Without getting into brand or OS issues....

If you were going to buy a new portable computer and you travel a lot, especially in airplanes, what screen size would you buy and why?

What are the pros and cons?

NOTE: I voted 'Other' because I'm not sure... Which, obviously, is the reason for the poll...

Without getting into brand or OS issues....

If you were going to buy a new portable computer and you travel a lot, especially in airplanes, what screen size would you buy and why?

NOTE: I voted 'Other' because I'm not sure... Which, obviously, is the reason for the poll...
May I suggest the screen size you require is dependent MORE on how you will use the computer while on the road than on its portability. If it is primarily for emails and filling out text reports, you will probably be happy with a very lightweight machine with a tiny screen. Since my daughter has moved up to supervisor/manager and is no longer a number-crunching CPA auditor, she can get along with just a blackberry on the road. If you are an engineer doing and reviewing tech drawings, you'll probably want the biggest screen you can get, regardless of the machine weight.

If you use it to watch entertainment DVDs in your down time on the road - get what makes your life easy (I have a 15-1/2 inch 16:10 aspect screen and earphones with a really long extension cord and a wireless presenter mouse which allows me to watch my own DVDs from the hotel bed in the same way as watching the hotel TV. If I have broadband connection available, I also catch up on internet versions of network shows I may have missed while traveling.) If I traveled with a PowerPoint projector, I might consider projecting the movies on 36 inch tabletop screen I own, but rarely carry.

If you are using the computer to make desktop presentations (without a Powerpoint projector), you'll probably want a pretty big screen (that's when the remote mouse comes in real handy - no constantly reaching to the keyboard to change screen shots.)

Friends,

This is a good article (http://www.laptopoffers.com/laptop-screensize.php) about portable computers and determining screen sizes.

Stijloor.

Without getting into brand or OS issues....

If you were going to buy a new portable computer and you travel a lot, especially in airplanes, what screen size would you buy and why?

What are the pros and cons?

NOTE: I voted 'Other' because I'm not sure... Which, obviously, is the reason for the poll...

My Dell XPS M140 (now discontinued) has a 14.1" widescreen monitor that's ideal for me. It's reasonably light (< 6 lbs with 9-cell battery) and thin (1.5"). Native resolution is 1200x800. I've had it for about a year and a half now, and haven't found anything not to like.

I guess 15 inches or less is pretty much tops if one wants to use it on an airplane when I think about it.

I didn't put in all the 'in betweens' in the poll. I guess I should have - But then again, there are a lot of 'in betweens like 14" vs. 14.1".

If I take a job offer I'm considering, I plan to buy a new MacBook Pro. My old 15" Titanium Powerbook is about 6 years old so it's rather dated speed wise (866 MHz G4). I keep looking at the 17" MacBook Pro, and I typically don't have a reason to use a computer on a plane, but these days with videos and such, I was thinking I *might* want to. If I did want to use it on a plane, I was thinking a 17" would just be too wide (like the person I sat next to on the Boston to Columbus flight... Some people should have 2 seats...).

Balancing eyes which are old and failing with practicality is a bummer. My old PowerBook was my main computer for over 3 years (I literally wore out the keyboard which Apple replaced for free). Now I'm spoiled with a 21" iMac on my desk and was sorta bumming out in Boston with the small screen (not to mention the size of the keys).

I will say one thing, I use that old Powerbook as a PVR/video recorder and it's really nice. But - It isn't powerful enough for HD stuff. But since I don't have anything that's HD it doesn't matter (at least for now).

Well, you know what they say - if you have a big screen your compensating for something... :notme:

At any rate, I would find 17" too large for me for use on a plane. The best of my research shows a coach tray table is about 16.5" x 10".
If you're flying first class that would be another story, I guess.
I would only get a 12" these days if it was my dedicated air travel computer and I had bigger laptop to take between office and home.
I guess that leaves me with 15". Which is what I have.
Not that I travel much anymore.

If you're flying first class that would be another story, I guess.Not likely... :(

Not likely... :(

Space (http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a330/images/A330_cabin7.jpg) for the biggest laptop you can imagine. :D


Stijloor.

Space (http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a330/images/A330_cabin7.jpg) for the biggest laptop you can imagine. :D


Stijloor.That's definitely a posed photo - the guy doesn't even loosen his tie!

Can you imagine trying to work when the guy next to you is snoring? You definitely need to have "noise canceling" earphones!;)

I was watching an old movie this AM while I was upgrading phpmyadmin. Near the end they were in one of the old amphibious 'flying boats'. Really luxurious. I mean, good lord you had wide isles, wide seats, glassware and all the luxuries. Then I thought about the tiny bag of peanuts I got on my recent flights and being cramped and tired and all that.

I was thinking of recording it and putting a small quicktime movie here but I didn't have my portable hooked back to the TV and satellite receiver so I missed it. I wasn't even thinking about this thread at the time. But now I REALLY wish I hadn't missed it and had gotten a capture.

