12" Widescreen laptop big enough?

Nawty

Nawty

Messages
6,473
Name
Ned
Edit My Images
Yes
I have a Dell Mini 9 which I love for browsing t'internet and watching movies (was great when I was traveling).

Now, my 15" laptop has just died so I have nothing mobile to do photo editing on (nothing heavy, just Picasa/Lightroom) as the Mini screen is too small.

I'm soon going on holiday and would like to take a laptop with me, I want it to be small and light but have a big enough screen size to I can actually view a full shot.

I've been thinking of a Dell Mini 12 (1.6gHz)or maybe a Samsung NC20 as they seem to fit the "bigger than my Mini but still portable" requirements but what I don't know is whether a 12" is enough, anyone have any experience here?
 
What resolution does the dell mini 12 and samsung nc20 display at?

It's obviously not going to be as good as editing on a 17" screen with higher resolution, but something over 1300xWhatever it is, *should* be ok. But its all personal preference. Have you had a chance to see these in person?
 
Both have 1280x800 I believe :)

Not had a chance to try them - I guess the sensible thing would be to pay a visit to (shudder) PC World...
 
I'd bear in mind it still has a similar CPU to the Atom CPU, which really was designed solely with low power consumption in mind - photo editing on such a CPU is going to be a slow process, even basic stuff.

Screen resolution is 1280x800 which is probably about as high as you'll want to go at that screen size without everything becoming super small.
 
When I'm traveling I get away with limited editing with PS CS3 on an old Apple 12" Powerbook running at 1024 x 768, you soon adapt.
 
I have an NC20 i found it a fantastic travelling companion, its size is great and fitted into my flipside perfectly. I didnt do much editing as after all i was on holiday and had other stuff to do but it was fine for viewing the days captures in an evening in my hotel. why not take a picture in on a memory stick to the store and take a look at each option.
 
Good good, thanks for the feedback :)

The problem with the Mini 9 is that it isn't even really usable to review photos. Been doing some reading and it seems the new VIA CPU in the Samsung a fair bit quicker than the Mini 12, it has a faster and larger HD too.

Only two things now - Price and Patience :D

I could go straight out and get the Samsung (£399) but the Mini 12 (£269 @ dell outlet) would require a few days of waiting. Mmmm.....

EDIT: With VAT & Dellivery, the Dell goes over £300, which rules that out - hoorah!
 
I assume a 13" notebook woould be out of your price range (something like the Dell XPS)? IMO it sits slap bang in the middle of the small but underpowered and to big to carry. However 13" notebooks have the same screen resolution so in that way it wouldn't be a real step up in screen terms, but I find editing on my 13.3" screen pretty easy (not as good as a 20" screen obviously, but good enough). You also get the added power with it. :)
 
chrism_scotland said:
I was thinking about a Dell XPS, I love the 13" size, been using a Macbook I bought on here a few weeks ago but I don't find Mac OS as amazing as I thought I would, that and I could do with more battery life.
Click to expand...

The 9 cell battery lasts up to 8 hours...;)

(With wifi off and basic use, eg word, it was VERY useful during coursework periods at uni.:lol:. About 6 hours with general use and wifi on or 4+ with PS working hard).

I used to always get comments from my friends as their laptops had to be plugged in after about 3 hours, and mine carried on and on... :lol:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top