Are you a writer? Are you looking for the best laptop for writers? You do not know which laptop brand is suitable for you and how much it costs. In today’s article, MEDCPU will help you find the best laptop for writers. The article is rated by many customers who have purchased and used it.
Buying guide
Even the slowest and old laptop can handle writing. To get the best writing laptop, we must consider more than just power. Here are the top priorities to choose a new laptop for writers:
Keyboard
Given that most computers have enough power to support the average user today, you should also invest in the best keyboard.
Be aware that not all laptops have the same Keyboard. My MacBook Air (which I’m using to write this post) and my Acer Laptop (for which I attach an external keyboard, it’s enormous). To avoid the same error, it is essential to be familiar with these terms of best keyboards to find your best writing laptop:
Travel Distance
This refers to how far the keys must travel to register a character. It is essential to choose the proper travel distance to achieve your highest typing speed.
High travel distance: You should ensure that your Laptop has an increased travel range if you want to save money.
It’s both costly and challenging to create a good keyboard with a low travel distance. Most “window laptops” end up having poor keyboards if they attempt to make low travel.
A too-short laptop for travel will feel flat and slow to type, making it difficult and distracting to write.
They are easy to find. Thick laptops will allow for more vertical travel.
These laptops are often cheap windows laptops, but they are also very heavy or costly gaming laptops. They require extra space to allow for better ventilation.
Low travel distance: Thin laptops must settle for short vertical travels, which isn’t necessarily bad.
Yes, even though the laptops have low vertical travel, some ultrabooks can still produce keyboards that are just as responsive, if not better, than thicker laptops.
They are often more tactile and have better build quality than thicker laptops.
My favorite example is the Apple MacBook Air. It still has my highest-rated Keyboard. The MacBook Air will be comparable in quality to ultrabooks priced above 700$. You should not buy a laptop with a thin profile that costs less than 600$.
Noise
One time I was at Starbucks and saw a man pounding on his Keyboard to prove he was working. You can either hit your Keyboard hard to sound like Ernest Hemingway (believe me, some writers do). Or you could go for laptops that have long travel distances.
Low-travel keyboards are less likely to be noisy than others, and the Apple MacBook Air/ASUS ZenBook is almost silent.
Avoid low-travel windows laptops (below 600$). Premium ultrabooks can use keyboards with low travel.
Layout
The layout is next. This is just a personal preference and will not affect your writing speed.
Island and the Conventional Type
The island types have more space around the keys (hence the name).
However, traditional keys can be muddled together. The image you see is taken from the new MacBook Pro, which is an island type.
For me, both are used (as I said above, the conventional is outside because my Keyboard just sucks).
I don’t have any problems switching between them. I can type at the fastest speed on both.
Backlighting
Inspiration can strike at any moment and anywhere. You can use your phone to get inspiration even if there’s not much light. However, nothing beats the experience of using a full-blown keyboard on a giant screen.
Some writers carry a Bluetooth keyboard that they can use to connect to their laptops.
All premium ultrabooks above 600$ will have backlit keyboards. You will need to verify the specifications or contact the manufacturer for any other laptop.
Brightness
You can control the Brightness of some laptops using the F key. These keys are often found on premium laptops.
Size
The keyboard size will depend on the size of your Laptop. Although more prominent keyboards are better, they can be cumbersome if you need a portable device.
Netbooks and laptops below 11″ should be avoided. Although they don’t have a numerical keypad, they provide you with the standard size keys.
What about laptops 11 inches in size?
It’s all about personal preference. My 11″ MacBook Air is fast enough for me to type, and my hands are large. However, some writers might find it too small and cramped.
You can carry them around in your purse, small bag, or large pocket.
Display
There are many features to be aware of: IPS/TN panel, color accuracy, resolution, etc.
All of them can be forgotten. All you need to do is focus on the size.
Find laptops that have a resolution and display size that you feel comfortable with so you can write without feeling cramped.
11″: These windows are too small for you to have multiple windows right next to each other, so you can’t be productive with such a small laptop. These are fine if you’re comfortable switching between tabs.
13″: This size is ideal. You can have multiple windows open at once and the perfect size keyboard.
15-17″: These are too heavy to be used by professional writers. These should be avoided if you have a laptop at home.
