Bill Roberson / Digital Trends / .

Whether you ’re a web author posting on WordPress on the daily or an parvenue novel writer , you ’ll probably want a laptop to do at least some of your piece of work on . The needs , however , for a author are different than the common laptop categories likegaming laptopsor evenbusiness laptops . A laptop computer for writers does n’t postulate a super high refresh rate , high - powered processor , or any additional furbelow . Itcanhave those , of course , and become a more multifunctional machine , but the core purpose of this laptop computer should be the production of copy , book , and storey .

What follows is our attack to churn the thousands of viable laptop computer out there into a list suitable for those recruit the writing profession or hobby with businesslike fingers and a sound mind . Writing is also a terrible part of our professing , so we have tryout and error to show what works . For example , your romantic visions of sitting in the coffee shop and drop a line for several hourswillcome truthful . However , the bulk of your most productive authorship will almost for sure be done on your homedesktop computer . The follow lean looks for rest between the desires of the laptop writing lifestyle and the reality that follows .

Best Product Promotional Image

The best laptops for writers

How to choose a laptop for writers

At the time of this writing , our guide to thebest laptopspresents four primary factor to focalise on when determining what laptop to get : Performance , Portability , Build quality , and Price . Without a dubiety , those four divisor are still important . For you , they may even be the most important . However , when reckon at laptops for writer as a subset of all laptops , there are some things that hold more conclusion weightiness than they would on another laptops .

Keyboard

This category is not a surprise . What might be a surprise is that it is n’t all about cost and father fancy . While you’re able to publish thousands of row a day on a superbudget keyboardif it feels prosperous to you , there are some thing that might be important to you later on that are n’t obvious now .

Consider what type of writing you ’ll be doing to see if you ’ll want anumpad . Whether you ’re writing out numbers ( $ 149 , was $ 249 ) or closure of data for analysis , straight up numbers are authoritative . But even if you are a sci - fi novelist , the numpad makes keyboard shortcuts easier . For example , you’re able to always do a forked n - dash ( – ) to make an MB - dash ( — ) but is n’t Alt+0151 so much more satisfying ? Not to mention more exact on character counts . depend on your strong point , you may find others that are critical . Have a British editor ? Ask for a raise in Alt+0163 British pounds . If this factor is crucial to you , be warn thatnumpads are rareon laptops .

Mechanical keyboard adherents may detest to hear it , but the traditional tissue layer keyboards ( akachiclet keyboards ) commonly seen on ASUS orHP laptopsare likely the means to go . Mechanical taps might be fun foryouand make you sound productive , but wo n’t make you the most popular patron of the local depository library , coffee workshop , or bookstore . Besides , low - profile keyboardscan be nice in their own right .

Ports

Much simpler than the keyboard , port are still important . You ’re going to want USB - A , USB - C , and HDMI port wine on your laptop computer . Preferably on both sides so you could lay out things in a convenient fashion . For example , if you want anfor a second monitor on the go , ensure you have a USB - C connexion on the side you unremarkably set up your second reminder .

Trackpad

The trackpad can be a shockingly frustrating aspect of written material . pop your pointer over quality words is n’t too bad , but highlighting specific lines in a document can be super irritating if you have to have the primary mouse push down while move the cursor . Many a web writer has made the misplay of admit a Polygonia comma or period in their hyperlink as a solvent of using a spoilt trackpad when they should have been using awireless black eye .

Webcam and mic (possibly)

If writing is a business in addition to a by-line or passion for you , you might want to consider the calibre of your webcam and mic . For instance , if you have a client that likes to skip on a call ( which does happen ) these can be indispensable . But do n’t vex tremendously about this . Many , if not most , of your best client will barely have an inkling of what your voice sounds like . And , unless you work in the unbelievably remunerative Amazon beaut products affiliate niche , your node are unconvincing to manage about your appearance . In other words , a good webcam and mic on your laptop are apossiblenice - to - have , not a must .

How we chose these laptops for writers

The stick with laptops were pick by look for laptops that are high-pitched quality that also punctuate the qualities that we adumbrate above . There ’s also a heavy overlap between the laptops on this lean and our otherlaptop buying guidesthroughout the site . It only follows that the best laptops for writers will be good for other intent .

