The best 17-inch laptop in 2025: out top picks for big-screen laptops

PRICE
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
Dell XPS 17 (2022), one of the best 17-inch laptops, on a blue background.
(Image credit: Future)

We’ve seen our fair share of laptops of all shapes and sizes, but we always have a few standard ways we measure them before we pass judgment on if they’re a worthwhile investment. We’ve used these laptops throughout the day to get accurate readings on battery life and performance, but also factor in aspects like price and overall design.

When we review laptops, we also run benchmark tests to make sure the laptop’s hardware can handle the software you’ll run. Benchmark tests additionally give us a valid comparison to other laptops of its kind, therefore helping us decide the ranking and what laptops to recommend and which to skip. We’ve selected the best 17-inch laptop based on these results from a variety of other 17-inch portable computers.

Beyond performance, we consider every possible use for the laptop to ensure we recommend it in good faith. If you’re a laptop gamer, you want something that can handle your games and load them with minimal wait time — but if you travel frequently you probably don’t want a heavy laptop. We cover all aspects — pros, cons, and neutrals — to give you a well-rounded idea of what to expect from a laptop should you choose to buy it.

The quick list

If you want to get right to it and see the best 17-inch laptop in every category, check out our quick roundup of top picks below. Don't worry, though; you can easily jump to a more detailed view of every pick along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best laptop deals no matter your budget.

Best 17-inch laptops in 2025

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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best 17-inch laptops in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best 17-inch laptop overall

Dell XPS 17 laptop in use on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)
The best 17-inch laptop overall

Specifications

CPU: Up to 14th Generation Intel Core i9
Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5-4800MHz
Screen: Up to 17.0" UHD+ (3840 x 2400p) InfinityEdge, Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit – 17.0" UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit
Storage: Up to 8TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

Reasons to buy

+
Amazing performance
+
Fantastic design
+
Large, vibrant display

Reasons to avoid

-
Higher configurations get expensive quickly
-
Webcam is only 720p
Buy it if:

✅ You want the latest components: The XPS 17 delivers outstanding performance thanks to a mix of the latest Intel chips and Nvidia graphics cards.

You want to do creative work: With touchscreen availability and a selection of powerhouse GPUs to choose from, the newest XPS 13 is great for tasks like video editing.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want maximum bang for your buck: The Dell XPS 17 performs excellently, but the higher-end configurations are expensive.

You want a portable machine: Weighing in well over 2kg and measuring over 14 inches across, this is not a laptop you’ll want to lug around daily.

Dell's XPS laptops are frequently found at the top of our assorted laptop rankings, and the latest XPS 17 is no exception. This is the pinnacle of what a 17-inch laptop should be: a clean, stylish design, a gorgeous UHD+ display, and a selection of powerful internal components.

The Dell XPS 17 (2024) can pack up to an Intel Core i9 processor and a mighty RTX 4080 graphics card, which combined with the large screen make it a great choice for creative workers who need a lot of oomph for tasks like video editing or 3D rendering. For those of us who just want a big-screen office laptop, there are plenty of cheaper, less powerful configurations available too.

In our review, we found that the XPS 17 blasted through our tests and lived up to its promise of having a great display, with color accuracy and sharpness that truly impressed. It can get a bit pricey once you start to look at the high-end models (and the webcam only being 720p feels like a missed opportunity), but other than that, this is as close to perfect as a 17-inch laptop can get.

Read our full Dell XPS 17 (2024) review

The best budget 17-inch laptop

An HP Laptop 17 against a white background

2. HP Laptop 17

The best budget 17-inch laptop

Specifications

CPU: Up to 11th Generation Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 5000-series
Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon graphics
RAM: Up to 16GB DDR4
Screen: Up to 17.3" FHD (1080p), 250 nits
Storage: Up to 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe

Reasons to buy

+
Enough power for creative workflows
+
Gorgeous, light and slim chassis

Reasons to avoid

-
Port selection could be better
Buy it if:

✅ You want reliable performance: Though the HP Laptop 17 may not have the latest and most powerful specs, it boasts reliable performance for creative workflows.

✅ You want a thin and light laptop: Not only does the HP Laptop 17 sport a gorgeous design but it has a thin and light chassis perfect for carrying around.

Don't buy it if:

You need a great port selection: Though the HP Laptop 17 has many positives, its lackluster port selection is not one of them.

The HP Laptop 17 doesn't rock the most powerful components or the flashiest design, but it does deliver reliable performance in a surprisingly thin and lightweight chassis - and it's one of the cheapest 17-inch laptops you can buy right now.

With up to an 11th-gen Intel Core i7 processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics, this laptop doesn't come with top-of-the-line specs, but for remote work or just general office use, it's more than capable of handling most people's needs. With 16GB DDR4 RAM, you'll be able to multitask like a champ - no worries about opening a dozen Chrome tabs here. You'll also get 256GB PCIe storage with an extra 1TB HDD for extra capacity to keep all your necessary files handy.

While we haven't reviewed this particular laptop just yet, we've tested plenty of HP devices with similar specs over the years, so we're confident that you'll get your money's worth with this device - just as long as you keep your expectations in check.

Get your next laptop for less with our HP coupon codes.

The best AMD 17-inch laptop

Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage test unit on a table

(Image credit: Future / Alex Cox)
The best AMD-powered gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 - 9
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT (discrete), AMD Radeon 680M (integrated)
RAM: 16GB - 32GB
Screen: 17.3” 360Hz 1080p - 120Hz 4K
Storage: 512GB - 1TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Pin-sharp design with clever cooling
+
Fantastic performance
+
Excellent, generous screen

Reasons to avoid

-
AMD Advantage spec is quite pricey
-
Slightly limited battery when gaming
-
Heavy, bulky chassis
Buy it if:

✅ You’re a hardcore PC gamer: This has both the looks and the performance to suit those who need the full experience on the move.

