The 5 Best Laptops for Writers Reviewed
Long gone are the days where writers would be sat overlooking a lake with nothing but a pen and a notebook.
Gone are the glory days of the typewriter, replaced by the newer, glitzier version.
In 2020, it’s almost impossible to be a writer without a laptop.
We have selected the top 5 best laptops for writers on the market, and reviewed them all here.
If you can’t wait to get writing, our top pick is right below!
We have also created a handy buyers’ guide to help you on your search, and put together an FAQ section to answer any questions you may have.
In a hurry?
Microsoft laptops take our top 2 spots due to the exceptional build quality.
The specifications are excellent on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 and this is why it is top spot!
With a 13.5” touchscreen and running Windows 10, the 11.5 hour battery life is unbeatable. The laptop has fast charging capability and wakes through voice.
Best Laptops for Writers
1. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
This is our top pick despite the $1,399 price tag as we think it is well worth the money.
The laptop screen measures 13.5” and is touch-operated. The laptop weighs only 2.79 pounds, so is lightweight and easy to carry if you travel a lot for work. The storage space is huge, at 256GB and the RAM is 16GB.
The laptop has Intel Iris Plus Graphics and it runs the Windows 10 operating system. It has an Intel core i7 processor. The Microsoft keyboard is an island style.
The laptop has fast charging capabilities and can go from 0-80% charged in 1 hour. There are USB-A and -C ports, studio microphones and the laptop will wake via voice command.
The battery life is incredible at 11.5 hours of use.
Microsoft offers a 1-year limited hardware warranty on this product.
- Clean, elegant design — thin and light, starting at just 2.79 pounds, Surface Laptop 3 is easy to carry
- Choose from rich tone-on-tone color combinations: new Sandstone, plus Matte Black, Cobalt Blue, and Platinum
- Improved speed and performance to do what you want, with the latest processors – Surface Laptop 3 is up to two times faster than Surface Laptop 2
- More ways to connect, with USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting to displays, docking stations and more, as well as accessory charging
- All-day power on the go, with up to 11.5 hours of battery life, Plus standby time when you’re away. Go from empty to a full battery with fast charging- up to 80% in about 1 hour
2. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Coming in at $999 it is cheaper than the Surface 3 but offers most of the same benefits.
The display is 2736 x 1824 and measures 12.3”. It is the most lightweight of our picks at only 1.7 pounds, and is easy to transport. The laptop has 256GB storage and an 8GB RAM.
The laptop has Intel Iris Plus Graphics and Windows 10 like the other Microsoft. This comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and a detachable, island-style keyboard.
This laptop comes with USB-A and -C ports, fast charging and a built-in kickstand. There is a studio mode for writing with a Surface Pen and a tablet mode for versatile use.
The battery life is slightly less than the Surface 3 at 10.5 hours, but is still impressive.
This comes with a 1-year Microsoft warranty.
- Next gen, best in class laptop with the versatility of a studio and tablet, so you can type, touch, draw, write, work, and play more naturally
- Faster than surface pro 6, with a 10th gen intel core processor – redefining what’s possible in a thin and light computer. Display Resolution - 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI)
- More ways to connect, with both USB c and USB a ports for connecting to displays, docking stations and more, as well as accessory charging
- Standout design that won’t weigh you down — ultra slim and light surface pro 7 starts at just 1.70 pounds
- All day battery life up to 10.5 hours, plus the ability to go from empty to full faster — about 80 percent in just over an hour
3. ASUS L203MA-DS04 VivoBook Laptop
This is our cheapest pick at only $289.99 and is a fantastic budget option.
The laptop screen measures 11.6” and has a Tru2Life Video setting to optimize contrast and sharpness up to 150%. The laptop weighs 2.1 pounds so can be carried with ease.
The storage space and RAM are much lower than the others at 64GB and 4GB respectively, but that is not bad for this price point.
The laptop has Intel UHD Graphics 600 and it runs the Windows 10 operating system. It has an Intel Celeron N4000 processor. The keyboard is full-sized and ergonomic, with a 1.6mm travel distance. The battery life is 10 hours.
The laptop has 2 USB-C ports, HDMI port, and a Micro SD port, as well as dual speakers. The laptop has a 180 degree hinge to open flat and comes with a 1-year subscription to Office 365 Personal.
ASUS offers a 1-year warranty on this product.
- Efficient Intel Celeron N4000 Processor (4M Cache, up to 2.6 GHz)
- 11.6” HD (1366 x 768) Display with HD webcam
- Compatible with Google Classroom; run Google Classroom on Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer 11
- 64GB emmC Flash Storage and 4GB LPDDR4 RAM
- Windows 10 in S mode (upgradeable to Windows 10 Home)
4. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop A515-43-R1-9L
Coming in at $359.99 it is a conservatively priced laptop.
