Laptops With a Large Screen

What sizes do large laptop screens come in?

Large laptops come in 15.3, 15.6, 16, 17.3 and 18 in sizes. The last column shows how much of your view each fills from 20.0 in (50.8 cm)50.8 cm (20.0 in) away, a normal laptop distance.

Which laptops have the largest screens?

These are the 16 inch and bigger laptops in our list, with resolution and PPI from each maker’s spec sheet. The biggest are five 18 inch models, from HP, Dell, Acer and ASUS.

Each name links to the maker’s page. Last checked 13 October 2026.

How much bigger is an 18 inch laptop than a 14 inch one?

An 18 inch screen is 15.3 in (38.8 cm)38.8 cm (15.3 in) wide, against 11.9 in (30.2 cm)30.2 cm (11.9 in) for a 14 inch screen. That is 65% more screen area, so two windows side by side are much easier to read.

What should I look for in a large screen laptop?

A big screen needs the right numbers behind it. Check these four things:

• Resolution: 1920 × 1080 gives only 127 PPI at 17.3 in, so 2560 × 1600 looks sharper.
• Shape: 16:10 screens are taller than 16:9 at the same size, which helps with documents.
• Weight: 17 and 18 inch laptops are heavier, so check the spec sheet if you carry it daily.
• Bag size: measure your bag’s laptop pocket before you buy.

Is 16 inch the best large laptop size?

For many people it is the best balance. A 16 inch 16:10 screen is 13.6 in (34.5 cm)34.5 cm (13.6 in) wide and 8.5 in (21.5 cm)21.5 cm (8.5 in) tall. A 15.6 inch 16:9 screen is 13.6 in (34.5 cm)34.5 cm (13.6 in) by 7.6 in (19.4 cm)19.4 cm (7.6 in).

So the 16 inch screen is taller, which shows more lines of a document, while the body stays close in width. Compare both on our 16 inch and 15.6 inch laptop pages.

What is the difference between 17.3 and 18 inch laptops?

The shape. In our chart, 17.3 inch laptops are 16:9, with a screen 15.1 in (38.3 cm)38.3 cm (15.1 in) wide and 8.5 in (21.5 cm)21.5 cm (8.5 in) tall. 18 inch laptops are 16:10, at 15.3 in (38.8 cm)38.8 cm (15.3 in) by 9.5 in (24.2 cm)24.2 cm (9.5 in).

That makes the 18 inch screen noticeably taller. See the body sizes on our 17.3 inch and 18 inch laptop pages.

What resolution should a large laptop have?

Aim for a resolution that keeps text sharp at about an arm’s length. Common pairs give these densities:

• 16 in at 1920 × 1200: 142 PPI.
• 16 in at 2560 × 1600: 189 PPI.
• 17.3 in at 1920 × 1080: 127 PPI.
• 18 in at 2560 × 1600: 168 PPI.

For more on how size and pixels work together, see resolution vs screen size.

What bag or sleeve fits a large laptop?

Choose by the laptop’s body size, not its screen size. Bodies differ between models with the same screen, because bezels and hinges vary.

Measure the body width and depth from the spec sheet, then check the inside of the sleeve or the bag’s laptop pocket. Our Dell, HP and Lenovo pages list sizes by model.

How do I use a large laptop at a desk?

Even a big laptop screen sits low, so you look down at it. Three changes make desk work easier:

1. Raise the laptop on a stand, so the top of the screen is near eye level.
2. Add a separate keyboard and mouse, since the built-in ones are now too high.
3. Add a monitor next to it if you need more space, such as a 24 or 27 inch screen.

See our dual monitor size guide for pairing screens side by side.

How do I measure a laptop screen?

Laptop sizes are the diagonal of the visible screen, not the lid. To check yours, follow these steps:

1. Open the laptop and find the top left corner of the lit screen.
2. Run a tape measure to the bottom right corner of the lit area.
3. Leave out the bezel, the black frame around the screen.

Compare your result with our laptop screen size chart, which lists the width and height of every common size.

Is a 16 inch laptop bigger than a 15.6 inch one?

Yes, but mostly in height. A 16 inch 16:10 screen is 13.6 in (34.5 cm)34.5 cm (13.6 in) wide, about the same as a 15.6 inch 16:9 screen.

The 16 inch screen is 11% larger by area. That extra height shows more lines of a document or web page before you scroll.

Which brands make laptops with large screens?

Most big makers sell at least one large model. Our brand pages list every screen size each one sells:

• Dell laptop screen sizes
• HP laptop screen sizes
• Lenovo laptop screen sizes
• MacBook screen sizes

Each page links to the maker’s own spec sheet, so you can check the exact size before you buy.

Should I add a monitor instead of buying a bigger laptop?

If you mostly work at one desk, a monitor gives far more screen for the same space. A 27 inch monitor is 171% larger than a 16 inch laptop screen by area.

A large laptop makes more sense if you move between rooms or travel. Our dual monitor guide shows how to pair a laptop with an extra screen.

Should a large laptop be 16:10 or 16:9?

For work, 16:10 is the better shape. At 16 inches, a 16:10 screen is 8% taller than a 16:9 screen of the same size.

That extra height shows more lines of code, mail or a spreadsheet. Video fills a 16:9 screen fully, so a 16:10 screen shows thin bars above and below a film.

Is a large laptop good for two windows side by side?

Yes. Each half of a 16 inch 16:10 screen is 6.8 in (17.2 cm)17.2 cm (6.8 in) wide, against 5.9 in (15.1 cm)15.1 cm (5.9 in) on a 14 inch laptop.

On Windows, drag a window to the left or right edge to snap it there. On a Mac, hover over the green button at the top left and choose a tile.