Battery life
It is pointless to say that you need extended battery life. Instead, I will tell you where to look for the most extended battery life. There are three options. Let me start with the easiest.
Chromebooks: Chromebooks are 99.9% capable of storing approximately +10 hours of battery life. The 0.01% that have a shorter battery life (well, relatively short of 6-8 hours) are potent components. These consume more energy which is unnecessary for most writers. These typically cost +450$.
Apple Laptops: It comes with +10 hours of battery life, even modern models. These laptops are expensive when new. They are much cheaper than new ones and will take you between 6-8 hours of battery life. They are fast and costly.
Windows Laptops: Windows computers of all price levels have short battery life. Unlike ChromeOS or OS X (the operating systems of Chromebooks and Apple), Windows operating system consumes a lot of energy. A windows machine with a battery life of more than 10 hours will be rare. Ultrabooks that are premium and costly, such as those mentioned above, will last you between 8-10 hours.
Avoid core i5/core I7 laptops to get the most battery life and best value for your money. Core i3 laptops don’t require as much power, and they consume less energy, so more battery. You can also get more battery out of your windows computers by removing IPS panels and using higher resolutions.
Performance
This section is not necessary to be read unless your goal is to get a lot of computer power. You don’t need to worry about storage/graphics cards and other nefarious things inside computers.
You should only worry about RAM/CPU.
CPU
Even though most CPUs are too powerful for average users, it is essential to choose the right one.
Chromebooks, Apple Laptops, and Chromebooks all offer great writers’ specifications CPU. You don’t need to pay attention to their specs when you buy a laptop. Just choose what your budget allows.
Windows Laptops can have extremely weak processing power, even for a writing career. A good rule of thumb is to avoid Windows Laptops below 350 dollars. They’ll either have a Celeron or Pentium processing power or an older/downgraded Core i3 CPU that can only handle two programs at once.
RAM
RAM is the only component that you need to be concerned about, as long as your best Windows Laptop does not fall below three-fiddy. How much RAM does a writer need?
2GB: Anything below three-fiddy will give you 2GB. This is not only frustrating, but it also makes it difficult to run the OS smoothly. It will take some time for MS Office to open or notepad to open.
4GB: This may or might not be acceptable. Multitasking can cause slowdowns if you have Windows 10 installed on your Laptop. However, 4GB will be more than enough for Chromebooks and Apple devices.
8GB: This is the ideal amount for Windows operating system. Any more is unnecessary. You can do almost anything, and you won’t feel slowed down if you have too many tabs.
Storage
Storage capacity is not something that can be discussed. A floppy disk can hold 100 books, or you can store the entire work of your life on a USB drive that costs 5$.
Storage reliability and speed are two different issues. Your storage device will fail, and every sentence, scene, and idea you have will be lost.
Solid State Drives & Hard Disk Drives
These are the two main types of storage devices that laptops can use today. Solid State Drives are slightly less reliable.
They also have the benefit of making your computer fly.
- I was looking up a particular sentence/word/document using the search bar insanely fast.
- It will take you 5-8 seconds to boot your machine.
You still need a reliable backup method.
Backup
You can choose a Chromebook to store all your data in the cloud. There are Google’s cluster computers. They even have backups in case of a hacker or the destruction of their entire headquarters.
You can also use cloud storage on Windows/Apple Machines: DropBox or the cloud, Google Docs…
15 Best Laptops for Writers in 2023 Reviews
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1. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – Best for Writers
The first one of the best laptops for writers list is Lenovo IdeaPad3. With Ideapad 3, the Lenovo Ideapad got a significant upgrade. The laptop features 12GB of DDR4 Ram and a 256GB SSD storage. It also has the best comfortable keyboard.
Lenovo laptops are light and durable. The Ideapad is a budget-friendly laptop that has been a staple of Lenovo’s lineup.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Fast Quad-Core processor
Cons
- Battery life of 4 hours
It features a 3.6GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core processor, 12GB DDR4 RAM, and a 256SSD. It is still not a lot in today’s terms, however, for keeping a backup text document (which doesn’t require a lot of space) as well as a bunch of photos, it should suffice.
The Ideapad is just 4.07 lbs in weight and 0.8 inches thick. This means that your backpack will not be affected by the Laptop’s features.
