Buying a new laptop can be a daunting task. This is especially true when considering all of the specifications that go into laptops and which will best fit into your lifestyle. One very common and important factor to weigh is how large or small the screen is for each model. So what is the average laptop screen size?
On average, most popular laptops have screen sizes that range between 13 to 15 inches. 13 inches is standard, but there are some models that also lean towards the smaller or larger side, some between 11 and 17 inches.
Laptops come in a variety of sizes that follow along a scale of lifestyle needs like portability, budget and processing speed. Their screen sizes tend to go along this scale, where smaller screen sizes tend to have lower processing speeds and storage, but better portability, and vice versa.
Below is a list of 6 models that illustrate this point. Their relevant measurements and specifications have been added as well.
Asus Chromebook Flip
- Screen Size: 12.5 to 14 [31.7cm to 35.5cm]
- Weight: 2.65 Pounds [1.2 kg]
- Speed and Storage: 4GB RAM, 64GB Storage
Starting at the smaller end of the spectrum is the Asus Chromebook Flip. Although Chromebooks are gaining quickly in popularity due to their friendliness on the wallet, ease of use, and their reliability, they still have yet to dethrone the PC and Mac household staples.
Chromebooks by nature have smaller screen sizes, but you can actually option this one to be as large as 14 inches which is pretty neat. Do not expect this laptop to be the fastest in its class, as its primary goals are to handle lighter workloads like email, spreadsheets, and video streaming.
The Flip is a great starter laptop if you are looking for something new that wont cost you a whole lot, and is even recommended for kids who are looking to learn about computers for the first time.
Most Chromebook laptops hover around 2 to 3 pounds [0.9 to 1.3 kg]. This makes them much easier to carry around and are barely noticeable in a briefcase or backpack. By comparison, you can see further down the list that larger laptops with bigger batteries can easily breach the 5 lb mark.
You can check its current price on Amazon here.
New Apple MacBook Air
- Screen Size: 13.3 [33.7cm]
- Weight: 2.75 Pounds [1.25kg]
- Speed and Storage: 8GB RAM, up to 256GB Storage
Apple MacBooks come in a wide variety of sizes, weight, and speed. This Mac laptop in particular is on the lighter side of the scale, yet can handle moderate workloads like home video editing, photo touch ups, and music recording.
Whats favorable about this one too is that it weighs only 2.75 pounds [1.25kg]. With its slim architecture and solid aluminum body, this handy MacBook can be transported from office to home and back with little burden. For more on specifications, I wrote a deep dive review of the MacBook Air that you can check out here.
This model is usually recommended for those who are also looking for a starter laptop with a slightly higher budget, such as college and high school students. Also, its smaller screen size means less real estate is being taken up where Ikea-style space optimization is needed most like in cramped dorm rooms and study desks.
There are also Windows laptops that are great alternatives to the MacBook Air as well, such as the HP Spectre x360 and Microsoft Surface Laptop.
In general, laptops that fall within the 12 to 13 inch screen size range are built towards lighter work duties and better portability. Battery technology in this screen size laptop can also withstand full-day usage of easy tasks, but for heavier jobs look to its larger cousins.
You can check the New MacBook Air current price on Amazon here.
Dell XPS 15
- Screen Size: 15.6 [39.6cm]
- Weight: 4.5 Pounds [2.0 kgs]
- Speed and Storage: up to 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage
The most common screen size step up from the smallest laptops is the 15 inch range. With this larger screen size you will come across some noticeable upgrades like speed, battery power, and speaker quality.
The Dell XPS 15 is no slouch. Its larger storage and faster speed makes this laptop a premium notch higher than its smaller counterparts. However, with its added size also comes additional weight, as you will start to notice its burden after longer carrying journeys.
This model will find its home best if you dont mind carrying a heavier laptop around over shorter distances. At 4.5 pounds, the Dell XPS stands right in the middle between a light and heavy laptop, so it is still somewhat manageable to carry between meetings or around the house.
Along with its heavier weight comes a beefier battery setup that can handle tougher workloads like stock chart analyses, moderate gaming, and business conferencing with near all-day comfort.
The XPSs slight bump in speed over thinner laptops also allows it to power through multiple open programs and applications. In addition, its 15 inch screen size boasts more pixels at 4K, thus making it an easier visual to get tasks done where a larger size will be most beneficial.
If you are someone that has a slightly bigger budget than the smallest class laptops and you dont mind carrying around a heavier computer, or plan on leaving it in one place, then consider making the upgrade to a screen size around 15 inches.
