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What is the ideal size for a notebook?
Posted by gabriel torres in Notebook PC | Nov. 05, 2008 10:00 AM
A tough question: standard size? Pocket size? Ultra thin? That will depend on the kind of usage you have and how comfortable you personally are with the selected format.
Intel, for example, is heavily promoting the MID – Mobile Internet Device – format that their latest Atom platform enables. Atom is a very small processor that can run the same kind of programs you would run on your desktop (i.e. it is an x86 processor) and that consumes very little allowing computers running regular programs to fit the palm of your hand with wireless internet capability.
I’ve seen some prototypes and actual products (look for the Panasonic Toughbook U1 on the internet) and while they can be appealing to some I wouldn’t buy: the screen is too small and I simply can’t type on the very small keyboard. Maybe I am becoming old, maybe kids that are now being raised with cell phones with messaging capability will love this format. On the other hand, for some specific applications this format is the perfect choice. The abovementioned product from Panasonic has an integrated GPS, bar code reader, fingerprint scanner and internet using the cell phone network (3G), being perfect for several applications on the business world.
O.k. now you know that I don’t like the very small format. On the other extreme, I also don’t like big laptops. So for me laptops with 17” screens are out of question. They are too big and too heavy for me. Of course users looking for a desktop replacement will definitely prefer a laptop with the biggest screen available and with a keyboard as close to the standard size as possible.
Now, between the jumbo-sized laptops and the pocket-size devices (we can’t even call those laptops) there are a myriad of options.
Ultra thin products are very appalling to me: they are light and stylish. The only problem I have with these is finding one with a good keyboard. As you know, I am a writer, and the keyboard is my input device of choice. I need a keyboard where I can feel the keys being pressed and some laptops nowadays come with keys that are so light and sensitive that I don’t know whether I pressed them or not, making me to spend extra time double checking what I typed in. Some keyboards come with the key caps so thin that they fall off if you have nimble fingers (yes, I’ve seen this happening). And how about those keyboards using rubber keys that some manufacturers are using now? Gosh, it reminds me my Sinclair ZX-81 (a cheap computer from the early 1980’s) and I simply can type fast with them.
But well, I am sidetracking here… What are your thoughts on this subject? Which is your preferred laptop size?
Obvious answer: it depends.
For WORK, as a coder working on video, I need as much real estate as possible. I'm currently using a 15.4" 1920x1200 screen. The next laptop will likely be 17" or 18" since my eyes aren't getting any better. Doesn't matter that the thing will be huge. Its my job.
For my personal life, where I don't do any of that stuff, I find a 13" screen to be about right. Personally I do like the ultra-portables like Sony's 11-inchers, and might consider something like that in the future, but there's not that much wrong with a decent 13" monitor. Enough screen resolution to do decent web browsing, watch video, etc without having to squint too much, or scroll too often.
Yet we take our netbook places we don't take our laptop. Because its just so small, cheap mostly. And for that, 9" is too small. 10" might be okay, but the 1024x600 resolution is too small and I'm nervous about the 720p displays in 10", so a
http://www.wepc.com/vote/view/dream/6243/Pocket_Netbook___Eee_Go_Multiple_Docking_System#comment
My ideal is the design above as it provides a size small enough to carry in any inside jacket pocket yet has a touch type keyboard that will give decent typing input. There is not one computer that provides a touch type keyboard in a jacket size design. To me that is the missing sweet spot many mobile business people want. Somthing about 7" x 4" x 1"
15.4" for me. It's perfect to use as a desktop replacement if needed, and it's also mobile and light-weight enough to carry around when required too.
For me most of my computing needs are all text based so a numeric keypad is not much of a big value. What I value more is something small enough with a good keyboard so I would vote to opt out the numeric keypad as those functions could be handled via small tiny row of keys so that more room can be used for the letter keys.
A laptop must have a full numeric keypad for me to consider it. The productivity payoff outweights the extra bulk, heft and price many times.
I like the idea of pocket size but not shirt pocket size probably longer so that it would have a good keyboard as I do not like thumb keys at all.
Pocket size but not too small as I do not like thumb input. I like the idea from Primaz that sounds like a good size to be a balance between still useful enough as a real PC but pocketable to carry everywhere.
If you rethink the screen size to be two to one meaning that it was long and narrow to display 1/2 VGA a mobile computer can be mobile enough to carry in a large jacket pocket where the screen had not border was 7.5" x 4" in size which will fit into any normal jacket pocket yet that long length also enables a decent touch type keyboard to be included. Something like the Psion where the letter keys are large and easy to type. To me 12-14" means too large to carry in any pocket so you need a bag. At that point the difference between 12-14" to 14-16" or larger is not that big of a deal as a bag is needed for all of those to be mobile.
Well, for me the best choice is having a portable notebook, but as powerful as possible. Using notebook, especially with a small screen, is not so comfortable for more than one hour.
So I would choose 12-14". 13,3" makes smart A4-size notebook.
Plus N330 (or U/P7700), SSD, integrated GPU, blue ray and mini DisplayPort (or an easy one-plug connection to power supply, external display and keyboard).
To me the key is smaller but it has to be small enough to carry so I say 5" to 7.5" in length and no more than 4" in width so that it will be pocketable. Give it a real keyboard not a lame thumb query keys and it would be ideal!
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