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How Are Laptop Screens Measured?

One important thing to consider when buying a laptop is the size. Laptops come in a whole variety of sizes, and the best one for you will depend on what you value. But in order to determine what size laptop you want, you first need to understand how they’re measured.

Laptop screens aren’t measured from left to right. Instead, they’re measured from corner to corner diagonally, not including the bezel around the laptop. This is standard across the world. You can also consider the height, depth, and width of the laptop to get an accurate picture of its size.

Let’s take a closer look at how to measure your laptop screen and its other dimensions, as well as factors related to size that you’ll need to consider. We’ll also go over some of the factors you’ll need to think about when it comes to cases.

How to Measure Your Laptop Screen 

The brand new laptop is out for sale

Laptop screens are measured from corner to corner, and the official measurements don’t include the bezel (which is the border around the laptop screen, and is usually black).

You should measure from the corner where the actual screen appears to the diagonally opposite one for the correct measurements.

Measuring Laptop Dimensions 

To measure the screen size of your laptop, you go from corner to corner, but what about the width, depth, and height?

For the width of your laptop, close it and measure it from left to right, at the widest point. This is the width.

For depth, you should close the laptop and measure it from top to bottom.

For height, you should open the laptop and measure it from top to bottom.

How to Find a Laptop’s Measurements 

If you want to find your laptop’s measurements without measuring it manually, or you want to find the measurements of a laptop you don’t have on hand yet, the best way is to look online.

Anyone selling the laptop should include all of the measurements as well as the weight so that you can make an informed decision.

Laptop screen sizes usually come anywhere between 10 and 17 inches.

Tips for Choosing a Laptop Size

If you’re trying to picture a laptop’s size because you’re not sure which to get, there are a few things you can consider:

Power & Usage

Smaller laptops tend to have less power. For example, the MacBook Air (on Amazon) has less power than the MacBook Pro, and that’s why it’s thinner and more lightweight.

So, you need to consider what you’ll use the laptop for. Smaller laptops are great for word documents, streaming Netflix, and browsing the internet. However, if you run large programs and have a whole variety of software, a larger laptop is the way to go.

Portability

For obvious reasons, a larger laptop is going to be heavier and, therefore, less portable.

If you travel a lot with your laptop, then you may wish to look for a screen that’s 13” or smaller, as these tend to be lighter and easier to carry around than their larger counterparts.

Budget

Budget is another big issue when it comes to computers. Due to their size and being less power, smaller laptops are likely to cost less. This isn’t always the case, but if your budget is a big constraint, looking at smaller laptops can help you find a good one that will suit you.

Tips for Choosing a Laptop Bag 

Black notebook bag on white background with laptop

One of the most common reasons someone might want to measure their laptop is because they’re looking for an appropriate case or bag. But size isn’t the only factor to consider in such an instance.

Let’s take a look at some things to keep in mind as you shop for the perfect case:

The Size

The most obvious thing to consider when choosing a laptop bag is the size. You should make sure it fits your laptop. If the case is too small, your laptop won’t go inside, but if it’s too large, this could also be a problem as it won’t provide as much protection.

This is particularly true if it’s a hard case or bag, as the laptop could rattle around inside and get scratched or further damaged.

Hard or Soft

Laptop bags and cases often come in hard or soft varieties, and which one you choose will depend on your preferences.

Soft bags and cases tend to be easier to carry around, but they may not provide as much protection against scratches as a hard case.

Quality

You should also check the quality of the laptop bag before you buy it. If you can’t do this in person, it’s a good idea to research the company and ensure they’re reputable. You can also check out the reviews. This should give you a good idea of what you can expect.

The Aesthetic

Lastly, consider the aesthetic! Laptop bags come in so many fun styles and colors that it’s reasonable to have a preference and consider that with your purchase, though the quality should always come first.

The Final Word

Overall, it’s important to consider the size of a laptop both when purchasing the computer itself and when getting a case for it. Laptops come in a whole variety of sizes, usually between 10 and 17 inches, and there are a lot of differences that come with these sizes.

Do your research to figure out which is best for you and, if you already own one, make sure you measure it properly before buying a bag or case.