When 15” laptops first launched, they quickly became massively successful. It was no wonder, as they balanced portability with functionality so well. But times have changed, as they always do, and the 16-inch size is grabbing eyeballs as we speak. Many top brands have learned the knack of providing gorgeous 16” displays in a 15” chassis, which makes this model portable and adaptable to various lifestyles. It makes a fabulous upgrade if you want to widen your horizons for daily computing without feeling buckled into a workstation.
9 Best 16-inch Laptops 2023
Here are our top picks on 16” laptops for all users, budgets, and usage patterns. If you want it, chances are there’s a 16” machine that can do it for you. This screen size has taken on like a fish to water, and we aren’t complaining.
Best 16-inch Laptop: Apple MacBook Pro
We must give it to the Apple MacBook Pro for its stunning devotion to performance, multimedia, battery backup, and connectivity. This powerful machine gets its fuel from an M2 Pro/Max chip, 16GB memory, and a 1TB SSD. It delivers smooth and productive performance for intensive apps like Affinity Designer and supports unification across other Apple devices you might own.
The Retina display is super bright (over 1000 nits) and supports HDR content. Even more astonishing is the 22-hour battery backup. Add multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and a keyboard with Touch ID, and you can travel like a pro. Another standout feature is the disturbance-free spatial audio delivered by a three-mic array.
This MacBook has a daunting price tag of around $2,600, but there’s much to love.
Best 16-inch Budget Laptop: Dell Inspiron 16
The Dell Inspiron 16 costs just $1,099.99. But get this: it has an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB of storage, and a 16” FHD+ monitor. This lightweight device (4.01lbs) uses Waves MaxxAudio Pro and Dolby Atmos to output brilliant sound for calls and multimedia content. (On the downside, it has only integrated graphics.) Dell also employs AI to lower background noise.
It can be the perfect work laptop for budget-conscious users. Most impressive is the presence detection technology for privacy. A manual camera shutter keeps off unwanted attention after your daily work calls.
Best 16-inch Gaming Laptop: ASUS ROG Strix G16
- MUX Switch for improved performance
- Brilliant display features
- Sustainable heat management
- Lower refresh rate than some competitors
- Heavy design
It is barely a surprise that the ASUS ROG Strix G16 emerges as one of the finest 16” gaming laptops money can buy. You don’t need that much – it costs $1,999.99, a few notches less than many other gaming machines with similar specs. This laptop offers a splendid Intel Core i9 CPU (and a MUX Switch), RTX 4070 graphics, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It exhibits sustainable performance with liquid metal cooling, aided by a third intake fan.
The FHD monitor has a 165Hz refresh rate, which bodes well for titles involving dynamic special effects. The multimedia experiences are glorious, thanks to a top-notch combination of Dolby Vision, Pantone validation, and 100% sRGB color. ASUS also maximizes real estate with a 90% screen-to-body ratio.
16-inch Extreme Gaming: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16
- Brilliant gaming performance
- Bright, vivid, and detailed display
- Gaming-friendly keyboard
- Expensive
- Too heavy to be portable for daily use
- The trackpad could be better designed
ASUS knows how to take things far where gaming is concerned. The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16, at $3,699, is a magnificent machine for dedicated gamers who wish to stop at nothing. Check out the specs: an Intel Core i9, RTX 4090, 32GB RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The latest GPU offers intense ray tracing and AI-enhanced imagery – magical improvements on the standard A/V experience.
The QHD screen boasts a 240Hz refresh rate and 1100 nits of brightness. Whatever you witness in the arena is all too real because of 100% DCI-P3 color, Pantone Validation, and numerous dimming zones.
The design and build of this laptop are also extreme – extremely eye-catching, we mean. The dot matrix elements and RGB accents glamourize this sturdy, 5.89lbs computer.
16-inch Laptop for Creators: Razer Blade 16
The Razer Blade 16 delivers an impressive if steeply priced at $3,299.99, collection of creation-friendly features like 100% DCI-P3 color and spatial audio with 7.1 surround sound. It suits most resource-intensive multimedia applications, powering them up through an Intel Core i9, RTX 4070, and 32GB RAM. The display (4K UHD+ or FHD+) offers 1000 nits peak brightness and a 240Hz display for attention to detail.
