Size of Portable Computer Screen for Travel and Why?

[Marc]

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...

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by Marc

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.)

[Stijloor]

Friends,

This is a good article about portable computers and determining screen sizes.

Stijloor.

[Jim Wynne]

Originally Posted by Marc

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.

[Marc]

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).

[ScottK]

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

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.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by ScottK

If you're flying first class that would be another story, I guess.

Not likely...

[Stijloor]

Originally Posted by Marc

Not likely...

Space for the biggest laptop you can imagine.


Stijloor.