Alienware 14 vs. 17

Ca$h Money

Ca$h Money

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So I recently graduated college and am returning in the fall for further studies. I've had the same laptop for over 5 years and she's way behind in tech and is falling apart. So as a graduation gift i'm getting an Alienware! The problem is everyone I've talked to is telling me to get the 17" and i'm worried it will be too big because this laptop will also need to travel with me to school and not get in the way etc. I can max out specs on anyone, so performance won't be a real issue. Basically, as a student, would I be better going with the smaller 14" with maxed out specs or stick to the larger 17" with the same option for maxing out?
 
Ca Money said:
So I recently graduated college and am returning in the fall for further studies. I've had the same laptop for over 5 years and she's way behind in tech and is falling apart. So as a graduation gift i'm getting an Alienware! The problem is everyone I've talked to is telling me to get the 17" and i'm worried it will be too big because this laptop will also need to travel with me to school and not get in the way etc. I can max out specs on anyone, so performance won't be a real issue. Basically, as a student, would I be better going with the smaller 14" with maxed out specs or stick to the larger 17" with the same option for maxing out?
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I know your problem right here and here is the solution:

Do not buy alienware.

You are better off looking at Sager laptops, MSI gaming notebooks, Lenovo Ideapads, and Asus G series laptops if you're a gamer.
 
The main concern you're dealing with is the size and weight of the laptop. Unfortunately, gaming laptops are usually heavier than business/student laptops because we usually want a bigger screen and a beefier GPU. I got what was at the time a gaming "lite" laptop (Lenovo Ideapad Y510p) that was good for gaming, but just not as powerful as my gaming PC (usable for WoW, Minecraft, RTS'es, movies, and Internet) I say just consider the additional weight as your "forgotten" workout. If you carry the laptop around with you everywhere, you'll get a decent workout carrying 15-30 pounds of books, notes, and the laptop. Also, with SSDs, laptops aren't as heavy as they were 5 or 10 years ago. Size wise, still big (because of the screen), but weight-wise, not that big of a problem.

I would also recommend looking at High Sierra backpacks (laptop backpacks). I'm on my third one in the past 15 years, not because they worn out on me, but I just wanted a change in design. Went from backpack to hybrid messenger bag/backpack to backpack again. Definitely has room to spare for a 17" laptop and considering I'm carrying around a pair of CPA exam books that are about 1700 pages each, I'm quite used to carrying around the weight between work and meetings.
 
As far as screen size (whatever brand you decide to go with), I'd get something thats 15 - 16". But nothing bigger than 16", it'll be hard to fit in a book bag or carry around on campus or fitting on school desk. I go to college too and I used to have a laptop that was over 16", now I have one that's 15.6" and it's so much better. It's not as cumbersome and it's more portable and lighter.
 
15 inch is the general consensus for all laptop screen sizes. The reason I recommend the other companies is because you'll be frustrated with how heavy and thick an alienware laptop will be.

Anywhere from 13-15 inch screens is what I would recommend. You could also get double the performance for pretty much the same price as an alienware.
 
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