Went into currys, which generally only have quite low performance machines, and as Jabo said, they are not plugged into the internet, I did however get a perspektive of the size of the screens, not much difference really. The 17'' is slightly larger, but has a bigger keyboard, and better speakers, and of the two HP machines displayed in curry's, seemed better built. (Might not be applicable the asus machines).
I think I will go for the 17'', sadly no physical store that is in the area back home do not sell any of the asus machines.