Best Laptop for Writers: Several professionals like book authors, journalists, and bloggers are mainly involved with writing and typing online. Thus, they should have a laptop that allows them to type effortlessly.
Especially when you are roaming around the world all the time while working, laptop would be the best portable typing machine for you instead of desktops.
You’ll just want something that’s small and compact so you can experiment with your thoughts no matter where you are.
With this in mind, I’ve compiled a list of best laptops for writers, which includes some of the top 2-in-1 laptops, best Chromebooks, and best MacBooks and so on.
With out go to list, you can spend more time making the next masterpiece instead of browsing through hundreds of options online. Let’s have a quick look at some of the best laptops for writers on a budget –
Image | Product | Price |
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Dell XPS 15 7590Good Choice
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Lenovo ideapad S340Good Choice
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2020 Apple MacBook ProAmazon’s Choice
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ASUS ZenBook 13Good Choice
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Google PixelbookGood Choice
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Newest HP Spectre x360Good Choice
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Microsoft Surface Pro 6Good Choice
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Read Also: (Top 10) Best Laptop for Teachers (Educators) Reviews
Best Laptop for Writers Reviews
Dell XPS 15 7590
Few laptops can compete with the Dell XPS 15 in terms of writing performance and cutting-edge hardware. While this laptop is expensive, the outstanding form factor and solid construction quality compensate for it.
In the top of our list of best laptops for writers we have Dell XPS 15 7590.
The shell of this device is made of aluminium, with a soft-touch carbon-fiber keyboard deck. With a weight of 4.5 pounds, it isn’t the lightest notebook (1,6 kg).
The white backlit keyboard is ideal for typing, with 1.3mm key travel and fast input.
When it comes to average typing speed, many writers believe that it has one of the finest laptop keyboards.
The screen is another factor that makes the Dell XPS 15 one of the best laptops for writing.
It has a 4K resolution, vibrant colours, and enough brightness to be used in any setting.
When you turn on the laptop, it will boot up in a matter of seconds.
It has a fast 256GB solid-state drive, 16GB RAM, and an Intel Core i7-9750H CPU from the 9th Generation.
You should be certain that it can accommodate anything you throw at it with specs like these.
You can quickly update the RAM and SSD by opening up the laptop.
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card is another advantage of the Dell XPS. For media editing, this dedicated GPU is perfect. It’s also capable of games.
When we talk about its battery life, it can last upto 6 hours in a single full charge.
Pros
- Good build quality
- High performance
- 4K display
Cons
- Becomes hot
- Speakers are average
Lenovo ideapad S340
If you are looking for the best budget laptop for writers then this is the device for you. With long battery life, high performance and much more, Lenovo ideapadS340 can be the deal for you.
This laptop is ideal for teachers, bloggers, and writers on a budget, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
It’s a lightweight 15.6-inch laptop weighing 3.9 pounds (1.8kg). The lid has an aluminium finish and the outside is made of plastic.
This laptop is long-lasting and built to last.
The laptop’s monitor is its most significant flaw. Since it just occupies 58 percent of the sRGB gamut, the shades seem washed out.
When you’re writing, having correct colours isn’t critical, but when you’re finished and want to watch a movie, you might find the dull colours.
Even if the keyboard looks identical to that of the Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1, it’s still a big step down.
The keyboard on the Lenovo Ideapad s340 does not have any backlighting.
It also seems less expensive and provides less guidance than the X1 Carbon. Don’t let that deter you; if you’re on a deficit, it’s always a perfect keyboard for blogging.
The hardware is adequate for writing work and daily use, but it is on the low end of the performance spectrum if you try to do something demanding.
When we talk about its battery life, the laptop can run for straight 8 hours in a single charge.
Pros
- Good battery life
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons
- No backlit on keyboard
- Screen is a bit dull
2020 Apple MacBook Pro
Macbook Pro is one of the most prominent laptops for authors right now. Apple devices run on their own operating system and known for their top-notch quality.
