The practicalities of a 17" laptop vs a 15" laptop... experiences please?

Richdog

Richdog

Richdog

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Hi guys,

I am interested in buying the ASUS G751 as seen here http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18628851

However, I am looking to get some OCUK user feedback about the practicalities of a 17" laptop. I know it may sound like one of those: "Well, only you can decide that" kind of questions, but still, I need some nudging.

My uses:

  1. Sitting at my desk or on my bed with it on my lap
  2. Gaming
  3. Studying
  4. Photo editing
  5. Lots and lots (and lots) of typing

The benefits of a 17" machine as I see it are:

  • Larger screen and easier to read things (I'm long sighted so need glasses for computer use)
  • Larger and more comfortable keyboard to make typing sessions much more comfy
  • Better cooling and this laptop is also known for being very quiet

I hardly every take my laptop anywhere, which makes it seem like a bit of a no-brainer, right? However I am still wondering about portability on the off-chance when I take it on holiday etc (once or twice a year). Battery life is no huge concern, and 4 hours browsing is fine for me (my Acer is currently around 2 hours).

I currently use an Acer V3 571G that weighs 2.6KG,and the ASUS is 3.8KG. Will this make a big difference when it is on my lap on my bed, or in theory should it barely be noticeable?

Am very interested to hear some feedback from other users who went from a 15" to a 17" to help relieve my worries. :)
 
17" Clevo here, great storage potential, better cooling, ease of access to upgrade. Easy on the eyes for films.

However very heavy :-)

Also had a Asus G46VW smaller lighter great cooling shame about the DC jack going U/S.

15" if you are contemplating using it on your lap! 17" if you want more expendability.

Laptops have move on since l bought this kit, however l am a fan of get what you need, then buy a tablet for the rest :-)
 
Jesus. For the price of that I would build a desktop and buy a cheap laptop for use in bed and travelling.

Oh and you'll notice the weight difference. It's a whole bag of sugar heavier.
 
CEUOTC said:
17" Clevo here, great storage potential, better cooling, ease of access to upgrade. Easy on the eyes for films.

However very heavy :-)

Also had a Asus G46VW smaller lighter great cooling shame about the DC jack going U/S.

15" if you are contemplating using it on your lap! 17" if you want more expendability.

Laptops have move on since l bought this kit, however l am a fan of get what you need, then buy a tablet for the rest :-)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I do have a tablet I use for light browsing, I just find that they suck to type on, so always prefer something physical as I use forums a lot.

OhEsEcks said:
Jesus. For the price of that I would build a desktop and buy a cheap laptop for use in bed and travelling.

Oh and you'll notice the weight difference. It's a whole bag of sugar heavier.
Click to expand...

I had a performance desktop for many, many years and I do not want to build or buy one ever again. I also have a decent disposable income, so the cost aspect doesn't bother me vs a desktop. I can get the ASUS G751 for around £1370, which is actually a pretty good deal.

I want one single laptop that is the hub of all my computing needs, nothing more, nothing less, so while I of course respect your opinion, it would be great if the thread can stick around that topic and not deviate into the realms of desktop promotion, when I really am not interested in buying one again. Thanks. :)
 
I sort of agree with some of the comments on getting a desktop. However I actually use my laptop for gaming a lot and being able to just take it places and hook up a control pad is great. It's graphics capability is similar to my desktop and worth the money.
 
OhEsEcks said:
Then buy it. You'd still be better off with a desktop and a cheap laptop. But it's your money.
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My dilemma is purely about a 15" vs a 17", not a desktop vs a laptop. I would not be "better off" with a desktop and a cheaper laptop, and I have been in the PC game so long (around 25 years) that I know intimately the various benefits of a desktop vs a laptop, that isn't even entering my mind as a doubt. But thanks anyway. :)
 
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The benefits of a desktop.

Larger screen and easier to read things.
Larger and more comfortable keyboard to make typing sessions much more comfy.
Better cooling and quieter than something with that power in an enclosed chassis regardless of how good you think the cooling on it might be.

The downsides to that laptop.

The price.
The price per component compared to a desktop.
The size.
The weight.
The battery life.
The keyboard.
The noise from the cooling.

That ain't subjective either. But what the hell do I know. You've been in the PC game long time.
 
OhEsEcks, please be a little more grown up and don't get defensive just because someone isn't interested in doing something that isn't actually relevant to the topic of the thread. I am not interested in a desktop, it's not what I am looking for, end of story. I think the thread title is pretty clear, and any further posts on the matter from your side are essentially trolling given that I have now repeatedly stated that I do not want a desktop, and that I am 100% aware of the differences.
 
