When choosing a new laptop, it is crucial to evaluate the graphics and display capabilities. There are four areas to consider: screen size, resolution, display type, and graphics processor. We will look at each area to help you evaluate your options and needs.

Laptop screens come in a variety of sizes. Larger screens offer a better view of the workspace and are a good substitute for a desktop. Ultraportables tend to have smaller screens, which makes for a smaller size and greater portability. Almost all laptops offer a wide aspect ratio screen, either for a more cinematic display or to reduce the screen size in depth for an overall smaller size.

All screen sizes are given as a diagonal measurement: the distance from the bottom screen corner to the opposite top corner. This is usually the actual viewable display area. This chart shows the average screen sizes for different types of laptops:

Screen resolution is the number of pixels on the screen, represented as the number across the screen by the number down the screen. Laptop screens look best when the graphics are running at this resolution. While it is possible to run at a lower resolution, doing so creates an extrapolated display. An extrapolated display reduces the clarity of the image because the computer is using multiple pixels to represent what a single pixel would normally look like.