The construction quality is outstanding, and the style is comparable to that of any Apple product.
Given the solid metal shell, it is very light, weighing just 3 pounds (1.36 kg).
The lack of a traditional USB port is a drawback of the Macbook’s architecture, if you have a USB mouse, for example, you’ll need an adapter.
Backlit keyboard on this device is loved by users who like to use the laptop in night-time.
The dazzling 13.3-inch retina touchscreen is one of the features that sets the Macbook Pro apart.
The monitor has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels, a brightness of 500 nits, and occupies 100% of the sRGB spectrum.
This indicates that the colours are correct, the brightness is excellent, and the display is vivid enough to be seen everywhere.
For the price, the specifications are adequate.
The Macbook Pro 13 has 16GB of RAM, an Intel Core i5 processor from the 10th generation, and an Iris Plus 645 GPU.
You can get decent hardware for less money, but a Mac notebook costs more because of the confidence and strength that comes with being an Apple device.
MacOS is a fast, easy-to-use operating system that won’t distract you when you’re writing. Most writers believe that using a Mac laptop is worth the marginally higher cost compared to a Windows laptop because of the increased productivity.
The safety features of macOS are also a plus point.
Pros
- Good trackpad
- High performance
- Stunning display
Cons
- No USB-A port
- Short key travel
ASUS ZenBook 13
The Asus Zenbook 13 is another choice for authors. It has an unusual keyboard style, but once you like the interface, many people consider it to be one of the best device for writing.
The Asus Zenbook 13 is built to last and weighs 2.5 pounds (1.13 kg), making it slightly smaller than a normal 13-inch laptop. It has a microSD card reader and has USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI ports.
You will get a white backlight keyboard, which makes it ideal for writing in low-light situations.
It has an unusual shape, and some of the buttons, such as the arrow keys and the left turn, are a little crowded. As a result, getting used to it can take some time.
The touchpad is decent, but a few customers had an issue that it didn’t register clicks correctly.
The Asus Zenbookis powered by Windows 10.
It’s easy to set up, and thanks to the powerful hardware, it’s fast and convenient to use.
You’ll get a 512GB SSD for storage and fast SSD combined with 8GB RAM makes the Asus Zenbook able to load programs quickly without lag.
The 8th generation Intel Core i5-8265U CPU gives the laptop enough processing power to run demanding applications.
The battery life is solid and lasted nearly 11 hours in a single charge.
With the powerful hardware components, it does get warm quickly. The fans do a good job of cooling it down, but they can get quite loud.
Pros
- Robust
- Good battery life
- High performance
Cons
- Fans can be a bit loud
- Cramped arrow keys
Google Pixelbook
In the year 2021, the Google Pixelbook is the perfect Chromebook for authors. If you don’t need to run any Windows or Mac-only applications, this is a perfect budget laptop.
Chromebooks are becoming increasingly popular, but they are not without flaws.
They are always sluggish and have poor writing keyboards. The Google Pixelbook is an outlier, with a fantastic keyboard and output comparable to the rest of the laptops on this list.
The Pixelbook’s lightness is one of its distinguishing features.
This 12.3-inch laptop is just 2.45 pounds (1.1 kilogrammes) and 10.3 millimetres thick.
It has a lightweight aluminium body and a supportive silicon palm rest for texting.
The keyboard’s key travel is just 0.9mm. Each click is felt with direct feedback and a clicky echo.
This isn’t the laptop for you if you like mechanical keyboards with long key movement.
It is, however, one of the best on the market if you choose light keyboards with fast key travel and a tactile click.
Another benefit of Chrome OS is how fast and smoothly it runs.
There’s no more waiting for things to load, no more irritating antivirus programme popups, and it runs like a dream thanks to the 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD.
You can run Android applications directly on the Chromebook since it’s a Chromebook.
The disadvantage of using Chrome OS is that you will need to find some Windows-only software.
