How wide is a 14 inch laptop

How wide is a 14 inch laptop
Credit: Dell

In the world we live in, bigger is better. That, unfortunately, is how we got to a point where a 17.3-inch laptop screen isn’t necessarily bigger than a 17-inch laptop screen.

And no, this isn’t a fraction problem like the one that caused A&W to stop selling its third-pounder burger because people thought it was less than a quarter-pounder problem. Consumers legitimately expect a 17.3-inch laptop screen to be larger than a 17-inch one because 17.3 is bigger than 17. It’s reasonable!

But the key problem here is the differing aspect ratio of laptops. The vast majority of 17.3-inch laptops feature screens with an aspect ratio—the proportion between the length and the height of the panel—of 16:9, similar to what you see in HDTVs.

The Dell XPS 17’s panel is 16:10. It’s taller. That difference means its 17-inch screen offers just under 2 percent more screen real estate than a 17.3-inch 16:9 panel. That’s not a lot, but the fact that the average consumer will see 17-inches and think, “well, I want the larger screen, so I’ll go for the 17.3-inch laptop” does a disservice to buyers.

Why do we even bother to measure laptop screens using a method dreamed up 70 years ago for TVs? Internet urban legend claims TV makers didn’t want to explain the length and width of the screen, and using the diagonal measurement gave them a “bigger number to market.”

Yes, that means we’re still using a standard that was developed to fool consumers into thinking a 26-inch wood console TV was bigger. What’s worse: The diagonal measurement doesn’t even give them the bigger number to sell.

How wide is a 14 inch laptop
IDG

It’s time to ditch the diagonal measurement that makes people think a 17.3-inch panel is larger than a 17-inch panel.

For this story, I physically measured the length and width of multiple laptops because most panels are typically a millimeter or so smaller than what the vertical measurement would have you believe. I apologize for pulling a NASA and mixing US Customary units and the metric system but the smaller units in the metric system make it easier to discuss.

Still, the most common panel in an ultra light laptop is a 13.3-inch 16:9 screen. On an HP Elite Dragonfly I measured, that works out to 29.2 cm wide x 16.4 cm tall, or 479 cm2 in total area. These laptops typically bump right up against 14-inch laptop using the same 16:9 aspect ratio such as the MSI Prestige 14 Evo, which I measured at 30.7cm wide and 17.2cm tall.

On the face of it, 0.7-inches is no big deal right? That’s only about a 5 percent larger screen. But if you work out the actual surface area, the 14-inch laptop actually offers you 10.2 percent more area than the 13.3-inch laptop.

You’d probably say the same thing about laptops using the new crop of 16-inch panels that are popping up, such as the MSI Creator Z16. It’s really only 0.4-inches more than the 15.6-inch panel in the Asus ROG Strix M16—just 2.5 percent—so again, not a big deal, right? In actual screen real estate though, it’s closer to 12.1 percent larger, or 80 cm2 of total area. Heck, that’s practically an Apple Touch Bar.

Unfortunately, like all whiners who can only point out what’s wrong without suggesting any fixes, I can think of no easy way to cure the problem. We can’t ask the average consumer to multiply the length by the width to derive the surface area of a screen. Saying one laptop has a 128 square inch screen vs. 126 square inches probably doesn’t help either.

Maybe we should adopt some accepted arbitrary, but standardized measurement like we do for beds: King, Queen, Full and Twin. That leaves room for such things as California King (yes, it’s a real thing) and the screen real estate is baked into expectation of size from a consumer.

Starbucks uses an arbitrary size for its coffee cups that could adopted. You have no idea how large that $6 Grande is, but you know it’s good and bigger than a Venti. Oh, wait, maybe that’s backwards—but you get the idea.

Consumers expect laptops with a larger stated screen size to be larger, but with 16:9, 16:10 and even 3:2 panels of all different dimensions and sizes, it’s time to find something more accurate—even if it’s something arbitrary that people can actually understand. So gimme that Dell XPS 17 with a Venti screen, please.

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You first have to know your Laptop’s size if you are looking to purchase a new laptop bag from online retailers or sew your laptop case.

If you want to know how big is a 14 inch laptop, you need to know how to calculate laptop size because you don’t want to waste your money when you purchase the wrong size of a laptop bag that won’t fit in your bag later.

Your actual laptop size can best be measured by diagonally measuring your band around the Laptop. The measurement includes the bezel, the box around the screen.

So, how do you measure your laptop?

In this tutorial, I’ll show you step by step How Big Is a 14 Inch Laptop so that you can always select the appropriate laptop-size bag.

How big is a 14 inch laptop? Is it big enough?

A 14-inch laptop is specialized not only in the size of the laptop but for the following reasons:

Weight:

Laptops are designed to be transported as your system, so it’s better if you weigh less. A heavy device needs a more robust backpack and a lot of energy for a regular commuter.

Being a smaller version, it has a lower chance of shocks or external impacts. This reduced weight certainly adds a 14-inch laptop lip.

Portability: 

And if you don’t have a desk, it’s a massive problem with a heavier and larger laptop. A larger laptop is not only susceptible to shock but also tends to wear you while you’re standing on your legs. 14-inch laptops are optimized to be transported because they are too compact.

Working faster:

A compact screen is a cakewalk through data and lines. The keyboard has typically no number pads on the side that might obstruct the speed of type.

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However, it fits perfectly in the chassis to provide the best typeface experience. Working better with a perfectly optimized keyboard would be undemanding.

Pixel density: 

 The screen sizes on both laptops are also optimized, but the screen size is a significant factor in the pixel distribution.

