If you are looking for laptops for writers on a budget, you know that it is a struggle. You need to have a laptop that you can afford so that you can make more money. Just remember that you are investing in yourself and in your business.
Additionally, you can usually write your laptop off on your taxes if you are just going to use it for your job. Even so, you want to make a good choice. Writing isn’t necessarily known for being the best paying job, so your money needs to go pretty far. Thankfully, you do have some options.
Contents
Comparison Table
| Product | Memory Size | CPU Manufacturer | CPU Speed | Display Resolution | Screen Size |
| Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop, 15.6 inches Full HD IPS Display | 4 GB | AMD | 3.5 GHz | 1920 x 1080 pixels | 15.6 inches |
| HP 14 inch HD Laptop Newest for Business and Student | 4 GB | AMD | 2.30 GHz | 1366×768 pixels | 14 inches |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ Laptop | 8 GB | AMD | 2.1 GHz | 1920 x 1080 pixels | 14 inches |
| ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop | 8 GB | Intel | 3.4 GHz | 1920 x 1080 pixels | 15.6 inches |
What Is The Best Laptop For Writers? Meet Our Contenders
When we looked at different laptops for word processing, we had to think about a few different things. Obviously being a “writer” doesn’t include one type of work and nothing else. Instead, it requires you to do many different tasks on a daily basis.
As such, we looked for laptops that had good keyboards, decent displays, reliability, and would fit into a writer’s budget.
Here is what we found:
1. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop, 15.6 inches Full HD IPS Display
Acer is a brand name that you can trust when it comes to all computers, including those on a budget. The Acer Aspire 5 Slim is no different. You are going to get a great computer for writers that will give you exactly what you need. If you are willing to go up a bit more, you will get even more out of this line.
| Computer Memory Size | 4 GB |
| CPU Model Manufacturer | AMD |
| CPU Speed | 3.5 GHz |
| Display Resolution Maximum | 1920 x 1080 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Technology | LED |
| Hard Disk Size | 128 GB |
| Item Dimensions | 14.31 x 9.74 x 0.71 inches |
| Item Weight | 3.97 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 10 S |
| Processor Count | 2 |
| RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11ac |
For writing, there is a certain need to have a laptop that is portable and easy to carry, but it still needs to feel sturdy when you are typing. This is one of those laptops. Be sure to keep an eye out for sales and see what you can get bundled with it, but definitely consider it.
Additionally, if you are willing to shell out just a little bit more money, you could get something a bit better from this line.
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Design
The Acer 5 Slim isn’t going to win any awards for the way it looks. This laptop is actually pretty from a technical standpoint however, so it is worth it. The build quality is pretty good, so you won’t have to worry about scratches or breaking something when you go to meet with a client.
It has a silver color scheme standard, but you can buy it with different colors, including a gorgeous red model. As far as the size of this machine goes, it is a slim laptop, coming in at 0.71 inches and 3.97 pounds.
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Ports and Connectivity
As a writer, you will need different ports available to help you get information, save it, and just get work done. You will get pretty many ports with this laptop. In total, you will have a USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port, two USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 ports, a USB-A Gen 2 port, a full-size HDMI port, and a gigabit Ethernet port. That’s enough to get a good deal of work done.
However, you will not get a Thunderbolt 3 port. Wireless connectivity comes from the 802.11ac 2X2 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2, which is good if you plan to write in coffee shops.
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Display
The display has some bezels on the side, which may actually be good for some writers, it just depends on what you like. The bezels here are much larger than what you’d get with other laptops.
There isn’t a touch display, which most writers don’t like anyway since we don’t use our laptops in tablet mode. For the price, however, the display is quite good. While you probably can’t use it to edit videos or photos, it won’t hurt your eyes if you are writing for hours.
It has a 15.6-inch IPS Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) panel, which is much better than some of the other options. There is some muting in the colors, which probably won’t be a problem for most writers either. Even so, you will be able to see about 64% of the sRGB gamut, which is helpful if you are working on ebooks or something that has a color background.
