Unlike other creative professionals, writers have specific needs when it comes to laptops, and so, therefore, the best laptops for writers must meet specific requirements. Writing on a laptop means staring at it and tapping away for most of the day. Consequently, it’s crucial to have a display that doesn’t harmful affect your eyes. You shouldn’t have a trackpad that’s unresponsive or inaccurate, and the keyboard must be good as well. When you write for many hours on a machine with stiff, shallow keys, you’ll find it much more challenging to stay motivated.
Moreover, The battery life of a laptop is also essential if you frequently travel, while the performance should be fast to get the work done quickly. Your needs may involve something that can make writing more enjoyable or something that won’t bankrupt you. Those who write know how hard it is to replace a computer. As a writer, we all need a good laptop to produce work at the highest level, and this list will help you achieve that. Whatever the case, you will find the right laptop for you in this list of best laptops for writers.
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Top 10 Best Laptops for Writers in 2023
Choosing the right laptop for you can be challenging – we’re not all techies, and selecting one can be challenging! We’ve compiled this list of the ten best laptops to assist writers in this endeavor. Here is our list of the top 10 best laptops for writers:
1Apple MacBook Air (Overall Best Laptop for Writers)
MacBook Air (M1, 2020) has easily been one of Apple’s most exciting laptops over the last few years. There are many great features in the M1, such as the ability to run both legacy apps and M1-optimized apps. In addition to the long battery life, the performance is outstanding. With Apple Silicon, the wedge still has its iconic looks while becoming more powerful and capable. Thanks to its M1 processor and decent memory, the MacBook Air has phenomenal performance. It has been a long since Apple released the slimmest laptop line, but the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) has achieved this goal. It replaced the prior model’s Intel CPUs with Apple’s highly praised ARM-based M1 chip.
- Display: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600p QHD+
- Processor: Apple M1
- Graphics: Apple-designed 7-Core GPU
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
While it isn’t an affordable laptop, it seems overpriced, especially compared with other laptops with similar specs. The laptop’s battery life also seems excellent, and the fanless design is nice because it means it runs silently; however, we have some concerns about the heat management of this laptop. It features an M1 processor with an 8-core processor and a 7-core graphics processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. Dimensions and weight are the same as for the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and 2.8 lbs (1.2 kg) for both the MacBook Air (2020) and 2019 models, as well as for the 2018 Air, which is slightly lighter.
Apple’s 13.3-inch Retina display has a 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution, and a 400-nit LED backlighting system. True Tone technology automatically adjusts its screen’s color temperature based on ambient light. Macbook’s display has always been a center of attraction, and there is no difference with the latest Macbook air. It is an excellent panel with good viewing angles and superior color accuracy, making it a great machine for productivity. The battery life is pretty impressive, and Apple’s claim of 18 hours of run in a single change makes sense. However, it is not precisely 18 hours, but you can easily get more than 10 hours of battery life in a single charge. With the price tag of $1000, this is our primary recommendation for writers.
I Personally Use Apple Macbook Air for my writing work, and it fulfils each & every requirment with an excillent typing experience along with lag-free performance.
2Dell XPS 13 9310 (Premium Touch Laptop for Writers)
Its thin and light cover, which is familiar from this brand of high-end laptops with onboard Intel’s latest processor technology. Dell XPS 13 9310, despite its sometimes clunky design, brings a lot of robust features to the table. It is powered by a powerful quad-core i7 processor with excellent power efficiency, making it the perfect match for Ultrabooks. The laptop is equipped with a 13.4-inch Full HD+ display. The display features Dell’s InfinityEdge technology with 500 nits of brightness.
- Display: 13.4-Inch 1920 × 1200p FHD+ Touch
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1195G7
- Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR4X @4267MHz
- Storage: 512GBGB NVMe SSD
According to Dell, this 16:10 panel has a very high degree of color accuracy and is anti-reflective. It also has an anti-smudge coating that will protect against fingerprints. As mentioned above, the Dell XPS 13 9310 is equipped with an Intel Core i7-1195G7 chip. A hyperthreading processor is intended to run multiple threads on each core to offer the best performance. It has eight cores and HyperThreading. A clock speed of 2.9Ghz and a turbo frequency of 5.0Ghz made this model the fastest in its lineup when it was announced. Operating on the latest Windows 11, it delivers an up-to-date operating system out of the box.
