# Laptop size **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 21, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-size/632203 "2012-08-21T20:01:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-size/632203/21 "2012-08-23T03:51:03Z")
You can (barely) fit a number pad and full sized keyboard on a 15". My VAIO has them, but it’s not that common in that size. ---
**Author:** ![JLRogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@JLRogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JLRogers)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-size/632203/22 "2012-08-23T05:40:34Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > The screen size doesn’t matter nearly as much as the resolution. This poster knows what’s what. You’re using this machine for work, and actually transporting it. Don’t buy a 10lb desktop replacement. You want a business class 15" notebook. Look at the Lenovo ThinkPad T530. If you configure one with the i5-3210, 1920x1080 display, discrete graphics, and Ultimate-N wireless you’ll end up with a durable machine that can handle most any task one would reasonably expect of a notebook while remaining portable and inexpensive. True, it’s possible to buy a notebook for $600 from [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) or Best Buy, but consumer class notebooks are built to hit a price point and build quality suffers. I’ve got a Thinkpad T500 from years ago that is still in daily use, whereas the Dell and HP models purchased around that time fell apart long ago. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-size/632203/23 "2012-08-23T05:53:32Z")
I’m not actually using it for work, maybe I should have been clear about that. I just take it to work so I can play around to pass the time. I’m using a refurbished very old Dell Latitude now, so that’s a business class laptop, but is there really much difference? This Dell seems about like my old Dell Inspiron as far as I can tell (which isn’t really that far). ---
**Author:** ![JLRogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@JLRogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JLRogers)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-size/632203/24 "2012-08-23T08:07:51Z")
I can’t address the Latitude, since I have no personal experience with them. The T and W series Thinkpads do have metal chassis and rollcages and proper reinforced metal hinges. That sort of thing contributes significantly to durability. My T500 is to my Inspiron as a camry is to a yugo. I am not exactly a road warrior, but that Dell is falling apart. Personally, I’d just get a T430 (14") with the 1600x900 screen because I hate lugging a huge machine all over the place, but you seem to be OK with that hassle of a larger notebook. Note that I also don’t play modern games and have no idea what the requirements of your games are. For me the requirements are good resolution and build quality. ---
**Author:** ![JLRogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@JLRogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JLRogers)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-size/632203/25 "2012-08-23T08:24:21Z")
If the OP or anyone is considering a Lenovo please use [this coupon](http://shoplenovo.i2.com/SEUILibrary/controller/Lenovo:EnterStdAffinity?affinity=barnesnoblegold&ConfigContext=StdAffinityPortal). It’s a significant discount, and anyone can use it. And no, I don’t work for Lenovo or derive any benefit from the coupon above. I am just a ThinkPad fan. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-size/632203/26 "2012-08-23T11:57:08Z")
Miss DrumBum has a 17" MacBook and really likes it. The only problem we had was finding a padded carrying case to lug it to classes. Most of the ones available were for 15" laptops although we eventually found one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-size/632203.md?page=1)