Are you looking for the most affordable writing laptop you can get on a budget? Well, this is not the ultimate list of the best laptops for writers, but if you’re looking for value for your money, then you’re in the right place. SCROLL DOWN to get to the list of laptops that’ll surely be a good purchase.
As you know, writing is a tough gig.
Therefore it is helpful to save money on work-related expenses whenever you can. That said, it is still essential to have a laptop that allows you to be as productive as possible to keep the word processing (and the money) rolling along smoothly.
Style and substance are essential for most writers, so these qualities remain necessary in searching for a new laptop.
Table of Contents
What Specs Do Writers Need In A Laptop?
Several characteristics are unique to professional writing narrow down the search for a laptop. Above all, the laptop should have a comfortable keyboard.
Compact keyboards can be painful to use if writing is an all-day activity for you. Perhaps even consider buying a laptop with a backlit keyboard so bad lighting will not impede you from working.
Additionally, the laptop should be light and portable. This is naturally less important if you like to work from the comfort of your home. Still, if you enjoy working from multiple locations (or wherever inspiration strikes), such as your favorite café, then you will not want to be lugging around a heavy paperweight.
It is also helpful to consider the screen. Ideally, it will be pleasant to look at (if you will be staring at it for several hours each day) with good viewing angles and sufficient size.
Battery life is another portability-related concern, as more computing-intensive laptops tend to have batteries that power out faster. You would not want your battery to die just before you were about to complete an article or book just before a critical deadline!
The Best Laptops For Writers On A Budget In 2023
As this is a list of laptops for writers on a budget, it naturally follows that you do not need to look for top-end specifications (unless you also moonlight as a professional gamer, in which case, read our post about gaming laptops).
It would help if you were looking for a good value for your money at a lower price point. So, to save you the headache of having to slog through reviews (so you can be more productive hammering out your words per minute), here is a list of the best laptops for writers on a budget.
ASUS Chromebook – an affordable writing laptop
This laptop is rated as “Amazon’s Choice” for several good reasons. First, this is a cheap laptop for writers, so it is at the top of this list.
At only 2.65 pounds, it is incredibly lightweight and easy to carry around. It is pretty rugged and durable and claims to withstand a drop of 3.9 feet! It comes with a 1.6 GHz Intel Celeron processor and Chrome OS, so it is sure to operate word processing programs with astonishing speed.
Its specifications are pretty good, with an 11.6-inch screen, 4 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of eMMC storage space. Moreover, you should not have problems running basic applications with integrated Intel HD graphics.
Finally, with 10 hours of battery life, you should complete the article that you are working on before you need to recharge.
Pros Of The ASUS Chromebook
- Lightweight.
- Durable.
- Excellent price.
Cons Of The ASUS Chromebook
- We have limited gaming capability.
- No backlighting on the keyboard.
HP Chromebook
The HP Chromebook also appears on the “Amazon’s Choice” list, and it is easy to see why. This solid setup comes at a reasonable price for those aspiring writers who need quality equipment on a budget.
This sleek laptop is perfect for quick word processing with an entry-level Intel Celeron N3060 1.6 GHz dual-core processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of eMMC storage space. In addition, it has an 11.6-inch screen complete with antiglare protection, which will help when writing at all times of the day.
At only 2.51 pounds, it is also too light and portable. However, the integrated Intel HD graphics are quick enough for writing purposes. Consider this option if word processing is primarily what you need a new laptop for, which most writers do!
Pros Of The HP Chromebook
- Excellent price.
- Lightweight.
- Antiglare screen.
Cons Of The HP Chromebook
- Difficult to attach accessories (such as a printer).
- Specifications are on the low end for gaming.
ASUS VivoBook
This offering from ASUS is small, thin, light, and fast, making it ideal for writing. The sleek grey color is also aesthetically pleasing and looks good when writing in a café or the university library. This setup also has very reasonable specifications, including an Intel i5 Core capable of 3.4 GHz of processing speed, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of hybrid storage space.