Additionally, the laptop’s keyboard keys are easy to hit, making it the perfect choice for all-day use. They travel well and are comfortable to touch. The Dell XPS 13 9310 sports an integrated battery with 53WHr of capacity and cannot be removed. Using the laptop’s USB Type-C ports, you can charge the laptop with the included 45W AC adapter. You must also consider your brightness levels and what kind of task you’re performing to determine the battery life.
3Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (Best Value Pick for Writers)
This Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a pretty fresh option in terms of specifications. On the front portion, the laptop features a 14-inch display with Full HD 1920 x 1080p resolution. The display quality is good and produces up to 250-nits brightness, which is just fine for indoor usage, and that is what we can expect from a budget laptop. The laptop is powered by the AMD 5000 series Ryzen 5 5500U processor in terms of processing. We already know that it has powerful six cores and 12 threads.
- Display: 14-inch Full HD 1920 x 1080p
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX Vega 7
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
The processor can reach up to 4.0GHz with boosted clock speed, while the base clock speed is 2.1GHz. Further, it has an integrated AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 GPU. Nonetheless, it can handle routine tasks like MS Word, Excel, and other programs but lacks intensive graphics performance. It doesn’t compromise on the memory front as 8GB of DDR4 RAM is installed coupled with a 256GB SSD drive. If you want to increase its storage and RAM, you have additional slots available. In addition, you will be able to work with greater comfort for a longer duration with this laptop’s ergonomic, full-length Standard Notebook Keyboard.
Moreover, this Lenovo IdeaPad runs on Windows 10 Home, a full-fledged version, unlike the restrictions that apply in “S” mode, which we have seen on its predecessor. This will further boost your laptop’s performance. Apart from that, it has all the fundamental ports and an HD webcam placed on the top of the display for video conferencing, working from home, and streaming. Due to its low-powered processor, it propels a decent amount of battery life on a single charge, and on a typical day, you can accept around 7-8 hours of real-world usage battery life. Overall, the laptop is best suited for those with a limited budget under $500.
4Acer Aspire 5 (Best 17-Inch Laptop for Writers)
This model is also appropriate for writers. Its finely tuned design makes it fast, stable, and reliable, making it ideal for editing digital photos and videos as well as for other work-related tasks. The system comes with an Intel processor belonging to the 11th generation. The standard screen size for a laptop is 15-inch, and there are very few 17-inch screens available, but this laptop is one of them. A powerful computing system features an Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU, 16GB RAM, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and a 512GB SSD.
- Display: 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
Compared with standard WiFi (802.11ac), Intel’s WiFi 6 (802.11ax) delivers over three times faster. Even though the Aspire is priced at a reasonable cost with good internals, its design is also exceedingly pleasing to the eye. With a super-smooth surface, aluminum lids hold firmly to the chassis surfaces when closed and look fantastic in hand. As soon as you look at the screen, it is evident that the first thing you notice is its black border around the screen. Despite its size, this laptop is still easy to upgrade since its motherboard is easily accessible.
In addition, it measures 0.78 inches at its thickest point. The overall weight of this laptop is 4.72, which is relatively lightweight. There is an excellent selection of ports in this laptop. It has two USB 3.2 ports, a USB 2.0 port, and a USB-C port for modern devices; you also have two USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.2 ports for peripherals. Moreover, the computer has an Ethernet port for hardwiring, an HDMI port for external display, a Kensington Lock connector, and a jack for earphones. The wireless connection is provided by WiFi 6, which is cutting-edge technology. Overall, this is a very good option for writers in love with a bigger display.
5Lenovo Flex 5 (Portable Touchscreen Laptop for Writers)
With its compact design and many features, Lenovo Flex 5 is worth considering. Featuring a powerful AMD processor and integrated graphics card, this laptop should be able to serve as an entertainment and writing-related task. It comes in a sleek silver metal case designed to match its predecessor’s angular, modern design. A 14-inch Full HD display panel offers a standard resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The display provides excellent viewing and color calibration, making it ideal for productivity tasks, including video/photo editing, Photoshop, Filmora, etc. In addition to display and 16GB RAM, this laptop features a 256 GB SSD card.
