17-inch and 18-inch Laptops: Maximum Display Size

What 17-inch and 18-inch laptops are available (16:9 and 16:10)?

In addition to display size, the display format also affects a laptop’s dimensions. The 16:9 format dominates among 17-inch Laptops, offering slightly more screen width and less height. This format is the standard primarily in the multimedia sector (movies and videos).

In contrast, 18-inch laptops always feature the 16:10 format, which has slightly more height and less width. This is particularly practical for working with Excel spreadsheets, reading text and programming, as it displays more lines on the screen.

Modern games support both formats.

The difference in width-to-height ratio between 16:9 and 16:10 is clearer when looking at a QHD+ or WQXGA display:

• On a 17-inch laptop with a 16:9 aspect ratio, the display has a diagonal measurement of 17.3 inches and, based on the example resolution, would have 2560 x 1440 pixels.
• For a 17-inch laptop with a 16:10 aspect ratio, the display has a diagonal size of 17.0 inches and, based on the example resolution, would have 2560 x 1600 pixels.
• 18-inch laptops typically have a 16:10 aspect ratio. Here, the display diagonal is 18.0 inches and, based on the example resolution, the display would also have 2560 x 1600 pixels.

What display resolution should an 18-inch or 17-inch laptop have?

The QHD+ or WQXGA resolution mentioned in the previous example — 1440p or 1600p depending on the display format — is ideal for 17- and 18-inch laptops with large screens. This is particularly relevant if you’re buying a gaming laptop in this size range. You should avoid lower resolutions: A resolution of just 1920 x 1200 or 1920 x 1080 pixels results in a coarser, less sharp image on such a large display.

For a creator laptop primarily used for photo and video editing, rendering and other visual media work, the extra cost of a UHD display with an even higher 4K resolution is well worth it. This corresponds to 3840 x 2160 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio or 2840 x 2400 pixels with a 16:10 aspect ratio.

17- and 18-inch laptops with maximum performance and top-of-the-line features

Thanks to their generously sized chassis, 17- and 18-inch laptops can leverage several key advantages that come with their larger size — advantages that extend beyond screen size alone. The extra space can be used for more powerful cooling systems, making these devices ideal for high-performance components and delivering maximum processor and graphics performance while maintaining low temperatures and quiet operation.

An example of this from the high-end segment is the SCHENKER KEY 18 Pro (M25). With an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and the option of an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090, RTX 5080 or RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, this 18-inch laptop is one of the best performers for mobile and desktop work and gaming.

With two or even four RAM and M.2 SSD slots, 17- and 18-inch laptops are well equipped. This allows for a particularly large amount of RAM and SSD storage. When it comes to performance-intensive applications like gaming, 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB or 2 TB SSD is just the beginning — professional content creators often need more of both.

XMG and SCHENKER laptops, in particular, use their large chassis to provide a wide variety of ports, including Thunderbolt, USB-C, multiple USB-A, LAN, a microSD card reader, HDMI and DisplayPort, either as DisplayPort via USB-C or as a dedicated Mini DisplayPort.

However, due to their heavier weight and larger dimensions, 18-inch models are less portable than smaller laptops. If you prioritise portability over the largest possible display, advanced features and sometimes slightly higher performance, you might want to consider other sizes of laptop:

• 16-inch laptops offer the ideal balance of maximum performance, a comfortably large display, and a compact design.
• 15-inch laptops are even more compact and portable, and generally offer solid upper-mid-range performance.
• 14-inch laptops are ultra-portable and can easily be carried around all day, making them perfect for anyone who doesn’t require top-tier performance or the largest possible display.

Buying 17-inch and 18-inch laptops in every price-performance category at bestware

At bestware, you’ll find the largest selection of fully customisable 17-inch and 18-inch laptops from leading brands such as XMG and SCHENKER, built to your exact specifications. Our range includes powerful upper-mid-range devices and high-end models with the fastest CPUs and GPUs.

Using the laptop configurator, you can choose how much RAM and SSD storage your new laptop should have, select various processors, graphics cards and displays, and order your new notebook with or without Windows 11.

You can also order the best accessories for your new 17-inch or 18-inch laptop right away from our website, including bags and backpacks, headsets, mice, keyboards and docking stations.