I have to agree - Business travel stinks for us 'regular Joes'. The question is, what makes people travel for a living? To me it's a money factor. Kid is grown and gone so it's not a family issue. All I did was travel for about 15 years, and here I am thinking of getting back into it for at least a couple of years. I know a lot of people like it, at least for a while, when they haven't traveled much.

Yeah - Travel sucks.

So....I guess it's time for a Poll... Why Do You Travel? (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=25008)

I've given up trying to use a laptop on a plane. With seat pitch so limited the keyboard will be so close that I my elbows would be constantly hitting the person sitting next to me. I pretty much have to keep my arms folded in front of me to avoid encroaching on my neighbors space in coach.

Even with a brand new battery I could only get one movie in as a DVD player, so really not worth it. If your primary need would be to watch movies you might want to look into a small DVD player or even a video iPod type device.

I consider airplane time to be my relaxation time now. MP3 player with noise isolation headphones, book or newspaper, no way for anyone to contact me to bother me, and hopefully a first class upgrade with someone keeping a flow of drinks coming.

I like my 12" monitor. It fits nicely on most airplane trays and sometimes there is even room for my drink (nonalcoholic, of course). Downside is if the person in front of me reclines their chair and the table tray doesn't slide foreward. Things get a little uncomfortable then.

It's also a good size for when I'm in close quarters for a meeting. I also like having the docking feature, so for my shorter trips, I can leave the docking station at home and keep everything very lightweight.

I've been using 14-15" units, but what I really want is a 12" with very high resolution. I still want to see two full pages onscreen. If the resolution is high, I can still see it with my reading glasses, but the guy next to me can't. Oh yeah, I also want it for less than $1000....:D

I have a 17” screen but I do not even think of opening it on a plane. I can get a new on but, I feel a 15 is Ok for Plane and business trips since most of what I do is power point presentations or taking notes for later reports and the hotel. I will NEVER get anything better than business class so any worry about stretching out and watching a movie with a few drinks.

I took a 15" laptop to my last trip to China and regretted every bit of it... not because of the possibility of using while flying but because of the weight ! I carried it everywhere I went and we walked ALOT !!

I would definetly recommend a 12" screen...

I took a 15" laptop to my last trip to China and regretted every bit of it... not because of the possibility of using while flying but because of the weight ! I carried it everywhere I went and we walked ALOT !!

I would definetly recommend a 12" screen...Back in the 60's, when I was a young road warrior not high enough on the corporate ladder to have an aide carry or otherwise manage my "stuff," I invested in a very high quality luggage cart with big 8-inch wheels (to go over curbs, up and down stairs, over rough or uneven ground.) It was always nice when walking through snow or slush to pause without having to set briefcase or luggage down in the snow, knowing it was safe and dry on the cart. I even had a clear plastic cover to protect the stuff in rain and snow.

Today, I even take one along when I shop in a mall, to schlep my purchases back to the car (I ALWAYS seem to end up parked far from where I make my last purchase!)

Why struggle? I notice most airline pilots schlep their map cases through the airport using carts. Few folks accuse them of not being "macho."

Rolling luggage, while often great, can be a bigger pain at times. With so many carry on restrictions and the minimal size of overheads on regional jets, the larger rolling laptop bags won't fit - so you may end up having to remove your laptop and gate check the rest of your bag. If you are going somewhere with cobblestone streets or snow it can also be a pain.

I've found that by not carrying any paper I can keep the weight of my laptop bag down. Also remove anything else you won't be needing, like floppy drives, extra power packs and so on.

Rolling luggage, while often great, can be a bigger pain at times. With so many carry on restrictions and the minimal size of overheads on regional jets, the larger rolling laptop bags won't fit - so you may end up having to remove your laptop and gate check the rest of your bag. If you are going somewhere with cobblestone streets or snow it can also be a pain.

I've found that by not carrying any paper I can keep the weight of my laptop bag down. Also remove anything else you won't be needing, like floppy drives, extra power packs and so on.

I hung up my rolling briefcase and went back to an old style 5" briefcase (a nice little vintage Halliburton on eBay). It fits everywhere and forces me to not carry much paper beyond my laptop, a few folders and my auditing notebook.

I like Bill Gates' quote, "the nice thing about a laptop computer, it does not matter how much you put in it, it does not get any heavier!"

I hung up my rolling briefcase and went back to an old style 5" briefcase (a nice little vintage Halliburton on eBay). It fits everywhere and forces me to not carry much paper beyond my laptop, a few folders and my auditing notebook.

Helmut,

Is it this (http://www.ebags.com/products/index.cfm?modelid=75270&sourceID=BIZRATE) you're referring to?

Considering the price, that must be some quality briefcase.... :D

Stijloor

Helmut,

Is it this (http://www.ebags.com/products/index.cfm?modelid=75270&sourceID=BIZRATE) you're referring to?

Considering the price, that must be some quality briefcase.... :D

Stijloor


1. Yeah, except I got the really cool looking vintage, gold anodized version... it looks kind of cool in a vintage sort of way...

2. I bought it on eBay for a lot less money than that ad...

3. Both my briefcase and suitcase are Halliburtons - I wanted something even Delta couldn't break!

4. You my friend, must have WAY too much TIME...

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays...