A bigger laptop than the 17" Powerbook?

[Josias]

I think 17" is great for pro's that wanna lot of workspace. Though, anything above that would be kinda extreme. The you should just get a 20" iMac or a MacMini with 23" ACD.

 

[trainguy77]

I am in your situation, currently...Perhaps I can offer some advice based on my experience:

I'm a grad student and I own a 17" PB and a few desktop PC's at home; however, the PB is my main computer because it's *all* I ever use. I bring it to my office everyday and, up until very recently (I've had it for near on 6mos. now), I haven't found it to be an issue. The weight (for me, at least) is a non-issue...It's light and thin; that's all that counts. The screen real estate is amazing...i mean, amazing! Safari, iChat, iTunes, Sherlock, TeXShop, and Matlab all on one screen with very little overlap allows me to work faster and more efficiently than I ever did on my old 15" Sony laptop.

Having said that, I have recently become enamored by the concept of a very portable, all-in-one computer. I'm a huge fan and daily user of the Apple Newton and I'm a huge supporter/fan of tablet pc's in general (and an Apple iTablet, specifically). Since the Newton is not powerful enough to be a stand alone and there *is no* iTablet, I've begun to eye my officemates' 12" and 15" PB's.

The screen size is a huge perk on the 17", but I tend to want to bring the lappy to more places nowadays (previously the Sony was essentially stationary) and as such, I feel sort of handicapped by its large size. It's more than a little cumbersome to place on your lap or desktop in a typical library study cubical or while sitting outside to simultaneously enjoy the great weather and be productive (more the former than latter ).

I've had a lot of time to fiddle with the 15" MBP, so I already have formulated my opinion on that size. So, now I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new pro-level model of the 13.3" MacBook and the 17" flagship MBP (just in case ). Sorry for the long post, but I figured it might help you or others a bit...

Regarding the OP: Wow! that's a monster of the laptop...My limit is definitely 17...

Maybe I will go with a 15" and then buy a 17" or 19" monitor for at home, as when I am out it will only be used for typing a word document or maybe browsing the web(probably only word)

 

[diehldun]

I bought my 17" PB to replace my desktop and laptop, and I haven't found the size/portability to be an issue at all (it regularly goes on airplanes/trips). I'm very pleased overall with it.

 

[trainguy77]

I bought my 17" PB to replace my desktop and laptop, and I haven't found the size/portability to be an issue at all (it regularly goes on airplanes/trips). I'm very pleased overall with it.

You Guys do keep me thinking. I think the size thing is a personal thing so i will have to go play with one at a store and see if i can cart it around ok.

 

[plinkoman]

I going to have to say yes I have used one of those massive laptopls and size of it hurts portiblilty. Reason for it is pulling it out and working on it anywhere can be a problem when space is limitied. Thinkness is normally not an issue or wieght not a big issue to me. But raw area it would take up is a problem.
A 17 incher is harder to deal with at airports or pulling it out and set it on your lap.

The counter question is have you ever used one of those untral potible laptop and see what people mean by that.

The 17in is a great desktop replacement dont get me wrong there. But if you already have a desktop why get a 17 in laptop. You want great portiblilty over screen size. I like 15in is a balance bettween utra portible and then just a moveible desktop.

But like I said about I question people who take a 17in laptop with them everywhere I just think it plan stupid. Heck any one to takes there laptop with them everyone they go I think is not smart but when you go to the 17in is just showing off.

i have used an ultra portable before too. my first laptop was an ancient compaq with an 8" screen (and a 2" bezel ). To be honest, i am never in a situation where i even notice a difference. and of course, portability is really only a matter of opinion, but mine is that it is way more portable then most people give it credit for. I've never had difficulties using it on a desk or in my lap, i can even hold it in one hand while typing with the other. it is light, and thin and i carry it everywhere in a nice thin sleeve; it at no time feels big to me. but please, if you don't agree with me, thats fine, but don't call me stupid or a show off just because i don't think it's too big and you do.

 

[princealfie]

Looks like Apple got that 17" one out now.