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Keyboard & Touchpad
The keyboard itself matters more than almost anything else for a writer. It is plastic, but it doesn’t have much flex, which is great for writers who are a little bit heavy-handed. The bottom of the chassis is solid and rigid, so you will be able to type on your knees, a soft bed, or a desk.
This is a really impressive keyboard overall. You even get a backlight, which is great for those nights when you need to burn the midnight oil to reach your deadline. The keys are a bit shallow, but the line spacing is good so that shouldn’t slow down your typing or decrease your accuracy. The touchpad itself is pretty good.
It is large enough that you will be able to edit manuscripts. You will also be able to use Windows 10’s multitouch gestures, which isn’t a common feature in laptops this cheap. There also isn’t a Windows 10 Hello feature, which you might find in other laptops in this price range.
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Sound
The audio performance of this laptop is pretty good as well. If you are going to be transcribing conversations or videos, you will have good luck with this one because the mids and highs were strong and the bass was satisfactory.
If you make music or you write music, it might not be the best option out of the speakers. However, it will work with some good quality headphones, so you will still get that experience.
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Performance
This Asus laptop for writers comes with a dual-core Core i3-8145U CPU. This isn’t the fastest CPU, but it doesn’t use a lot of power. Since you will likely just be computing, that isn’t a big deal.
You’ll get 4GB of RAM, which should be enough. As far as storage goes, you should be storing your content off-laptop anyway. If you are looking for a laptop that will allow you to play games after you are done typing out the next great American novel, however, you won’t get that here.
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Battery Life
You will get some great battery life out of this one, surprisingly! If you like to type outside or somewhere outside of your home or near a power source, you should consider this laptop.
You will get 8 hours of battery life, which is somewhat unheard of in this price range. If you mess with the settings and you don’t spend time on the internet, you may even be able to get more out of this.
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Heating & Cooling
One good thing about this laptop is that you won’t have to worry about heating and cooling, particularly when it comes to sitting it on your thighs when you are working. Even when working for hours, it stays cool.
There are some great bottom vents to keep the bottom cool and it has some great fans. However, when the fans are going at full speed, they are a bit loud, so you may want to consider that if you are going to be writing in public.
Pros
Amazing battery life; decent display for the price; comfortable keyboard for all of your typing need; it feels really sturdy; good looking
Cons
Doesn’t have the greatest audio quality from the speakers; loud fans; large bezels around the display
2. HP 14 inch HD Laptop Newest for Business and Student
Overall, the 2020 HP 14-inch laptop is a good option for writers who need a comfortable keyboard, but they don’t tend to work outside of their homes all that often. This is because the battery life isn’t good at all.
| Computer Memory Size | 4 GB |
| CPU Model Manufacturer | AMD |
| CPU Speed | 2.30 GHz |
| Display Resolution Maximum | 1366×768 pixels |
| Screen Size | 14 inches |
| Hard Disk Size | 128 GB |
| Item Dimensions | 12.80 x 8.90 x 0.80 inches |
| Item Weight | 3.24 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Processor Count | 2 |
| RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11ac |
If you want a laptop that you can write on really easily, won’t strain your eyes, and is powerful, this might look like a great option. However, there is one big problem: the battery life isn’t good.
If you are able to connect to a power source for most of your work day, then it is a fine laptop for writers of all kinds. If you aren’t, this may not be the best option for you.
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Design
The design of this laptop isn’t anything that will make it special. It is a generic looking machine that is professional enough for you to take into a business meeting, but it won’t really pull focus.
The case itself is generic with a silver color. There is a bit of a glossy finish that will show some fingerprints. The hinges have some interesting styles and they are a unique shape. The back deck is good and that doesn’t show fingerprints. There are some slim bezels around the screen, so it has an almost seamless look that is great for ebook layouts.