You have a small desk: The ports of the Alienware m17 are brilliantly laid out - compact gaming is far easier without cables getting in the way.

Don't buy it if:

You value portability: Although the m17 isn’t over-heavy it’s most at home in the home.

You’re concerned about your budget: If you’re willing to sacrifice just a little, you can spec this lower - or buy a completely different gaming-friendly laptop.

AMD's 'Advantage' program has seen some excellent laptops in recent years, and the Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage is no exception. It's a high-end gaming laptop that wows in virtually every area: a big, beautiful 4K 120Hz screen, powerful AMD components, and the classic Alienware aesthetic.

We can't stress enough how great that display is; thanks to Dolby Vision support, your games and movies look absolutely incredible, and the high refresh rate is perfect for playing twitchy shooters like Valorant where speed is everything.

The familiar clamshell design of Alienware laptops is not only visually appealing but also ensures efficient ventilation, which is crucial for high-performance gaming sessions. While it's somewhat hefty and bulky, with a reasonable battery life of around six hours, it's expected for a desktop replacement gaming laptop, and users familiar with this category will understand the trade-offs involved.

Read our full Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage review

The best thin and light 17-inch gaming laptop

The Razer Blade 17 (2022) viewed from a side angle on a desk

(Image credit: Future)
A stunning 17-inch laptop ideal for gamers and creatives

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7-12800H – i9-12900H
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 – 3080 Ti
RAM: up to 32GB 4800MHz
Screen: up to 17.3" 144Hz UHD
Storage: 1TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Outstanding performance
+
Beautiful, modern design
+
Fantastic keyboard layout and size

Reasons to avoid

-
Incredibly expensive
-
Disappointing battery life
Buy it if:

✅ You want a 'Jack-of-all-trades' laptop: Is it for gaming? Is it for creative applications? Or perhaps a powerful, portable workstation? The Razer Blade 17 can do it all.

✅ You value style as much as substance: The Razer Blade 17 is fairly hefty, but its modern design and minimal 'gamer' accents allow it to blend into the office.

Don't buy it if:

You're on a budget: The Razer Blade 17 can cost an eyewatering sum of cash if you opt for the top-line spec model.

❌ You need long battery life: The Razer Blade 17 shouldn't be on the top of any list if your main concern is battery life.

If you’re looking for an absolute beast of a gaming laptop, you might be interested in Razer's 17-inch powerhouse. The Blade series has always offered premium quality and performance, and the Blade 17 delivers on that promise; this isn't just a powerful gaming system, it's got the specs to pull double duty as a creative workstation too.

In our tests, the Razer Blade 17 (2022) chewed through everyday tasks, powering through gaming benchmarks and demanding creative workloads like Adobe Photoshop and Blender. Setting quality to Ultra resulted in a clean 78fps in Cyberpunk 2077.

Of course, as anyone who's bought a Razer product before should know, it’s pretty expensive. Only invest if you absolutely need all that power - or you've got money to burn and want the best of the best.

Read our full Razer Blade 17 (2022) review

Get the best deal on Razer products with our Razer coupon codes.

Best 17-inch laptop: FAQs

Are 17-inch laptops too big?

While 17-inch laptops are definitely a bit more unwieldy than their 13-inch counterparts, they still offer significant portability advantages over traditional desktop PCs. Whether or not the display will be too large for you depends on what you want your laptop to do. If you’re into gaming, media enjoyment, or need some extra real estate for productivity work, one of the best 17-inch laptops makes a lot of sense. If you need the most portable option on the market and just want to write up notes or check your email here and there, you’re likely better off going smaller.

How we tested the best 17-inch laptops

We’ve seen our fair share of laptops of all shapes and sizes, but we always have a few standard ways we measure them before we pass judgment on if they’re a worthwhile investment. We’ve used these laptops throughout the day to get accurate readings on battery life and performance, but also factor in aspects like price and overall design.

When we review laptops, we also run benchmark tests to make sure the laptop’s hardware can handle the software you’ll run. Benchmark tests additionally give us a valid comparison to other laptops of its kind, therefore helping us decide the ranking and what laptops to recommend and which to skip. We’ve selected the best 17-inch laptop based on these results from a variety of other 17-inch portable computers.

Beyond performance, we consider every possible use for the laptop to ensure we recommend it in good faith. If you’re a laptop gamer, you want something that can handle your games and load them with minimal wait time — but if you travel frequently you probably don’t want a heavy laptop. We cover all aspects — pros, cons, and neutrals — to give you a well-rounded idea of what to expect from a laptop should you choose to buy it.

Today's best 17-inch laptop deals

TOPICS
Christian Guyton
Editor, Computing

Christian is TechRadar’s UK-based Computing Editor. He came to us from Maximum PC magazine, where he fell in love with computer hardware and building PCs. He was a regular fixture amongst our freelance review team before making the jump to TechRadar, and can usually be found drooling over the latest high-end graphics card or gaming laptop before looking at his bank account balance and crying.


Christian is a keen campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights and the owner of a charming rescue dog named Lucy, having adopted her after he beat cancer in 2021. She keeps him fit and healthy through a combination of face-licking and long walks, and only occasionally barks at him to demand treats when he’s trying to work from home.

With contributions from