2. Google Pixelbook Go – Best Chromebook
Google Pixelbook Go may not be the most powerful Google Chromebook – that title belongs to Google Pixelbook – but it’s the best Chromebook ever in our view. Google Pixelbook Go is one of your best investments. This laptop weighs in at just 2 pounds and has long-lasting battery life (12 hours), a backlit keyboard with Hush keys for quiet typing, and weighs just over 2 lbs.
You also get a few things. Google Pixelbook Go features a 13.3-inch full-HD touchscreen and an 8th Generation Intel processor (M3, I5, or i7). There is also 8GB or 16GB RAM, depending on which configuration you choose. Besides, virus protection is available.
You can write all day long with the backlit Keyboard and Hush Keys. You won’t need to worry about the fan making noise when the processor is busy.
Pros
- Lightweight 2 lbs.
- Battery life lasts long hours.
- Touchscreen
- Backlit Keyboard and Hush Keys
Cons
- ChromeOS runs (some apps won’t work).
This Laptop has one drawback: it runs on Chrome OS. You will need to be comfortable using Google Docs, and other Google products, for content creation.
3. MacBook Air
This is the most portable laptop on this list, with the Apple MacBook Air. It is a more expensive laptop, but it weighs 2.95 pounds and has a backlit keyboard. This makes it the best laptop for writers who are always on the go. The Mac OS makes it easy to use and has all the features a writer could need.
The MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch screen, 8GB RAM, and 128GB SSD storage. MacBook Air can also last up to 12 hours. To reduce the extra weight and increase the performance of larger batteries and graphics processors, the MacBook Air does not have a retina display.
If you are looking for a lightweight, portable laptop with the Mac operating system, we recommend the Apple MacBook Air. Although the asking price is a bit high, it’s worth it if you love the Apple ecosystem. We still recommend the Air to be the best Mac for today’s writers.
4. HP Spectre ×360
The exterior casing may be the most noticeable thing about the HP Spectre. But the interiors are just as impressive. This year, HP’s flagship 2-in-1 laptop received a significant (and very needed) update. It now has superior power and capabilities that make it one of the most popular best-writing laptops. Windows 10 Home OS includes Alexa and a fingerprint reader to speed up sign-in and security.
The HP keyboard is very comfortable. You can write for long hours and not feel fatigued. The Intel 10th-generation processor will ensure that you have enough computing power to run any content creation or writing application.
Although the battery life of the HP Spectre laptop has decreased slightly, it should still last for over 12 hours.
5. Asus Chromebook Flip
The 2-in-1 Asus Chromebook Flip is portable and has less power than the other best laptops. It features a 12.5-inch touchscreen screen that can be converted to a writing tablet and 4GB RAM. The Asus Chromebook Flip is a game-changer with a full Intel Core processor, and a full-HD display.
The 64GB flash storage is sufficient as you can store all your data in the cloud. Chrome OS is the operating system of this tablet. You will need to be comfortable using Google Docs, just like the Pixelbook.
The battery of the Asus Chromebook Flip can last up to 10 hours, which should allow you to write off-grid for a reasonable amount of time.
6. MacBook Pro
The older MacBook Pro models were heavier and bulkier, but the new MacBook feels slimmer and is far more potent than its predecessor. It’s now possible to write one MacBook again with the magic Keyboard.
MacBook Pro 13.3 Inch Retina Display with true tone technology. 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage. Up to 12 hours of battery life. It’s also the lightest Laptop on this list. They often have more tactile feedback and have better build quality than thicker laptops. It features an ample palm rest and a backlit keyboard that can be used in low light.
If you love the Mac OSX operating environment and a high-resolution screen, we recommend the MacBook Pro. Although the asking price might seem high, this Laptop is worth it if you are an Apple user.
7. Microsoft Surface Laptop 2
Our readers love the Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 laptop. It is stylish, lightweight, and has an excellent keyboard.
The Laptop has a 13.5-inch touchscreen and an Intel i5 CPU, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 128GB solid-state hard drive, and an Intel core i5 processor. The Laptop is a lightweight body at 2.8 pounds so it won’t take up much space in your bag. You can write with this Laptop because it has 14.5 hours of battery life.
8. Asus Zenbook
The ASUS Zenbook laptop is one of the most expensive laptops on the list. It comes in two models, a regular notebook and a 2-in-1 (the Zenbook flip).