The widescreen LED IPS display is full HD and measures 15.6”. It is slightly heavier than the others, at 3.97 pounds, but this is down to the screen size. The laptop has 128GB storage and 4GB RAM.
The laptop has AMD Radeon Vega 3 Graphics and Windows 10. This comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual-Core processor and a backlit, island-style keyboard. The battery life is 7.5 hours.
This laptop comes with USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, built-in stereo speakers, ethernet port, HDMI port, and Bluetooth 4.0.
This comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual Core Processor (Up to 3.5GHz); 4GB DDR4 Memory; 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 15.6 inches full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED backlit IPS display; AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics
- 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports & 1 HDMI port with HDCP support
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Backlit Keyboard; Up to 7.5 hours battery life
5. Lenovo Ideapad Premium
This is our bottom pick as for $599 you are not getting as much as other laptops offer.
The laptop screen measures 15.6” and is less than HD at 1366 x 768. The laptop weighs a large 4.4 pounds, so is not the most portable. The storage space is moderate, at 128GB but the RAM is 4GB.
The laptop has an AMD Radeon 540 Graphics Coprocessor and it runs the Windows 10 operating system. It has a dual-core AMD A9 processor. The keyboard is an island style.
The laptop has 2 USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, headphone jack, media card reader and DVD drive.
The battery life on the Lenovo is appalling, at only 2.5 hours. This is not a good laptop for working while traveling, unless you have access to a power socket.
There is a 1-year warranty on this product.
- AMD Dual-Core A9-9425 Processor, 3. 1GHz Base Frequency, up to 3. 7GHz
- 8GB 2133MHz DDR4 SDRAM, 1TB HDD, DVD RW Optical Drive
- 15. 6" HD ( 1366 x 768 ) Widescreen LED Display, Up to AMD Radeon 540, AMD Integrated
- 1 x HDMI, 2 x USB 3. 0 Type-A, 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack, 1 x Media Card Reader
- Windows 10 Home 64 bit, 802. 11ac, Bluetooth 4. 1, up to 4 hours battery life
Best Laptops for Writers Buyers’ Guide
Price
Depending on the manufacturer, size, and specifications of a laptop the initial cost can vary. Cheaper laptops will still function, and you can write on even the most basic of models.
For a decent laptop to write with, you should budget to spend around $600-700. You can get this down to around $250 if you are willing to look for stripped-back models without additional features.
These laptops are unlikely to be good for advanced tasks such as running video games but should work perfectly well for word processing and writing.
Style
You can opt for the traditional style of laptop with an attached keyboard and screen, or you can buy a convertible laptop. These are also known as 2-in-1 laptops and combine a tablet-style screen with a maneuverable keyboard.
These can often be folded behind the screen so you just have a tablet or can detach completely.
Convertible laptops can be very versatile and portable, but they are often heavy and may even be more expensive than a traditional laptop. Think carefully about what you want and need from your device, and make your decision accordingly.
Storage Space
In modern laptops, the storage space is a lot larger than it used to be. Around 250GB is a good starting point, but you can buy laptops with a much larger internal storage.
You can also buy laptops with SSD drive upgrades and external hard drives to boost your storage space if this is something you require.
Operating System
Windows is the most common operating system as it is very user-friendly and versatile. Microsoft Office Suite is a Windows invention and many people install this for Word and Excel when they are writing.
If these are programs you want to use day-to-day, it would make sense to buy a laptop with a Windows OS.
If you prefer Apple software, go for a Mac OS. This is unique to Apple and works well in conjunction with other Apple products.
If you do not have anything from the company, or wish to use Microsoft Suite, there is very little point buying a Mac OS laptop. Apple has many programs unique to the company which lots of people rave about.
ChromeOS is the operating system unique to Chromebooks. These are less functional than Windows and Mac and are primarily good for just writing.
There are no viruses, malware or bloatware on this OS. If you simply want an electronic record of your writing, Chromebooks can be useful. Chromebooks also tend to be more budget-friendly.
Consider your needs and preferences from an operating system before purchase, and make your decision accordingly.
Battery Life
If you are likely to be working away from home a lot, or travel a lot for your job, we advise purchasing a laptop with at least 6 hours of battery life.
Weight
If portability is an important consideration for you, it is wise to look for a lightweight laptop that can be carried with ease.
Keyboard
As a writer, the keyboard is arguably the most important aspect of a laptop.
Most writers average between 1,000-10,000 words a day and the keyboard is the portal from your brain to the page. This is a highly personal preference and we advise trying a few out before making your decision.
