Today we’re getting technical. A laptop is crucial for any writer or blogger, but which are the best writer’s laptops and which ones may not be ideal for our purposes?
Recently, I bought a new laptop, and before I acquired it I did some research, looking into features, memory, price, and availability in my hometown versus having to order it online. Luckily, the laptop I wanted – a Lenovo – was sold locally. So, it saved me the waiting time, since now during these times of covid-19, deliveries may take a while before they arrive. Nevertheless, when I looked at the below featured laptops, all had excellent delivery times.
Before buying a laptop, there are several things one has to consider:
- Size
- It has to have a good size. If you need to carry it everywhere, then it should be lightweight and thin.
- RAM
- Random-access Memory, it is the computer’s working memory. It saves temporary data files, in other words, it stores the most frequently used programs and instructions to speed up the process. 4GB is not bad, but in the long term your laptop may get a little slower if you don’t add more memory. 8GB is ideal and the most recommended. If you do a lot of video editing, then 16GB is a better option.
- Random-access Memory, it is the computer’s working memory. It saves temporary data files, in other words, it stores the most frequently used programs and instructions to speed up the process. 4GB is not bad, but in the long term your laptop may get a little slower if you don’t add more memory. 8GB is ideal and the most recommended. If you do a lot of video editing, then 16GB is a better option.
- CPU
- This is the central processing unit. It is responsible for processing and executing instructions. It is like the brain of the computer, since it sends out signals to control other parts of the computer. It performs calculations, actions, and runs programs; so, it basically keeps the computer running.
- Screen quality
- This is also important, since you are going to spend hours staring at your laptop screen. It should be comfortable to use and look at.
- This is also important, since you are going to spend hours staring at your laptop screen. It should be comfortable to use and look at.
- Keyboard quality
- You need to make sure that your laptop has a good keyboard, meaning that the keys have some space around them, which makes fast typing easier. It is also helpful if the keyboard is backlit (but it isn’t an essential requirement), which makes typing in dark spaces less difficult. Avoid the squishy keys, because they can make typing a royal pain in the behind. If you are a writer or a blogger, then you need a keyboard that meets your typing needs and speed.
When I buy a laptop, the keyboard is always the first thing I look at. After that, I check the other requirements.
- You need to make sure that your laptop has a good keyboard, meaning that the keys have some space around them, which makes fast typing easier. It is also helpful if the keyboard is backlit (but it isn’t an essential requirement), which makes typing in dark spaces less difficult. Avoid the squishy keys, because they can make typing a royal pain in the behind. If you are a writer or a blogger, then you need a keyboard that meets your typing needs and speed.
Best Writer’s Laptops
Here are the best laptops on Amazon which meet the above requirements.
Apple Macbook
Although this Macbook is not Apple certified, it is a refurbished item, and it has been tested and inspected by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
Out of 441 ratings, it has received 4.1 stars, which is pretty good.
- screen display: 11.6 inches
- screen resolution: 1366 x 768
- 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz) with 3 MB shared L3 cache,
- 11.6-Inch Widescreen display with 1366 x 768 native resolution, Intel HD Graphics 6000, 4GB LPDDR3, 128GB SSD
- Two 3.0 USB ports; Standard 802.11a, b, g, n airport and Bluetooth 4.0 keep you connected; SDXC card slot; 38 W h Li-Poly Battery ; Thunderbolt port
- Mac OS X
- item weight: 2.3 pounds
Customers reported it to be lightweight and having a long battery life. In general, customers are very happy with this Macbook. Some complained that the computer was locked to a previous user (since it was a refurbished item) and that it had to be returned to fix the issue.
HP 14″ Touchscreen Home and Business Laptop Ryzen
Out of 261 ratings, this laptop has received 4.4 out of 5 stars. The keyboard is not backlit, but Amazon customers report an excellent performance, exceeding expectations, a good laptop for a great price, and great speed, in summary, a laptop that is highly recommended.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Processor (2.60 GHz base clock, up to 3.50 GHz max boost clock, 4 MB Cache, 2 Cores) Smart dual-core, four-way processing performance for HD-quality computing
- 14″ Touchscreen, typical 1366 x 768 HD resolution. Natural finger-touch navigation makes the most of Windows 10. Energy-efficient LED backlight screen
- Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11b/g/n/ac (1×1)(19a) Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 and RJ-45 LAN Ethernet combo.
