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Are you looking for the best budget laptop for writers? Or are you simply looking to upgrade your current laptop without breaking the bank?
Writers can be anyone who writes blog articles, works in the journalism industry, or maybe even an author working on a new book.
Regardless of your background, finding the laptops that best suit your budget should not be as challenging as finding a needle in a haystack.
While some laptops are meant for gaming, programming, and high-intensity work, some are made for writers like us!
I understand the happy feeling when you’re hyped into researching for things you want to buy but end up feeling dizzy.
With endless options available in the market, this guide will help you choose the best laptops for writers without putting a hole through your wallet.
5 Best Laptops For Writers On A Budget
1. HP Chromebook 14
In a nutshell:
- Display & Design : 14-inch screen (HD or Full HD) with anti-glare.
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4000.
- Graphic : Intel UHD Graphics 600.
- Memory 4 GB RAM.
- Storage : 32 GB eMMC storage.
- Battery Life : Lasts up to 13.5 hours.
Kicking off the list of budget-friendly laptops for writers is the 14-inch HP Chromebook.
A Chromebook is an affordable, low-budget alternative to traditional laptops on the market today. It runs on Chrome OS, which was developed and owned by Google and is similar to Windows and Mac operating systems.
One of the features that I love the most is its portability – lightweight and slim. You can pack it up and move it from one desk to another or from one country to another, making it a popular choice for writers who are always on the go.
Another feature that really stands out is its impressive battery life. Unlike other standard laptops, this Chromebook doesn’t require a hardcore processor or graphics card to deliver an optimal function.
Back in the days when I used Windows, it was super frustrating when the battery gave up on me while I was at the edge of finishing my task.
But with a Chromebook, you’ll be just fine. You can rely on the consistent long-life battery usage regardless of the types of tasks you run on it.
The only downside of the Chromebook is the limited storage. It’s meant to be used online rather than offline – a factor that you should look into deeply while you make your comparison with other laptops.
In short, Chromebooks are made for simplicity at the best affordability. Nothing too fancy, but just enough to get things done easily, especially for you dearest writers.
Pros
- Compact size
- Long battery life
- Budget-friendly price
Cons
- Limited storage
- Not powerful enough for heavy workloads
2. Asus Vivobook L210
In a nutshell:
- Display & Design: 11.6-inch screen, HD (1366 x 768).
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 (4M Cache, up to 2.8 GHz).
- Graphic: Intel UHD Graphics 600.
- Memory: 4 GB DDR4 RAM (non-upgradable).
- Storage: 64 GB eMMC.
- Battery Life: Lasts up to 12 hours.
Next in line is the ASUS Vivobook L210. This laptop offers unique features that set it apart from Chromebooks, making it an ideal choice for daily work and productive tasks.
It works very well for simple tasks such as writing Word documents or PowerPoint slides, writing emails, and browsing the Internet. So, for you, dearest writers, this model is a perfect choice.
The ASUS Vivobook L210 has the advantage of having longer battery life than the Chromebook, allowing you to work peacefully when the plug point is out of reach.
The ASUS Vivobook L210’s 11-inch screen has a resolution of 1366 x 768 px and decent image quality.
What I like about this model is the various port connectivity options (e.g., USB ports, a USB-C port, and an SD card slot). It is essential as it will allow you to work seamlessly without any issues connecting to other devices.
The unique thing about this laptop is that you can push the screen to the back, resulting in a 180° lay-flat hinge. This makes it easy for us to share and collaborate with potential clients!
If you’re looking for better storage capacity and durable battery life, then you should consider the ASUS Vivobook L210.
However, if you’re going to do heavier tasks involving photo/video editing, I recommend exploring a more powerful laptop option.
Pros
- Flat lay design
- Long battery life
- Multiple options for port connections
Cons
- Not powerful enough for heavy workloads/gaming
- Small screen size
3. Acer Aspire 5
In a nutshell:
- Display & Design: 15.6-inch screen, Full HD (1920 x 1080).
- CPU: Intel Core i3.
- Graphic: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics.
- Memory: 4 GB DDR4 RAM.
- Storage: 128GB NVMe SSD.
- Battery Life: Lasts up to 8 hours.
ACER Aspire 5 would be one of the good choices in terms of powerful laptop choices.
This laptop model would be on the more luxurious side of the budget range in terms of pricing.
With a higher RAM and CPU speed, this ACER laptop will quickly get you up to speed for whatever backlogged tasks you have on your list.
However, this also means that it has a shorter battery life than the one we have seen above. You may need to carry the charger at all times.
It has a higher storage capacity, making it simpler to store files or images right where you need them to be. There’s no need to buy an extra hard disk to carry around!
Whether you’re in a bright area or a dimmer space, you’ll be happy with the quality of the screen. It has a sharp and crystal-crisp display of 1920 x 1080 resolution, ensuring the best visual experience for you!
