What is the Best Screen Size for a Gaming Laptop?
At the end of the day this comes down to personal preference, but here’s what you need to consider:
Small Screen: Smaller 14 inch gaming laptops are great if you’re on the go, but at the compromise of a smaller screen. Some people won’t like trying to glance at a smaller image.
These laptops also have less upgrade options – just one M.2 slot for storage upgrades is fairly common, but the ones that have two compromise by having soldered memory.
Medium Screen: 15-16 inch gaming laptops are a great sweet spot. They usually offer enough upgrade options (e.g. 2x M.2 slots, 2x RAM sticks, 1x Wi-Fi card), enough ports, and have a slightly bigger screen which is better for most people while not being too much bigger or heavier.
Large Screen: 17 inch gaming laptops are quickly disappearing, replaced by taller 16:10 18 inch screens that fit within a similar size footprint. I think it’s fair to say that objectively, these bigger screens just look better to play games on – at least that’s our experience! But the compromise is more weight to carry around with you, there’s always a tradeoff.
For me personally, the portability trade off of a big screen isn’t worth it, as I only use laptops when traveling. But if you’re not moving the machine around as much, a bigger laptop might offer more ports, even more upgrade options (think 3x or 4x M.2 slots, up to 4x RAM slots), and potentially bigger coolers for more performance.
I’ll stick to 14-15 inch and just connect a bigger screen when I dock at home! But let me know which you prefer and why?
Of course physical size is only one part of picking a screen, you also need to pick the right resolution.
3 Comments
Ash
i like 16 inch screens, can always plug into a moniter at home but still have good portability when traveling lots as i do.
Jarrod! Would love to see a video or post about what would be a good price of certain laptops. Also a price estimate of models once 50 series gets announced and whether it will have an impact on machines with 40 series cards.
Logged onto your deals page this morning and saw the 2023 legion pro 7(AMD CPU with 4080) for 2500 cad (2800inc tax).
Would love to pull the trigger on this after all the reviews you have made and my history (lenovo 5 3070, lenovo y720) but i just dont know if a better deal will come along closer to B friday or after the new cards drop.
Just potential idea for more content as im sure many people are in my shoes and wondering whats truly a great deal or whether to hold off a little longer!
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Jarrod
I did that recently here, though it’s only for US prices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt99vFUtnfA
No idea about 50 series unfortunately, left my crystal ball at home 🙂
I think lenovo might have some sort of price guarantee over black friday, where if you see a lower price they will pay you the difference, I’m not exactly sure, but check the terms I see the banner about it on their site.
Henrik Grender
Personally, I think 17-18″ is the suite spot. Both for work and play. Been stuck with 16″ for two laptops now since there have been no defensible deal on bigger ones.
I’m not the type to use my laptop on a plane, train, bus or at the café, but I do bring it with me whenever I travel, and, of course, from home and to work, plus I can use it in any room in my house. So, to me bigger screen is always a plus, unless the laptop becomes too bulky, like older DTR machines.