You’re shopping for a writing laptop. And the options… let’s just say they’re overwhelming. And that’s just for the ones you can afford.
Computers for writers come with so many different features. Some have Microsoft 365 included. Others have touchscreens and can convert to tablets.
And then there are Macs, which are in a class all their own.
If you don’t know exactly which features you want (and which ones you can live without), you’re bound to feel lost.
But we can help with that.
Welcome to the AuthorityPub list of the 9 best laptops for writers on a budget.
- Things to Consider When Buying a Laptop for Writers
- 9 of the Best Laptops for Writers on a Budget
- Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD Storage)
- HP 2020 Newest 17.3 Inch Flagship Laptop (16GB RAM, 256GB storage)
- HP 15.6” HD Touchscreen Laptop (8GB RAM and 128GB SSD storage)
- Samsung XE500C13 Chromebook 3 (11.6” display, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage)
- HP Stream 14-inch Laptop (4GB RAM, 32 GB storage)
- 2019 New Lenovo 300e Flagship 2-in-1 Business Laptop/Tablet with 11.6” touchscreen
- HP Stream 14-inch Laptop (4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC storage)
- ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop (15.6” display, 8GB RAM, 128 SSD)
- Samsung Chromebook 3 (11.6” HD display, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage)
Things to Consider When Buying a Laptop for Writers
When shopping for a new laptop, there are a few things you need to take into consideration:
Now that you know what to look for, check out the options below to find the laptop that will serve you (and your budget) best.
9 of the Best Laptops for Writers on a Budget
This is not the time to impulse-shop (as fun as that can be).
You want a laptop notebook for writers that won’t give you buyer’s remorse before the first year is up.
Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD Storage)
At around $750, this is the priciest option but still worth listing here — especially for diehard fans of Apple devices.
If you’re looking for something that will sync with your iPhone or iPad, this is one of the most affordable MacBooks available.
It comes with a backlit, glossy, high-resolution widescreen display and weighs just under three pounds, making it both lightweight and easy on the eyes (in more ways than one).
Pros:
c
Cons:
c
HP 2020 Newest 17.3 Inch Flagship Laptop (16GB RAM, 256GB storage)
This HP laptop has a 17.3 inch display and an 8th Gen Intel Core (i5) processor for fast performance and a 256GB SSD harddrive for generous storage.
It comes with a DVD drive and weighs in at 5.4 pounds.
The RAM has been upgraded from 8GB to 16GB for multi-tasking. And the massive harddrive storage makes it easy to store important data on your device — in case something interferes with your connection to cloud storage.
Pros:
x
Cons:
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HP 15.6” HD Touchscreen Laptop (8GB RAM and 128GB SSD storage)
This HP option has a touchscreen with a 15.6” display and weighs 4.4 pounds.
The 10th Gen Intel Core i3 gives you processing speeds of up to 3.4GHz, leaving behind most other laptops at this price point.
At 4.4 pounds, it’s a bit heavier than most of the other laptops on this list, but it makes up for that with its long battery life, larger display, and ample storage.
Pros:
c
Cons:
c
Samsung XE500C13 Chromebook 3 (11.6” display, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage)
At around $200 and weighing just under three pounds, the Samsung Chromebook packs a lot of value into a small package with a budget-friendly price.
And with up to 11 hours of battery life on a single charge, you can take it anywhere without worrying about where you’ll plug it in to recharge it.
Built-in security features protect this laptop from viruses and malware, while the spill-resistant keyboard protects it from accidental damage from liquids nearby.
Pros:
c
Cons:
c
HP Stream 14-inch Laptop (4GB RAM, 32 GB storage)
This Windows 10 laptop comes in a stunning aqua blue and includes a one-year membership in Office 365 Personal and 1 TB (terabyte) of OneDrive cloud storage.
The battery last up to 9 hours on a single charge.
The DTS stereo sound guarantees a deep bass and clear dialogue for all your entertainment and telecommuting needs.
And at 3.17 pounds, this thin, lightweight laptop is easy to pack for writing on the go.
Pros:
c
Cons:
c
2019 New Lenovo 300e Flagship 2-in-1 Business Laptop/Tablet with 11.6” touchscreen
If you’re looking for a laptop with a touchscreen, and you love the idea of converting it to a tablet, the Lenovo 300e comes with Windows 10 in S mode, which is fast, secure, and energy-efficient.
If you want to use apps that aren’t in the Microsoft Store, you can easily switch from S-mode to Windows 10 Professional for free in Windows settings.
This model weighs 3.2 pounds and has an average battery life of 8 hours. It comes in jet black with a matte finish.
Pros:
c
Cons:
c
HP Stream 14-inch Laptop (4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC storage)
This model has the longest battery life at up to 14.25 hours for video playback and up to 11.5 hours for wireless streaming.
It also comes with a one-year membership to Microsoft Office 365 Personal, with 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage.
The 64GB storage capacity ensures you have plenty of room for the pre-installed apps and for those you install yourself to maximize your laptop’s usefulness.
Pros:
c
Cons:
c
ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop (15.6” display, 8GB RAM, 128 SSD)
The ASUS option features a backlit chiclet keyboard with fingerprint sensor and an exclusive ergonomic design for a more wrist-friendly typing position.
For added peace of mind, the ASUS one-year Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) will repair or replace your laptop in the event of liquid spills, electrical surges, and accidental drops.
Pros:
d
Cons:
d
Samsung Chromebook 3 (11.6” HD display, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage)
For under $250, this Chromebook gives you up to 11 hours of use on a single battery charge, and the anti-reflective finish on the display helps reduce eye strain.
The energy efficient LED backlight means you can keep working even when the lights go off.
The spill-resistant keyboard means you can rest easier about working with a drink close at hand.
And the USB and HDMI ports expand your options for viewing, typing, and storage.
Pros:
c
Cons:
c
Here’s our recommendation for the best laptop for writers on a budget.
Now that you’ve reviewed the options, which laptop stood out as the one with everything you need — at a price you can afford?
After carefully reviewing the nine options in this post, my personal favorite is the HP Stream in aqua blue (The closest second is the Lenovo tablet/laptop convertible).
Though it comes with only 4GB of RAM (adequate) and 32GB hard drive storage, the HP Stream includes a one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal with a terabyte of OneDrive cloud storage.
It also has a 14” display with Brightview for clear viewing — which is essential when you’re spending hours with your eyes glued to the screen. Clear audio is also a priority.
The price (under $300 brand new), combined with its other virtues (including the aqua blue finish), made up for the lackluster storage — at least for me.
You know your budget and your “must haves” better than I do. Whatever you write and however long you spend writing it, I hope this post helps you find a laptop you’ll love.