In the world we live in, bigger is better. That, unfortunately, is how we got to a point where a 17.3-inch laptop screen isn’t necessarily bigger than a 17-inch laptop screen.
And no, this isn’t a fraction problem like the one that caused A&W to stop selling its third-pounder burger because people thought it was less than a quarter-pounder problem. Consumers legitimately expect a 17.3-inch laptop screen to be larger than a 17-inch one because 17.3 is bigger than 17. It’s reasonable!
But the key problem here is the differing aspect ratio of laptops. The vast majority of 17.3-inch laptops feature screens with an aspect ratio—the proportion between the length and the height of the panel—of 16:9, similar to what you see in HDTVs.
The Dell XPS 17’s panel is 16:10. It’s taller. That difference means its 17-inch screen offers just under 2 percent more screen real estate than a 17.3-inch 16:9 panel. That’s not a lot, but the fact that the average consumer will see 17-inches and think, “well, I want the larger screen, so I’ll go for the 17.3-inch laptop” does a disservice to buyers.
Why do we even bother to measure laptop screens using a method dreamed up 70 years ago for TVs? Internet urban legend claims TV makers didn’t want to explain the length and width of the screen, and using the diagonal measurement gave them a “bigger number to market.”
Yes, that means we’re still using a standard that was developed to fool consumers into thinking a 26-inch wood console TV was bigger. What’s worse: The diagonal measurement doesn’t even give them the bigger number to sell.
It’s time to ditch the diagonal measurement that makes people think a 17.3-inch panel is larger than a 17-inch panel.
For this story, I physically measured the length and width of multiple laptops because most panels are typically a millimeter or so smaller than what the vertical measurement would have you believe. I apologize for pulling a NASA and mixing US Customary units and the metric system but the smaller units in the metric system make it easier to discuss.
Still, the most common panel in an ultra light laptop is a 13.3-inch 16:9 screen. On an HP Elite Dragonfly I measured, that works out to 29.2 cm wide x 16.4 cm tall, or 479 cm2 in total area. These laptops typically bump right up against 14-inch laptop using the same 16:9 aspect ratio such as the MSI Prestige 14 Evo, which I measured at 30.7cm wide and 17.2cm tall.
On the face of it, 0.7-inches is no big deal right? That’s only about a 5 percent larger screen. But if you work out the actual surface area, the 14-inch laptop actually offers you 10.2 percent more area than the 13.3-inch laptop.
You’d probably say the same thing about laptops using the new crop of 16-inch panels that are popping up, such as the MSI Creator Z16. It’s really only 0.4-inches more than the 15.6-inch panel in the Asus ROG Strix M16—just 2.5 percent—so again, not a big deal, right? In actual screen real estate though, it’s closer to 12.1 percent larger, or 80 cm2 of total area. Heck, that’s practically an Apple Touch Bar.
Unfortunately, like all whiners who can only point out what’s wrong without suggesting any fixes, I can think of no easy way to cure the problem. We can’t ask the average consumer to multiply the length by the width to derive the surface area of a screen. Saying one laptop has a 128 square inch screen vs. 126 square inches probably doesn’t help either.
Maybe we should adopt some accepted arbitrary, but standardized measurement like we do for beds: King, Queen, Full and Twin. That leaves room for such things as California King [yes, it’s a real thing] and the screen real estate is baked into expectation of size from a consumer.
Starbucks uses an arbitrary size for its coffee cups that could adopted. You have no idea how large that $6 Grande is, but you know it’s good and bigger than a Venti. Oh, wait, maybe that’s backwards—but you get the idea.
Consumers expect laptops with a larger stated screen size to be larger, but with 16:9, 16:10 and even 3:2 panels of all different dimensions and sizes, it’s time to find something more accurate—even if it’s something arbitrary that people can actually understand. So gimme that Dell XPS 17 with a Venti screen, please.
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Investing in big-screened laptops is a growing trend, and there’s a good reason for it. These large screen machines usually have powerful CPUs and GPUs, so they won’t have a problem handling basic tasks and more complex ones.
Additionally, manufacturers add top-of-the-line cooling elements, plenty of RAM, and ample storage to their systems. It allows them to run multiple tasks without affecting performance.