One thing that works beautifully in Razer’s favor is how it accommodates a 16-inch screen in a much smaller chassis. Even the charger is smaller and easy to carry. This 5.4lbs device has an attractive, scratch-resistant body – another design consideration that works for creative folks who may have to travel.
Best 2-in-1 16-inch Laptop: HP Spectre x360
- A flexible form factor for travel
- Comfortable and color-accurate display
- Long battery life
- Limited upgradability
- It is rather expensive
A hybrid form factor helps bring flexibility and mobility into computing needs. The HP Spectre x360 costs $1,799.99 and proves a worthwhile choice for a large-screen 2-in-1 experience. It performs adequately for everyday work and casual entertainment, thanks to an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, a 2TB SSD, and Intel Arc graphics. The screen has a UHD+ resolution and Delta E <2 color accuracy. HP has also made it taller to reduce the need for scrolling.
This laptop performs well on the battery front – a good 10.5 hours – but that’s no surprise from the HP family. An innovative addition is the reminders of screen time and distance. Wellness is pivotal in our stressful lives, and here’s one brand that values it.
Best 16-inch Workstation: Dell Precision 7680
The Dell Precision 7680 is a dependable choice for professionals. It bundles multiple productivity-boosting features like a camera shutter for privacy and smooth upgradability. This $2,669.00 laptop runs on an Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD. But you can opt for up to an Intel Core i9, 12TB storage, and 128GB of memory. If budget isn’t a limitation for you, performance sure isn’t.
The 4K display is bright (500 nits) and supports HDR. Waves MaxxAudio Pro sound delivers pleasing and meticulous audio for daily calls and meetings.
Best 16-inch Cheap Laptop: ASUS VivoBook 16
You should consider an ASUS VivoBook 16 if you want an affordable 16” laptop that perseveres on many fronts. This $599.99 device runs on an AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, and Radeon Graphics. While the available specs are lower than others on this list, we like the WUXGA display with an engaging screen-to-body ratio (86%). It also has low-blue light emissions per Rheinland certification.
This VivoBook weighs just 4.14lbs and has a sleek profile. ASUS uses a fingerprint sensor, a backlit keyboard, and a military-standard build to boost the overall portability.
Best 16-inch Dual-screen: ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 makes the most of its secondary touchscreen display (ScreenPad Plus) for a productivity boost, enlarging your total available creation space. This $3,999.99 laptop houses an AMD Ryzen 9 processor, RTX 4090 graphics, 32GB RAM, and a 2TB SSD.
The QHD monitor uses Dolby Vision and has a super-fast refresh rate of 240Hz. A satisfying color gamut of 100% DCI-P3, Pantone validation, and 1100 nits brightness make it a good option for creative professionals or gamers.
FAQs
Who should buy a 16” laptop? Does it suit different budgets?
The best part about the evolution of 16” machines is their sheer versatility. Top tech giants like Dell, HP, and ASUS have produced laptops that cater to different budgets and usage needs. The pricing starts at as little as $599 and goes upwards of $4000.
These computers can work well for gaming, business, multimedia content generation/editing, and everyday entertainment. Users can choose from multiple specifications: Intel Core i5 to i9, 8GB-32GB of RAM, and integrated graphics to RTX 4090. Many also offer good battery backup, portability, and multiple ports to match travel requirements.
Is a 16” laptop a better choice than a 17” one?
The 16” screen size has become popular recently, and many devices have similar processing capacities as larger 17” versions. However, they have two distinct advantages over the bigger models: portability and affordability. They are much easier to travel with while offering many of the same benefits. Their battery life is also better in many cases. You should be able to comfortably use a 16” laptop for content creation/editing, gaming, or business.
Which aspect ratio is better in 16” laptops?
The standard aspect ratio since the 2000s has been 16:9. However, that is now changing, and many manufacturers now use a 16:10 format. This taller size offers productivity improvements. It translates into more vertical space for reading or content editing. It is also preferable for multimedia applications.
We love the trend of acquiring 16” laptops to make the most of immersive displays without compromising on flexibility. They display the potential to become the new 15” form factor, and new models will likely get announced in the coming months.
