A 17-inch laptop gives you a larger screen and keyboard, plus additional space for more powerful components. That makes this size a great choice for designers, gamers, and professionals who want a mobile laptop that provides impressive specs or excellent versatility.
To help you make your choice, we've collected the best 17-inch laptops for 2022, starting with our overall favorite, the Dell XPS 17. With its modern components and discrete graphics, it's ready for anything.
You also can take a look at our list of the overall best laptops for 2022 for more buying options.
Dell XPS 17 9720
The best 17-inch laptop you can buy
- Outstanding build quality
- Streamlined good looks
- Thin and light
- Excellent productivity and creative performance
- Solid midrange gaming performance
- Superior IPS display
- Great keyboard and touchpad
- Expensive
- Limited collection of ports
- Some thermal throttling
Why you should buy this: It's an excellent professional laptop with a larger display.
Who's it for: Professionals, visual editors, and many others.
Why we picked the Dell XPS 17 9720:
While we are fans of the more compact XPS 13, there's also a lot to like about its larger cousin, the XPS 17, which retains many of the features that make the XPS line such a versatile option for laptop buyers — on a larger scale for those who really need more display room for their work.
This laptop starts with the Intel 12th-generation 45-watt Core i5-12500H processor with 12 cores (four Performance and eight Efficient) and 16 threads, and ramps up to the Core i9-12900HK with 14 cores (six Performance and eight Efficient) and 20 threads. GPU options range from integrated Intel UHD graphics up to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. Up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and up to a 2TB PCIe 4.0 solid-state drive (SSD) round out the specifications. Display options include a 17-inch 16:10 Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS panel and a 17-inch 16:10 UHD+ (3840 x 2400) IPS display with incredibly wide and accurate colors and deep contrast.
While the XPS 17 does have a similar compact design to smaller XPS machines, keep in mind that the larger display and greater weight (5.34 pounds) will make it more difficult to tote around. Find a compatible laptop bag, if necessary.
Gigabyte Aorus 17X 2022
A seriously portable gaming machine
- Tiny bezels for a smaller chassis
- Relatively thin and light
- Mechanical per-key RGB keyboard
- Powerful gaming components
- Up to 360Hz Full HD
- Expensive
Why you should buy this: You want a good gaming laptop that's portable but has enough juice to handle your serious gaming needs.
Who's it for: Gamers who want top-tier performance in an attractive chassis.
Why we picked the Gigabyte Aorus 17X (2022):
With their larger screens and more room for powerful components, it’s no surprise that many 17-inch laptops are focused on gaming. But which should you look at first? We love this 17.3-inch HD Gigabyte Aorus laptop, which sports extra RGB lighting for style and an OMRON mechanical keyboard for top performance — plus dual fans to help keep things cool under pressure.
Inside, you’ll find up to an Intel Core i9-12900H processor and a GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics card to handle any game you throw it. You also get up to 64GB of RAM and two SSD storage slots. The primary port out is HDMI 2.1 if you ever want to switch to a different screen, and the laptop also comes with USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, and USB-A connections.
The downside to the Gigabyte Aorus 17X is that all of this power boosts the price as well as the performance, so you’ll need to pay a premium for such a capable gaming machine.
MSI Creator Z17
A portable powerhouse for work and play
- Excellent productivity and creative performance
- Good gaming performance
- Great keyboard and touchpad
- Active pen support
- Solid build quality
- Attractive aesthetic
- Expensive
- Display is a step behind the best
- Poor battery life
- Heavy
Why you should buy this: You want a lot of power in a mobile workstation but aren't primarily interested in gaming.
Who's it for: Professionals with serious laptop requirements who will only settle for the best.
Why we picked the MSI Creator Z17:
If you’re looking for a lot of power in a laptop that isn’t necessarily focused on gaming, then this MSI model has you covered. It offers up to an Intel Core i9-12900H processor, 64GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and an Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti GPU, all great specs for tackling larger projects that most laptops struggle to handle.
The laptop also includes a USB-C port in addition to several USB-A ports, plus HDMI and Thunderbolt 4. Battery life clocks in around seven hours for common activities. It’s a bit lighter than many of our picks at under 5 pounds, but it's also one of the more expensive options, so prepare your budget accordingly.
We highly recommend the MSI Creator Z17 if you are looking for an effective mobile workstation that can handle more demanding tasks that you usually rely on a desktop to complete.
HP Laptop 17
An affordable large-screen laptop
- Affordable
- Fast AMD CPU
- Good keyboard and touchpad
- Display is only Full HD
- Plastic construction
Why you should buy this: It's a reliable 17-inch budget laptop that can get for around $500 depending on your spec choices.
Who's it for: Those who want a larger screen and keyboard on a budget.
Why we picked the HP Laptop 17:
Others may be looking for a large laptop that’s friendly for their wallet, in which case laptops that are priced at thousands of dollars may not be a starting point. Here, we advise looking at this HP Laptop 17 model, which starts at around $500.
This model includes an AMD Ryzen 7 5700U eight-core/16-thread CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. Connections include a USB-C port, two USB-A ports, a full-size HDMI 1.4b port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Some of these specs are upgradeable, but this will also lead to a significant jump in price. The biggest compromise is the Full HD (1920 x 1080) display, but at these prices, it's a compromise worth making.
This mix of affordability and customization isn't easy to find. If you have limited funds and need a large laptop, then the HP Laptop 17 is for you.