- Computer Memory Size: 8GB
- Screen size: 14 inches
- Operating system: Windows 10
- Item weight: 3.25 lbs
2020 Dell Inspiron 3000
Out of 27 ratings it has 4.4 stars, and it is also ranked nr. 19 on Amazon in traditional laptop computers. It was designed for top speed and long-lasting performance, which customer reviews enthusiastically confirm.
- Screen size: 15.6 inches
- Computer memory size: 8GB
- Weight: 4.45 lbs.
- Intel 10th Gen Dual Core i3-1005G1 Processor (1.2GHz, up to 3.4GHz, 4MB cache, 2 cores)
- 8GB DDR4 SDRAM, 128GB Solid State Drive, 1TB HDD, Intel UHD Graphics
- 15.6 inch Touchscreen HD (1366 x 768) Display
- Intel 802.11 ac Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.1, Webcam, HDMI, RJ-45
- 2 × USB-Type-A 3.0, 1 × USB Type-A 2.0, Windows 10 Home 64 bit
Keyboard is not backlit; nonetheless, customer report the following: long battery life, fast, good laptop at great price, keyboard has a great touch, and screen display is superb.
Samsung Chromebook 4+ Chrome OS 15.6″
Out of 305 ratings, this laptop has 4.3 stars out of 5. It has been reported as thin and lightweight and super sturdy. It has a good keyboard and touchpad and excellent battery life. One customer commented that he dropped it several times and it is still working (hence, the military grade durability 😉 ).
In general, customers are very happy with this item, commending its speed and performance, but there are some complaints about the screen display (which is “not as good when viewed from a certain angle”), which is the reason this product did not achieve its full 5 stars.
It has also been marked as Amazon’s Choice.
- Large and immersive 15.6” display in a compact frame
- Computer Memory Size (RAM): 4GB
- Screen size: 15.6 inches
- Item weight: 3.80 lbs.
- Military-grade durability
- Ultra-fast connectivity with Gigabit Wi-Fi
- Advanced security with multiple layers of built-in virus protection
- 10.5 hours of battery life
- Google Assistant enabled
Lenovo Ideapad 3 14″ Laptop
My new laptop is a Lenovo, and I love it. It is fast, has a long battery life, and a great performance. It is the first time that I bought a Lenovo, and I am glad I did.
Out of 124 customer ratings, this laptop has 4.1 stars out of 5.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Mobile Processors with Radeon Graphics deliver powerful performance for everyday tasks
- Dolby Audio delivers crystal-clear sound, while the 14-inch FHD screen and narrow side bezels give you more viewing area and less clutter
- Quick and quiet with Q-Control – Effortlessly swap between fast & powerful performance and quiet battery saving mode
- Connect with ease using Bluetooth 4.1, up to 2×2 WiFi 5, three USB ports, and HDMI
- Keep your privacy intact with a physical shutter for your webcam. You’ll enjoy privacy right at your fingertips
- System RAM Type: DDR4 SDRAM
- Computer Memory Size: 8GB
- Screen size: 14 inches
- Display resolution maximum: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Item weight: 3.30 lbs.
Customer reviews report the following: it charges fast, is reliable, powerful, and a good laptop for work and school.
The most critical reviewer gave it 3 stars, which is great! It means that it has no 1 or 2 star reviews. This speaks highly of the product. That customer reported that he had tested this laptop for gaming and his conclusion was that games like Warfare, Fortnite, and Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 can be played on low settings, but that other games such as Call of Duty Warfare may not run that well.
I am not a gamer, but it is still good to know 😉
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop – Amazon Bestseller
Acer has been making a name for itself over the last years, and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint. Out of 6,697 ratings it has received 4.4 out of 5 stars.