HP 15.6-inch Touch-Screen Full HD Laptop

While run - of - the - millHP laptopsdon’t exactly turn heads or make for exciting story in the tech reality , if you need to get your point together and just save , that ’s a good thing . This is a serviceable laptop , with an affordable price , comfortable keyboard , and no fancy extras . While you’re able to still well look on YouTube videos on its 1080p silver screen , it is n’t about to become your nextgaming laptop computer , which is at long last a good affair .

If you want a numpad , this is a nice laptop that actually has one without getting stuffy in the keys . This is reach by making the laptop computer bigger than most , nearly 16 inches . This might make distance an issue on small orotund tables at the local coffeeshop but should n’t be a job . You should also know that the laptop computer has the typical lopsided port placement , with USB - A ’s on the left and the USB - cytosine and HDMI port on the right field , so plan accordingly if that matters to you .

MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)

Apple ’s MacBooks are a democratic study and employment simple machine already . They ’ve never been known for being compatible with a broad raiment of game , they run well , and have historically been less computer virus prone than Windows laptops . Among thebest MacBooks , the MacBook Pro 14 - in stands out for its unruffled keyboard and comely power degree . While you wo n’t get as much time value out of the M2 chip as a author as you would in other careers , it will still be valuable for any software you end up using .

For professionals , the 1080p webcam and three - mic array will be appreciated during customer coming together . When you desire to use a secondary monitor , you ’ll apprize the HDMI 2.1 connectivity , at least if you have the rightHDMI cablefor the job . The only downsides to this laptop computer are its monetary value , which is typical of MacBooks in general , and the lack of a numpad ( also distinctive of MacBooks ) . But , at the same time , it has the MacBook quality you ’ve come to expect .

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022)

Writers are increasingly turn to 2 - in-1 laptops for their work as people who have grown up with tab are last needing to type recollective - form document . There ’s been a lot already enjoin about the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 , our top pick among thebest 2 - in-1 laptops . OurMicrosoft Surface Pro 9 reviewpraised it for its purpose , work up , and exchange premium features . It also took a kind look at the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 ’s most important lineament for writers , the Type Cover keyboard .

This keyboard , which is bought separately from the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 will define how you palpate about it . On the one manus , it allows you more keyboard customization than any other laptop as you may buy aof your choice . But , on the flipside , you usuallyhave to , as they ’re mostly sold separately . The power to remove the keyboard at will , however , can save it from the damage that it might otherwise get as you knock it about while using the 2 - in-1 for pad of paper mode .

Dell XPS 13 Plus

Your freelancing , despite how it may feel at times , is a business . As a result , you may think plow yourself to one of thebest business laptops . It is a mellow - timber automobile that is small ( 13 - inches ) and extremely whippersnapper while still compact a biff in the spec section . OurDell XPS 13 Plus reviewhighlights the laptop ’s unequalled pattern , lightweight chassis , and its upgraded ( equate to anterior models ) webcam .

As a writer , you ’ll likely be most interested in this laptop ’s zero - wicket keyboard , which take up the full horizontal quad of the laptop ’s base . The paint look unequalled and alsofeelunique , give you 1 mm of traveling on each jam before giving in to a satisfying clack . Equally interesting is the haptic feedback presented by the trackpad . Once you get used to it , it might help you trace up the cursor better for preciseness copy - and - paste or other edits .

Acer Aspire 3

One of thebest budget laptopsis the Acer Aspire 3 , and it should also mold out quite well for your authorship vocation . It has a thin numpad to the side for when you need it , but wo n’t crowd out the all important alphabetic character if you ’re the character that does n’t care a numpad . We particularly appreciate this laptop computer ’s comprehension of a USB - A larboard on both side , making connections easy and convenient . While authorship is usually software program light , if you do cease up doing software reviews , you ’ll take account the Wi - Fi 6 the Acer Aspire 3 has , but do n’t expect to have a majuscule metre write game limited review on it , as it does n’t have the GPU for gambling . Ultimately , this is a very serviceable laptop that will get the Book of Job done and keep you aside from too many other beguilement .