- Display: 14-inch 1920 x 1080p Touch
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX Vega 7
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
As we discussed, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor is housed inside this laptop with an integrated AMD Radeon RX Vega 7. The provided chipset offers a 6-core CPU with a base clock speed of 2.1GHz. At the same time, burst Mode allows it to clock up to 4.0GHz when running demanding applications. Generally, there are good gap dimensions and good artistry. Due to its metal construction, the case is extremely warp-resistant. You can even hold this laptop with one hand. Regarding the design, the laptop measures 12.11 x 9.01 x 0.70 inches, and its weight is 3.3 lbs.
Moreover, it provides you superfast connectivity with WI-FI 6 and Bluetooth 5, and it will give you a high-quality display. The ports on the device are spread out across the left and right sides. There is also a USB power supply and DisplayPort 1.2 support. The USB Type-C port transmits data at 10 GBit/s. MicroSD cards can also be inserted into the device via the SD card reader. It has a very long battery life, lasting up to 8 hours. The fast charging functionality lets this device change around 80% in 1 hour of charging. All in all, Lenovo Flex 5 is an excellent option for writers looking for a touchscreen laptop.
6ASUS VivoBook 15 K513 (Gorgeous OLED Screen)
ASUS also makes laptops that are perfect for writers. Asus’ latest VivoBook laptop continues Intel’s legacy as a powerhouse in budget-to-midrange PCs. This metal stand under the keyboard makes it easier to use the touchpad and type, while it also acts as an additional stable platform. In addition, this keyboard is unbeatable in terms of quality. The ASUS VivoBook K513 Ultraportable weighs 3.97 pounds and is lightweight enough to keep up with your busy lifestyle. The front side is surrounded by a gorgeous 15.6-inch Full HD OLED screen at 1920 x 1080p resolution.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- Graphics: Intel Iris XE Graphics G7
- RAM: 12GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
A large NanoEdge display on the ASUS VivoBook 15 lets you immerse yourself in your work or entertainment. The display has an extensive viewing angle of 178 degrees with the NanoEdge display. This laptop is powered by the Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor and 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage onboard. It has a backlit keyboard, ideal for working at night and in dimly lit areas. This one-piece keyboard is ergonomically designed, offering a comfortable typing experience thanks to its 1.4 mm key travel and sturdy construction.
In addition, there are reversible USB C 3.2 ports on this laptop, as well as type A and type C USB ports and HDMI capabilities. Considering the budget price point, consumers may be surprised at how fast the processor is. As a budget laptop, the ASUS VivoBook K513 delivers impressive performance and visuals, whether for work or any writing task. Its price tag of $800 truly justifies what you are getting at this price range.
7ASUS Laptop L510 (Cheapest Windows Laptop for Writers)
The Asus L510MA-DS04 is a powerful laptop for writers, with full Windows 10 compatibility (S Mode) for the same price as a Chromebook. It’s a very creative device with features like a lightweight body shell, decent battery life of 10+ hours, and a proper 15.6-inch display. This laptop is entirely made out of plastic, all the way around. As a result, it can remain quite portable even with the thicker layer, at only 3.59 lbs pounds and 0.67 inches thick.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB eMMC
Although the display has a bit of a glare, we found it bright enough to be perfect for writers. A matte finish makes it ideal for working outdoors, and it boasts an FHD resolution (1920 x 1080p). Along with 1.4mm key travel, there is a minimal tactile response on the keyboard, and the keys are pretty light. Despite being otherwise plain, the Enter key is colored in luminescent yellow and adds a little bit of style to this plain keyboard. When you keep things light, you’ll have a battery life of 11 hours which is great for a mid-sized battery. It has an 84% screen-to-body ratio.
Further, you have a good range of ports on this laptop, including USB 2.0, USB 3.2, USB Type-C, HDMI, audio jack combo, and micro-SD card. In addition, it has a WiFi 5 (802.11n, 802.11ac), a webcam mounted above the top bezel, and a lot of wireless connectivity options. In addition to their usefulness for docking all your peripherals, all of these ports will make your life easier. In the case of a budget-conscious writer who requires a 15-inch laptop, the Asus L510MA-DS04 should meet all your needs.
8Acer Swift 3 (Best Budget Laptop for Writers)
If you are looking for the best laptops for writers running on Windows OS, you can also go for this one. With an affordable price and exceptional performance for its midrange price, the Acer Swift 3 (SF314-43-R2YY) is an excellent writing laptop. The most noteworthy features are Ryzen 7 5700U’s long battery life and lightweight material. The Swift 3 line of laptops boasts a simple design with a silver hood that blends in with the Acer logo at the center. Aluminum and magnesium are used to make the machine’s exterior. With the lid open, you can see the metallic finishes continue onto the deck, and the keyboard’s keys blend in nicely.