As a content creator or creative designer, having a large laptop screen can increase productivity. Laptops with large screens allow you to view specific details on the screen quickly. However, these laptops with the largest screens receive heavy criticism for their bulky design.
As a result of innovation, this type of laptop can have thin bezels, reducing its overall size while maintaining its screen size. Throughout this article, we will provide you with an in-depth review of the best laptops with a large screen so you can enjoy the best experience possible.
Best Largest Screen Laptops
1. Dell XPS 17
Dell XPS 17
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10875H
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD
- Display: 17-inch UHD Plus, 3840 x 2400
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q
Dell XPS 17 delivers excellent performance along with an elegant 17-inch display. It portrays all features that stand out in the lesser models of XPS 13 and 15. From its outlook, you get to see a laptop with an attractive and portable chassis making it mobile-friendly. An Intel Core- i7 processor provides fast and efficient processing capabilities for the effective use of the laptop.
Furthermore, this laptop has a four-sided display that allows you to load four applications to multitask. This impressive display has a screen resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels portraying a clear-cut image viewing with less strain on your eyes. A Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card embedded in the laptop allows for fast image processing for the screen display.
With a 64-GB RAM capacity, you can work with a heavy or large number of softwares without lagging. With 1TB of SSD storage, you can keep an extensive collection of media files and gaming data. You can also listen to fantastic music tones with its intuitive quad-speaker setup. The best part comes with a good battery backup of 9 hours, which is suitable for its 4K display.
2. LG Gram 17
LG Gram 17
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 17-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixels
- GPU: Intel Iris Plus
LG Gram 17 packs up a huge 17-inch display with a compact body outlook. The compact design owes to the presence of its thin display bezels. This laptop steps up its viewing display game with a bright and vivid panel. This laptop boasts of an Intel Core-i7 processor, which comes with a large cache for fast action and performance.
The 17-inch display for this laptop has a screen resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels making it the right fit for graphics design or other digital creative work. With a good GPU like the Intel Iris Plus, you get the advantage of fast image processing.
A 16GB RAM allows you to effectively navigate between different software but not adequate for playing high-end games. You also get a good storage backup for keeping important files and documents in its 512GB SSD.
Besides, the LG Gram 17 features a soft-touch keyboard along with an ultra-sensitive mousepad for quick navigation. It is well equipped with USB ports, HDMI for connecting peripheral devices. As a whole, this Laptop is suitable for use by students, content creators, and mobile business professionals.
3. Asus ROG Mothership
Asus ROG Mothership
- CPU: Intel Core i9
- RAM: 64GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 17.3-inch, 4K 3840 x 2160 pixels
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080
The Asus ROG Mothership is a great innovation among laptops in computer history. It’s more like a unique gaming PC with its component residing within the display section along with a detachable keyboard. This mothership laptop is essentially powered by an Intel Core-i9 processor, which promotes exclusive gaming speeds.
Everything about the Asus ROG mothership is brilliant, right from its brilliant and innovative outlook. It features a 17.3-inch display with an impressive RGB rating and a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels [4k display]. What’s more? This Laptop utilizes a G-sync technology that synchronizes display rate with GPU promoting a fast screen refresh rate.
Furthermore, this Laptop uses an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card, which supports brilliant gaming. Thanks to the presence of 64GB RAM, you can always multitask with a variety of software. Internal storage space of 1TB SSD provides ample space for storing large volumes of gaming data. On the last note, this mothership laptop offers brilliant audio performance and a comfy keyboard.
4. Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR
Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR
- CPU: Intel Core i9
- RAM: 64GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 17.3-inch, 3840 x 2160 pixels
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q
Gigabyte Aero 17 laptop speaks of extreme portability with a brilliant large screen. You should consider buying this laptop if you like gaming. From its appearance, you did observe a laptop with a sleek aluminum chassis. Also, it has a brilliant performance due to the presence of an Intel Core-i9 processor.
This laptop model speaks of a 17-inch display with brilliant quality and brightness. The screen is a 4K HDR type with a screen resolution of 3480 x 2160 pixels for viewing the best image effects. With adequate support from Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics card, you have a display with the best refresh rate.
