Screen size for gaming.

I'm realy torn about what size screen i should get fro my noteook. I can't seem to make a descision.

Is a 14 inch widescreen ok for gaming? I realy want the portability and weight but I am also a pretty avid gamer and I want to be able to enjoy the game and not have to squint or miss details in a PvP enviromnet.

I have a pretty good desktop but i'll be using the lappy alot I think, would like to play WoW on my back porch over looking the water or on the road at hotels or even cyber cafes.

I don't know what to do and I've been stuck for 3 months and I realy ned to decide =( Also I dont know anyone who has a 14.1 so all i getto see of them is at best buy, and they seem ok for browsing but I just don't know about gaming.

To clarify the other option would be a 15.4, that's the biggest i could possibly go.

 

In general: the samller the screen, the less capable the laptop.
Most notebooks are 15.4 with pretty decent hardware.

 

14 in is kinda small, but they are at the apex of portability and power; you can get a 14 in with the same specs as a 15.4 in except with a smaller screen and lower resolution...

for gaming, I would get a 15.4in with a go7600 or x1600 and a core duo.
If you want more, then you have to get a 17in to get the best gpu, ie. 7900 gtx..

 

I'm in the same dilemma as Trumble. I've decided on getting a zepto, but can't decide whether to get a 6214W (14") or 6615WD (15.4"). Primarily will be using the laptop for uni work which will consist of writing assignments and coding (if not other stuff, comp sci course...) but will also like to game on it. However I can configure the exact same spec (apart from the screen which is a higher res for the 15.4 but on the 14" I have the possibility of getting a glossy) so power difference is not really a deciding factor. That said, the 14" is even £60 cheaper with the same spec. The dimensions make the 14" 1x2cm (LxW) smaller, so technically its not that big of a difference.

Sorry for the rant but this has been goin through my head for a while, Trumble, you'll know what i'm going through, .

In conclusion... I haven't come to a conclusion, lol. When I get a chance i'll go down to a computer store and physically see what impression the difference in size makes to me.

 

I guess what Im looking for is someone who games on a 14.1 to give me there opinion.

 

If you wonder about 14.1 all you really need to do is compare the hardware that they have.

 

Remember that heat is an issue and the same hardware in a smaller chassis will feel hotter. The 15.4 will have better heat dissipation. I have a 15.4" and am very happy with it, I think unless you *need* portability the 14" is too small.

 

Think about the resolution. A higher-res screen with the same graphics card will run the game slower than at a lower resolution, or with fewer effects. Higher res is nice for coding though. So it depends on your use and preferences mostly. I love higher resolutions because I can fit more windows on it. But I hate having games stretched on an LCD, because everything is blurry, and not in the good Anti-Aliasing way.

 

Very good point, hadn't even thought about that. If components stay cooler they tend to last longer, as well. I think i'll go for the bigger screen. Thanks

 

In terms of how comfortable it is to game on a 14" I'm not sure, however if you are looking for a 14" laptop with the same graphics power as the best 15.4" I would look into the Asus w3j. It has the ati x1600, which is the best you will find in any laptop smaller than a 17". However with the smaller size comes a higher price. I thik it is possible to buy it for around $1800-$2000. Hope this helps.