If you use a laptop for editing, what's your screen size?

[milosh]

Hey everyone,

I'm in the market for a new laptop, to replace my current one, which is becoming more and more sluggish. I'm trying to decide whether to go for a 15.6'' or 17.3'' screen.

I'm looking at a Dell configuration:

Intel Core i5 (2.66 MHz)
4 GB DDR3
500 GB HDD and
1GB ATI HD 5650 VGA

and it's available in both 15.6'' and 17.3'' versions, and the price difference is around 150$.

My current laptop is 15.4'' and so far, it's been fine for editing, but I'm just wondering whether to go for the 17'', is it actually worth it. The 15.6'' is also smaller and lighter, which is good.

So, in your experience, is there a big difference in 15.6 vs. 17.3 inches when it comes to convenience when editing photos?

Thanks

[Ambrosia76]

I have a 15 and hubby has a 17 and honestly I don't see that much difference in the two.

[Biomech]

I have a 15.4" on my laptop, I can't use it for editing, it's far too small :P

[John Hendry]

18 size is everything

[gturner]

DELL XPS L502x with the 1080p screen is KILLER. HDMI out and I have 27" screen on my desk.
USB 3 ports, and everything else.
Always been a vaio man, but this has been the best machine I have ever had... by far! Never thought I would ever own a dell!

(4 year on-site warranty makes it even better)

[wulf]

You could always get a second screen to use when editing. It wouldn't help when you need to be mobile but might be a good solution if a lighter weight solution would be helpful when out on the road.

Wulf

[milosh]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

I have a 15 and hubby has a 17 and honestly I don't see that much difference in the two.

Thanks for that!

Originally Posted by Biomech

I have a 15.4" on my laptop, I can't use it for editing, it's far too small :P

Really? I can use my 15.4'' just fine. When I edit something in PS, I press the F key once (for the semi-fullscreen mode) and I can view an entire 10 MP image at 25% right in between the toolbar on the left and one opened item on the right (Layers for example). I was just thinking how much more convenient would it be to have a 17''.

Originally Posted by John Hendry

18 size is everything

Oh really?

Originally Posted by gturner

DELL XPS L502x with the 1080p screen is KILLER. HDMI out and I have 27" screen on my desk.
USB 3 ports, and everything else.
Always been a vaio man, but this has been the best machine I have ever had... by far! Never thought I would ever own a dell!

(4 year on-site warranty makes it even better)

That XPS is 15.6'', right? My current laptop is 15.4'' and I'm it's set up at 1280x800. This 15.6'' that I am looking to buy has a native res. of 1366x768 and with 17.3'' it's 1600x900. I would be using the laptop as my main editing screen, as I don't have another one.
I would love to get an XPS, but they're a bit too much for my budget.

[Marija]

l've got HP Pavilion g7-1150us Notebook PC recently and l'm very satisfied with it. it has 17.3'' monitor with 1600x900 screen resolution.
I can't tell you anything particular and "technical" but there is a difference between screen size for editing, actually for everything, at least for me. you notice the difference when you use 17.3'' for a while and then you go back to 15''.
That's mine subjective opinion, but with your configuration I think it's worth to invest 150$ more for 17.3''

[Niresangwa]

I use a big old high power gaming laptop with a 17" screen... I edit slideshows on a different machine with 15" non-widescreen... the difference is huge. Just having a lot of room makes it feel less cramped. definitely a great difference.

[prince]

If you move around a lot than go with 15"... I have a 15" screen and my friend has 17" screen.. which looks a bit bulky to move around with. I like Wulf's suggestion to get a second screen.

I recently assembled a PC and got 23" screen. Since then I am using my laptop only to check emails or play games w/ my friends..