Perfecting the page: The best laptops for writers

A laptop is a writer's best friend. Here are the some of the best that money can buy.

Best laptops for writers

by Jack Barrell |
Updated on

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

Description

The 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

The best MacBook for writers

Description

The 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

The best budget laptop for writers

Description

The 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

The best value MacBook for writers

Description

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

The best 2-in-1 laptop for writers

Description

The 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

The best premium laptop for writers

SAMSUNG Galaxy Book4 360Currys
Price: £1149 (was £1499)

www.currys.co.uk

Description

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

The best portable laptop for writers

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 11in Snapdragon 8GB 128GB ChromebookArgos

Description

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

The best laptop for writers with a big screen

ASUS Vivobook 17 17.3in Celeron 8GB 256GB Laptop BundleArgos

Description

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

The best laptop for writers with subscription package

Acer Aspire 3 17.3in 4GB 128GB Laptop + Microsoft 365 BundleArgos
Price: £249 (was £289)

www.argos.co.uk

Description

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

The best touchscreen laptop for writers

Description

The 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

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.

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