How much does weight matter?

You're in college. There is no reason to be worried about weight. Even less so if you are using a backpack (since all the weight is on your legs, not on your upper back). In fact, I can only understand people complaining about it when they are in their 40's and up or have chronic back problems.

Having said that, the 15" will definitely help. Remember, when programming, the more you see, the more productive you are.

Regards,

zakaluka2.

I'm in college as well.

I play ice hockey, soccer, and lift weights 4-5 times a week. Ergo, I am definetly not weak.

I recently made the switch from a ~6.5lb CL56 to a 2.8lb Asus S5N.

At least, between these two systems it does make a difference.

Here are the areas I notice it the most:

1) The 12.1" - 2.8lb - .8" S5N fits into any bag I own. My normal Jansport backpack for example. My CL56 barely fit into it and when I did get it in there, it looked like I had a fridge strapped to my back and was very uncomfortable to wear. If I had anything more than a small book or two besides the laptop, it wouldn't fit. So if you want to avoid being a Targus backpack LAN-boy nerd, smaller is better.

2) Desk space. Most of my classes have desks that aren't designed for a laptop. Fitting a 15" (or bigger) notebook on one is a pain and can be dangerous sometimes (because it has to hang off of the edge often). My new S5N fits easily.

3) Get up and go factor. Though not a big notebook by any means, the 15" 6.5lb CL56 just doesn't have the same "take me with you feel" that smaller notebooks have. I take my S5N everywhere. This includes inside my house. I used to take my CL56 to the library or the coffee shop with me, but never anywhere else. Now, say, if I'm watching TV and want to surf the internet as well, I just bring it down and keep it on my lap (it's a lot more comfortable having something is 12" and 2.8lbs in your lap than something that is 15" and 6.5lbs - wow that sounds inuendo-ish - but you get the point).

In the end, it's personal preference. I'm going to have some extra $ this summer before I go to law school, so I decided that I'd go with this ultra-portable now and then before school starts, I'm going to get a killer desktop, surround sound, and at least a 23" High Def LCD Monitor/TV.

If I had been looking to have an all-in-one solution, I'd have probably kept the CL56 or something similar.

It's really a question of how much the weight will deter you from bringing it along with you when you're going places. I read a review of the Fujitsu S6231 where the reviewer said: "first laptop buyers tend to discount the effect two extra pounds can have on the mobility of a notebook. I find that, for the many second time buyers that didn't have weight on the list of considerations the first time around, weight is definitely a factor."

I myself have also been looking at the 13" size range but have been frustrated with the options...I am currently leaning toward that Fujitsu because I heard the Sony's warranty is void if you clean install over the restore partition (aka the "Sony disease").

As far as "the more you see, the more productive you are" comment goes...I agree completely. But it doesn't help to see everything if you're not going to want to bring it around with you...you might as well get a large LCD for a desktop.

I suggest doing some basic trials to find out how heavy is too heavy. Ideally you should use a few friends' computers, but books will do as well. Just collect a few that are separated by a pound or two in weight and compare. Test how each affects the load on your back. Whatever you feel is reasonable to be carrying around is what you should aim for (obviously).

But just because you're in college doesn't mean you need to be lugging around the largest screen you can find - it's not an issue of whether you CAN carry it. It's a question of it you're going to WANT to.

More importantly, how much does matter weigh, eh?

Weight, or lackthere of, is god for a person who is constantly on the GO.

Example: I am rarely at home and am always travelling. Sub 3 pound weight is what keeps me going.

I'm always carrying my laptop from place to place, and I've found that I prefer a heaver model. Maybe it's the fact that they feel more durable or something, I really don't know. My current laptop is the heaviest one I've ever owned (7.5 lbs.), but the weight doesn't bother me one bit. Maybe it's because I carry so much other stuff in my backpack (Swiss Gear), but it's really not a pain to carry around, even in an airport or campus setting.

Heh, I don't own a notebook yet, but I do know that I carry at least 20 pounds in my backpack everyday in school, and I am dancer and workout 3 times a week.

If im going out to business or traveling and I have a heavy duty notebook, I know 10 pounds wont bother me. But im a big guy so... it may be different for smaller people.

i have a sager 9860 which is the heaviest notebook i know of weighing in at around 13 pounds, and i carry it around with me all day every day along with textbooks that weigh more than it does @ college, and i barely notice it so i dont know why people complain so much about weight. and contrary to the people above me i never workout, or for that matter go outside o.O so..yeah... =/