What laptop size should I get? There will be compromises either way…

[ThickGrass]

My first laptop in 2017 was 15.6”, and I carries it in a slim line laptop bag, with a separate doctor’s satchel style bag for my personal bits. It was a faff carrying two bags, sometimes I would use a cross body but it was not big enough. Sounding a bit stuck up here - I was a Furla bag devotee until this time, so my personal bag was always something nicer and I was OK with any smart, minimal laptop bag. I worked full time in the office, so it was a daily double-bagging 😁 sorry.

In 2021 my boss convinced me to switch to 14” as he was using it and while I got used to it, it has never felt as functional as the bigger screen. Even not all Outlook buttons visible without another click, so constantly dragging onto the secondary large screen. But it has enabled me to only use my doctor’s satchel type bag, some only carried one. I only work outside home once a week now, but if travel - it’s abroad now too.

I am due to have a new laptop now and I have been saving up for the new Mulberry 9 - 5 tote. It will not fit a 16” laptop I have been offered. I have it on trial now and it’s amazing to work with. But that means that on days out I am back to double bagging and there is not point in a tote bag. My head is telling me 16” as I work long hours with it, but I had this dream of having the sassy all fits one bag…

What should I do? I am not a backpack person, so need that nice bag to feel confident at work, but also feel like a mule with two bags.

Do you have to carry it far on your commute because I’d find a 16” laptop heavy to be lugging about?

@CameForAVacationStayedForTheRevolution 90% of commutes is by car, so not far to carry but another 10% can be trains, planes and automobiles all on the same day.

I’d probably go for 15”. Screen is big enough as I agree 14” is too small. But not as heavy as a 16” to carry. I’m not sure where that leaves you on the bag situation? I’m afraid I have given up on style and have a backpack with a padded laptop compartment. 😂

With the constant dragging to a big screen, can't you set it so that you have the big screen as the default screen in Windows? That's my setup, I have a keyboard, mouse and large monitor on a USB hub with my 14" laptop on a riser next to it, so I only use the laptop screen as a second monitor or if I am away from my desk with it at a meeting. I know this wouldn't help with travelling but assume you are at a desk most of the time and would mean you could get away with 14". We're not supposed to use laptops without this setup all day long for ergonomic reasons.

@CameForAVacationStayedForTheRevolution 15” is not an option at work, we have 14”,or 16”, but thank you the logical suggestion.

@EndlessDistraction Thank you, that is how I work now minus the keyboard. But I often have to copy paste and use two spreadsheets at he same time, so need two working screens. I have two large extra monitor at work but not at home. Truthfully, it’s vanity on my side that affects the decision making, I need a 16” for productivity.

I would be curious to know how people juggle two bags, is the second personal bag a cross body, or shoulder or tote?

I bought my own (larger) laptop for home to avoid transporting my work one around but am sure some companies would not allow that!

@TheOGCCL No, it’s a large corporate, all IT is very much regulated.

Do you work in the same office 80% of the time (or use a car that propn)? Would a bluetooth keyboard help with your productivity?

We all make do with a laptop stand, extra monitors and bluetooth mice and keyboards most of the time.

Back in the days when laptops weighed a ton, we were issued with pilot cases. They were useful if you had to walk any distance.

Could you get an extra monitor at home plus separate keyboard/mouse and then make do with the 14" for travel?