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Ports and Connectivity
For writers who need connectivity, there are some good port options on this laptop. On the right-hand side of the keyboard, you will get a power jack, an RJ45 Ethernet port, an HDMI 1.4 port, two USB 3.1 ports, and a headphone jack. On the left-hand side of the keyboard, you will get a security lock slot, one USB Type-C port, and an SD card slot.
The SD slot is great for those who need to upload images or videos to help them with their writing. However, most writers won’t make use of it.
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Display
This display isn’t all that great either. It is fine. You won’t get a ton of color or brightness, but it is glossy and finger-print resistant. There are some great viewing angles, so if you are a collaborator, you will get some use out of it.
The screen resolution is 1920 x 1080, so the picture quality is good for streaming services and such, but you may have some issues with those darker shows.
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Keyboard & Touchpad
The keyboard is a comfortable, easy to use laptop that won’t cause a lot of hand strain. However, it is a bit loud and clicky, so you may have some issues with noise if you tend to work in quiet environments. T
he keys are backlit for those late night writing sessions and the font on the keys is easy to read. The touchpad is a bit hard, and the discrete buttons require some force to push. You can use two-finger scrolling and three-finger tabbing, however.
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Performance
This laptop comes with 4GB of RAM, which is enough for most writers. As long as you don’t keep dozens of tabs open, you should be fine.
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Battery Life
While the battery life isn’t horrible, it isn’t all that great either. You will be able to use it for about 6 hours before you need to recharge, but you may be able to eek out a bit more if you are just typing in a blank document.
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Webcam
The webcam isn’t all that great here either, especially if you are doing business on this laptop with other writers, editors, or clients. For friendly chats, it will be fine.
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Heating & Cooling
If you like to write on your legs, this is a good laptop for you, heatwise. You won’t burn your thighs even if you use this one for hours at a time.
Pros
Good performance, a comfortable keyboard for lengthy typing sessions, decent display
Cons
The battery life isn’t great and you cannot switch it out; webcam isn’t good at all
3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ Laptop
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is an affordable laptop for writers that has an excellent display, a good keyboard, and a solid build. It has some great performance that you can only get with more expensive models, so if you have the option, take it.
| Computer Memory Size | 8 GB |
| CPU Model Manufacturer | AMD |
| CPU Speed | 2.1 GHz |
| Display Resolution Maximum | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Screen Size | 14 inches |
| Hard Disk Size | 256 GB |
| Item Dimensions | 12.88 x 9.49 x 0.78 inches |
| Item Weight | 3.30 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Processor Count | 1 |
| RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11ac |
If you are on a tight budget but you need a basic laptop for writing, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a great choice. This 14-inch laptop has a sturdy case and a comfortable keyboard that writers will love. It is one of the best laptops in its price range and comes from a brand that you know you can trust.
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Design
The IdeaPad3 is a pretty basic looking laptop. You aren’t going to get anything that sets it apart. The Abyss Blue color is quite beautiful and isn’t common, so that is one option. The Lenovo logo is in one rounded corner. Other than that, it is pretty unremarkable. Everything is made out of plastic.
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Ports and Connectivity
There is a bit of a limitation in your port options, but it isn’t really missing anything other than a USB Type-C port. You do get a pair of USB 3.0 ports, a single USB 2.0 port, an SD card slot, HDMI 1.4 port and a headphone/mic jack. Wireless connectivity comes from Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.1.
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Display
The display isn’t great, but for the price, it isn’t bad. You won’t get anything bright here, even if you turn everything all the way up. You do have a 1920 x 1080, which is actually pretty sharp.
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Keyboard & Touchpad
The keyboard is what really matters to most writers, and this one is one of the most comfortable keyboards you will find. It has curved chiclet-style keys that are well sized and have good bounce back rates. They feel secure when you are typing, which helps to reduce hand fatigue. Line spacing is also pretty great.
