I program and have my code open on one side and, for example, results on another screen when I step thru the code, I don't need to switch from one window to another. I work with huge Excel spreadsheets with tens of columns and on my 20" monitor I can easily use formulas, etc. Yes you can do the same on 15 (or maybe you have 17" ) laptop and probably used to this but it is so much better to do on a big screen. I usually have many applications running, I constantly RDP into servers, I think it is too much for a laptop. When I am on a business trip and just need my laptop to view something it's ok, but to really do what I do - it's hard.