18 inch laptops

[Derekd]

I was just curious if anyone here owns an 18 inch gaming laptop and what your experience with it has been?  I don't have a desktop, and currently use a laptop as a desktop hooked to a monitor kb/m, etc...

For context of why i don't have a desktop pc, I like the option of being able to take my machine anywhere I want if needed, especially for LAN parties.  But for the most part, it sits on my desk 90% of the time.  

[dizmo]

I've had a 17.3, 18 is basically the same. They're big, annoying to carry constantly, but that likely wouldn't matter for what you're doing.

[Derekd]

3 minutes ago, dizmo said:

I've had a 17.3, 18 is basically the same. They're big, annoying to carry constantly, but that likely wouldn't matter for what you're doing.

Did you/Do you regret that purchase?  Would you have preferred to go with a 15/16 inch?  Part of the reason I was interested in an 18 inch, is I have to imagine the thermals are better on them since the chassis are bigger but I guess I could be wrong.  

[dizmo]

10 minutes ago, Derekd said:

Did you/Do you regret that purchase?  Would you have preferred to go with a 15/16 inch?  Part of the reason I was interested in an 18 inch, is I have to imagine the thermals are better on them since the chassis are bigger but I guess I could be wrong.  

I got rid of it to go with a different aspect ratio 16", but the 18" that are 16:10 would be what I'd be aiming for if I was going for something that large again.

I find the 16" more versatile, and the thermals...hit and miss. All depends on the design. I can't recall who did the video, but there's a lot of bigger laptops with powerful GPUs that perform worse than a smaller one with a lower class card because even at a large size they don't cool well enough and throttle.

[voyager_]

I have a 17.3" MSI and love it, I even got my dad to purchase a similar one for his photo editing. Neither computer travels much and mine mostly stays on the couch. I have a 13" Hp Probook to travel or carry around that has ryzen and vega graphics. It's now powerhouse but I can still do most things on it like play factorio (IT'S INSANELY ADDICTING and I do plant layouts for a living) and run solidworks for basic modeling. I'm looking for an upgrade on my 17" and plan to get another in the same size, if you don't plan to carry it constantly I don't think its a big deal but if I traveled more often I would probably go 16"

 

I would find them in a store and see the difference and pick them up. I did have to get a rolling laptop bag and backback specifically for my 17" since my old bags couldn't fit it.

[saintlouisbagels]

I have a 16-inch MacBook Pro and I sometimes find it annoying.

At airports, it does not fit in the x-ray bins.
On flights, I have resting on my belly at an extreme angle so that I can watch TV/movies.

For some backpacks, it doesn't fit in the sleeve.
At work it takes up a lot of the desk surface area when we're using our mobile desks to test our instruments.

In general it is cumbersome to carry around for extended periods of time.

 

Obviously the primary benefit I love the larger screen estate for looking at a lot of information without scrolling or Tabbing between windows.

 

I have an ASUS Zephyrus G14 as my Windows daily driver, and I think 14-inch is the sweet spot for me.

[madseason]

6 hours ago, saintlouisbagels said:

On flights, I have resting on my belly at an extreme angle so that I can watch TV/movies.

 

At the time I did a lot of flying my 13' 2in1 was perfect

 

Then I got XPS15 - same problems as you describe. But lessons learned I got ROG X16 now. Maybe I am getting blind, but 13 or even 14 is to small for me now to combine both work and leisure use cases.

18 on the other hand would be like dragging another suitcase.