I never was much comfortable doing serious/lots of work on a laptop. Not just because of the screen size, I could make the 17" work, it's not one thing but a collection of little things. I don't like the small cramped keyboard, I'm not comfortable with the track pad, I don't like that I can't move the keyboard to a different position without moving the screen because they're attached. I'm also not comfortable working with the laptop, while it's in my lap (ironically). It would seem that they are really not for me. The only advantage (and reason why I have one) is its mobility.