15.6" or 17" Inch Laptop

[Drisco]

Okay, I'm picking up a new laptop and I got 2 in mind. Want some of your opinions.

I'm torn between the

Asus G73JH-A1 (i7 720QM 8GB Ram)

http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=8je5Ot4HBnKOdT81

and the G5JX-A1 (i7 and 8GB Ram)

http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=bplbQOy6w8myYSq5


I usually take my laptop to the University Library every time I go and occasionally in class.

The G7 is 17 inch and G5 is 15.6, This is where my indecisiveness arises.

G7 = 42.0 x 31.0 x 1.89~5.68 cm (W x D x H)
3.85 kg / 8.5 LB's (with 8 cell battery)

G5 = 37.5 x 26.5 x 3.43-4.06 cm (W x D x H)
3.30 kg / 7.5 LB's (with 6 cell battery)


Is the size/weight really that big of a difference to lug it around to school and class? Should I sacrifice the 15-20% increase of the GPU for a smaller computer? Anyone own a 15 and 17 inch and really see a difference?

[Celephais]

I own a 17" and it's a monster, it really is too big for casual carrying around. That said I fucking love it, it's great for the couch or bringing to my parent's house or whatever. The look of the stats it doesn't seem a whole lot heavier.. but it's bigger than I'd want to be bringing with me on an everday basis.

[Mogonis]

Both laptops have the same resolution. Go with the 15". Weight is huge if you're lugging it around frequently.

[Showal]

Isn't battery life considerably better on the 15 than the 17?

[Bobmuhthol]

I own a 14.1" laptop (issued by the college, not my choice) and I don't really notice how small it is until I sit it next to a larger laptop. I would be more concerned with maximum resolution/pixel density than the size of the laptop -- I have 1440x900 which is fantastic on a smaller screen.

Good call going with ASUS, btw. As was pointed out, with the same resolution (and considering it's a laptop that you want to be mobile), 15.6" is the better choice.


Isn't battery life considerably better on the 15 than the 17?

For the same battery power. That's why the 17" has an 8 cell battery instead of a 6 cell.

[Drisco]

I own a 17" and it's a monster, it really is too big for casual carrying around. That said I fucking love it, it's great for the couch or bringing to my parent's house or whatever. The look of the stats it doesn't seem a whole lot heavier.. but it's bigger than I'd want to be bringing with me on an everday basis.


Both laptops have the same resolution. Go with the 15". Weight is huge if you're lugging it around frequently.


See, I want a big screen cause I watch TV on it all the time. I don't plan on buying another computer for awhile after this one and the 17" has a Directx 11 compatible GPU while the 15" doesn't.

Just have to make a decision and stick with it I guess. Is 2 Pounds and a Larger size worth the better performance or not.

[Bobmuhthol]

I wouldn't worry about DX11 for a long time. I particularly wouldn't say that a 17" screen is more enjoyable for watching the same video stream than a 15.6" screen at the same resolution. I've had a 26" HDTV for a few years and I never think, "Damn this would be better if it was a 32" screen!" The quality is readily available to be enjoyed.

[Drisco]

I wouldn't worry about DX11 for a long time. I particularly wouldn't say that a 17" screen is more enjoyable for watching the same video stream than a 15.6" screen at the same resolution. I've had a 26" HDTV for a few years and I never think, "Damn this would be better if it was a 32" screen!" The quality is readily available to be enjoyed.

I guess you are right. Who am I kidding anyways, the only game I play on my laptop is WoW which can run with anything.

I think 15.6" is where I'll head. The 17" is apparently much quieter because of the heavy duty dual fans but the 15.6" just switched to GTS 360M GPU which is suppose to be a lot less heat. I also like the 17" design more but I got to get away from that thinking. 15.6" here I come.

[Celephais]

I didn't check the specs but resolution is a big deal, my 17" is a 1920x1200, and the pixel density makes it look incredible, things look a lot sharper than my 24" monitors at the same resolution, although I wouldn't particuarly notice the difference of watching a movie on one or the other (because I'd be further back from my monitors).

As Bob said I don't think you'll notice a major difference w/ the actual screen size for watching TV/Movies, because you'll position the screen where you'd like it. The graphics cards could make a difference though (not necessarly the DX11 support, but the actual power of the cards). I'm a big fan of future compatibility and bigger = better, but I don't think it'd be a real noticable benefit... if the resolutions are the same I'd say the extra weight will just bother you eventually.

[Mogonis]

It's 8.47 lbs. vs. 7.26 lbs. if the specs are true. But the 17" comes with an 8-cell battery (which it needs).

You'll probably lug it around for a month no problem, but you'll start getting sick of its bulk.

[radamanthys]

Smaller one. Lots of reasons. You don't necessarily need the power. Aesthetics don't actually matter, since it'll be outdated tomorrow anyway.

Screen does make a difference, though. As does weight. Go with the 15.

And fwiw, 7lbs is still heavy. My old dell 5150 was around that. It was heavy as hell.

[Drisco]

I didn't check the specs but resolution is a big deal, my 17" is a 1920x1200, and the pixel density makes it look incredible, things look a lot sharper than my 24" monitors at the same resolution, although I wouldn't particuarly notice the difference of watching a movie on one or the other (because I'd be further back from my monitors).

As Bob said I don't think you'll notice a major difference w/ the actual screen size for watching TV/Movies, because you'll position the screen where you'd like it. The graphics cards could make a difference though (not necessarly the DX11 support, but the actual power of the cards). I'm a big fan of future compatibility and bigger = better, but I don't think it'd be a real noticable benefit... if the resolutions are the same I'd say the extra weight will just bother you eventually.

I wasn't really concerned about the difference of the specs, although the 17" rocks the highest end GPU in a laptop at the moment (ATI 5870).

I think since I do take my laptop with me all the time I'll stick to the smaller one with a little less performance. Not a huge deal since like I said I'm only WoWing on it. Just liked the 17" cause it's more Aesthetically Pleasing and a little more power.


Smaller one. Lots of reasons. You don't necessarily need the power. Aesthetics don't actually matter, since it'll be outdated tomorrow anyway.

Screen does make a difference, though. As does weight. Go with the 15.

And fwiw, 7lbs is still heavy. My old dell 5150 was around that. It was heavy as hell.

Spot on, spot on.

[Celephais]

That or be a real man and get a 19" laptop!
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1963248

[Drisco]

That or be a real man and get a 19" laptop!
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1963248

I couldn't do it! I'm a GPU whore and I won't get anything under a class 1. But god damn I might as well get a massive laptop. I still have an old HP that is a 13" that I could take to school and surf and write reports on.

No, I'm regressing from my decision. I'm getting a 15.6" and that is final.

[Bobmuhthol]

<<And fwiw, 7lbs is still heavy. My old dell 5150 was around that. It was heavy as hell.>>

This. I think my laptop is 3 lbs without the external battery. It's an HP Elitebook 6930p.

Looked it up, 4.7 lbs. Whatever!

[Drisco]

The real challenge is going to be able to find a Canadian Company that will sell the G51JX-A1 that I can upgrade the memory to 8GB.

Xoticpc.com will do it for 17$ but then I'll have to pay huge shipping fees and duty fees to bring it from America.

Why we all aren't 1 country baffles me.

Edit: If anyone wants to try and find one it would be awesome :)

[Clove]

Actually I have a 15" and my wife has a 13" and I covet her little machine especially when mobile. I think dragging around a 17" would be torture. Most of the time our laptops are docked anyway so screen size real-estate isn't a factor often and as has been mentioned before, resolution and pixel-density is king.