LG Gram 17
A thin and light 17-inch laptop
- Exceptionally light
- Fast when set to performance mode
- Excellent display
- Very good keyboard and touchpad
- Outstanding battery life
- Feels a little flimsy
- Too expensive
Why you should buy this: You want a highly portable laptop with a larger display for work or play.
Who’s it for: People who appreciate a larger screen but are carrying their laptop around all day and prefer a lightweight option.
Why we picked the LG Gram 17:
For laptop users who are always traveling, consider the LG Gram 17 for a lighter, extremely portable option than the laptops you’ve previously used. This device weighs in at less than three pounds. Don’t let that number fool you, though. Despite its weight, the laptop packs a powerful punch — it uses a durable, nanocarbon, “military-grade” magnesium metal frame to keep the weight down.
The LG Gram 17 is powerful. The latest model comes with up to the i7-1260P, a 12th-gen Intel Core processor. You can also configure it with up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for storage. Ports include USB-A 3.1, USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, and HDMI. In addition, the laptop features top-notch security systems, like its biometric safety feature: the built-in fingerprint reader. The battery life can vary a bit for this 17-inch laptop. However, LG says you can expect about 17 hours on average, depending on how you’re using the device.
As we mentioned, this laptop’s durability ranks at a “military-grade” level. Its safety features are a standout in its field, as well. The lightweight LG Gram 17-inch can be transported easily and won’t get in your way while you’re on the move.
MSI Stealth GS77
A powerful and versatile 17-inch gaming machine
- Fast display options
- 12th-gen Intel CPUs
- Up to RTX 3080 Ti
- Six-speaker audio system
- Expensive
Why you should buy this: A powerful and versatile gaming laptop that can handle just about anything.
Who’s it for: Mobile VR gamers and gamers looking for a serious upgrade for their laptop.
Why we picked the MSI GS77 Stealth:
Those interested in a high-end upgrade for their gaming laptop shouldn't sleep on this MSI laptop, which includes a Core i9-12900H processor and a GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU that will ensure your games play smoothly.
The model also includes 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. That 17-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) display isn't just large — it also supports a 240Hz refresh rate. Other display options are Full HD at 360Hz and UHD at 120Hz. Ports include USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, and HDMI. You also don't have to worry about MSI GS77 Stealth overheating too easily, thanks to its two fans, four exhaust ports, and six copper heating pipes.
Just don't expect the best kind of battery life with all that power. Keep your charging cable handy.
Alienware m17 R5
A highly configurable large-screen gamer
- Reasonably priced
- Powerful components
- UHD 120Hz display option
- Mechanical per-key RGB keyboard
- Heavy
Why you should buy this: It's a gaming laptop that can serve as much more.
Who’s it for: Gamers interested in a mobile solution.
Why we picked the Alienware m17 R5:
This Alienware model is a versatile middle-of-the-road option for gamers who prefer a robust laptop for gaming on the go but are also interested in a model that can handle work or school tasks. The laptop is well-equipped for either, with a base model that starts with an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor and a GeForce RTX 3050 Ti to handle all your graphical needs. Up to the AMD Ryzen 9 6900H CPU and RTX 3080 Ti can be configured for the ultimate gaming power.
The FHD display also impresses, with support for up to a 360Hz refresh rate and built-in G-Sync support to help reduce tearing. RAM starts at 16GB and storage at a 256GB PCIe SSD, but you can also upgrade these specs depending on how much you are willing to spend and what sort of gaming you'd like to support. The Alienware m17 R5 also includes USB-A 3.2, USB-C 3.2, HDMI 2.1b, and Ethernet connection options.
Frequently Asked Questions
While you can get old-school 16:9 Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) displays for 17-inch laptops, that's not what you want. With such large screens, you'll notice the pixels in text and images will be less than idea. The best display resolution for a 17-inch laptop is 16:10 UHD+ (3,840 x 2,400), which not only gives you a taller display that shows more vertical information but high enough resolution that text and images will remain sharp.
Higher resolutions do put more strain on battery life, but these machines aren't meant to be highly portable anyway, so carrying your charger with you is a solid compromise for a much more enjoyable experience.
In addition to the high-resolution display mentioned above, you'll likely want your 17-inch laptop to equip the latest and fastest components. Large-screen laptops are aimed at creators, workers, and gamers who require a ton of screen space, and if your CPU and GPU can't keep up than you're wasting your investment.
As of right now, that means Intel H-series 45-watt 12th-gen and AMD Ryzen 6000 CPUs. A discrete GPU, preferably starting at an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, is also a must. Finally, look for plenty of RAM, with 16GB as a minimum, and tons of storage so that the machine will grow with your needs.
You can also look for smaller and lighter chassis, as with the Dell XPS 17 that's tops on our list, but that does compromise performance. A thicker and heavier chassis often means better thermals, which will help optimize performance.
There's no doubt about it: the Dell XPS 17 that we list above is the best Dell 17-inch laptop you can buy. It's incredibly well built and attractive, features top-notch components and performance, and even gets decent battery life. Its UHD+ display is also one of the best IPS panels we've tested, with wide and accurate colors, deep contrast, and plenty of brightness.
The largest mainstream laptop display is 17.3 inches (the actual standard for 17-inch laptops). Anything larger is going to be a one-off oddity and difficult to find.
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