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The Laptop’s 14-inch multitouch screen (yes, it can be touched!) The screen is equipped with an Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB RAM allowing you instant access to your most important content. There’s also 512GB SSD storage.
This Laptop is also the lightest on this list, with a backlit keyboard. The touchscreen is the most crucial difference between this best laptop for writers and other laptops on the list. This is an enormous advantage for most writers who need to archive their work instantly on their laptops.
This Laptop is perfect for anyone who needs to handwrite notes.
9. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop – Best Budget
The Acer Aspire 5, another great laptop, is the best budget laptop that offers everything you would expect from the best laptops for writers. This Laptop is fantastic for writers who are on a tight budget.
An AMD Ryzen 3 3200U with 4GB RAM, a 15.6-inch display, 128GB SSD storage, a backlit keyboard, and Windows 10 operating system. This touchscreen is much cheaper than the previous model Asus ZenBook, the versatility of this laptop makes it a great deal for a reliable laptop. Its large palm area makes it ideal for writers. The battery lasts for a good 7.5 hours even if you’re surfing different web pages at the same time.
10. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – Best 2-in-1 laptop
Microsoft hit it out of the park with the Surface Pro 7. This best laptop for writers is ideal for touchscreen-loving writers. Although it is more expensive than many of the laptops on this list, it offers excellent value. This Laptop is not recommended for serious writers due to its high price.
Surface Book is a Microsoft laptop and comes pre-installed with Windows 10. The Surface Book base model has a 12.3-inch touchscreen and comes pre-installed with Windows 10. You can use Microsoft Surface Pen for making handwritten notes, sketches, or just doodle. You can also use the Keyboard as a tablet by disconnecting it from the screen.
The screen is the best thing about this Laptop. This Laptop has the best touchscreen on the market, thanks to the included pen that works seamlessly with it. This Laptop is a great laptop for anyone who enjoys writing on tablets or laptops.
11. Surface Laptop 4
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Up to Intel Core i7
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- RAM: 8GB – 32GB
- Screen: 13.5-inch PixelSense (2,256 x 1,504) touch
- Storage: 256GB – 1TB
We are writers and know what it takes to make a laptop a great portable tool for wordsmiths. This new product is our recommendation. The Laptop has a beautiful screen and a comfortable keyboard. It also features an Alcantara finish, which makes typing more enjoyable. It’s ideal for freelancers and writers who travel frequently or work in cafes. This Laptop is fantastic for writers, despite the limited ports.
REASONS to BUY
- Comfortable Keyboard
- Beautiful screen
- Lightweight laptop, affordable
REASONS TO GETAWAY
- Not enough ports
12. Dell XPS 15 (2020)
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7
- Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
- RAM: 8GB – 64GB
- 15.6″ full HD screen + (1920 x 1200) IPS – UHD+ (3840 x 2400)
- 256GB – 1TB SSD Storage
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The Dell XPS 15 laptop is as perfect as a computer gets. It’s one of the most reliable Dell laptops, and it’s one of our top picks for writing. The Laptop is equipped with the most recent mobile tech from Intel and can be configured with a discrete graphics card, which makes it capable of image and video for light editing and light gaming.
This Laptop is also one of our favorite designs, and it’s undoubtedly the most fashionable Windows 10 laptop currently on the market. Long battery life and the price is reasonable considering what you get.
REASONS to BUY
- Fast performance
- Eye-catching design
- Incredible battery life
REASONS TO GETAWAY
- GTX 1650T is a little weak
- Some might find a 15-inch screen too big.
13. Asus VivoBook S15 (S532F)
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7
- Graphics: Intel UHD 620
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB
- Screen: 15.6” LED-backlit Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 Frameless four-sided NanoEdge display
- 256GB – 1TB SSD storage
The Asus VivoBook S15F (S532F) is the best Laptop for you if the screen size is essential to you. The Laptop is lighter than the MacBook Pro, 16 inches at 1.8kg (3.96 lbs), and a compact laptop.
It’s powered by the 10th-generation Intel Core processors and Intel HD 620 graphics. Its 15.6-inch screen will provide all your entertainment needs after work. It won’t cost a lot. The screen resolution is only 1080p, and the battery life is average. Overall, though, it’s an excellent device.