In terms of storage, the Gigabyte Aero 17 comes with a 1TB SSD for storing large volumes of files. A RAM of 64GB allows you to run many software programs simultaneously. Another useful takeaway is its good power backing of more than 5 hours.
5. MSI GT76 Titan
MSI GT76 Titan
- CPU: Intel Core i9
- RAM: Up to 128GB
- Storage: Up to 2TB
- Display: 17.3-inch, 4K
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080
MSI GT76 Titan is the best 17-inch laptop to buy for content creation but still comes with brilliant graphics power for gaming. Also, this laptop is well built with a solid, premium chassis of incredible durability. It packs up an incredible performance with an integrated Intel Core i9 processor. This laptop also uses an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card to improve image viewing.
Now, the MSI GT76 Titan features a bright, colorful display on its 17-inch screen. More facts about the screen display include a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels [4K display]. The laptop is one of the best for exclusive gaming and multitasking with a RAM capacity of 128GB. This RAM capacity makes it possible to execute heavy-duty tasks like video editing, design, and machine learning that demand large memory.
This laptop’s internal storage is about 2TB, making it feasible for storing enormous amounts of gaming files, media files, and other documents. This laptop provides an RGB keyboard, which is comfortable to use. It also boasts of brilliant audio quality with a good noise cancellation feature.
6. Acer Aspire 5
Acer Aspire 5
- CPU: Intel Core i7
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 1TB HDD/256GB SSD
- Display: 17.3-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce MX150
The Acer Aspire 5 is yet another contender for the best sleek laptops with a 17-inch display. It is one of the best laptops that blends into a typical office setting. This computer also comes with a sleek body build making it a portable laptop to help travel light. An Intel Core-i7 [8 th Gen] powers this machine for an extremely brilliant performance.
You can always watch and play games with its brilliant 17-inch screen display with presents an excellent, crispy-clear image with a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This screen also comes with a functionality that protects against screen glare. You get full image details on display with vivid colors, which makes up 114 percent of the sRGB color gamut.
With a Nvidia GeForce MX150 graphics card, you get the needed fast processing speed for excellent screen imagery. The RAM capacity of 12 GB allows effective multitasking without experiencing lagging issues associated with memory overload. This device also features a Dual-memory capacity comprising of 1TB + 256 for fast transfer and storage speed.
The Acer Aspire 5 comes with various embedded ports like 2 USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0, USB Type-C port, HDMI port, an SD memory reader in promoting connectivity. This computer also comes with a keyboard with good key travel. Lastly, this 17-inch laptop is well backed with 7-hour battery capacity.
7. Alienware Area-51m
Alienware Area-51m
- CPU: Intel Core i7/Core i9
- RAM: 16GB/32GB/64GB
- Storage: Up to two 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD 1TB HDD [8GB SSHD]
- Display: 17.3-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070/2080
Alienware Area is the real beast among gaming laptops with high upgradable features that would appeal to your taste irrespective of profession. Despite its bulky size, this laptop can take in any heavy gaming software you throw at it. To cap it all, it comes with the best optimum 17-inch screen display you can ever see. An Intel Core-i9 processor powers all its powerful features for fast and incredible speed.
The display for Alienware Area-51m is a 17.3-inch size with a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This screen display hits a refresh rate of 144 fps, providing an optimum gaming experience with minimal battery life pressure. This display, along with a Nvidia Geforce RTX 2080 graphics card, ensures swift graphics processing and faster gameplay. Just below the display is an innovative Tobii eye-tracking sensor, which is essential to preventing security breaches.
Furthermore, Alienware beats most of its competitors with incredible features for keeping up to productivity. It features an intuitive webcam that takes intuitive shots and helps with video conferencing. In terms of audio quality, this computer comes with front-firing speakers that can play brilliant tones appealing to one’s heart. On the last note, the Alienware Area-51mm features a decent travel keyboard and responsive keyboard for comfort in typing and navigation.
