Laptop advice

[Rogar]

My old 15" laptop has had a couple of repairs and now there is a band of dead pixels on the screen. I think it's replacement time. I use my lap top as exactly that and work from a chair with it on my lap. It looks like the popular laptops these days have the 13.5 inch screens, which are tempting. A little cheaper and once you get into some nice features like an SSD drive and a higher resolution screen can make a pretty decent savings. Smaller and lighter weight. I have wondered about the ergonomics of the smaller screen and keyboard and how comfortable might be working from a chair? I also have an older desktop computer with a good monitor that I use for serious writing and photo editing but it doesn't get used much as an everyday computer for emails and web browsing.

[Alan]

If you're looking for comfortable use, I prefer the larger laptops. Just like you, I'm usually in my recliner with the laptop on my lap.

I currently have three, one being a 15" Toshiba that's so old the only reliable operating system I can run without issue is a Linux variant, the second is a Microsoft Surface with a 10.8" screen and the third is a Lenovo Thinkpad with the 13.5" screen. Using them as true laptops, I prefer the Toshiba for two reasons. The smaller screen on the Surface is too small for my old eyes and the keyboards on the smaller machines do not comfortably fit my hands.

So, I consistently use the Toshiba while in the recliner, the Thinkpad when in a docking station only and the Surface is used pretty much only as a tablet since it has touchscreen capabilities.

I suppose I could get used to the Lenovo if I had to, but when the Toshiba finally dies, I'll have to replace it with another of similar size.

[Rogar]

Thanks Alan. That's good to know. I have wondered if the small laptops are popular mostly with people who need mobility, like students who take to to school or people who travel a lot. I was thinking that the smaller laptops eliminate the number key section, so possibly the keyboard size for letters might be about the same size. I do enjoy the large screen.

[Tammy]

95% of my computer time is on my iPhoneSE. Paying bills, commenting here, checking work email, attaching pictures and files.

A laptop seems bulky and heavy when I'm sitting in my lazy boy ...

[greenclaire]

I had a smaller screen Acer Aspire that served me well for about 5-years. It was used very heavily and at the time the small screen didn't bother me too much. However, I have just bought a new HP Pavillion 15 inch screen to replace it and now I have the big screen again I don't know how I coped with the small one. It is making work much easier on the big screen. However, this is my sole computer so I guess if you do have another desk top for more heavy duty work then you might manage every day tasks on a smaller one.

[ToomuchStuff]

I have had a couple of "laptops" (one was sold as one), but they are in reality netbooks. I use Linux on them and they are for portability, so 11.6" or 10.8" screens, with not quite full size keyboards. If I were to get a full size laptop, my personal preference is no larger then 15.6", as larger then that, and for me the cost benefit, makes more sense for a desktop with whatever screen I want. (can upgrade, lasts longer, costs less then l7" laptops that I would look at, etc)
One benefit of my netbooks, is they run cooler then my relatives laptops. Not as strong as processor, but also doesn't produce the heat and I don't think they keep them on their laps (risk of burning both lap, and covering up vents, cooking the computer).

[creaker]

One option would be to have the laptop and work like you usually do - and plug it into the desktop computer's keyboard and monitor when you want to use it that way.

[Rogar]

One option would be to have the laptop and work like you usually do - and plug it into the desktop computer's keyboard and monitor when you want to use it that way.

I actually was thinking about that. My desktop computer is probably 8 years or more old and running Vista. I imagine it will either die or become obsolete before long. I can picture how to hook up the desktop monitor to a laptop, but was not totally certain about hooking up the desktop keyboard and had not thought too much about it yet. I am no computer genius, but assume a nice modern new laptop would have a graphics card capable of running my 21" desktop monitor. Good idea. It would maybe get two birds with one purchase. Definitely a simple living move.

[JaneV2.0]

If I were going to use my laptop actually on my lap, I would invest in a lap desk with built-in fan. I use a stationary 17" lap top on my desk, and I'm convinced a cooling fan is helpful. I don't think I'd go smaller than a 15" either, for the reasons others have mentioned.

[freshstart]

I have a 13.5" macbook that I am very happy with except it's a little heavy. It's big enough to watch movies on and I believe the keyboard is plenty big, although I have female hands. I especially like the Apple Support available either at the Genius Bar or over the phone. They say they charge for telephone support if you don't have apple care but I have never been charged and the good thing, to me, with apple is I rarely need support.