It may be fun to wax lyrical about the nostalgic days of clicking away at a typewriter or scribbling your novel in a leather-bound journal, but these romantic ideals are impractical for the modern writer.
These days, a writer’s laptop is his or her best friend.
Like any best friend, a good laptop should be there for you through thick and thin, from the busy airport to the cozy cafe, from the triumph of a strong Wi-Fi signal to the heartache of no power outlets available.
With a reliable laptop, you can take your writing with you wherever you go, whether you’re researching a freelance article or drafting your latest novel idea.
What is the best laptop for writers?
If you are wondering: Which laptop should I buy? We are here to help.
We’ve rounded up the best laptops for writers based on the categories that matter most to copywriters: affordability, reliability, portability, keyboards, and more.
Most links to the laptops recommended below will take you directly to Amazon, where you can easily shop. This is also a good place to read more reviews. But don’t underestimate manufacturers’ websites if you want more information. You can also check the price there before purchasing as each laptop model has a wide range of options and prices on Amazon vary from day to day.
Here’s our pick of the best laptops for writers.
Cheapest laptop
Most of us have a limited budget, especially if we’re just starting our freelance writing careers or working on creative writing alongside our day jobs. Laptops aren’t exactly known for being cheap, but you can find budget options if you’re willing to compromise on storage space and fancy add-ons.
Starting at around $300 HP Chromebook The affordability is unbeatable.
Authors will appreciate a processor that supports increased speed for streaming and editing, as well as nearly 13 hours of battery life. Although Chromebooks without an internet connection have small storage capacity and limited functionality, many users find that the two-year access to 100GB of Google Drive storage is good enough to make this laptop a great deal. (Oh, and Google Docs’ offline functionality isn’t so bad either.)
Until recently, Microsoft Word couldn’t run on Chromebook. While you still can’t download the traditional software, Microsoft’s Office apps for Android devices can now run on the newer Chromebook models, which have the ability to download, install and run apps from the Google Play Store.
Laptop with the best battery life
You’re at your favorite coffee shop, making great progress on your latest writing project. Of course, that’s exactly the moment your laptop’s battery light turns red, warning you that you only have a few precious minutes left before your computer shuts down.
Avoid the battle for open branches in cafes, libraries and airports.
Instead, opt for the Full HD version of Dell XPS 13 (from $949). With a continuous runtime of up to 19 hours and 24 minutes, this versatile touch laptop will never let you down with a dead battery.
The most portable laptop
Whether you’re a digital nomad who’s always on the move freelancer friendly city or a hometown writer who enjoys working in coffee shops, the portability of a laptop is an important factor for many writers.
There’s no need to lug around a heavy laptop when you have options like this Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 13 (from $740). Weighing under three pounds and measuring nine millimeters thick, the ultraportable Swift 7 is ready to take your texts wherever the wind blows you.
Laptop with the best keyboard
Most people probably don’t think twice about their keyboard. Writers, on the other hand, can become obsessed with them.
A responsive, ergonomic keyboard is essential for writers, and not all laptops meet these requirements.
For those who are picky and really want the best laptop keyboard, it’s probably best to try out a few models in the store to get a feel for what you like and don’t like.
If you need a starting point, you’ve come to the right place HP Specter x360 (from $1399). The smooth keyboard with soft backlighting receives rave reviews from users who appreciate the deep and spacious keys as well as the compact design. The trackpad also outperforms many of its competitors, with a large touch area and a satisfyingly firm click. And with two useful levels of backlighting, authors can create their next masterpiece from anywhere.
Most reliable laptop
You don’t want to upgrade a laptop every two years.
In most cases, the brand of laptop you choose will have a greater impact on reliability than the specific model you choose. General durability, customer support, and warranty options come into play in this category.
Apple is known for its excellent support staff, especially since the numerous brick-and-mortar Apple Stores often mean you don’t have to send your computer to the manufacturer for service.
Try the classic MacBook Air (starting at $650) for a laptop that stands the test of time.
A strong PC brand, Asus has helpful customer service representatives and plenty of warranty options, including hardware repair and accident protection, where users can file up to one claim per year for accidents caused by a fall, spill, or liquid damage.
Her ASUS ZenBook 13 (starting at $1,040) meets stringent MIL-STD-810G military standards for durability and reliability, So you know it’s hard. In addition, the notebook was tested in harsh environments, extreme altitudes, extreme temperatures and high humidity and passed all tests with flying colors.
Laptop with the best screen display
Nobody likes squinting at tiny text on a screen that they can barely see. A larger screen is especially important for writers who need to open multiple documents side by side or perform lengthy revisions.
The best prize for premium screen displays goes to the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 7 (from $1040). Whether you’re watching webinars, traveling the world or writing the next great American novel, the Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 7 gives you the choice of multiple displays, including a full HD touchscreen or one with PrivacyGuard for screen security. The cinematic 4K Dolby Vision™ panel features high dynamic range technology that makes shadows and textures appear richer on the 14-inch screen, a benefit for any writer tired of endless fiddling with the brightness settings.
If you need a laptop with a great display that’s easy to transport, this is it Dell The Inspiron 15 3520 (starting at $657) is your best bet. This laptop features a 15.6-inch display with vivid and crisp optional 4K resolution, making the glare-free, wide viewing angle a pleasure.
Best 2-in-1 Laptop
Versatile 2-in-1 laptops give you the flexibility to interview a source with a lightweight tablet in the morning and type your notes on a full-size keyboard in the afternoon.
Frequent travelers and journalists in particular will appreciate how quickly a 2-in-1 laptop can be adapted to their needs at any time.
The HP Elite Dragonfly (starting at $1,399.99) is an easy option for writers whose busy schedules require versatility. It’s not the cheapest 2-in-1 notebook on the market, but the HP Elite Dragonfly doesn’t skimp on high-quality features that make it just as powerful as a traditional notebook. The powerful yet thin and light design is complemented by incredible speakers, a smooth keyboard and an optional 4K display
If you’re looking for a two-in-one device that can support its weight without breaking the bank, check this out Lenovo Yoga Slim (starting at $99) with a 360-degree hinge that allows for both traditional laptop and tablet operation.
Best laptop for entrepreneurs
Many authors consider themselves small business owners. We tap into our inner entrepreneurial spirit to find freelance clients, market our books, and keep our company’s finances in order.
Entrepreneurial writers need a laptop that can keep up with any task, be it creating a promotional video, researching a story, etc Recording a podcast episode.
Apple lovers can’t go wrong with this MacBook Pro (from $1,299.99). This cult favorite has been the top choice for entrepreneurs for years, and for good reason. The MacBook Pro’s high-quality performance, Retina display in a variety of screen sizes (13 or 16 inches!), and outstanding customer support make it a classic choice for business-minded writers – especially with the radically improved backlit Magic Keyboard.
If you are looking for a PC, here are some things to consider Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (from $699). This versatile notebook offers the versatility of a studio And Tablet to help you type, touch, draw, write and work more naturally. In addition, the high-speed storage and performance can help entrepreneurial writers handle all their professional tasks.
Now you have all the information you need to choose the perfect laptop for your writing life, no matter what features are most important to you.
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The original version of this story was written by Ashley Brooks. We have updated the post to make it more useful for our readers.
Photo via Jacob Lund / Shutterstock