The 15.6-inches Laptop has a larger display, but the pixel distribution is worse for the same resolution. In contrast, pixels are packaged closely into a smaller panel in a 14-inch laptop to provide a richer experience.

Battery life: 

The monitor provides the output to decide the battery life of any computer, whether it is a laptop or mobile device. Battery life: Working on a more miniature computer would not lead to as much battery drain as in a 15.6-inch laptop for longer durations.

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14-inch laptops often have much lower high-grade specs because of insufficient body space and require far less battery usage.

Size chart laptop

RankLaptop would like to help you find your laptop and tablet sleeve/bag in the right size. We provide resources on this page to find out How big is a 14 inch laptop?.

Laptops and tablets are available in various screen sizes. The size of the screen is inch (1″) or cm (1″); 1 inch (also 1″) equals 2.54 cm. You could weigh your tablet or Laptop if you are unsure of your Laptop or tablet size. Make sure you calculate the screen edge too!

How wide is a 14 inch laptop

Check the size chart below for the correct size after measuring your laptop/tablet:

Diagonal laptop/tablet (cm)Diagonal laptop/tablet (inch)
25,40 cm10 inch
27,94 cm11 inch
30,48 cm12 inch
33,02 cm13 inch
35,56 cm14 inch
38,10 cm15 inch
40,64 cm16 inch
43,18 cm17 inch
45,72 cm18 inch
48,26 cm19 inch
50,80 cm20 inch
Source: https://www.misstella.com/sizes/laptop-tablet

Your laptop/tablet should be diagonally measured from the bottom left to the top right, as shown below.

Hey, if you want to buy a laptop bag and want to measure laptop size, then follow me in this guide.

How to Buy a Laptop Bag Online for the 14-inch Laptop

If you choose to repurchase a laptop bag from online retailers, the measurements you get from your Laptop can be used.

It would help if you looked at the length and width of the case, for example, when you are searching for a laptop backpack since the Laptop is sitting vertically from north to south.

Now, from our previous tutorial, you can use your Laptop’s width and depth measurements.

The width measurement you have is the same as the backpack length. The same applies to the depth calculation, which is equal to the laptop backpack width.

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Likewise, if you’re planning to purchase a laptop messaging bag or tote, the dimension of the laptop bags is horizontal (West to East).

Take the width measurement as a horizontal dimension and the depth measurement as the laptop messenger bag’s height dimension.

Choosing the wrong size of a laptop bag will damage your Laptop because your Laptop does not fit into the bag correctly.

If you have a laptop of 14 inches in size but keep it in a more oversized bag, your laptop section can not keep the Laptop and secure it because of too much room.

Laptop Bag Size Guideline

Here are some of the most popular questions about the size of the bags your laptops will always have:

Which laptop bag do I need for a laptop 14-inch?

What is the size of a 14-inch laptop sleeve?

Will a laptop 14 inches fit into a 14-inch case?

Can a 17 inch” Laptop fit into a 15″ bag?

What size do I need for my laptop backpack?

What is the laptop width?

It is difficult to tell you the exact answer since it depends on the bags’ size, and design.

Different manufacturers have their standards for measurement.

Each bag has information about the size of a laptop.

So for your reference below, I produced the laptop size guideline table.

Please keep in mind that you take the diagonal measurement of your Laptop and compare it with the listing data.

You have to add additional centimetres (or inches) to the measurement to match the external material around the Laptop.

If required, convert measurement values from inches to centimetres because some online retailers list cm.

For the right scale, please refer to the following table:

Diagonal laptop (inch)Diagonal laptop (cm)Size Laptop Bag to Choose (inch)Example of Laptops Can Be Fit In
11″27.94 cm11″MacBook Air 11
12″30.48 cm12″MacBook 12 inch
12.5″31.75 cm12″Xiaomi Air 12.5 inch laptop
13.3″33.78 cm13″MacBook 13 inch
14.1″35.81 cm14″Any Windows 14.1-inch laptop
14.6″37.08 cm14″Any Brand 14.6-inch laptop
15″38.10 cm15″MacBook Pro 15.4 inch laptop
15.6″39.62 cm15″Any Brand 15 – 15.6-inch laptop
17.3″43.94 cm17″Any 17.3-inch laptop
Source: https://www.digitravelist.com/how-to-measure-laptop-size-for-bag/

Disclaimer: The table above is merely a rough guideline.

FAQs ― How big is a 14 inch laptop

In general, a 14-inch laptop is smaller, making it more portable. It, in turn, makes transportation much more straightforward. 

In other words, a 14-inch laptop is perfect for people travelling a lot and working on their way.

The size of the display does not matter as long as it has decent resolution; full HD 1920 x 1080 is at minimum. 

In your case, a 14-inch laptop should work perfectly. The best setup to search for today is i5 or i7 sixth or seventh generation.

A 15.6-inch screen means that the diagonal length of the screen is 15.6 inches. Most laptops have a 16:9 aspect ratio display. 

You may substitute the numbers inside the formula for different screen sizes and aspect ratios. A 15.6-inch screen means that the diagonal length is 15.6 inches.

A smaller ultrabook is possible for frequent travellers, but you’ll probably want to go for a regular laptop with a 13.3 or 14-inch screen. 

When you rarely leave your home with your system, consider a 15.6-inch screen image model.

Conclusion

The above was a definitive list of reasons for optimizing a 14-inch screen on a laptop. Not only can a smaller screen make a difference, but even a 14-inch laptop screen can be deduced to be large enough.

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