Pros
- Lightweight
- High performance
- Supports android app
Cons
- No USB-A port
- Speakers are average
Newest HP Spectre x360
It is one of the best laptops for writing because of the amazing backlit keyboard, fast speed, and vibrant screen.
The HP Spectre x360 is a powerful Windows 10 laptop with stunning display and powerful electronics, but it has some design shortcomings that prevent it from being at the top of the list.
When you first open the package for the HP Spectre x360, you’ll find that HP included an HP Sleeve 3 and an HP Stylus pen for holding the laptop. The pen is easy to use and can be used to sketch or take notes.
The laptop has a matte charcoal grey metal case on the outside, it has a simple but lovely style.
A MicroSD scanner, a ThunderBolt 3 port, two USB type C ports, and one USB type A port are located on the faces.
If you want to plug in several things that are operated by a regular USB socket, having just one USB A port can be a problem.
The keyboard is backlit, but it has a few shortcomings in terms of construction.
It has a 1.5mm main ride, which is longer than the rest of the best writer’s laptops.
It responds quickly to keystrokes and looks crisp, making it ideal for long work sessions.
The keyboard’s drawbacks include the lack of a NumPad and the crowded arrow keys. For just typing, the 15.6-inch monitor is almost excessive. It has a 1443:1 contrast ratio and a resolution of 3820 x 2160 (4K).
The HP Spectre x360’s fast success is one of the reasons it’s always regarded as the best laptop for writers.
It has 16GB of RAM and a smooth 1TB SSD, making booting and loading programmes a breeze.
It also has an Intel Core i7 cpu, which can accommodate even the most challenging applications. Although the GeForce MX250 graphics card is capable of running graphics design applications, it is not designed for gaming.
Pros
- Amazing display
- HP Stylus Pen included
- High performance
Cons
- Low response time of screen
- Touchpad is average
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is the perfect 2-in-1 laptop for writers. This portable laptop is simple to carry around. It has a nice keyboard for an author and can be used as a computer.
The Microsoft Surface 6 is a 2-in-1 notebook if you’re looking for a writing laptop that can also be used as a tablet.
It’s not only ideal for day-to-day activities, but it’s also incredibly good for writing.
Using a 2-in-1 laptop makes it simple and handy to jot down notes.
There are less expensive 2-in-1 laptops on the market, but most buyers think it was worth it to spend a little extra to have the best hybrid laptop for unique experience.
The Microsoft Surface Pro has a simple and attractive interface on the outside.
It’s a tough laptop that stays cool even after long sessions due to the passive cooling system.
It has a 12.3-inch display and weights 1.7 pounds (0.77 kg). It has a USB 3.0 socket but no USB-C or Thunderbolt ports.
The Microsoft Surface Keyboard is recommended if you want to use it for learning.
It has a high-quality construction and decent main spacing, but it’s definitely the best attachable keyboard you can find on any 2-in-1 laptop.
Microsoft Surface 6 has 1.3mm key travel, making it ideal for those who want a flat keyboard with quick to medium key travel.
With an 8th gen intel core Intel Core processor, 8GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD, this device performs well.
While the battery life is outstanding and can last the entire day, some consumers have complained that it has gotten bad over time.
Pros
- Compact
- 2 in 1 design
- Good battery life
Cons
- No USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port
Things to Consider While Buying a Best Budget Laptop for Writing
Keyboard
The key travel and input of a laptop keyboard determine how comfortable it is to use.
The number of millimetres you must press the key before it detects the click is referred to as key travel.
The desired primary travel period is a personal preference. Some authors prefer shallow key travel, like on a Macbook, while others prefer a longer key travel, like on the Dell X1.
Each key’s reaction when pressed is known as feedback.
You want input that is soft to the touch and bounces up easily without crashing.
Plus, if you like working in dim light or night time then having a keyboard with backlit feature would be a good idea.
Weight
Both ultra-light 10-inch laptops and heavy 15-inch work laptops are included in this list of the best notebooks for authors.