It has various connection ports, which will help if you need to attach any accessories to aid you with your work. With a 15.6″ wide and 0.8″ thin build, this laptop has an excellent display and is highly portable (it weighs only 3.7 pounds).
Best of all, it has an 80% screen-to-body ratio, which maximizes your viewing capabilities while minimizing bulk. Consider this setup if you have a tight but reasonable budget and need slightly better specs for your writing assignments.
Pros Of The ASUS VivoBook
- Lightweight and portable.
- Easily upgradable (which removes some of the cons).
Cons Of The ASUS Vivobook
- No backlit keyboard.
- HDD hard drive is somewhat slow.
Acer Aspire E15
The Acer Aspire E15 is a strong offering that combines reasonable speed and specifications at a very affordable price. With an Intel i3 Core processor capable of 2.2 GHz, 6 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of HDD storage space, this computer is sure to run advanced word processing programs very quickly. In addition, at 5.27 pounds, it is in the mid-range of weight yet remains highly portable.
The large 15.6″ full HD screen more than makes up for this slight increase in body weight. One of the most critical advantages of this setup is the claimed 13.5 hours of battery life, and a survey of reviews suggests that this claim holds up reasonably well. Its integrated Intel HD graphics are adequate for basic computing tasks, and it is easily upgradable if your writing career takes off and some extra money rolls in. We like this as an affordable writing laptop.
Pros Of The Acer Aspire E15
- Long battery life.
- Good specifications for a reasonable price.
- Easy to upgrade.
Cons Of The Acer Aspire E15
- It contains an HDD, which is slightly slower than SDD.
Best laptop to write a novel on ASUS Zenbook
Pushing the budget slightly but remaining within a modest price range, the ASUS Zenbook is an excellent laptop for writing tasks like writing a novel. This laptop hits pretty much every box that has been specified in the recommendations at the top of this list. The Intel i7 Core processor, 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of SSD storage space allow it to run fast and efficiently for any potential writing application you could need.
The many connection ports allow several different accessories to integrate with the laptop quickly. In addition, the 13.3-inch display is reasonable if you plan on being on the computer for an extended period.
However, the best has been saved for last, and that is found in its 2.5-pound aluminum build and 14 HOURS of battery life. This setup is highly portable and lasts longer than your next deadline with these qualities. You can undoubtedly be Zen calm while working with the ASUS Zenbook.
Pros Of The ASUS Zenbook
- Lightweight.
- Long battery life.
- Sleek and aesthetic build.
- Perfect for writing a novel because of the high speed and long battery life
Cons Of The ASUS Zenbook
- Graphics are slightly light for the price point.
- The screen is on the small side (but made up for with lightweight).
Lenovo Thinkpad 13 20J1001DUS (Best laptop for writing essays)
The sheer simplicity of many Chromebooks makes them ideal choices for writers. The Lenovo ThinkPad 13 is no exception. Coming complete with all of the essential specifications, this laptop features an Intel Celeron 3855U processor (capable of 1.60 GHz), 4 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of eMMC storage space.
It also has Chrome OS pre-installed, a speedy alternative to Windows. In addition, its weight is impossibly light, the keyboard is highly responsive, and the battery life (which is reasonable) charges quickly. All in all, this laptop represents a common choice for those simply wanting a basic laptop for essential tasks.
Pros Of The Lenovo ThinkPad 13
- Impossibly light.
- Good build quality.
- The keys are very soft and pleasant to type on for long periods, making this laptop perfect for writing essays and doing homework, etc.
Cons Of The Lenovo ThinkPad 13
- The screen is slightly dull.
- The speakers are on the lower end.
Best writers laptop with a higher budget: Microsoft Surface Pro 6
The Surface Pro 6 might not be the cheapest laptop out there, but it is on the “low end of the high end” price spectrum. It also has many attractive features for writers, so it is appropriate to include them in this list. With a 12.3″ screen and a 2736×1824 pixel display, the monitor of this laptop is crisp and sharp.