REASONS to BUY
- The bright, colorful 15.6-inch screen
- Weighs just 1.8kg
- Powerful i7 processor
REASONS TO GETAWAY
- Average battery life for Merely
- Only 1080p resolution
- ScreenPad is a little weird
14. Acer Swift 3
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: up to Intel Core i7-8565U
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce MX150, Intel HD Graphics 620, or AMD Radeon Vega 8
- RAM: 4GB – 8GBScreen: 14-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) ComfyView IPS – 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Storage: 128GB – 1 TB HDD, 16 GB Intel Optane Memory
The Acer Swift 3 is an excellent laptop with plenty of power, despite its modest exterior. The Swift 3 is not to be confused with Acer’s Switch 3, another reliable computer from Acer. However, the Swift 3 is the very best budget laptop. Its bare chassis is made of aluminum body and is packed with heavy components.
It is surprisingly comparable to the much more expensive Microsoft Surface Laptop in terms of performance. The display quality is slightly lower-res than the Surface Laptop’s, but they are strikingly similar apart from the price. The best budget laptop in the world with specifications CPU up to Intel Core i7-8565U.
The Laptop is easy to use, thanks to its large trackpad and backlit Keyboard. This best laptop for writers allows for comfortable typing with decent travel. This writing laptop is an excellent choice if you plan to write a lot, whether you are traveling or working at home.
REASONS to BUY
- Superb keyboard and trackpad
- Excellent performance
- Very reasonable price
REASONS TO GETAWAY
- Looks a little plain
15. Acer Chromebook R11
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Celeron N3150 1.6GHz – Intel Celeron N3160 1.6GHz
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics – Intel HD Graphics 400
- RAM: 2GB – 4GB
- Screen: 11.6-inch 1,366 x 768 HD IPS touchscreen
- Internal Storage: 32GB
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Acer Chromebook R11 is a very affordable laptop, that’s a great laptop for witters. Like the Acer Chromebook Flip-up here on this page, this laptop runs Chrome OS and does away with Windows overheads.
Chrome OS is not for everyone. However, it’s part and parcel of the deal for a fast and attractive laptop at this price. While you surf the internet and connect to your Google account, the Intel Integrated Graphics processor provides consistent speed for Chrome OS. It can run fast with less powerful components, which makes it very affordable.
This solid laptop is our choice for the best laptops under $300. Although it has a decent touchscreen, it is only HD and can flip to be a tablet. The back-lit keyboard allows you to work in all lighting conditions. It’s also highly battery-efficient so that it can run almost all day.
This Laptop is an excellent choice if you are looking for a powerful but cheap Laptop that you can quickly whip out to start writing.
REASONS to BUY
- Very versatile
- Very affordable
- Excellent battery life
REASONS TO GETAWAY
- Trackpad – Awkward
FAQs about Best Laptops for Writers
How Much Should I Spend on a Laptop?
Although your budget is personal, it’s possible to choose the most laptops for as low as $1,000. You can even find some incredible options for as low as $500 on this list. Except for the Apple laptop, MacBook is generally more expensive than a regular laptop. However, you will get better specs in terms of processor power, memory, and great battery life.
What Are the Minimum Specs I Should Get for a Laptop for Writers?
We recommend at least 4GB RAM and a 256GB hard drive.
Should I Get Windows or Mac?
It is up to you to decide whether to buy a Mac or a Windows laptop. If you’re used to using a Mac, then go for it. Windows machines are more affordable price and offer more excellent software compatibility.
What Does a 2-in-1 Laptop Mean?
The 2-in-1 convertible Laptop is a combination of tablets and laptops. These laptops are usually equipped with a detachable or rotatable keyboard that allows you to use the touchscreen display without a laptop.
Conclusion
With a laptop, writers can write their stories in coffee shops and cafes without going home first. They can also work from libraries or other places where they may not be able to bring along a desktop computer. There are many of the best laptops for writers out on the market, so you have plenty of options for picking one up as a gift for your favorite writer or teacher this holiday season.
If you’re looking for more recommendations, then take some time to browse our list of budget laptops’ in-depth reviews above – we’ve picked all our favorites! Send me news and offers from other Future brands receive email!
Eyal Ephrat serves as the co-founder and CEO of medCPU.com, where technology is making significant strides in the field of medicine. Through his experience in purchasing PC and laptop equipment and various other tech products, Eyal Ephrat contributes valuable insights to medCPU’s mission.