If you like to write outside of your home office desk, you’ll need to pay attention to your laptop weight.
Any pound continues to weigh you down as you shift the laptop, whether it’s to the nearest cafe or when travelling.
A laptop with a screen size of 10 inches is suitable for travel.
The typical size for a writer’s device is 15 inches.
13.3 inches is a reasonable balance between the size and functionality of a 15-inch laptop and a 13-inch laptop.
Battery Life
Another factor that can impact authors on the go is the laptop’s battery. Don’t be misled by a laptop with a high watt-hour capacity (Wh).
The length of time a device can last is determined not just by the size of the battery but also by how quickly it uses the battery.
If you’re on a strict schedule, you must be able to find a laptop that can run for an entire day on a single charge.
Storage
In the last year, 1 TB HDD was the norm when finding the best laptops for writing. SSD storage is now the standard. An SSD will give you quicker loading and launch times and use less storage, so you’ll get more battery life out of it.
CPU
The best laptops for writers typically have an Intel Core CPU. An Intel Core i3 processor is commonly used in low-cost notebooks.
An Intel Core i5 processor offers a strong balance between quality and profitability. Anticipate an Intel Core i7 processor on higher-end machines.
When you’re an author, the Intel Core i5 processor will normally suffice.
A strong Intel Core i5 processor can easily perform paper writing as well as more CPU-intensive tasks like photo editing.
An Intel Celeron processor can be used in several low-cost laptops.
When you equate the Intel Celeron to an Intel Core i3 processor, you’ll see that the Intel Core i3 processor performs much better.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Look for a laptop with at minimum 8GB RAM to prevent excessive latency and an overall faster performance.
If you’re just planning to use the laptop for daily activities and blogging, 16GB is perfect, but it’s not required.
4GB is sufficient, but if you have too many programmes open at the same time, it will slow.
Screen
The screen resolution is the first area to check for when it refers to the display. A higher screen resolution boosts efficiency by allowing you to fit more on the screen due to the extra pixels. In the highest recommended laptops for authors, a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) is the norm.
The desired brightness is determined by the lighting conditions under which you work.
Whether you’re going to use your laptop indoors or in direct sunshine, make sure it’s bright enough.
If you plan to use it indoors, aim for a brightness of 400 nits or more.
When you’re writing, colour coverage and contrast aren’t necessary, but they can be useful when you’re finished and want to watch a movie.
As a writer, you can also choose a touch screen laptop, which can boost your productivity in different ways.
Budget
Prepare to pay between 1500 dollars to 2000 dollars for a laptop with the finest available laptop keyboard and the most up-to-date technology with near-instant load times.
Though if you are looking for the best laptop for writers on a budget then there are more affordable options available.
Windows vs. macOS vs. Chrome OS
The best laptops for authors come with three operating systems: macOS, Windows and Chrome OS.
Windows is quite popular and has the most apps that are supported. In most Windows laptops, you’ll find Windows 10 Home as the operating system. Being a writer you generally need MS office programs like WordPad and thus you should look for a laptop with Microsoft Office Bundle.
MacOS is a user interface that is unique to Apple products and is noted for its effectiveness and strength.
It also has some excellent safety features, such as FileVault, which allows you to encrypt sensitive files.
Chrome OS is commonly used in Chromebooks and has the benefit of being able to run Android applications, but finding Chrome OS compatible programmes can be difficult at times.
FAQs Related to Laptops for Writers
Depends on your choice, but Chromebook can be suitable for writers.
Scrivener, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Microsoft Word are considered famous software for writers using laptop for their writing tasks.
Yes, you can use Microsoft Word on a Chromebook, but it will not come pre-installed. So, installation is necessary.
Yes, you can definitely use Microsoft Word to write a book.
Wrapping it up…
So, this was all about the best laptops for writers. All the laptop recommendations in this article will help you to turn out to be a writer that you long desired.
In the recent days, laptops are considered an important device specially if you are in the writing field.
So go through the list above and pick one for you.