<p>I will be going to college (UCSD) this september and am looking for a notebook.</p>
<p>I will NOT be taking notes on it. How often do you guys, who do not take your notebooks to class for notes, find yourself taking ure notebook to the library or coffee shops etc? Do you really carry your notebook around a lot?</p>
<p>Also, I am wondering if i should get a 15.4 more portable notebook, or a 17 inch one that has a better graphics card. Again, i wont be taking notes on a computer, and this notebook will be my only computer in college.</p>
<p>if ur leavin ur latop in ur room..id go for the 17"..if u plan on carrying it around and taking to class..id for with the 15..it might hard lugging around the 17..</p>
<p>Many people will find the 17" models very big, but others (like me) find the sight of a 17" WUXGA LCD just beautiful to look at. If you won't be moving around with your laptop a lot, go ahead and indulge.</p>
<p>Yea, i do not think I will take notes on it and i will NOT be taking it to class. However, I may take it to the library or coffe shops? Do you find yourself taking laptops to coffe shops and the library?</p>
<p>that wouldn't be a huge problem, though--just get a case big enough to take the books you would take to the library along with the laptop. A backpack may even do--they aren't that heavy or unwieldy.</p>
<p>I love my 17". For me resolution is important, and if it's important to you also then you should probably opt for the bigger screen (and don't forget to upgrade to WUXGA if you can).</p>
<p>I got a 17" Dell for my freshman year last year and I was very happy with it. I never took it to class but there were a few times when I did take it to a library with me. I would say that taking it back and forth between my dorm room and the library was fine, but I don't know if I would ever want to lug it around if I had other errands to run in between. Keep in mind that I am an engineering student and that the only times I needed to use my laptop in a library were to write papers for one Spanish class during second semester and to write stuff for another class during first semester. </p>
<p>It was also a little difficult for me to find a suitable carrying case for such a big laptop, but that was a year ago and I would bet that they have become more available since then. If decide on the 17" and have trouble finding a bag I would suggest ebags.com.</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch soulturtle. My major is human biology. So do you regret not getting a 15.4, or are you happy with your 17 inch? Did you ever wish to take it to like a coffe shop or anything?</p>
<p>"This might have been covered before , but whats the best way to protect your laptop from theft (other than carrying it with you all the time)"</p>
<p>@ rolen- you can purchase an inexpensive laptop lock at places like Best Buy or Circuit City. I just went to Circuit City today and picked up a lock for approximately $10 (after a $10 store discount and 2 separate $10 mail-in rebates). It just hooks onto the back of the notebook and has a cord that can be connected onto a desk, then it cannot be removed without knowing the combination.</p>
<p>I'm going to be getting a 13" widescreen going into jr year, 15" seems like a little too big, but that's just me. Plus I have a sweet 17" flat panel at home that I can plug the laptop into so I can have a larger screen when I need it.</p>
<p>Don't trust those "laptop locks", though. Their only use is to prevent people from picking up the laptop in one motion as they walk by. Given 3 tools and 5 minutes, they're really very easy to break into. So they serve some purpose, but don't rely on them.</p>
<p>Yes, I recommend the 17". The only real problem you would have with it would be taking up too much space in class, but since you won't be using it then...</p>
<p>15.4" All the way. I once thought this very thing at one time and i opted to go withthe 15.4" and I am very glad i did. I am on it right now. I play games and it looks fine/ it does not look small at all. My mom has a 17" and it is much heavier and just not as portable. I went with the dell e1505 and have found it flawless. Make sure you get a warranty with whatever laptop you get though(dells warranties are awesome)</p>
<p>i would definately recommend a 15.4 or even the 12.1 notebook. 17 inch laptops are completely counter intuitive. You could get a comparable desktop for half the price with a nicer monitor.</p>
<p>I got a 15.4 inch computer when i got my college computer and i regret it. i wish i would have gottena 12.1 just because anytime you do want to take ur laptop anywhere (and believe me if youe ver get wireless internet in ur house you will want to) it will be that much easier.</p>
<p>basically, I am looking at the dell E1505 (15.4 inch) and the Dell E1705 (17 inch). The 17 inch has a better graphics card, but the 15.4 inch has more portablitiy.
Man I guess everyone has different opinions...this is not going to be easy to decide...</p>