8. HP Omen 17
HP Omen 17
- CPU: Intel Core i7
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD+ 1TB HDD
- Display: 17.3-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070
HP Omen 17 is the perfect gaming laptop from the HP brand that comes with a slimmer, premium chassis. This device comes with one of the best performance boosts with top-end features that provide the best laptop experience for gamers, designers, and analysts. This device’s entry model comes with an Intel Core-i7 processor for running highly demanding programs efficiently.
The 17.3-inch screen display shows a vivid image with an outstanding amount of brightness that catches one’s fancy. This screen display also comes with a superior refresh rate of 144-Hz, which is the best fit for a top gamer. Above all, the screen display delivers a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels for good image detail. A Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card allows for proper graphics processing for the screen display.
Keeping a large volume of your media or gaming files is possible with Dual internal storage comprising of 1TB HDD and 256GB SSD. The SSD part allows for the swift and efficient transfer of files across devices. This laptop also comes with the advantage of multitasking with a RAM capacity of 16GB.
HP Omen also affords you the best typing experience with a good travel keyboard with large chassis. With a four-zone backlit functionality, this keyboard can be used in a low-light condition. The touchpad is super-responsive and provides ease with navigation. These laptops come with ports like Ethernet port, HDMI port, three USB 3.0 ports, Thunderbolt 3, Mini Display ports, and an SD card slot to aid connectivity.
9. Asus TUF Gaming FX705
Asus TUF Gaming FX705
- CPU: Intel core-i7
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 17.3-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Asus TUF Gaming FX705 is a laptop built for gamers on a budget. It comes out of the box with a unique 17-inch screen display. All of its features and functionalities from audio, ports, display, graphics card, and others satisfy gaming and other entertainment purposes. These features come powered by an Intel Core-i7 processor, which gives the computer a blazing processing speed.
Furthermore, the expansive monitor size produces a rich, crispy display, which aligns with its competition. It has screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels for optimum display. The best part is that the display panel refreshes at a 144-Hz rate, which guarantees smooth, blur-free gameplay for graphics demanding games. This display is well supported by a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card for prompt image and graphic processing.
You may not resonate well with the internal storage space of 256GB SSD, which means you need an extra memory backup. However, this SSD-type hard drive guarantees fast transfer of files and documents from external storage. The backlit keyboard comes with a soft-touch feature, which makes typing tasks a pleasure. Also, the touchpad is quite fast, responsive, and provides ease with navigating on the device.
10. Dell Precision 7730
Dell Precision 7730
- CPU: Intel Core-i9
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: M.2 1TB PCIe NVMe Class 40 SSD
- Display: 17.3-inch, 1080p or 4K
- GPU: Nvidia Quadro P5200 with 16GB GDDR5 memory
If you need a workstation with blazing speed and performance, look no further beyond the Dell Precision 7730 laptop. This computer comes in a premium design and good build quality, which guarantees a long-lasting effect. Its premium construction is made of a carbon-fiber lid, metal frame, and soft-touch deck. A highly powered Intel core-i9 processor gives the device a fast and efficient speed.
You get to experience a theatre-like experience with its 17-inch quality display. This display has a 4K screen resolution that gives you the best cinematic experience when watching your favorite movies. The display provides incredible details with a panel that produces 211 percent of sRGB color gamut. With the support of an Nvidia Quadro P5200 GPU, you can play graphic-intense games with precise display details.
To improve connectivity, the Dell Precision 7730 comes embedded with many ports at the sides. These ports include two Thunderbolt 3 ports, three USB 3.1 Type-A ports, HDMI, Ethernet port, DC power jack, and Mini Display port. There’s also a Kensington lock for peripherals, smart card reader, and SD card slot. The only par with this laptop is its low battery life and the fact that it generates much heat.
Largest Screen Laptops – Buying Guide
The following factors will help you know what to look for when buying large-screen laptops.
Display & Graphics
A laptop display of 17 inches or larger can be incomparably beautiful, with a wide viewing angle and bright backlighting. The screen can also be touch or non-touch, depending on your preferences.
Most large screens measure around 3840 x 2160 pixels, whereas the most impressive ones have a higher resolution. Most screens provide 60Hz refresh rates, but laptops with 360 Hz refresh rates offer better gaming performance and smoother navigation.
