Desktop or laptop? What size screen?

Benedetto Youssef · Apr 26, 2013

Hey guys I was just wondering what everyone uses to write on. I am assuming no one here uses a typewriter (if you do, frankly I'm impressed). So, I am using a 12 inch laptop, the screen is a bit small for me and I am looking to upgrade to a 15 or 17 inch laptop. I am anxious as to how it will effect my writing and or first glance proofreading. What about you guys?

direndria2 · Apr 26, 2013

We use a desktop with a 20 inch screen, I believe. I actually prefer to write on my laptop, but as for the novel my wife wrote, we definitely did the majority of it on the desktop.

Chris P · Apr 26, 2013

I have actually never written a story on a typewriter. I started writing with pen and ink, and the first electronic thing I wrote on was a Brother word processor. It was about the size of an electric typewriter and the screen was maybe three inches by nine. It would display about six lines or so, and I don't think you could tell where the page breaks were. It had a 3.5 inch floppy drive to save your work. Nevertheless, I got a story written and edited. Right now I'm on an HP laptop with a 15 inch screen. My old laptop had a 12 inch screen, and I wrote a ton on it and even did freelance editing for a while.

Take home message: I've been able to write and edit on anything. I've not noticed the skills required varying depending on the display.

Diem_Allen · Apr 26, 2013

I save everything to three separate thumb drives and carry them with me everywhere. So if I don't have access to desktops (via home or work) I use my laptop which has a 12 inch screen. I am also no stranger to writing on paper and then transcribing later.

Chasing the Horizon · Apr 26, 2013

I have an iMac with a 20" screen and a secondary 15" monitor. This is great for editing and outlining, as I can have up to four documents visible at the same time.

I've been doing a fair amount of draft writing on my iPad, though. Obviously I can only view one document at once, though it's not that difficult to flip between the notes or outline and draft. If I'm just writing I don't need a ton of other windows open distracting me anyway.

After working with the iPad for a while, I'm not interested in ever owning a regular laptop again. Desktops are better values and you can fix them all up with additional screens, big fancy keyboards, full-sized external speakers, a stack of external drives, etc. Of course, you could technically do that with a laptop, but then it would no longer be portable and you might as well have paid less and gotten more with a desktop.

LJD · Apr 26, 2013

Notebook, the old fashioned kind, usually 8.5 x 5.5. Type it up after every chapter.
When I edit, I print it out.
When I go over it quickly, I save to my e-reader.
Oh yeah, I know that was all completely useless for you.

My desktop has a 23" screen I think. I like having the big screen when I'm typing up edits because I like to see as much as I can at once, though I don't think it's a huge deal. If I did do my first drafts on the computer, I find it hard to imagine the screen size would have any significant effect.

The main thing I find is that looking at the text in a bunch of different ways helps me notice things I wouldn't otherwise. That's why I find it useful to read it on my e-reader as well.

dangerousbill · Apr 26, 2013

Benedetto Youssef said:
I am anxious as to how it will effect my writing and or first glance proofreading. What about you guys?

You can always change the font size and type to suit your eyes. You can change to standard sizes and fonts later. I do that when the allergies get bad around here (like right now).

I use a 22" screen on my desktop and a 17" on my laptop, but screen size isn't the issue. I don't see errors any better than on my old 13" laptop. On the other hand, having a draft proof made by a company like lulu.com for about $10 shows up a lot of errors that I miss when editing onscreen.

kuwisdelu · Apr 26, 2013

IMO, 17" is too much of a laptop, unless you really, really need the screen real estate.

I'd suggest sticking to the 13"-15" sweet spot.

And if you're going to be looking at text all day, get something with a respectable resolution.

Don't settle for crappy 1366x768.

kuwisdelu · Apr 26, 2013

Chasing the Horizon said:
Desktops are better values and you can fix them all up with additional screens, big fancy keyboards, full-sized external speakers, a stack of external drives, etc. Of course, you could technically do that with a laptop, but then it would no longer be portable and you might as well have paid less and gotten more with a desktop.

Or you can just unplug them when you want to take your laptop out.

benbenberi · Apr 26, 2013

For actual writing, a laptop screen is plenty big enough, and many people enjoy the flexibility a laptop allows to write in places other than the desk (in bed, on the couch, in a coffee shop, etc.)

A big screen is most useful to a writer for tasks where you want more than one document open and visible, e.g. comparing drafts or referencing research material. Some people need this more than others. Needing a big screen doesn't mean you need a desktop computer - you can connect a laptop to a big monitor easily enough when you want.

Another point to consider: laptops tend to be more fragile than desktops, with a shorter life expectancy. That's largely because (a) parts have to be made smaller and lighter to fit into a laptop's case and (b) you're moving it around all the time, not always gently. Conversely, you get more oomph for your buck with a desktop, for the same reason.

Me, I have a 20" iMac on my desk, but I do most of my writing these days on a 13" Macbook Air.

Roxxsmom · Apr 26, 2013

I do most of my writing at home, in my study, on a desktop. I find the keyboard layout more comfortable to type on. Plus the large screen (24" wide-screen) is easier on my eyes. I'll use my laptop when I'm traveling, but it's much harder to be really comfortable/absorbed in my writing.

I agree that desktops are more durable, probably because you're not carting them around everywhere. You get more computer for your buck (in terms of processing power, memory etc), which can be a consideration if you also use it for things like gaming. My desktop is really overkill for writing and web surfing because it's a gaming machine. I don't game as much as I used to, but it's nice to have the ability when the mood strikes me. And it'll likely be years before it's so out of date it needs replacing.

