5 Disadvantages of 16-inch Laptops You Should Know About

When it comes to purchasing a laptop, many people instinctively think that a larger screen is the way to go. After all, a larger screen is generally easier to use because it offers more screen real estate to reduce eye strain, as well as larger images and videos for a more comfortable viewing experience. But there are downsides to choosing a larger laptop, some more obvious than others. Apple brought more attention to the idea of ​​larger laptops in 2019 with the launch of the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Since then, 16-inch has become a popular screen size in many laptop lines, while 18-inch models like the MSI Titan 18 HX and Dell’s M18 R1 remain more niche flagships. According to recent data from market.us, the 15-16.9 inch screen size dominates the global market with a 38% share, making it somehow the most popular category. This is followed by the 13-14.9 inch size with 21% of the market, while compact laptops (11-12.9 inch) account for 11%. Laptops 17 inches or larger make up the remaining 12%. Larger laptops clearly have their fans, but larger laptops aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

That big laptop screen may look great, but if you plan to take it with you, you’ll likely discover portability issues. Taking the previously mentioned 16-inch MacBook Pro as an example, Apple’s largest laptop weighs 4.7 pounds (2.7 kg), which is heavier than a two-liter water bottle (4.4 pounds/2 kg). The current 14-inch MacBook Pro, meanwhile, weighs 3.4 pounds (1.6 kg), and the 13-inch MacBook Air is even lighter, weighing 2.7 pounds (1.2 kg). Would you really want to lug around such heavy equipment, especially if you also have other things to carry?

Besides that, you may need another larger bag to carry it. And if you’re taking it on a plane, it can be harder to use on the tablet than a smaller laptop, especially if you’re traveling by coach and the person in front of you reclines their seat. The heaviness and reduced portability of a larger laptop are definitely things to consider if you plan to use it anywhere other than your home.

A larger screen may be more suited to your work or play style, but simple math indicates that a larger surface area means there is an increased risk of physical problems. A 16-inch screen has about 30% more surface area than a 14-inch screen, which means there is more physical display area that could be scratched, dented, or pressure-marked. You might think there would also be a higher risk of dead pixels, but that has more to do with the total pixel count and build quality than just its physical size.

Beyond screen damage, larger laptops might also be more susceptible to bending, and so a 16-inch lid is more likely to bend if it’s under a heavy load or pressure from other items inside a bag. It’s also worth noting that if the screen fails completely, it will cost more to replace a larger screen than a smaller screen on a laptop in the same product line.

While it might be tempting to conclude that a larger panel means a less structurally sound laptop, it really depends on factors like the chassis material, any special reinforcement, and the thickness of the screen. If you’re going for a 16-inch laptop or something of a similar size, make sure it’s going to be sturdy enough for how you’re likely to use, transport, and store it.

As the name suggests, a laptop should be easy to use on your lap. But because of its size, a large 16-inch machine will be harder to perch comfortably — and safely — on your lap than a smaller model. The larger footprint of a 16-inch laptop means the sides of the chassis are likely to overhang your thighs, making it less stable if you start shifting in your seat.

Additionally, if you’re snuggling in bed with a laptop or lounging on a couch, a larger, heavier laptop will be harder to handle and might even end up slipping out of your hands or sliding across the floor as you try to get acquainted with this bulky device. Another factor to consider is the larger bottom surface area, which can transfer more overall heat to your legs due to the increased contact area.

This is actually one of the reasons why some people think you should never use a laptop on your lap. In many ways, a large 16-inch laptop can actually feel like a desktop replacement. That’s fine if you’re only going to use it at home, but if that’s the case, buying a full-fledged desktop generally offers more bang for your buck than a laptop with similar specs.

Having a smartphone snatched from your hand by a thief is bad enough, but having a laptop snatched from a table outside a cafe is no fun either. Some places are more prone to these types of crimes than others, but high-end products like high-end laptops can be targets for opportunistic thieves looking for easy loot. Indeed, generally speaking, the larger the laptop, the more likely it will be worth if sold.

With Apple’s high-end 16-inch model, for example, starting at $2,699 and going up to $7,349 with configurations, it can be particularly attractive to thieves. The same goes for high-end Windows laptops. The Dell XPS 16 and Razer Blade 16, for example, start at $2,449 and $3,999, respectively, making them equally attractive to criminals. Of course, using any laptop in public spaces, regardless of its size, comes with risks. If you plan to use your laptop in places like cafes and parks, be sure to keep your cool and never leave it unattended, whether it’s on a table or in a bag.

You won’t be surprised to learn that a 16-inch laptop costs more than the same model with a smaller screen, but you might be surprised by how big that price difference is. Again, using some Apple laptops as an example, the 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,699, while the 14-inch version will cost you at least $1,699. The 13-inch MacBook Air, on the other hand, starts at a much more reasonable $1,099. That’s a whopping $1,600 difference between the base models of the 16-inch MacBook Pro and 13-inch MacBook Air, with the latter still a very capable machine.

Of course, the price difference isn’t just about screen size, as the 16-inch model offers more processing power, better graphics performance, and more memory than the other two models. If you can afford it and you’re okay with all the other downsides, go with the more expensive option, but also consider whether the laptop you’re interested in is ridiculously overpowered.

After all, for most everyday tasks like web browsing, email, document creation, and video streaming, a smaller mid-range laptop will handle everything just fine, and it’s easier to take with you wherever you go. If you want something with a bit of beef and don’t need a big screen, consider a more powerful budget laptop than the MacBook Air.