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OhEsEcks said:
Don't ask for peoples opinions then fob them off with "trolling" because you don't like what they have to say. I fail to see how recommending someone a desktop rather than fork out all that cash on a laptop isn't relevant. It's consumer advice. But you're quite set on ignoring it obviously, so we'll forget that.

As for the laptop. Buy the big shiny one. With the flashy lights.
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Listen, it's quite simple. I did not ask for anything whatsoever to do with desktop vs a laptop, I specifically asked about 15" vs 17" laptops. Respect that, and stop being an arse. Cheers. :)
 
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Regarding size. My laptop is an Msi gt60 and it's 15 inches. The size was a bit small to me at first due to gaming on a 27 inch monitor normally. However after a while it seemed fine. I'm now happy with it.

Due to being a hardcore laptop the weight is its only real issue. I don't like gaming with it on my knee as it's too hot and heavy. I regularly place it on the table and game as I would on my desktop though. It's very capable. I also like to plug it into my TV via Hdmi and play it like a console.

It's fine ttravelling with these things as long as you will have a nice hotel desk or surface to place it on.

The way is see it is either size will become normal to you, so get the most bang for buck. Larger laptops can hold better gfx cards as a rule
 
I've had a 17 for years. For me the better screen is the killer feature every time. The keyboards are much the same. You can get a get a bad one on a 17" and a good one on a 13". I like having a lot of usb ports too. And gigabit Ethernet. Mine rarely leaves the house. The only problem now is mine is obsolete and it will cost a fortune to replace it and cant afford to. I'll be sad to move to a new but lesser machine.
 
Mine even at 5yrs old has full hd screen and is better for movies graphics and games than a cheap 15 with HD4000. Only problem is games kill the gs7900 and I have to fix it in the oven.

Ny ideal set would be a 17" and a 13" laptop. Just struggle with the space for a desktop. I have an old desktop at the moment with a lend of 24" monitor. I still take out the 17" so I can move where I want.
 
FinglisHobbit said:
Regarding size. My laptop is an Msi gt60 and it's 15 inches. The size was a bit small to me at first due to gaming on a 27 inch monitor normally. However after a while it seemed fine. I'm now happy with it.

Due to being a hardcore laptop the weight is its only real issue. I don't like gaming with it on my knee as it's too hot and heavy. I regularly place it on the table and game as I would on my desktop though. It's very capable. I also like to plug it into my TV via Hdmi and play it like a console.

It's fine travelling with these things as long as you will have a nice hotel desk or surface to place it on.

The way is see it is either size will become normal to you, so get the most bang for buck. Larger laptops can hold better gfx cards as a rule
Click to expand...

Heh yeah I was the same, it seemed small going down to a 15", but now it's normal. I hear you about the "gaming on lap" stuff, I only game on my desk anyway, the only time I have it on my bed is when browsing. Like you I would also hook it up to my TV on occasion. Anyway thanks for the useful feedback, that's exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. :)

OspreyO said:
I've had a 17 for years. For me the better screen is the killer feature every time. The keyboards are much the same. You can get a get a bad one on a 17" and a good one on a 13". I like having a lot of usb ports too. And gigabit Ethernet. Mine rarely leaves the house. The only problem now is mine is obsolete and it will cost a fortune to replace it and cant afford to. I'll be sad to move to a new but lesser machine.
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Regarding the keyboard, my thought about the keyboard was simple that all other things being equal, a larger keyboard is more ergonomic. :)
 
I chose a 15" over a 17" laptop as I wanted something that would be comfortable on my lap and lighter to carry around. As I also use my laptop as a desktop replacement at home I bought a monitor so I could have a larger screen.

My preferences would always be 15.
 
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shine said:
I chose a 15" over a 17" laptop as I wanted something that would be comfortable on my lap and lighter to carry around. As I also use my laptop as a desktop replacement at home I bought a monitor soI could have a larger screen.

My preferences would always be 15.
Click to expand...

To be honest I am leaning more to another 15"... the Gigabyte P35W and P35X look mighty fine. I also don't really "need" more than a 970M for the games I play, and considering that is faster than a GTX 880M it is certainly no slouch and would keep the temps down a little more. Only concerns I have with the Gigabytes are with the keyboard, but at least it can't be worse than my Acer!
 
Personally even 15" and anything over 2kg is bordering on impractical for carrying out of the house - but then I like to travel fairly light.

I'd be more inclined to get 13/14" (with a 970m) and setup an external monitor+input devices. That way if you wanted to take it with you when you go away anywhere it is no problem, and when it's at home you have "desktop" functionality.
 
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