In a world where smart tech taken a strong hold over the way we work, play, and socialise, having one of the best laptops remains as important as ever, especially for writers. If you spend your days typing away writing articles, proposals, social media content, and any other copy, you need to consider the laptops for writers that compliment the way you work.
Picking the best laptop for writing based on the keyboard is a strong start, but it’s not the only aspect you should be looking into. Yes, typing is the core requirement, but there’s much more that can enrich your day-to-day writing experience. Every writer has a different expectation for performance, so make sure to look up RAM and processors if you want to fulfil your needs from a performance standpoint.
The best laptops for writers at a glance:
• The best laptop for writers overall: Acer Aspire 5 A515-57 Laptop - View at Amazon
• The best laptop for writers with a big screen: ASUS Vivobook 17 17.3in Celeron - View at Argos
• The best premium laptop for writers: SAMSUNG Galaxy Book4 360 15.6" 2 in 1 Laptop - View at Currys
There’s plenty of choice out there where laptops are concerned, with a range of sizes, colours, and new and intuitive features. The likes of the Chromebook, IdeaPad and Surface have all paved the way for the future with touchscreen laptops and super-portable models. There’s something here that writers will really love.
The best laptops for writers 2024:
Please note: All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
The best laptop for writers overall
AmazonThe Acer Aspire 5 A515-57 is a super tool for writers courtesy of a tactile keyboard and a crisp 15.6-inch Full HD display designed to minimize eye strain during extended writing periods. Powered a reliable Intel Core processor, it provides a smooth, efficient performance ideal for multitasking writers.
This laptop is lightweight with an okay battery like of 7.5 hours. Its silent operation and responsive precision touchpad ensure a focus-friendly environment, making it a top choice for writers seeking reliability and comfort for daily typing.
Pros
- Extremely fast and capable thanks to i5 processor and 16GB RAM
- Backlit keyboard is a brilliant addition
- Large, well-designed display
Cons
- Battery life could be longer
| CPU | Intel Core i5-12450H |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB |
| Display | 15.6 inch |
| Battery life | 7.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 36.2 x 1.79 x 23.8 cm |
| Weight | 1.8kg |
- Customer review: “I love the backlit keyboard and it’s super-fast, really pleased so far with the purchase.”
The best MacBook for writers
AmazonThe 2024 MacBook Air 13-inch is a top-tier choice for writers, for a few reasons. You get a redesigned Magic Keyboard for comfortable typing and a vibrant 13-inch retina display that provides stunning clarity, reducing eye fatigue during long writing stints. Its M3 chip delivers exceptional speed and power efficiency, supporting even the most demanding applications if need be.
Ultralight and impressively thin, this MacBook Air boasts a battery life of 18 hours, ideal for writing on the move. With its silent operation and seamless macOS integration, it offers a distraction-free environment that writers will find indispensable.
Pros
- Performance is superb
- Extra-long battery life
- Apple software is a delight
Cons
- 13-inch screen isn’t ideal when there are multiple tabs on the go
| CPU | Apple M3 |
| GPU | 8-core |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 512GB |
| Display | 13.6 inch |
| Battery life | 18 hours |
| Dimensions | 1.13 x 30.41 x 21.5cm |
| Weight | 1.24kg |
- Customer review: “I’ve always had Windows laptops, so I was apprehensive about moving to an Apple MacBook Air, it took a bit of getting used to but it's so much better, lots of great features and it’s blazing fast. I was a bit worried about 8GB RAM but no issues. Very happy with this purchase.”
The best budget laptop for writers
AmazonThe Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is the perfect companion for writers who value speed and simplicity, but also want the best value for their money. Equipped with a full HD 15.6-inch display and a backlit keyboard, it offers a comfortable viewing and typing experience that can extend through those long writing sessions. Its powerful processors ensure smooth performance while navigating between writing apps and web research.
This Chromebook's robust build makes it highly portable, so it's ideal for writing wherever inspiration strikes. The quiet, fan-less design and Chrome OS efficiency create an ideal workspace, essential for productive writing.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Anti-glare, narrow bezel display makes it ideal for all viewing conditions
- File sync means you can access files online or offline – perfect for on the go
Cons
- Battery life is good, not great
| CPU | Intel Core i3-1215U |
| GPU | Integrated Intel UHD Graphics |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Display | 15.6 inch |
| Battery life | 10 hours |
| Dimensions | 36.06 x 1.99 x 23.84 cm |
| Weight | 3.2kg |
- Customer review: “Great laptop, works brilliantly for my Google docs writing. Light and really nice sized screen. I would purchase again.”