- Display: 14-inch 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
- Graphics: Radeon Vega 8
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
It is powered by the Ryzen 5700U (octa-core) processor and equipped with 8GB of memory and 512GB SSD storage. The Acer Swift 3 SF314-43-R2YY can handle multiple tasks well. With its long-lasting battery, the Swift 3 will absolutely blow you away. With fast charging, your swift 3 can last for up to four hours from a 30-minute charge. There is a black chin with an illuminated Acer logo and skinny bezels around the screen. As a result, the Swift 3 is significantly lighter than any other laptop with the same specs, weighing just 2.65 pounds. With a slightly larger footprint, it measures 12.71 x 8.53 x 0.63 inches.
It comes with a 14-inch FHD display that’s pretty dim and flat. Acer’s Swift 3 SF314-43-R2YY packs a nice-sized keyboard capable of handling typing comfortably. There is no numeric keypad, and its palm rest is small, but these are typical of 14-inch and smaller laptops. The silver 4.2 x 2.6-inch touchpad on the Swift 3 offers decent scrolling and controlling the cursor. Being a Windows machine, it runs on Windows 10 operating system out of the box with an activated license key. After considering all the pros and cons, this is a recommended laptop for writers under 800 dollars.
9Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 (Best Chromebook for Writers)
A stunning Chromebook from Lenovo, the Chromebook Flex 5 (82B80006UX) is perfect for writing. The laptop would be an ideal match for anyone needing a thin and light laptop on a tight budget. The 13.3-inch 2-in-1 laptop is not the best choice for tablet use, but it offers other versatile modes thanks to its ability to function as a tablet. Despite its size, this laptop uses space well. The speakers are at the top, the bezels around the screen are thin, and the graphite grey looks more appealing than most. With dimensions of 12.2 x 8.43 x 0.67 inches and a weight of 2.97 pounds, the Chromebook 13 comes as one of the most portable laptops you can buy for writing.
- Display: 13.3-inch 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Processor: Intel Core i3-10110U
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 has a screen with a 1920x1080p resolution that looks good but doesn’t blow you away, particularly it’s color reproduction. In addition, it has reasonably responsive and accurate touchscreen functionality. Combined with the ample travel resistance and the ample spacing between the keys, you’ll enjoy a pleasant typing experience at work. This keyboard has a trackpad that is quite reliable and easy to use. In the lower-left and lower-right corners, the left and right buttons are present.
In terms of performance, Lenovo’s Chromebook 82B80006UX shines with its stunning multi-tasking skills. Multitasking on this operating system is easy with the quad-core Intel Core i3-10110U paired with 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, and integrated graphics. As a result, Chromebooks are no longer mere alternatives to traditional laptops; they can perform most tasks, provided the apps that are used on Chrome OS can run on these devices. Overall, this could be a great option for writers having a limited budget and who don’t want to compromise on performance. As we know, Chrome OS is a very light OS, which doesn’t require too many resources. Hence, restricted hardware can produce buttery smooth performance.
10Dell Inspiron 15 5510 (Best from Dell)
The Dell Inspiron 5510 is an affordable option with an Intel Core i7-11300H processor, making it a decent machine. It has the ability to multitask work and writing. A classic yet contemporary color, Platinum Silver is the exterior of Dell’s Inspiron 15 5510 laptops, while it has a subtle interior that makes for an eye-catching contrast. With narrow borders and a compact body, it has a generous screen-to-body ratio and offers a pleasant viewing experience. Performance for everyday tasks is amazingly smooth due to collective hardware efforts.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Processor: Intel Core i7-11370H
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce MX450
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
The display is 15.6-inch with a 1920 x 1080p FHD LED backlight and a narrow border. Even if the laptop is off or hibernated with a lid-open sensor, it will restart when opened. In addition, a fingerprint reader can verify identity quickly using Windows Hello for quick logins. The wide pitch of the keyboard, the expanded keycaps, and the large touchpad provide plenty of room for navigation. In addition, the 1.3mm key travel keeps your device thin and trim while providing a satisfying typing experience.