We rate this as the best writers laptop
Its Intel i5 Core processor (1.3 GHz), 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of SSD storage space make it ideal for completing tasks quickly and efficiently. In addition, its weight is on the low end at 3.53 lbs, which makes it highly portable and easy to carry to your favorite writing spot.
With integrated Intel HD graphics, you should easily carry out many types of advanced word processing tasks (including some graphics work). The touchscreen and surface pen also enhance computing ability for specific writing applications. Consider this laptop if you are on a budget but have an advance coming soon from your editor.
Pros Of The Surface Pro 6
- Sharp display.
- Touchscreen.
Cons Of The Surface Pro 6
- Minimal connection ports.
- This is on the high-end price scale (for laptops on a budget).
Acer Spin 1
Writers need to take notes whenever inspiration strikes, and Acer Spin’s two-in-one design allows for the use of a stylus pen for precisely this purpose. So if you are looking for a writing tool beyond a mere keyboard, give this option a try.
While the processor is on the lower end (Intel Celeron N3350 with 1.1 GHz), the 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage space are both reasonable.
The price is also beautiful, and considering that the stylus pen is included in the box is a significant advantage. The 11.6″ display is somewhat on the small side, but this feature is traded off by making the laptop lightweight and portable. The nine hours of battery life are nothing to forget about either!
Pros Of The Acer Spin 1
- A two-in-one design is ideal for some writing applications.
- It comes with a stylus pen.
Cons Of The Acer Spin 1
- The processor is on the lower end.
- The display is on the lower end.
MacBook Air – best apple laptop for writers
Aesthetically speaking, nothing rivals the MacBook family in terms of standing out while writing at a table in your favorite restaurant. The sleek grey exterior is sure to satisfy, and the highly lightweight build of the aptly named MacBook Air is a beautiful feature.
While Apple is sometimes perceived as selling notoriously expensive products, this setup is the most reasonably priced line. And you certainly get what you pay for! In addition, the 13.3″ display provides good screen quality, and the 12 hours of battery life will keep you typing late into the night.
The 1.8 GHz is quite fast for basic applications, and with the possibility of upgrading this Intel i5 Core, you can even push it more quickly. However, it also has 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD storage space, representing substantial price specifications. In addition, many consider the Mac OS to be more streamlined and fast than Windows, so you can quickly run internet browsers and write applications smoothly.
Incredibly, this only fits into a 2.98-pound build, which makes it extremely lightweight. If you can afford the slightly higher price, you are sure not to be disappointed.
Pros Of The MacBook Air
- Lightweight.
- Aesthetically pleasing.
Cons Of The MacBook Air
- On the pricey side for this list.
Acer Aspire E5: An affordable writing laptop
The final item on this list is another version of the Acer Aspire. The E5 is similar to the E15 but has several other attractive qualities. The 15.6″ screen allows for a full HD widescreen display with excellent viewing angles.
The version reviewed here has an Intel i7 Core processor capable of 2.7 GHz of computing speed, 8 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of HDD storage space.
These attributes make the E5 fast for basic applications and ideal for writers. In addition, integrated graphics cover all of the basics of word processing and simple graphics programs. This setup even has a backlit keyboard! All in all, at this price, it’s a sage decision for a writer on a budget.
Pros Of The Acer Aspire E5
- Excellent value for money.
- Backlit keyboard.
- Fast processor.
Cons Of The Acer Aspire E5
- On the heavy side (7 lbs.).
- HDD instead of SDD.
How To Choose A Writing Laptop
Whether you are a professional writer or only looking to do some basic writing tasks for business or university, hopefully, this list of cheap laptops can point you in the right direction toward a budget laptop that works for you. Consider not only the features you want on a computer but also how long you’ll own it for.
For example, you might save some money today by getting a cheaper one, but if you’re going to outgrow it in a year and have to buy a new one, it probably makes more sense to spend that little bit more today to save yourself from having to upgrade in a year.
Further Reviews
- Laptops For GamingUnder 300 Dollars (Lots of these are great for writing as well!)
- Top Laptops For Animation (for more graphic design and that type of work)
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