The best value MacBook for writers
The 2020 MacBook Air Laptop is a great budget MacBook option for writers. The comfortable Magic Keyboard and 13.3-inch display really stand out and make it ideal for all-day typing. Equipped with the Apple M1 chip, it offers substantial performance, allowing writers to run multiple applications smoothly without running into any trouble.
Its sleek, lightweight design and all-day battery life cater perfectly to writers who need to work on the move. With silent operation and a fanless design, the MacBook Air provides a peaceful environment that helps boost writing creativity.
Pros
- Solid budget option MacBook
- Phenomenal battery life for all-day typing
- Apple quality and performance despite being an older model
Cons
- Still a pricey option, even if it is budget for Apple
| CPU | Apple M1 |
| GPU | 8-core |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Display | 13 inch |
| Battery life | 18 hours |
| Dimensions | 0.41 x 30.41 x 31.24cm |
| Weight | 1.29kg |
- Customer review: “This is my first Apple Mac, I love it. It’s so user friendly, smart looking, and not heavy at all. There’s very fast processing and great security features too. Awesome laptop.”
The best 2-in-1 laptop for writers
AmazonThe Lenovo Miix 520-12IKB is a 2-in-1 laptop that offers exceptional versatility and performance, ideal for writers seeking flexibility and portability. It includes a detachable keyboard and a 12.2-inch Full HD touchscreen that supports a Lenovo Active Pen for easy note-taking and editorial work. Powered by Intel Core processors, it handles writing tasks and can even tackle more intensive applications with ease.
This 2-in-1 design combines the utility of a laptop with the portability of a tablet, making it the logical chocie for writers on the go, no matter where your work takes you.
Pros
- Compact, highly portable
- Best of a laptop and a tablet in one device
- Intel i5 processor is super fast
Cons
- Fan can get loud
| CPU | Intel Core i5-8250U Processor |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Display | 12 inch |
| Battery life | 8 hours |
| Dimensions | 35 x 20 x 8 cm |
| Weight | 1.91kg |
- Customer review: “This laptop is really fast, and you can have several apps open at once thanks to the core i5. It also has a great battery life and fast charging.”
The best premium laptop for writers
Curryswww.currys.co.uk
The SAMSUNG Galaxy Book4 360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop is a top-notch choice for writers who need adaptability and power. It boasts a 360-degree hinge for seamless transformation into tablet mode, ideal for jotting down notes or brainstorming sessions between writing. The 15.6-inch AMOLED display steals the show.
Equipped with the latest hardware for swift multitasking, this laptop runs quietly and efficiently. Its long-lasting battery and comfortable, responsive keyboard make it a reliable companion for day after day of writing. You're getting a lot of power here, so you might not get your complete money's worth if writing is your only need.
Pros
- Impressive 15 hours of battery life
- Intuitive 2-in-1 design
- Lots of power, portable package
Cons
- A lot of power and features if the sole need is writing
| CPU | Intel Core7 150U Processor |
| GPU | 10-core |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB |
| Display | 15.6 inch |
| Battery life | 15 hours |
| Dimensions | 13.7 x 228 x 355.4 mm |
| Weight | 1.46kg |
The best portable laptop for writers
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 11-inch Snapdragon Chromebook is designed for writers looking for portability and convenience. This ultra-compact 2-in-1 device features a detachable keyboard and a vivid 11-inch touchscreen, perfect for typing away on the go. Its Snapdragon processor ensures responsive performance across all your Chrome OS apps, especially when multitasking.
Lightweight yet durable, the IdeaPad Duet 3 is hand made for writers yearning for a mobile workspace. All-day battery life and seamless cloud integration keep you productive and your work secure wherever you are.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight, portable design
- 12 hours battery life is great considering its size
- 2-in-1 build is incredibly handy
Cons
- 128GB storage might not be enough for some
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7C Gen 2 processor |
| GPU | Octa core processor |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Display | 11 inch |
| Battery life | 12 hours |
| Dimensions | 79 x 25.8 x 16.44cm |
| Weight | 0.94kg |
- Customer review: “It runs android and Linux apps smoothly; the keyboard is better than the Logitech on my iPad. Chrome takes some adapting to but I’m starting to prefer it. Battery life is excellent too. I don’t use the stylus much but it’s definitely handy.”
The best laptop for writers with a big screen
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
The ASUS Vivobook 17 with its expansive 17.3-inch display is built for writers who need more screen space for their documents and research. Powered by a Celeron processor, it provides sufficient power for writing software, web browsing, and basic multimedia tasks. The ergonomic keyboard design ensures comfortable typing during short or long writing sessions.
