.. If he says that is not the reason he is lying.. Well unless he is drawing or using it for a cad class.. I have a nice touch screen laptop I use for that..

wellll I also like the bigger screen because I can term serv into work and keep multiple sessions open and viewed at the same time. Helps me get chit down faster, like applying patches etc.

I don't play games on the laptop.

Valiant · 03-08-2010, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

wellll I also like the bigger screen because I can term serv into work and keep multiple sessions open and viewed at the same time. Helps me get chit down faster, like applying patches etc.

I don't play games on the laptop.

No, I am not saying that for adults.. I am saying that if a kid says he wants a 17in..

Miles · 03-08-2010, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

No, I am not saying that for adults.. I am saying that if a kid says he wants a 17in..

Good point if it also has a decent GPU. Though I guess I also don't quite get the need for pure gaming laptop given the price of the added power vs. a desktop for gaming and laptop for other shit.

**BigRedChief** · 03-08-2010, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

No, I am not saying that for adults.. I am saying that if a kid says he wants a 17in..

Then thats just luxury and not need. If you can afford it great. if not, here son, we got you a nice 15in laptop that will do the job for $200-300 cheaper.

**007** · 03-04-2010, 05:55 PM

They are heavy to haul around

Taco John · 03-04-2010, 06:04 PM

If I was a student, I would want a 17 incher. The smaller portable ones are nice, but they're harder to use, IMO. You get a nice keyboard size with a 17 incher, which is crucial for getting papers written without getting carpal tunnel.

The downside is definitely battery life. But the upside is usefulness. A 17 incher is much more useful than a 13.

**Buehler445** · 03-05-2010, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

If I was a student, I would want a 17 incher. The smaller portable ones are nice, but they're harder to use, IMO. You get a nice keyboard size with a 17 incher, which is crucial for getting papers written without getting carpal tunnel.

The downside is definitely battery life. But the upside is usefulness. A 17 incher is much more useful than a 13.

I disagree. I had a 12.1 inch when I was in college and it worked well unless I needed a 10 key. Plus with mouse options these days, particularly bluetooth, it is cake.
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Taco John · 03-04-2010, 06:06 PM

By the way, I do use a 17-incher for business trips. I always have to find a plug in to make it last, but I'm ok with that.

Jewish Rabbi · 03-04-2010, 06:11 PM

I used a 17 inch on your wife last night

**Rain Man** · 03-04-2010, 06:29 PM

I walk 4 miles a day with a 15" laptop and it's not a problem once you get used to it. It's exercise. However, I've got a nice backpack that's designed for it.

I like a bigger screen and think the screen size outweighs the portability issue, even in my case. The only time the size is a problem is on planes, when I often can't open it all the way because the dipstick in front of me always thinks he has an obligation to recline his seat all the way back the second the plane gets off the ground. If your son doesn't fly much, he probably doesn't need to worry about that, though.

RedDread · 03-04-2010, 06:37 PM

I have had a 17" for a while now. I use it as a Desktop Replacement, so it doesn't move too often. When I have to transport it using it in transit can be a PITA, but it is quite nice when I get to somewhere were I can fully set up. The battery life is awful but it is a gaming laptop so the power usage is ridiculous. If I ever had to do a lot of traveling or go to classes I would probably get a cheap 15" to do word processing and surf the net.

03-04-2010, 05:20 PM	Topic Starter
memyselfI CHANGEd your mind yet???? Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lunatics Anonymous Casino cash: $10005234	Anyone here carry a 17" laptop? My son seems to think bigger is better and wants one of these. However, I'm concerned that it's going to be too big to actually be portable. I know these are mostly used for desktop replacements. Anyone here use one as a portable laptop? How much do you hate life having to carry it around all day?
Posts: 32,000

03-04-2010, 05:23 PM	#2
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $5960295	Yeah I do, its not too bad, only like 10 lbs. But I would recommend a shoulder strap carrying case instead of just holding it by hand, it makes it a little easier.
Posts: 44,607

03-04-2010, 05:27 PM	#3
Miles MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Casino cash: $-1707600	I have never understood the appeal of a 17" if you will be more than occasionally carrying it around. Too big of a form factor, too heavy and the larger screen reduces batter life and you need a desk/table to really use one for more than a few minutes. However if he is a student he will may not notice the extra 5-7 lbs as much since he will be likely be carrying books around as well. IMO a 13.3" and an external monitor for home is the way to go.
Posts: 14,541

03-04-2010, 05:55 PM	#9
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $12130126 VARSITY	They are heavy to haul around __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,738

03-04-2010, 06:04 PM	#10
Taco John Sapere Aude Join Date: Jun 2001 Casino cash: $427937	If I was a student, I would want a 17 incher. The smaller portable ones are nice, but they're harder to use, IMO. You get a nice keyboard size with a 17 incher, which is crucial for getting papers written without getting carpal tunnel. The downside is definitely battery life. But the upside is usefulness. A 17 incher is much more useful than a 13. __________________ Ehyeh asher ehyeh. Donger's Razor: "The most establishment-friendly explanation that gives leftist and neocon politicians the most amount of cover is the only possible explanation, even when gaping holes and leaps of logic are required to get there."
Posts: 79,768

03-04-2010, 06:06 PM	#12
Taco John Sapere Aude Join Date: Jun 2001 Casino cash: $427937	By the way, I do use a 17-incher for business trips. I always have to find a plug in to make it last, but I'm ok with that. __________________ Ehyeh asher ehyeh. Donger's Razor: "The most establishment-friendly explanation that gives leftist and neocon politicians the most amount of cover is the only possible explanation, even when gaping holes and leaps of logic are required to get there."
Posts: 79,768

03-04-2010, 06:11 PM	#13
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $-1826750	I used a 17 inch on your wife last night
Posts: 16,960

03-04-2010, 06:29 PM	#14
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-712449 VARSITY	I walk 4 miles a day with a 15" laptop and it's not a problem once you get used to it. It's exercise. However, I've got a nice backpack that's designed for it. I like a bigger screen and think the screen size outweighs the portability issue, even in my case. The only time the size is a problem is on planes, when I often can't open it all the way because the dipstick in front of me always thinks he has an obligation to recline his seat all the way back the second the plane gets off the ground. If your son doesn't fly much, he probably doesn't need to worry about that, though. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,546

03-04-2010, 06:37 PM	#15
RedDread Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Back in KC Casino cash: $10007771	I have had a 17" for a while now. I use it as a Desktop Replacement, so it doesn't move too often. When I have to transport it using it in transit can be a PITA, but it is quite nice when I get to somewhere were I can fully set up. The battery life is awful but it is a gaming laptop so the power usage is ridiculous. If I ever had to do a lot of traveling or go to classes I would probably get a cheap 15" to do word processing and surf the net.
Posts: 4,167