The Best Laptops for Writers: Portable, Powerful and Ready for your Next Bestseller
Dear fellow writer,
As a writer myself, I know that our most important tool, after our brain of course, is our laptop. It‘s our portable workstation, idea repository, and the birthplace of our literary creations. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best laptop to bring your words to life?
Having the right laptop is crucial. You want something that is portable enough to carry to your favorite coffee shop, but with a keyboard that is comfortable for hours of typing. You need a screen that is easy on the eyes, and battery life that can keep up with your creative flow. And of course, you want enough power to run your favorite writing apps smoothly.
I‘ve done the research and hand-picked the best laptops for writers at every budget. Whether you‘re a bestselling novelist, freelance journalist, or aspiring blogger, you‘ll find your perfect writing companion below. Let‘s dive in!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Apple MacBook Air (M1)
The MacBook Air with Apple‘s M1 chip is a dream machine for writers. It‘s incredibly thin and light at just 2.8 pounds, yet packs enough power to handle any writing task with ease. The 13.3-inch Retina display is gorgeous and easy on the eyes, while the backlit Magic Keyboard is a joy to type on for hours. With up to 18 hours of battery life, you can write all day without worrying about finding an outlet.
Pros:
- Incredibly portable and lightweight
- Exceptional battery life
- Beautiful Retina display
- Comfortable backlit keyboard
Cons:
- Only two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports
- No touch screen option
Specs:
- Display: 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone
- Processor: Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB or 512GB SSD
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
Best for Power Users: MacBook Pro 16-inch
If you need more screen real estate and raw power, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is the laptop for you. With a blazing fast 8-core processor, dedicated graphics card, and up to 64GB of RAM, this machine can handle heavy-duty tasks like video editing and gaming, in addition to writing. The 16-inch Retina display with 3072×1920 resolution provides ample workspace, while the 6-speaker sound system immerses you in your creative zone.
Pros:
- Large 16-inch Retina display
- Powerful performance for intensive tasks
- Excellent speakers
- Dedicated graphics card
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavier at 4.3 pounds
Specs:
- Display: 16-inch Retina display with True Tone
- Processor: 9th-generation 6-core Intel Core i7 or 8-core Intel Core i9
- RAM: 16GB up to 64GB
- Storage: 512GB up to 8TB SSD
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M or 5500M
- Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
- Weight: 4.3 pounds
Best Budget Option: Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
You don‘t have to break the bank to get a capable writing laptop. The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 offers excellent value with its 13-inch Full HD touchscreen display, comfortable backlit keyboard, and speedy performance, all for under $500. It runs on the streamlined Chrome OS, so it boots up fast and is easy to use. Plus, it convertible design lets you use it as a tablet for drafting ideas or annotating edits.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Portable 2-in-1 design
- Responsive keyboard
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Limited storage
- No advanced features like fingerprint reader
Specs:
- Display: 13.3-inch Full HD touch display
- Processor: Intel Core i3-10110U
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
- Weight: 2.97 pounds
Other Great Options
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
The Surface Laptop 4 is a sleek, portable 13.5 or 15-inch laptop ideal for writers who prefer Windows. Its stand-out feature is the gorgeous high-resolution PixelSense touchscreen display with a productivity-friendly 3:2 aspect ratio.
LG Gram 14
At just 2.2 pounds, the LG Gram 14 is one of the lightest laptops around, perfect for writers on the go. Despite its featherweight build, it still fits in a roomy 14-inch display and provides up to 18.5 hours of battery life.
Asus Zenbook 13 OLED
The Zenbook 13 packs a vibrant OLED screen into a compact 13-inch size – great for writers who want a ultra-vivid display for distraction-free focus. The ErgoLift hinge tilts the keyboard at a comfortable typing angle.
Key Considerations for Writers
When shopping for a laptop as a writer, prioritize these key factors:
- Keyboard comfort – Look for well-spaced keys with decent travel and tactile feedback. Backlit keys are great for late-night writing sessions.
- Display – Aim for a screen that is at least 13 inches with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 or higher. Consider a matte screen to reduce glare during extended writing sprints.
- Portability – Choose something lightweight (under 3 pounds is ideal) with a thin profile that you can easily carry around.
- Battery life – Opt for laptops with advertised battery life of 10+ hours so you can write for a full day without hunting for an outlet.
- Storage and memory – Get a laptop with a solid state drive (SSD) and at least 8GB of RAM for best performance. 256GB of storage should be enough for most writers.
Must-Have Writing Accessories
Enhance your laptop with these writer-friendly peripherals:
External keyboard – A full-size, ergonomic keyboard can do wonders for your wrists during marathon writing sessions. Consider a mechanical keyboard for the ultimate typing feel.
Portable second monitor – Expand your visual workspace on the go with a USB-powered portable monitor. More screen lets you view reference material alongside your draft.
Blue light filtering glasses – Protect your eyes from digital eye strain during extended screen time.
Laptop stand – Elevate your laptop screen to eye level for better ergonomics. Your neck will thank you after hours of writing!
External storage drive – Regularly backup your precious drafts on a rugged external SSD or hard drive. Don‘t let tech failure destroy your masterpiece.
The Bottomline
The best laptop for a writer is one that gets out of your way and lets you focus on your words. It should be powerful enough to run your favorite writing programs quickly, portable enough to carry anywhere inspiration strikes, and comfortable enough to use for hours on end. Whether you choose a MacBook, Windows laptop or Chromebook, make sure it fits your unique needs and budget.
I hope this guide has helped you find the perfect laptop to bring your writing dreams to life. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out. Happy writing!