The best feature of the ACER Aspire 5? Well, it goes to the voice command. You can ask Alexa easy questions, and you’ll get an answer right away.
Not only will you get a good laptop, but you’ll also get a virtual assistant with it 😉
A pretty good deal, don’t you think?
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Voice Command – Alexa
- High Resolution
Cons
- Battery lasts only six to seven hours
4. Apple 2020 MacBook Air
In a nutshell:
- Display & Design: 13.3-inch Retina display, 2560 x 1600 resolution
- CPU: Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU.
- Graphic: Integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics.
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Storage: 256 GB SSD (configurable to 512 GB).
- Battery Life: Lasts up to 11 hours.
If you have extra cash and you are looking for a long-term, reliable, and steady tool, look no further than the Apple MacBook Air 2020.
Thanks to the Apple M1 Chip, it has a robust system with outstanding performance.
You can do everything from writing to video editing, gaming, live streaming, or multitasking between endless tabs.
Imagine you no longer need to fix all the frustrating issues you have faced with a traditional laptop with this MacBook!
If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, using an iPhone or an iPad, then it is even better. You can sync your iCloud and have access to all important files anywhere you want without having your MacBook with you.
I love how eye-pleasing the retina display is. I usually don’t see a huge difference when I write. But when I do photo-editing, it does give an impression that your image is alive!
On top of that, it has a nice touch to the keyboard and an excellent touchpad.
I’d say that it is well-built for everyone, whether you’re a student, a business owner, an employee, or a freelancer.
Unfortunately, this MacBook Air 2020 has limited port connectivity with only two USB-C ports, so you’ll need to carry a multiport adapter.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact size
- High performance
- Bright and high-resolution screen
Cons
- Only have two USB-C ports
5. Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
In a nutshell
- Display & Design: 15.6-inch screen, Full HD (1920 x 1080).
- CPU: Intel Core i3
- Graphic: Intel UHD Graphics
- Memory: 12 GB DDR4 RAM (expandable).
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Battery Life: Last up to 7.5 hours.
The final one on my list when it comes to budget laptops for writers is the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i.
This one is a charm when it comes to the screen size. It has a widescreen of 15.6″, giving you enough space to work with multiple windows.
While the previous models had unique features, this one stands out with its touchscreen display. Sounds like a good bargain!
You can choose to use the compact touchpad or navigate with your fingers whenever you want.
Port connectivity-wise, it has everything a writer needs, such as USB connections, an HDMI port, an audio jack, and an SD Card Reader.
It weighs approximately 1.8 kg, which is a little heavier compared to the models we’ve seen above. Still, it is comfortable enough to carry around without breaking your back.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i has an anti-glare coating, so if you regularly work in a bright environment, you’ll be doing just fine with this laptop. Less reflection means better visualization.
It’s perfect for digital nomads or remote workers who search for a pleasant and uninterrupted writing experience. As a writer, I think this is a pretty good product for a decent budget.
Pros
- Touchscreen display
- Large screen size
- Anti-glare coating
Cons
- Battery lasts only six to seven hours
- Small touchpad
Now, you know budget-friendly laptop to use for writing
Choosing a budget-friendly laptop comes down to your criteria and preferences, whether it’s design, specifications, or practicality.
I’ve worked with standard Windows laptops, and I’ve also used MacBooks for years. Of course, each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Finding the perfect one will be difficult, but I believe you’ll find the right one to accompany you in your writing journey.
A good laptop makes a good companion, wouldn’t you agree?
FAQ
What laptops do most writers use?
Most of the writers that I’ve met primarily use MacBook Airs as their go-to device and everyday work tool. This is thanks to their compact design and lightweight model.
After moving around and traveling, I would say that most writers are using the Apple ecosystem. It’s perfect for all writers, whether they’re remote workers, travelers, or digital nomads.
I’m using one too!
Why do writers use Macs?
Writers use MacBooks because of their user-friendly interface, which is easier to use than most PCs on the market.
Personally, I switched between MacBook Air and Asus Vivobook. As a writer, I not only love how MacBook is built for creative use, but I also love the fact that the MacBook is super reliable and stable!
It doesn’t require excessive restarting and takes very little time for system updates.
In addition, a MacBook battery lasts much longer than a regular laptop, so that checked one criterion off my list. It is definitely a practical and time-efficient device!
How much RAM does a writer need?
I recommend getting at least 8GB of RAM for a smooth writing experience.
A rocky writing experience will bring you and your work down, impacting the whole task pipeline you have in front of you.
In situations where you are a multitasker or your usage is on the heavier side, then you can opt to go for a slightly higher RAM.
This way, when your workload is busier than usual, you can rely on the laptop to handle the pressure while you work at ease.
