For gaming/college: 17-inch (more powerful) or 15-inch (less powerful) laptop?

The specific models I'm looking at are:

ASUS G51VX-RX05: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9366651&st=g51vx&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218092150636

ASUS G71GX-RX05: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9366615&st=g71gx&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218092150740

I'm going to be using my laptop for quite a while, and I want to strike a balance between portability and power. I want to make sure that I'll still be able to run new games in a couple of years, but I'll also need to be able to lug it around from class to class. Are 17-inch laptops really more inconvenient for this or is the difference not too large? Thanks!

15 is a good size. Fits into backpacks well, and the resolution is still fairly large so it won't strain your eyes over long periods. Gaming + college = fail. Don't go into college planning to game, only game if you have found nothing better to do within the first month.

I've been using a 17" gaming laptop made by Gateway (P-6860FX) for about a year now at my college. It's great because it has a full keyboard plus a numpad, which I use all the time. The weight isn't bad at all, unless you get tired easily.

Gaming + college = fail.True_Sounds

Wtf? lol

So far it's been working out fine for me and my friends.

[QUOTE="True_Sounds"]Gaming + college = fail.metaltoiletry

Wtf? lol

So far it's been working out fine for me and my friends.

15 is a good size. Fits into backpacks well, and the resolution is still fairly large so it won't strain your eyes over long periods. Gaming + college = fail. Don't go into college planning to game, only game if you have found nothing better to do within the first month.

True_Sounds

[QUOTE="metaltoiletry"]

[QUOTE="True_Sounds"]Gaming + college = fail.k0r3aN_pR1d3

Wtf? lol

So far it's been working out fine for me and my friends.

In that case, definitely. I have a friend who dropped out because he'd rather play WoW... It all depends on how you manage your time.

Well I play some games in college, ie NHL 09, a bit of L4D. But those work on regular laptops, and that's what everyone who plays plays them on, so if we're getting a low fps on l4d we are all in the same boat :P

And yes koreanpride understands what I meant. I mean don't prioritize for gaming before you've even begun your semester.