It also packs a dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX450 GPU to handle the graphics performance with 2GB GDDR5 VRAM. Therefore, it shouldn’t be any problem to run video editing applications. Furthermore, it has 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage, ideal for boosting performance and storing large files. The device has connectivity options such as WiFi 802.11ac. In addition, four USB ports are present, including Type A (USB 3.2 Gen 1), Type C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Thunderbolt 4 (USB 3.1 Gen 1), HDMI, Multi Card Slot, Headphone, and Mic Combo Jack. In conclusion, this is a value-for-money productivity machine that can also help with other power-intensive tasks along with writing.
Buying Guide – How to Choose a Good Laptop for Writers in 2023?
For a laptop to be compatible with writing, certain features must be present. If you’re looking for a laptop, it is important to keep these requirements in mind. With the proper knowledge, you’ll be able to make a wise choice. Now, let’s look at the features that are absolutely essential to this project.
Processor & GPU
The processor is a very crucial component of any type of laptop. However, you don’t need a powerful processor for writing content, but it is essential to pick a laptop with an updated chipset. As a result, we advise you to go with the 11th generation Intel Core i5/i7 chip or AMD Ryzen 5/Ryzen 7 variant from AMD 5000 series. Apple brings the latest M1 chip, a powerful ARM-based CPU, and excellent power efficiency for MacBook lovers. Regarding the GPU, an integrated GPU is more than sufficient for content writers.
Display
An eye-pleasing & comfortable display is essential for writers. The display emits harmful radiation that can cause severe eye damage. The average writer spends a lot of time writing. It must have a display that is as bright and colorful as possible. As well, the screen of the laptop should be eye-protecting. The screen will provide writers with the comfort they require for longer writing sessions.
Keyboard & Trackpad
Writing is an intuitive process where ideas come at any time for passionate writers. A backlit keyboard is therefore vital to allowing you to type comfortably at night on your laptop. Furthermore, a laptop should be comfortable and smooth to use. If the key taps can be heard, it must be silent so that you or others are not bothered.
Portability & Design
Travel is often an essential part of writers’ jobs. It is common for many writers to write outdoors. To make laptops portable, they must be light. Writing is made more comfortable by the portability of the equipment. The laptop will be easier to carry around and easier to travel with.
In terms of design, You should choose a laptop that has an average size. There must not be too much space between each field because this will be difficult for the writer to read. On the other hand, if the laptop is too large or too heavy, that will make transporting it and moving with it difficult. Whenever a writer is looking for a laptop to purchase, these aspects must be taken into account, and then they can choose a laptop that is a good size and comfortable to carry out their tasks effectively.
Battery Life
Many writers choose to write while sitting in nature with their laptops. At that moment, the writer may be able to go on for hours if he/she has the right intuition. Thus, you must choose a laptop that has long battery life. You won’t have to worry about charging longer with this battery. Writing can be very beneficial when this factor is present. As a result, they will have peace of mind knowing that the laptop will not die during the writing process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a dedicated GPU on a laptop being as a Writer?
Not at all! You don’t need a dedicated GPU for just writing work. But if you also do some additional work, such as video editing, professional photography, or any other graphics-intensive work, only then you can think of a dedicated GPU on your laptop.
Final Verdict
Our favorite laptops for writers are listed above. Choosing the right laptop can help you achieve your writing goals. You will hopefully become more productive and comfortable while writing with them. Writers will benefit significantly from the combination of a comfortable keyboard and an extended battery life. If you are interested in knowing our opinion, our primary choice would be Apple Macbook Air M1. This is a complete package for writers with a glorious QHD+ display to reduce eye strain, a powerful M1 chip, and excellent metal body construction.
Being a writer, if you pick this laptop, I don’t think you will ever regret your choice. Apart from that, if you are used to with Windows eco-system, Dell XPS 13 is an excellent Windows alternative to Macbook. However, it is a bit costly. But the kind of experience it delivers, the price worth it. Other affordable options are always there if you have a limited budget. Personally, I believe that you don’t need to spend more than $1000 if you need a laptop for just writing. You don’t need heavy resources for just typing words. Acer Swift 3, Lenovo Ideapad 3, and Asus L510 are more suitable options in different price segments.
Moreover, you should keep in mind that whatever laptop you choose should have a comfortable keyboard and a decent-sized trackpad. The good thing is that all the above-listed laptops fulfill these criteria. I am myself spending many hours in writing can understand your requirements. So, I have come up with the idea of the best laptops for writers. Hopefully, we have helped you decide on the right option for your writing profession.