- 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
- Windows 10 in S mode. Maximum Power Supply Wattage 65 W
- Computer Memory Size: 4GB
- Screen size: 15.6 inches
- Display resolution maximum: 1920 x 1080
- Weight: 3.97 lbs.
Customers have described the following: “amazing computer that is faster than I could ever have imagined”, good choice for basic computing needs, excellent purchase, good laptop for a great price, very fast, “gorgeous screen”, the best laptop deal … all in all, those are excellent reviews.
Although it only has a RAM of 4GB, some customers have added a memory stick of another 4GB or also 8GB and so increased the memory, which is a simple, effective, and low cost solution.
This laptop is an excellent investment; and based on the customer reviews and the low price, I can conclude that it gives you more than what you pay for.
Final Thoughts
Deciding which laptop to buy always takes a lot of thought. After all, you need a good laptop to do all your work and also use it for streaming, and it is expected to last for years. Although the list on Amazon is much longer, I did not want to overwhelm you with an endless list of items, making this appear like a giant sales pitch 😉 This article was actually inspired by my recent purchase of a much-needed laptop.
After all, laptops provide our bread and butter for us writers and bloggers 😉
The list on Amazon includes many Acers and Lenovos. Seeing how Acer is a bestseller and I bought a lenovo with which I am very happy, I can understand why they are featured.
I hope that this article was helpful. As an Amazon associate, I earn a small commission from any purchase you make via the provided Amazon links in the photos of mentioned laptops, at no extra cost to you. This is how I maintain this website. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments.
Thank you for reading!
Have great tools in your arsenal is really very important and for writers one of our major tools apart from pen and paper is our laptop although, we don’t need high processing speed and large ram to write but it’s good you have a very nice and portable laptop as a writer.
Speed and large RAM come in handy when you are storing multimedia for your blogs and books promos. It all adds up in the end. Book manuscripts are also large files, so I recommend to have a good sized storage. Nowadays there comes a lot more to writing than “just” writing.
Thank you for your comment!
Hi Christine, Great article your have here, if I would have known I would buy one from here, I just bought one a month ago. Very good tool you review here. Thank’s for this information.
Line
Hi Line,
Great, thank you for stopping by 🙂
I have always been a Hewlett-Packard guy. HP have been good to me all these years. But of course there are a lot more choices as you have shown.
Great post Christine!
Joe
Hi Joe,
HP is also a good brand, I agree.
Thank you for your comment!
Your article the best writers laptops really has been beneficial for me, and I have been shopping around checking out laptops the past several months. You see I have always beeen a desktop computer user, so laptops are overwhelming for me. You have given me a much better understanding what to look for, I am a blogger so should I go with the 16GB?
Great choice of laptops and very affordable,
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
16GB is really for a power-user who is doing a lot of streaming, making videos, and gaming. For a blogger, I recommend either 4GB or 8GB.
Thank you for your comment.
I travel a lot so size and weight were very important for me when I purchased my current laptop several years ago. I went with a Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro, and have been very happy with my purchase.
As you mention, the ease of use, especially the keyboard functionality and screen, for a writer is very important. There is nothing worse than looking at a ‘bad’ screen for hours on end, day after day.
Price is also a consideration, and this will determine the amount of memory and speed that is possible.
There are so many great choices available, as you have mentioned. I hope mine will last a few more years before it needs replacing 🙂
Many thanks for sharing.
Hi Andrew,
When you travel a lot, size and weight are certainly very important factors to consider. It’s great that you found a good laptop 😉
Lenovos are great, aren’t they? It’s the first time I am using one and I absolutelu love it! I think I will stick with this brand 🙂
Thank you for your comment!
I have HP laptop at the moment and I use it to write on my blog. So far, I’m very happy with it. However, I would like to try Apple Macbook to see how it feels. Thanks for sharing this list and detailed specifications of each model. It helps a lot to make the right choice. Keep up the good work!
Hi Ivan,
HP is also very good. I’m glad this post was helpful 🙂
Have a great day!