Unfortunately, there isn’t any backlight on this laptop, which could be bad for many writers who like to type in the dark. The touchpad is 4.1 x 2.6 inches and is pretty responsive. You will be able to do all of the Windows 10 gestures.
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Performance
Overall, the IdeaPad gives you solid performance for day-to-day actions. It has an AMD’s Ryzen 5 3500U processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics. That’s pretty impressive for the price. While we wouldn’t recommend this for a gamer, for a writer or someone who does basic tasks, it is pretty good.
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Battery Life
The battery life of this laptop is about 7.5 hours, which isn’t too bad. You will be able to get almost a full workday out of it without charging it at all, making it a good option for those who want to write in coffee shops or outside.
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Webcam
You get a basic webcam, but the great thing is that you get a physical shutter so that you can have your privacy.
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Heating & Cooling
Overall, the IdeaPad doesn’t get too warm when you are using it.
Pros
Good performance, strong construction; excellent keyboard; good for the price
Cons
Display isn’t bright at all; no backlighting
4. ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop
The Asus VivoBook 15 is a great option for writers who are looking for a mid-level computer that they can use for writing, browsing the web, and streaming.
| Computer Memory Size | 8 GB |
| CPU Model Manufacturer | Intel |
| CPU Speed | 3.4 GHz |
| Display Resolution Maximum | 1920 x 1080 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
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Design
One thing that you will automatically notice about this laptop is that it is an attention grabber. There are so many different color options and each one is just as beautiful as the next one. It is a fun aspect, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that it is a strong computer.
There are some quirky design choices, including an enter key that is outlined in yellow. The chassis is an aluminum alloy, making it stronger and more luxe feeling than the other options, which are plastic. It is still portable, coming in at just under 4 pounds and 15-inches.
It measures thin, coming in at .63 by 14.1 by 9.2 inches. If this seems too big to you, there is a smaller version in 14-inches. You should note that there are some thin bezels, which helps the screen to look more beautiful.
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Ports and Connectivity
As far as ports go, you will get a fairly healthy selection. On the left side, you will find a USB 3.0 port, a USB-C port, and an HDMI connection. On the right side, you will find two USB 2.0 ports and a microSD card reader. Unfortunately, there isn’t a Thunderbolt 3 port.
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Display
Unfortunately, this isn’t a touch screen.
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Keyboard & Touchpad
Apart from the yellow touches on the enter key, the keyboard is going to be pretty standard. For writers, you will get a comfortable typing experience and a full number pad, which will help with invoicing.
The touchpad itself doesn’t feel that great and is probably the “cheapest” feeling thing on the computer. Still, it works well. One bonus feature here is that you get a build-in fingerprint reader you can use with Windows Hello.
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Performance
The laptop comes with a 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10210U processor, 8GB of memory, integrated Intel UHD Graphics, and a 512GB M.2 solid-state drive. This is a pretty great value for the money.
Everything runs really smoothly and you will be able to keep your tabs open and listen to music or stream content without having to worry about stuttering. It certainly isn’t going to be the most powerful PC on the market, but it doesn’t need to be if you are simply going to write on it.
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Battery Life
With a fully charged laptop and simply writing, you will be able to use this laptop for at least 8 hours. While this may not seem like too long, it will surely get you through the workday. Additionally, the laptop charges quickly, so you won’t have to worry about plugging in for a long time.
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Heating & Cooling
There is nothing really good or bad to say about the cooling and heating system in this laptop. You won’t have to worry about it getting too cold. It is a bit noisy is you start to perform hard-hitting tasks.
Pros
reatest value on the list; good, quick performance; stylish design; extra long battery life; good port options
Cons
More expensive than the other options on our list; only a single US configuration; no Thunderbolt 3
Being a writer requires a great laptop that you can use for long periods of time without hurting yourself, your hands, or making too many mistakes. Thankfully, there are some great laptops out there that will help you to reach your dreams, whether they are simply to make rent next month or to write the next New York Times’ Bestseller.