Desktops are also easier to pop open if you need to replace something (like a video card or whatever).

But if you really like writing on the go (or travel a lot), are comfortable with a smaller keyboard, and don't mind the smaller screen, a decent laptop is probably a good bet.

Torgo · Apr 26, 2013

Desktop; not sure what the screen size is, but the LCD panel is about the width of a full-size keyboard. At 1080p that's about my perfect size, I think.

BethS · Apr 26, 2013

Benedetto Youssef said:
Hey guys I was just wondering what everyone uses to write on. I am assuming no one here uses a typewriter (if you do, frankly I'm impressed). So, I am using a 12 inch laptop, the screen is a bit small for me and I am looking to upgrade to a 15 or 17 inch laptop. I am anxious as to how it will effect my writing and or first glance proofreading. What about you guys?

I have a laptop with a 12- or 13-inch screen, can't remember which, but it acts as a desktop when I dock it. Then I use my 17-inch monitor.

I used to have a laptop with a bigger screen but found it too heavy. It would make my legs numb.

Hendo · Apr 26, 2013

I use a 17 inch laptop but it's a powerful beast of a machine since it's built for gaming.

WriterTrek · Apr 26, 2013

I have a desktop and a laptop. The desktop is custom-built (by me) and has a 21.5" screen -- it's fantastic and I prefer writing there. Also have a keyboard with Brown Cherry MX switches, so typing is a pleasure.

My laptop is a Thinkpad x230 (12.5" screen) and is also fantastic. Wouldn't trade this setup (nice desktop + portable laptop) for anything.

But if I was to go back to having just one computer I'd go with a 14.1" laptop probably, like the Thinkpad T430. Maybe a 15.6" model, but for me that's pushing it. I'm all about portability.

AshleyEpidemic · Apr 26, 2013

I have a 17" laptop and my work desktop is 1 19" and 2 24". I Prefer writing on the laptop and editing on the desktop.

Mary-ellen D · Apr 26, 2013

laptop, 17 inch screen. But I don't use the entire screen. I tend to keep the page small. Not sure why but I do

lolchemist · Apr 26, 2013

I used to have a really tiny Toshiba laptop called a "netbook" that came with a "starter" version of Windows Word that had an advertisement bar that occupied a good inch and a half of the right hand side of the screen. I literally had to download and use Open Office just to get away from that misery! now I have a 15-incher and so much more room to play with! I do miss my tiny computer but I don't miss the cramped 'page' room.

Corinne Duyvis · Apr 26, 2013

I've got a netbook.

It's a 10" Samsung that I've had about two years now. I lurve it--it's super portable, the battery life is amazing, and I exchanged the screen with a sunlight viewable one. When the sun hits the screen, it basically reacts like e-ink. Perfect visibility. Great for writing.

I do switch it up with my 17" iMac every now and then, though. It's particularly nice when using Scrivener, which takes up a good bit of real estate on the screen, plus my netbook can't exactly run Photoshop or games.

Anna Spargo-Ryan · Apr 26, 2013

I write on my laptop, which is a 13" retina display MBP. The resolution makes the words so shiny, and being able to actually see them really helps with the overall book writing process.

I can't write on my desktop. At all. Not a single word comes out.

Buffysquirrel · Apr 26, 2013

I use this desktop. I don't know what size the screen is. My laptop died.

I mourn my laptop. *sob*

What I find is with bigger monitors, the computer thinks you want a smaller resolution and it will whine and whine and WHINE if you don't play along.

Orianna2000 · Apr 26, 2013

I exclusively use a 17" gaming laptop. Years ago, I used a desktop PC, but it was uncomfortable for me to sit for more than a few minutes. Now I sit in bed, or on the couch, where I can get comfy with the laptop. My productivity has increased greatly, so I'm happy.

that redhead · Apr 26, 2013

I adore my Toshiba Satellite laptop that I got several years ago. It's got a 16-inch screen, and functions as my main computer. It spends most of it's time on my desk propped up at an angle on a stand with a cooling thingie. (The angle keeps the cats from stepping/sitting/sleeping on it.) I've got a wireless mouse and a nice keyboard for it, so it essentially functions as a desktop. It only moves when I take it to crit group or I have the urge to get away and write in a coffee shop.

southbel · Apr 26, 2013

I've got a few machines, a 17" laptop, (2) 15" laptops, a netbook, and an iPad. I've always been partial to a 15" laptop because I liked the way the keyboard felt but lately I've been using the 17" more and now that I'm used to the keys, I think I'll stick to it.

I like the 17" primarily for the screen size. Makes it easier to really go through edits.

Beachgirl · Apr 26, 2013

I started out writing on a desktop with a 20" monitor, but I got tired of being tied to the PC all the time.

Then I started using a Toshiba Netbook that was super easy to carry around. That crapped out on me, though, taking the last chapter of one of my books with it before I had a chance to hit Save (ugh, I get nauseous just thinking about that).

So I bought a 17" laptop. After three days of lugging the heavy monstrosity to Starbucks, the library and Panera, I'd had enough. I was practically cursing at it when I dragged it back to the store to return.

I ended up with a Microsoft Surface, which I LOVE. Lightweight, versatile, battery that just keeps going and going, tablet detaches from the keyboard, fast, and does everything I need it to. It's been my constant companion for four months now.

Me + Surface = One Happy Writer

Desktop or laptop? What size screen?

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