Room for 15" Screen on Plane

I'm going to be buying a notebook and want to use it when traveling via airplane. I was thinking about getting a 15" screen, however someone mentioned in another thread that the 10" to 13" size is the maximum size for use on planes unless you're seated in the very first seats. Yet I seem to remember, or I thought I've seen people using 15" screens on various seats throughout the plane. Has anyone used a 15" screen in seats other than the very first?

 

You are allowed to use a 17" screen laptop if you wanted to.

 

If you are in premium economy or higher then there's probably enough space to use a 15" notebook (and you might have a power socket). In economy / cattle class, the most critical factor is whether or not the seat in front is upright. If it is, then you might be able to open the notebook's screen to a vertical position. However, if the optimum viewing angle is with the screen tilted away from you then you will need to have the notebook half way off the front of the tray table and almost touching you. If the person in front decides to recline their seat while you are using the computer, watch out.

On my last flight I watched someone using a 12" notebook with difficulty. That was half off the tray table since the seat in front was partly reclined.

Personally, I'd ban reclining seats on planes. People can learn to sleep in an upright position and not invade other people's limited space.

John

 

I never realized that this would be an issue as I never used a notebook on a plane. So if I'm using a 15" screen and on a Southwest plane (where the space is rather limited), I better plan on getting a seat in either the first row or one of the other exceptionally large areas. Thanks for the responses.

 

Actually, Southwest has about the most room of any airline I have been on recently. And my ACER 5610z with 15.4 inch screen is not a problem, even with the person in front reclining. Plug in the headphones and watch a movie or listen to music while I catch up on some work. Mostly movies though.

 

Hey Glasstream15, now that's what I was hoping to hear. Thanks,

 

I've used my 15.4-inch Dell before. On an Embraer 135/145 - a fairly common regional jet used by a number of airlines - it's pretty tight, and probably wouldn't work with the seat in front of you reclined. But it does work if the seat in front is not reclined - just a tight fit. On larger planes, such as the Airbus A319, there is a bit more room and it's not quite as cramped. 15.4 inch is workable in economy - just not by much. I wouldn't want to try 15-inch 4:3 or 17-inch on small planes such as the Embraers.

 

Me too. I hate when the person in front of me reclines -- whether I've got a laptop with me or not.

 

i used a 17 inch one on a plane in coach, i was next to someone i knew, so i wasn't too worried about taking her space (since we were both watching a video), but i dont remember having much of a problem exept for people reclining forcing me to tilt the screen down.

 

Man, I seriously wish they'd remove the recline function from the airplane seats. We're cramped enough on a plane as it is.

 

I have the Dell 1520 with the 15.4" screen. It's usable in coach, but it's kind of hard to reach the touchpad because you can't push th enotebook forward very much. Not good for Civilization, not bad for DVD's

 

You guys would love Cathay Pacific; all economy class seats are fixed upright and every seat has a regular wall outlet behind the tray table, which incidentally is huge also.

I've used my 15.4" on occasion. Wasn't ideal because it was too low (or I couldn't open my lid far back enough). Best thing really is to set it on your lap and then open it up really wide so you can look down at it.

 

I'd seen the advert for those new Cathay Pacific seats. How quickly will some of the other airlines follow? It will make flying much more pleasant.

John

 

In coach Im glad I still have my 12in laptop as that can sometimes be cramped. Now if you travel better then a sardine then you will be fine, but the seats I can fit 12in screens that can be tighter when the person in front of you reclines.

 

Exactly. My laptop measures only 11.63 x 8.27 x 1"... yet as small as it is, all bets are off if the guy in front of you decides to relax.

 

Wow I didnt see this until after I posted. I wish all airlines had this, too bad this airline probly doesnt fly anywhere near where I go and/or probly isnt in my budget.

 

The shell seats will need a bigger spacing ("seat pitch") so that's a few less rows of seats and therefore less revenue if the flight is fully booked. A good recession will help trigger the airlines into offering better facilities. Some airlines make most of their profit from the people nearer the front who pay double to treble for having some extra space.

John

 

Or put them out of business....

 

Yeah airlines are notorious for having bad finacial track records. Between gas prices doubling ticket prices and the economy in the pooper might ruin thier day. Plus the more people they can stuff in a plane increases the profit/fuel usage ratio. I really hope things go the way John says because its a pain to fly with an ultraportable laptop even sitting next to family/friends/co-workers.

 

In economy class, 15" will be too big for sure. I've a 13.3 and it's at the limit, but if the person in front of me lowers their seat, I'd have to put the screen in a straight angle. If I have this problem with 13.3, then you will certainly have more problems with 15.4. In my opinion, I think 15.4 is more a desktop replacement than something that's suitable to run around with.

Best solution, just fly in business class if you really need to use a 15.4+ on a plane.

John, those seats are pretty cool, but I think it will take at least a few years before most of the airlines/planes implement this.