How to choose the right laptop display

How to choose the right laptop display

Laptop displays, besides size, have a few options to choose from. One of the most significant decisions you'll have to make is whether or not you want a touchscreen. Having touch ability often means you can use an active pen as well as your fingers for navigation, and it makes it possible to use your device as a tablet. Touch displays will usually burn battery faster and cost more, so decide carefully.

For resolution, a lot of budget laptops come in HD (1366x768). HD is useable, but most people prefer at least FHD (1920 x1080) for a crisper picture and more on-screen real estate. QHD (2560x1440) displays are available on many premium laptops, and 4K UHD (3840x2160) is where most modern laptops max out. High display resolution affects battery life and raises the cost, so choose something that suits your needs.

Finally, laptop displays usually come with either IPS or TN panels. IPS panels offer wide viewing angles and excellent color reproduction but often don't offer the same refresh rates as TN panels. TN panels, while not offering the same color quality, are usually cheaper.

There's also the matter of aspect ratio. While 16:9 was long the standard, boxier 16:10, and 3:2 aspect ratios are becoming more common. They deliver more screen real estate and often remove the bottom bezel, making the laptop appear a lot more modern on top of giving you more space to operate.