Writers in particular should look for laptop keyboards with a short key travel distance. This is a measure of the pressure required to fully compress the keys and cause the corresponding letter to appear on the screen.
Longer travel distances may not seem like a big issue, but this will quickly build up and work against your writing speed. If you want to be able to write thousands of words a day, look for a laptop with a short key travel distance.
Keyboards with a low travel distance tend to be a lot quieter to type on. If you are working in an office or a coffee shop and do not want to distract others, this is something you may consider.
You can also get keyboards that provide haptic feedback when pressed. This means that there will be a slight vibration when you press a key, to make it clear the keys have been pressed.
Some people like this and others find it an annoyance, so make sure you know which you prefer.
Another good thing to look for in a keyboard is a backlight. If you are writing in low light conditions, this is highly advantageous as it allows you to see the keys without relying on the light the screen emits.
Keyboard Layout
The traditional keyboard layout is called continental, and it is where all of the letter keys slope off at the edges and touch one another.
More modern keyboards tend to be island style, where there is a little extra space between the keys. Each letter is separate, and the keys tend to have lower, flatter tops.
This is simply a matter of personal preference, as both styles are highly functional and easy to use.
Screen
If you are very tactile, you may want to consider buying a laptop with a touch screen. If you like handwriting notes, you may want to look at a tablet with a keyboard attachment rather than a full laptop.
The screen size is important to a writer. Smaller screens mean smaller laptops and increased portability, but offer less space to work in. 13 or 14-inch screens are plenty big enough for writing but are easy to transport.
Larger screens such as 15 or 17-inch are easier to work on but much less portable.
The screen resolution is also important to consider, as this indicates how clear the pictures on your screen will be. HD is 1080 pixels, and most laptops will offer this as standard in 2020.
The more pixels, the more individual pieces of information your computer can display at once.
Laptop screens with higher resolutions will make it easier to work in a split-screen mode, perfect for researching your next piece.
RAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory and this can be accessed and edited at any point, in any order.
It is how electronic data and coding are stored on your laptop. It is temporary storage and is used to power ongoing applications when the laptop is running.
You should look for a laptop with at least 4GB of RAM, although we recommend looking for 8GB or higher.
Processor
A processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) is a chip inside your laptop that deals with system functions.
These include mouse/keyboard input and running applications.
Most laptops contain a multi-core processor – usually either dual or quad-core. Some more expensive models may well have even more than this.
Core i5 and i7 processors are the ones we recommend opting for.
Wifi and Bluetooth Enabled
While you may be hard pushed to find a laptop without Wifi connectivity in 2020, it is still important to check.
Wifi chips can break easily and it is worth looking at the reviews online to see if anyone has experienced issues with the model you are considering.
USB Ports
If you like working with a USB mouse or intend to attach multiple memory sticks to your laptop you must check the USB ports.
These may be too close together to use more than one at a time, or they may be on the wrong side of the laptop for convenient use.
The same applies to headphone ports if you frequently watch videos or like to listen to music as you are working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do writers prefer Mac or PC?
This all comes down to personal preference. Most writing software is available on both PC and Mac so this does not factor into it much.
You can even download Microsoft Office Suite optimized for Apple OS.
Many people prefer the sleek design and user interface Mac computers offer, but they are more expensive. If you are on a budget, we suggest purchasing a Windows PC as these are just as functional. Our picks are all Windows for this reason.
What software do famous writers use?
The most common word processing software are Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Scrivener.
Other notable software includes Vellum, Freedom, Ulysses, Hemingway, and ProWriting.
Google Docs is free, cloud-based software that is ideal for collaborative writing as it allows multiple people editing access. This is ideal for editing and proofing stages of writing.
Microsoft Word is part of the Microsoft Office Suite which comes with a price tag of around $69 per year. Microsoft Word can be harder to use for long documents but is very user-friendly.
Scrivener is a software created by writers and allows you to split your long project into sections for easy editing and manipulation. Collaboration and editing is not as simple as Google Docs, but the writing process is easier. Scrivener costs $49 for Mac and $45 for Windows.
For more information on which software to use for writing, watch this video:
Is it worth buying a laptop bag or carrying sleeve?
Yes. There are plenty of designs, colors, and styles to choose from.
Most will be impact-resistant and waterproof to protect your device as much as possible.
What is the difference between USB-A and USB-C?
A USB-A port is the classic rectangular shaped USB port. It is horizontal and has pin connectors in the bottom and will only function when it is inserted correctly.
USB-C are newer and smaller than traditional USB devices. It was created in 2014 and is slimmer and works both ways up. It can transfer information faster and is designed to replace A, B, mini and micro-connectors.
It is also much more efficient at charging and video transmissions than USB-A ports.