This laptop isn't just about size; it's a laptop that'll last. With a robust build and efficient battery life, the Vivobook 17 is great for writers looking for a dependable workstation that supports their creative process, at home or on the move.
Pros
- Various display modes on a crispy 17.3-inch screen
- Part of a bundle including a mouse and laptop bag
- Solid value for money
Cons
- More RAM would be ideal on a bigger laptop such as this
| CPU | Intel Celeron N4020 processor |
| GPU | Dual core processor |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Display | 17.3 inch |
| Battery life | 6 hours |
| Dimensions | 2.23 x 41.1 x 27cm |
| Weight | 2.1kg |
- Customer review: “First class purchase, Technically, physically, and economically. Easy to use and fast in every way.”
The best laptop for writers with subscription package
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Finished with an expansive 17.3-inch screen, the Acer Aspire 3 Laptop is a fantastic choice for writers who appreciate a larger display for easier viewing and editing of large documents. You get 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage, offering sufficient speed for writing software and simple day-to-day tasks. Its spacious keyboard designed for comfort ensures you can type for hours without strain.
Portability meets productivity in this model, making it suitable for writers who also value mobility. Its sturdy build and long battery life provide the reliability needed for writing at home or while traveling. If that wasn't enough, you get a whole year subscription to Office 360, all included in the budget price.
Pros
- One-year subscription to Office 365
- Very good value laptop
- Wide, sharp, anti-glare display
Cons
- Only 4GB RAM
| CPU | Intel N100 processor |
| GPU | Quad core processor |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Display | 17.3 inch |
| Battery life | 5.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 1.99 x 40.21 x 25.65cm |
| Weight | 2.1kg |
- Customer review: “Excellent value and really easy to set up. Very pleased with this purchase, well worth the money.”
The best touchscreen laptop for writers
AmazonThe Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 stands out as an impressive tool for writers, featuring a super-thin 13.5-inch touchscreen that brings your words to life with vivid clarity and sharp detail. Its responsive touchscreen enhances editing precision, while the latest generation processor ensures seamless multitasking and fast start-ups. The keyboard is purposefully designed for comfort, making long writing sessions more manageable.
This laptop blends elegance with efficiency, wrapped in a sleek, lightweight design that is perfect for on-the-go writing. Its long-lasting battery life guarantees uninterrupted productivity, empowering writers to capture inspiration whenever it strikes.
Pros
- Sleek and sophisticated design
- Fast transfer, upload, and download speeds
- Brilliant for Microsoft Office
Cons
- Unconventional charger won't be for everyone
| CPU | Intel EVO 12th Gen Core i5 |
| GPU | Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 512GB |
| Display | 13.5 inche |
| Battery life | 18 hours |
| Dimensions | 14.5 x 223 x 308 mm |
| Weight | 1.3kg |
- Customer review: "Massively recommended. Windows 11 is amazing and the Surface Laptop 5 is the perfect device. Super quick and powerful, loads of storage, looks great, slim, and feels premium."
FAQs
What makes the best laptops for writers?
While raw processing power and performance aren’t front and centre for the makings of a great writing laptop, there are some other aspects that you definitely need to consider. Display is important for obvious reasons; keep an eye out for anti-glare, different viewing modes and screen size to find a display that suits your writing needs.
A backlit keyboard is always a bonus, more and more laptops feature these nowadays, which is ideal for long days spent typing. Speaking of long days typing, it’s important to consider where you’ll be working from and laptop portability. Lighter units with smaller but richer displays are well suited to when you’re commuting, between offices, or just generally out and about.
You can’t disregard performance altogether, even if the laptop’s sole purpose is for writing. More RAM and a faster processor will contribute to a more seamless, and fluid day-to-day experience. When you start multi-tasking with various tabs on the go, you’ll soon find a laptop with low RAM and a sub-par processor to become tiresome quite quickly.
How much are the best laptops for writers?
You’ll find that all laptops vary in price ranges depending on their performance specs, this is also the case for the best laptops for writers. If you want the bare basics for a writing laptop, you can find options as low as £200. However, if you do want a little bit more power for those writing tasks that require multiple tabs open and performance demanding programmes, you could be looking at between £300 and £700.
If you’re in the market for a writing laptop that has that something extra, like a 2-in-1 tablet, touchscreen, or with even more power capabilities, you may be looking closer to the £1000 mark or more.
Of course, we always urge our readers to keep an eye out for the big online sales events, great laptop deals pop up year after year.
Jack Barrell is a Tech and Fitness Writer for What’s the Best. He is invested in all things entertainment and keeps well up to date with the latest sports and exercise trends too. On his off days Jack can usually be found doing one of two things; lifting heavy weights – or watching his favourite Star Wars for the thousandth time.