Does anyone has experience working with a 12" Laptop (1024x768)? I need one "for the road" since I am planning to travel more. so i am looking for s.th. small and light, 14" max. Now I can get a great deal on a 12", but I am concerned about the workspace being to small, I often work with Dreamweaver, flash etc. Does it absolutly drive you crazy or is it ok for sometimes? would like to hear your recommendations, Thanx
I use a 1024x768 laptop all the time for working on the road (or the couch), and while more real estate is certainly nice, I have no complaints about it. I have a 1440x1000 laptop too, but it's much older and cannot handle the software I need to use. I'll take the faster smaller laptop over the old, larger one any day.
1024x768 would drive me insane... I had a machine at work for a while what was on 1024x768 and it was a nightmare... But I guess it depends, on how many windows you tend to have open on your machine. I'm on a powerbook 15" now, and The real estate can still get a bit tight so I end up using an extra monitor for more space.
I do exactly what you are talking about. I have a 12" Dell inspiron 700m. You will need some time to get used to the tiny keys and mouse pad, but you can work with no problems in it. Although I would recommend getting an external mini mouse, makes things much easier.
I use a 12" iBook without too many problems, but I'm no web designer - my screen is usually filled with terminal windows with SSH sessions One thing I have found invaluable is http://desktopmanager.berlios.de/ Between that and Expose, the lack of screen real-estate isn't a problem.
I have never used a 12" one but I think it's just way too small. My 15" notebook has a 1680 x 1050 resolution. For most stuff it's big enough but sometimes I wish it was even bigger
I recommend http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1697068&CatId=1900
Thank you all for you answers. Checked it somemore, as soon as you need to have several panels open its just way to small :-(
Hi, 14" is OK. I'd get a light one with a comfortable strap, no floppy and a detachable CD-Rom/DVD drive. I'd also buy an extra battery. And I'd forget about designing with new colours.... Cheers, Paz.
The screen on my 12" PowerBook is okay for occasional "on the road" work. What makes me crazy are the keyboard and trackpad. If I have my real mouse and keyboard with me, I can deal with the small screen. (Although it's tough, given that I use two 19" LCDs on my desktop.) I just don't see how people can get real work done with a laptop keyboard and trackpad.
For the past 4 years I have been using 12inch iBooks on an almost daily basis. I do some graphics and web design work on the iBook, although I'm by no means a professional. I really recommend that you go for a hands-on demonstration to see if it's for you.
I have a 12" PowerBook G4. It's great for taking with me on the road. At home, i hook it up with an external LCD and run two screens. I feel like I get the best of both words. Great portability and great screen real estate at home.
A laptop is fine for some on-the-go type work, but not too much, as the small screen does feel cramped, as others have said. Once back home, an external monitor with spanning is your best bet, if your laptop is your only computer.
I dont have a 12" laptop. But I use 1024x768 resolution because everybody at my workplace uses 1024x768. It takes getting use to, but it's workable as long as it's not your main computer.