<p>What do you think is the best screen size for laptops for college?</p>
<p>I am really drawn by the power (especially graphics power) and large screen of 17" laptops but don't know if they will be absolute hell to carry around.</p>
<p>I plan to put my laptop in a backpack so I don't think weight will be much of an issue. But will a 17" laptop get in the way of textbooks/papers on desks?</p>
<p>Also, what do you think is the best screen size for laptops?</p>
<p>I really like 15 inch screens, but that’s just me. I think 17-inch is nice, but it’s obnoxious to carry around, and take up a lot of space. I think that size would be a little big for college purposes, especially when you consider putting it on a desk with papers/books/etc. I find 13 inch screens to be too small, and I would definitely find them hard to use on a regular basis.</p>
<p>17" will take up a lot of space.</p>
<p>i’m a huge fan of 13" laptops. why are you partial to 17"?</p>
<p>I personally like 13" laptops, as portability is huge for me. Make sure your backpack can carry a 17" laptop. They’re fairly wide in backpacks. Also, with the screen increase, the weight usually has a way of increasing.</p>
<p>What are you doing that requires exceptional “graphics power” and a 17" monitor?</p>
<p>Most likely playing games 
maybe some engineering computer magic but i doubt it to be honest</p>
<p>I also like working on larger monitors. In fact I plan to buy a separate 17" monitor that I will keep in my dorm room so I can have a dual monitor setup when I need it. Before you question the usefulness of dual monitors, you should try doing some work on a computer with 2 monitors yourself.</p>
<p>The weight is not an issue for me, and I will get a backpack that can carry 17s when I get to college.</p>
<p>I use a 14" computer right now.</p>
<p>Will a 17" be too bulky and a pain to fit on desks, etc?</p>
<p>It sounds like you really want to buy a huge laptop! I don’t think we can convince you otherwise!</p>
<p>I’ll still try. You are sacrificing portability, battery life, and extra money for your larger screen.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That’s going to be a pretty big backpack.</p>
<p>yeah i do want to have a large computer lol…but is it a good idea/livable with? will it slow me down?</p>
<p>in this thread
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-computers/377914-screen-size.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-computers/377914-screen-size.html</a>
CC concluded that 13.3-14 was the best screen size.</p>
<p>I have a 14" laptop right now and I find nothing wrong with it. I can work on it for as long as I want without getting eyestrain/fatigue and the keyboard is very good. But I think I can benefit from the benefits (lol) of a larger laptop.</p>
<p>Also, the truth is…I want to get the fastest computer I can get right now because I don’t want to switch computers during any of the 4 years. So if I get a blazing fast system now, it will be like an entry-level system in 4 years. Whereas if I get an entry-level/midrange system now, it will be a piece of garbage in 4 years.</p>
<p>Also, probably part of the reason why I want such a huge laptop is perspective.</p>
<p>Most college laptop buyers: Going to college…need to get a laptop.</p>
<p>Me: Going to college…I should get a tricked out desktop to leave in my dorm, and a netbook (Eee pc, Wind pc) to bring to class
<em>visits dorms</em> these are really, really small…I don’t think I can fit a desktop in here and have a reasonable working space.</p>
<p>So in conclusion, I want such a huge laptop because I planned on getting a desktop at first, but then I visited dorms and I was like no way.</p>
<p>btw, at least I’m sane enough to not consider the 18.5" and 20" laptops :D</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You will be buying a laptop that will be slower than quality desktops and will be heavier and have a shorter battery life than most laptops. It’ll probably cost a lot of money as well.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t go bigger than 15". I’m getting at 14" though.</p>
<p>top of the line today is about $2k. you’re way way way way way better off getting a decent $800 today and upgrading in 2 years for another $800.</p>
<p>once quality SSDs flood the market and DDR3 ram is improved/becomes more widespread, you’re going to rethink the decision of getting top of the line today. in 4 years, i think its unlikely that top of the line will be mid-range, or even low range. however, medium range will do what you need to do today and for a couple of years. even if it becomes hopelessly outdated in 4 years, you wont have to worry about feeling jipped because you bought it to do simple tasks, and it will still be capable of doing simple tasks.</p>
<p>furthermore, consider laptops from 4 years ago. i dont believe 1gb became popular in laptops until about 2007, and you’re talking about the equivalent of buying in 2005/2006. you cant even buy 1gb ram laptops anymore, much less whatever was big in 2005.
example: [Averatec</a> 4200 Widescreen Notebook - Reviews by Mobile Tech Review](<a href=“http://www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/averatec-4200-notebook.htm]Averatec”>Averatec 4200 Widescreen Notebook - Reviews by Mobile Tech Review)
$1200 in 2005, wouldn’t sell for $200 today.</p>
<p>13-14 inches is the range I am planning on buying. I don’t really understand 15+ inch laptops unless they are for desktop replacement.</p>
<p>I’ve decided on this:
[Newegg.com</a> - SONY VAIO FW Series VGN-FW486J/H NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P9600(2.66GHz) 16.4" 6GB Memory DDR2 800 300GB HDD 7200rpm BD Combo ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 - Laptops / Notebooks](<a href=“Not Found: 404 Error”>Not Found: 404 Error)</p>
<p>Hey, I have that Sony Vaio and I love it! I haven’t tried carrying it around that much, since I’m at home these days, but it doesn’t seem to be too much of a pain to carry around.</p>
<p>For me, I got a big laptop to ease eye strain since I already have horrible vision.</p>
<p>This is the computer I have:
[HP</a> Pavilion dv9000t (Core 2 Duo) Laptop reviews - CNET Reviews](<a href=“CNET: Product reviews, advice, how-tos and the latest news”>CNET: Product reviews, advice, how-tos and the latest news)
17" Widescreen–the best I love it. I carry it around in a regular backpack, in fact one of the kids old backpacks. One of the reasons I wanted this one is because it has a full keyboard. When I was looking none of the computers in my price range had that except I think a few Dells (did not want a Dell). This one has been perfect for me.</p>