When choosing your next laptop, one of the most important things to ask yourself is “should I get a big or small laptop?”. The size of your laptop will not only impact is portability but can also drastically affect the cost. For students, choosing a small laptop is best because they may need to carry their laptops to and from class daily. In this case, choosing a smaller device will be optimal. If you need a device for creative purposes, choosing a laptop with a large screen will allow you to create more easily. Below are a few things to consider when determining the size of your laptop.
Should I get a big or small laptop?
Portability and Travel
As stated earlier, if you are someone who needs to carry their laptop to school or work on a daily basis, then portability will be the main factor when choosing a device. An 11-inch laptop will be the most convenient as it can be incredibly lightweight. They can be small enough to fit in many backpacks and purses. Even some 15-inch screen computers can be compact enough to be an easy carry, however, be aware that some 15 laptops are thinner than others. If you don’t plan on carrying your computer with you on a daily basis, then a larger laptop like a 17 inch will be a better choice as the weight will not matter.
Specs
The more specifications needed from a laptop can also determine how big a laptop will need to be. Most 11-inch laptops will most likely have very few ports to keep the size and weight of the machine down. If you are someone who requires multiple ports on your computer, that will require you to get a larger laptop. However, if you are someone who absolutely needs multiple ports but needs their computer to be lightweight, then a docking station will allow you to have additional USBC, Thunderbolt, or HDMI ports if you need them. Docking Stations come in a wide variety of options so it is easy to find one that has specific ports you need.
Additionally, if you need a large amount of RAM and memory to run specific programs, then you will inevitably be looking at larger laptops as they will have more power. If you need to run video or photo editing programs, for example, then you will not only benefit from having a powerful machine but you will also benefit from having a larger screen to work on. If you are interested in gaming, then a machine with a large screen and power will require you to choose a large laptop. Gaming centric laptops are almost always large in size as they require the machine to not only be powerful but also have a suitable cooling system to keep the laptop cool when running a game.
If you are someone who is only looking to run productivity programs like word, excel, or just need a laptop for casually browsing the internet, then an 11-13 inch laptop will suit your needs just fine.
Budget
Budget will play the biggest factor when deciding on which size to get. Since small laptops have fewer specs, they will be much more budget-friendly than larger laptops. While other factors such as RAM, processors, graphics will play a key role in determining the price of a machine, the screen size on its own will directly impact the price of the laptop.
If you are someone who needs portability but wants the benefit of having a larger screen, then there are alternatives to getting a larger and heavier laptop. Buying a budget-friendly external monitor can solve this problem. Some monitors can average between $100 and $200 and can give you the larger viewing area you need without having to sacrifice portability. While these budget monitors will not have high refresh rates, color accuracy, or have a high resolution, they will be optimal for casual web browning, reading, and productivity.
Conclusion
Ultimately your specific circumstances will determine which type of computer is suitable for you. If you need to carry your laptop with you on a daily basis, then an 11, 13, or slim 15 inches will be the best for you. Check out a list of the Best 11- Inch Laptops for some recommendations. If you need a laptop that has power, then a 15 or 17-inch laptop will work best.
Written by Daniella Sandoval