Unfortunately, 66% of consumer laptops have low-resolution screens, while 51% of business laptops have similar displays. The best large display to get is a resolution of 1920 x 1080 or higher.
Apart from that, creative professionals and gamers should conduct some research before deciding which discrete GPU will be most suitable for them. Intel HD Graphics built into the CPU will satisfy everyone else.
Processor
You need to pay attention to the processor, also known as the CPU, of your laptop if you plan to do heavy work. It seems that AMD and Intel get more and more competitive every day, but AMD’s CPUs are often cheaper and sometimes faster.
The place that the processor falls in a manufacturer’s line is a good indicator of performance. E.g., In terms of Intel processors, the low end is the Core i3, and the high end is the Core i9. Similarly, AMD has Ryzen 3 for entry-level hardware and Ryzen 9 for high-end hardware.
It’s also important to consider the generation of your processor, the latest Intel chips are the 11th generation, and the AMD 5000 series are the latest AMD processors. These two manufacturers deliver processors for extremely low-power laptops and professional workstations.
The Intel Core i5 offers good performance for mainstream laptops. The most common processors for budget systems are Core i3, Celeron, and Pentium.
Multitasking on these CPUs is not recommended as they are good for basic tasks. We recommend choosing a Core i7 or a quad-core processor if you want to enjoy high graphics visuals and gaming on your large-screen laptop.
RAM & Storage
Generally, 8GB is enough for most users; however, power users should opt for 12GB or 16GB. A budget system should have 4GB of memory. A secondary laptop or Chromebook might have less memory.
Further, you should also consider storage other than the RAM. You probably don’t need more than 256GB of internal storage unless you’re a gamer or do some high-end tasks. You should consider getting an SSD instead of a hard drive because it will greatly speed up your laptop.
Operating System
It is not as easy as it once was to choose between macOS, Windows, and even Linux. Each operating system has its area of specialization, making them all suitable choices. There are some unique apps that Apple offers that are helpful.
However, Windows provides greater versatility and is specially designed with gamers in mind. Many laptops do not come preinstalled with Linux, but you can install it afterward if you want a more customizable experience without signing up with a significant company.
How We Picked/Tested?
Our reviewers put large screen laptops to extensive real-world and synthetic testing. Speed and battery life are among the factors we evaluate, along with display brightness. Our primary tool for measuring laptop displays’ brightness and color gamut is the Klein K10 colorimeter.
To benchmark laptop performance, we tested the laptop with Geekbench and 3DMark. We test the laptop’s performance by converting a 4K video to 1080p and duplicating a large file to assess its real-world performance.
Further, we experimented with Dirt 3’s graphics with real-world usage using medium settings and high resolution. During our battery test, we surf the web continuously over Wi-Fi at a high brightness while playing an HD full-screen video.
FAQs
Are large laptops power-efficient?
Most large screen laptops have concise battery lives because the screens consume so much power. For this reason, you should choose a laptop with high battery life and LED or WLED lighting if you want a more energy-efficient screen.
What is the purpose of having a large screen laptop?
You might prefer a large screen laptop if you want more than basic streaming and editing capabilities. It can be more than helpful to rely on such a resource if you need to store several documents and references simultaneously.
What is the best display resolution for a laptop having a wider display?
While 1920 x 1080 pixels are more common for 17-inch laptop displays, you will only be able to achieve an optimal balance between visibility and brightness with an FHD+ or WQXGA display, which has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. UHD panels, however, offer superior accuracy, brightness, and efficacy.
What are the advantages of 17-inch laptops for gamers?
Laptops with 17-inch screens provide gamers with a more realistic experience and allow them to pay attention to every detail of the game. These gadgets also have excellent heat dissipation and high-end cooling technology, making them excellent gaming tools.
Conclusion
You can achieve high productivity levels when you use the best large-screen laptops. When working on a laptop with a large screen, you can run more than one application simultaneously. You can use a laptop like the Dell XPS 17 has a large screen for video editing and other content creation tasks.
In addition, you will have access to other high-grade features such as a super-fast CPU, lots of RAM, and a powerful graphics card, making navigation and operating the software more accessible.