You can check its most current price on Amazon here.
MacBook Pro 15 Inch
- Screen Size: 15.5 [39.1cm]
- Weight: 4.02 Pounds [1.83kgs]
- Speed and Storage: up to 32GB RAM, 512GB Storage
Smaller laptops tend to have less flexibility when it comes to adding options to suit certain needs like more storage or more speed. However, this laptop is the complete opposite, and has a spec sheet with options that are longer than a CVS receipt.
Behold the MacBook Pro 15 inch. A workplace behemoth that can handle pretty much any task a Mac-lover would want to ever throw at it: music recording, professional website design, video editing.
Similar to the Dell XPS 15, its wider screen size and thicker structure will definitely be noticed over lengthened periods of carry. By looking at its bigger speakers you will also be able to tell that it has a more massive footprint that can become a challenge to tighter workspaces.
If you plan on carrying this MacBook Pro 15 inch around, be sure to store it in a backpack or briefcase that has a pocket thats large enough for a laptop of this screen size. Some popular backpacks are only capable of fitting laptops that are 13 inches or smaller, so a little bit of Amazon research will be necessary here.
The Pros larger screen size also comes with more pixels per square inch than smaller models, boasting an absolutely beautiful and smooth 4K display thats complimented on by most consumers.
Make sure to check the latest price of the MacBook Pro 15 inch on Amazon here.
Alienware m17 R2
- Screen Size: 17.3 [43.9cm]
- Weight: 5.8 Pounds [2.6kgs]
- Speed and Storage: 32GB RAM, 1TB Storage
Beautiful and massive screen size territory. The 17-inch range is near, if not the top of its class in storage, power, and display capability. The Alienware m17 R2 is a great example of this next step up.
The most noticeable difference with 17 inch laptops is its storage size, with most models boasting a whopping 1 Terabyte or storage. This is enough to handle a lifetimes worth of music, photos, and videos easily.
With its larger footprint and screen size real estate also comes increased components that boost not just pixel density, but frame rate smoothness as well. The upgrade in display provided in this package is perfect for serious gamers who take focusing on their match very seriously.
If there is one downside to purchasing a laptop of this screen size it has to be its impact on budget, or should I say unlimited budget in this case. If you are considering purchasing a 17 inch laptop for its powerhouse benefits be ready to arrive with significantly more money than smaller-sized computers.
Also portability should not be on your radar either. At 5.8 pounds [2.6 kgs], Alienware did do a great job at keeping its weight down over previous generations, but will still feel absolutely massive when carrying around. Therefore its best to leave this unit stationary in one workplace.
Large 17 inch gaming laptops like the Alienware m17 also make great business workhorses as well. Its 1TB storage can easily hold thousands of important documents and its major processing speed can complete a big presentation or chart analysis with total ease.
You can read more details on the Alienware m17 R2 on Amazon here.
Lenovo Legion Y540 17 Inch
- Screen Size: 17.3 [43.9cm]
- Weight: 6.17 Pounds [2.6kgs]
- Speed and Storage: 32 GB RAM, 1TB Storage
The trend with 17 inch laptops is that they transcend boundaries between gaming and business, with the guts to handle both workloads at a moments notice.
With the launch of the Lenovo Legion Y540, this laptop feels right at home beating out 15 and below inch competitors in a performance match. Where you will notice this difference most is with the latest generation processor thats built-in.
The more cores that a processor has, the more it is capable of performing tougher workloads like high-graphic gaming and multi-screen financial analyses. Lenovo has added the latest generation Intel i9 processor that includes 6-core performance to handle the biggest tasks.
At 6.17 pounds [2.6kgs], this model comes in at the bulkiest of its class, and will be best not carried around outside the home or office. Likewise, its larger dimensions will require some cleaning around the desk so it fits just right.
17 inch laptops, like the Lenovo Legion, dont just have larger architectures but also include larger chargers that plug into them. This is especially in comparison to the size chargers that 12 and 13 inch laptops come with. This is another factor to consider when deciding if a 17 inch laptop is right for purchase.
However, in most cases if you plan on leaving a 17 inch laptop in one spot, then the added size and weight of the charger should have no impact on your purchasing decision.
If you find yourself squinting at a smaller screen due to its screen or font size, then a 17 inch laptop is by far the best option. A larger screen will allow you to substantially increase text and picture sizes so that it will become much easier to see.
You can check the latest price of the Lenovo Legion on Amazon here.