Laptop specifications are features that many people consider when buying a laptop as they determine its functionality. These specifications include the processor, Random Access Memory (RAM), storage size, graphics card, and battery life. The screen size is a laptop specification that is usually overlooked.
Laptop screens come in different sizes and thicknesses, and it can be challenging to keep up with these differences. Laptop screen sizes can range from 10 to about 20 inches and usually influence the overall laptop size. Smaller laptop screens typically come with smaller and more compact laptops and more giant laptop screens with bigger laptops as one would expect.
This article will educate readers on the difference between an 11.6-Inch laptop and a 14-Inch laptop. It will also elucidate why the distinction is important and how you can measure your laptop screen.
11.6 vs. 14 Inch Laptop
Different screen sizes come with their perks, and it is essential to know about them before buying a laptop. While popular laptops usually have a screen size range of 13 to 15 inches, laptops could have screen sizes as small as 10 inches. This ensures that the laptop and laptop screen is a fit for their intended use.
In comparing and contrasting the 11.6 and 14-inch laptops, it is important to look at each critically, paying attention to their pros and cons.
The 11.6 Inch Laptop
It is suitable for people who have to move around a lot or need to work on the go, like travel bloggers and students. Their best feature is how easy they usually are to use. Also, their size does not stop them from having other good specifications. The 11.6-inch laptop is considerably small and most times called a mini laptop.
Its advantages include:
Smaller and more compact
It is a choice to consider for people who travel a lot and need to move their laptops around very often. The 11.6-inch laptop can be easily slipped into a backpack or used on an airplane. This makes it an option to consider for students, travel journalists, and freelance writers that like to change their gaming location from time to time.
Battery Life
The 11.6-inch laptop usually has a very good battery life that lasts about 7 to 12 hours. Of course, the battery life is dependent on the laptop’s use. It’ll last longer if you are reading or typing with it and maybe not as long if you’re watching movies and running some code.
Some 11.6-inch laptops come with the fast charge option, which means they charge to full capacity very fast. This, along with its long battery life, makes them more suitable for people whose jobs might not allow them to charge their laptops very often.
Cheaper
11.6 Inch laptops are usually more affordable than most other laptops. This makes it suitable for people who are working with a tight budget.
Its disadvantages include:
Small storage size
The 11.6-inch screen usually comes with limited storage; hence might pose a problem. However, this can be overcome by getting some form of external storage.
Processing Speed
The processing speed is a lot slower, making them unsuitable for heavy-duty applications. This makes it a less considered option for some jobs. For example, this would not be suitable for a full-stack developer. The upgradability of the 11.6-inch laptop is also heavily compromised.
Quality of Display
The quality of display on an 11.6-inch screen is usually not the best. It might not be a screen of choice for photo editors and videographers.
The 14 Inch Laptop
14-inch laptops are usually bigger but not too big. They provide the perfect balance of durability and usability. They are usually a laptop of choice for gamers, some web developers, and students. It generally has more power and higher specifications than the 11.6-inch laptop.
The advantages of the 14 Inch laptop include:
Screen resolution
Screen resolution is the number of vertical or horizontal pixels displayed on a screen. A pixel is the smallest unit of a digital picture or graphic that may be displayed on a digital device.
14-inch laptops usually have a higher screen resolution than the 11.6-inch ones and, therefore, are a better option for gamers or videographers.
With a higher resolution and a bigger screen, there is no need to strain the eyes to see texts or images on the screen. Sharper and clearer texts improve readability.
Choice of selection
There is a broader range of options to pick from regarding the 14-inch laptop. This is because of how common they are. They have easier-to-type-on keyboards and come in different styles and colors, leaving it to you to make your choice.
Also, the fact that they provide a balance of usability and durability means that a broader range of people can use them. Gamers, students, and business people alike can consider it as an option.
Storage
The 14-inch laptop has a better storage capacity than the 11inch laptop. This means that they support more hardware and software hence enhancing their versatility. While the need for external storage is reduced, it is however not eliminated.
Some disadvantages include:
- Cost: They are more expensive than their 11.6-inch counterparts. How much their purchase cost also influences how much the repairs will cost; hence they are more expensive to fix.
- Size: 14-inch laptops are usually bigger, hence less portable than 11.6-inch laptops. This makes them difficult to carry around or travel with.
- The battery of a 14-inch laptop does not last as long as that of an 11.6-inch laptop. This is a consequence of the higher specifications, higher screen resolution, and higher hardware and software capacity.
How To Measure Your Laptop Screen
To make a ballpark estimate of your laptop’s specs and overall quality, you’ll need to measure your laptop screen. Knowing your screen size also helps you understand what you need to buy if you have a damaged screen.
- Get a measuring tape, preferably in inches. Screen dimensions are usually measured in inches.
- Place the tip of your measuring tape at one corner of the laptop and measure diagonally to the opposite corner. That is, if you place your measuring tape and the bottom corner, pull your tape diagonally to the top corner.
- Measure only the screen and avoid measuring the plastic edge surrounding the screen, also called the bezel.
- If your measuring tape is only in centimeters, you can convert it to inches appropriately, as 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters.
Final Thoughts
The 11.6 and 14-inch laptops have varying advantages and disadvantages. The 11.6-inch laptop trumps the 14-inch one in price, portability, and battery life. It is usually the laptop of choice for students and travel bloggers.
The 14 inch laptop, however, edges the 11.6-inch in how comfortable it is on the eyes, keyboard size, screen resolution, storage size, upgradability, and range. It is usually the laptop of choice for coders and gamers.
Which one you pick depends on your work and what you eventually intend to use the laptop for.
