Not many things have shaped the buying habits of mobile computer user like the introduction of the 17" LCD monitor. To be sure the 17" LCD has rocketed to the number one choice of laptop users. The image below will demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the 17" platform vs. the 15". To start, the 17" is not simply a larger version of the normal 15" display. The width to height ratio has been modified to keep the laptop from being too large. So in effect you have a LCD screen that is roughly the shape of your TV screen WHEN you watch a movie in letterbox mode.
To illustrate below what the viewable area looks like with a work screen on it we have given you a proportionally correct 17" WideView image and a proportionally correct normal view 15". As you view them you will see an area of light gray. This is the proportional equivalent of a normal sheet of paper. Similar to the one you may use in your word processing. As you can see below the 17" is almost as high (but not quite) as the 15" but is much wider. In a normal work environment this would result in more unused screen space for the average user. However while unused there is still enough height to accomplish your work with nearly the same ease as a normal view 15". However, where the 17" really shines as a LCD is when your work is in the landscape orientation.. Here you would have a LCD that used most of its screen shape to fit in the image. As opposed to the 15" which would have to shrink the image down in size to fit it in the right to left aspect. At this time you now have the wasted space on the top and bottom in the 15" screen as compared to the 17" having wasted screen space with a portrait oriented image. The difference is that the 17" height is nearly equal to the 15" so while you had wasted space you did not lose much in the way of size in a portrait style image. The 15" however is a whole different matter. To fit a full landscape image in a normal view 15" screen, you would have to shrink the overall size of your image to the point that it would be considerable smaller. This make the 17" a great choice for people who may need the ability to work in landscape mode but don't want to sacrifice overall document size when in the portrait orientation
Click images to enlarge
15" Normal LCD
17" WideView LCD
Notice how when the same page is flipped on its side, the screen will only allow it to be 11.66" wide. Also note that there is some wasted screen space on the top and bottom because the normal view is not in proportion to the LCD
Here you see the same page on a 17" WideView allows us to expand it to a wider 14.41" to allow for the wider screen width. The height is also higher now than the 15" even tough the 15" has .625" more in height. This is because on the 15' LCD we ran our of width, before the image was tall enough to fit the screen.
Conclusion: While in some circumstances the 17" can waste a lot of LCD space, you do not have a significant loss in height. However when working in landscape mode you can really improve your view over the traditional 15" LCD.
A final thought on the matter is that both Sizes and shape have there place. Think of a 17" LCD as a tool rather than a better monitor. Select either size based on the type of work you will be doing and the amount of weight you will be willing to carry. The safest choice however does appear to be the 17" since it does allow almost the same amount of height as a 15" but can really shine in the cases where your work is landscape. There the 15' cannot even come close to suiting your needs.
As an addendum to this article the laptop industry has evolved to the point were most monitors are now the 16:10 Wideview ratio. This is the ratio we see in the 17" LCD's. 15.4" 17"and now an unbelievable 19" Wideview LCD. The 15.4 is nice for travel because it gives you a footprint that in a little wider but has less front to back depth. So they fit well on tray table and are very portable. Is there a downside to 15.4" Wideview? Yes. The downside is that while you have a wider screen for movies the top to bottom size is smaller than a traditional 15" LCD. So expect items in that position to be a little smaller.
How about the 19" LCD. Is there a plus or minus to this monitor size? Yes and Yes. The advantage and the disadvantage are the same. the extraordinary size. If you need as much screen space as possible then the 19" has no equal. Images are clear, large and bright. The drawback? The size. If you need to carry this laptop on any kind of a regular basis then go ahead and sell your Bowflex or cancel your health club membership, because your going to get your workout just by hauling this laptop around.. It does fit on our laptop, it is very comfortable to view and use but there is no way to dismiss the size and weight if you carry this around very often.
You know the issues of size and resolution are very confusing and it is easy to make a wrong choice. Please consider emailing us with your needs or calling our support team to ask them for their advice on what we feel is best for you.