15" IPS v. 14" LCD in economy class

[Kenn]

I just spent some time using my computer while flying around the country. When I was first choosing between a 14" and 15" t42, I was concerned with comments about how the 15" form factor would make it too big to comfortably use in a cramped plane seat. What I found after using both while in a United sardine tin was that the 15" is just fine.

The 14" is definitely smaller, and fits the tray table better. With the 15", you have to put the LCD a bit more vertical, so you are looking at a down angle towards the screen. But here is where IPS comes in. Most traditional laptop LCDs today (including the 14" thinkpads) actually have fantastic side to side viewable angles, but very poor relative tolerance for vertical variation. Look from above or below and colors inverse/solarize/wash out very noticeably. This, IMO is what really makes many laptops unusable during flights - they're too hard to read.

Whereas the 14" is small enough where you can adjust the LCD angle to look directly at the screen, the 15" is a bit too big. But since IPS looks almost as good from even extreme vertical angles, I found that I was able to comfortably use the laptop even if I had to position it in a slightly cramped way and look downwards at the screen. IMO, this makes them functionally equivalent.

However, with the 14" I still have enough space to squeeze my drink onto the tray table - not so with the larger one.

Anyone else notice the same/different for in-flight computing?

[sugo]

I flew with a panasonic a while back. It's 8.3 inch deep with a 12.1" screen. I could barely use it when the seat in front of me was lowered down.

14.1" screen T40/41/42 is much deeper at 10.0 inch. Did you still find it useable?

[Kenn]

Yeah, sorry I wasn't clear on about the 14 - it was quite usable, though the seat in front of me wasn't down on that flight. On the flight back, the seat was down over my 15 (that's even worse, right?) and I had to put the screen at just under a 90 degree angle. It was a bit dimmer at that angle, but with IPS it was still perfectly readable for me.

I'm looking at the 14" from the same angle right now, and it's effectively unusable. But it's almost an inch shorter both ways (palmrest can go forward almost an inch, LCD is lower by almost an inch), so because of the smaller size I think there would be more space to manuever it into a readable position.

Then again, maybe I'm not giving United enough credit for its economy spacing?

[akeskira]

I've had trouble many times in coach when using my 12" X30, especially when the person in front of me has reclined. I couldn't even think about using 14" there. Then again, the size of your waist is a factor too...

Antti

[ohman]

I took my 14.1" T42p on a southwest flight 2 weeks ago, and I had similiar results. It was a-okay with the seat up, but when it came down I had to do a balancing act, but luckily I'm a very skinny guy and it wasnt a problem.

But being able to still fit a drink on the table was nice.

[Kenn]

I've had trouble many times in coach when using my 12" X30, especially when the person in front of me has reclined. I couldn't even think about using 14" there. Then again, the size of your waist is a factor too...

Antti

Yeah, I imagine waist size would definitely be a factor

Especially with the 15" you may have to get into the "puppy dog begging" hand position in order to type effectively, but imo that still beats trying to find the most half-baked item in Skymall.