The writing career mandates a laptop and computer to enrich the skill of writing, be it a blogger, author, or a user who wants to write a novel, a decent laptop for writers is a great assistance to constructing written content in one place.
It is also secure to maintain all your data but choosing the right laptop for writing is essential as not every laptop is suitable for your needs.
However, the good thing is it is not necessary to spend on an expensive machine as writing work does not demand high resources.
Yet when choosing the best laptops for writers on a budget, you must have respectable specifications to run the system smoothly.
Especially if you are someone who has to take notes, below we have covered some of the budget-friendly choices, moreover, before going into details let’s cover the system requirements.
Also Read: Best laptop for bloggers
Minimum system requirement
- CPU: 10th gen intel i3 or Ryzen 3 and above.
- Ram: 8GB DDR4
- Storage Capacity: 256GB NVMe SSD.
- Graphics card: Integrated video card.
- Display size: 12″ to 15″ with Full HD resolution.
- Battery life: 5 hours or above.
Recommended system requirement
- CPU: Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
- Ram: 8GB DDR4 with the upgradable slot.
- Storage Capacity: 500GB SSD.
- Graphics card: Integrated graphics card.
- Display size: 13″ to 15″ with FHD resolution.
- Battery life: Above 5 hours.
Top 6 best budget laptops for writers in 2023
1. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop
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Though writers do not require very high specs machines however this is the best budget laptop for writers in the market right now offering you a strong processor with HEXA core which makes it a value-for-money machine for your writing skills.
The laptop comes with a 14” full HD IPS display, 45% NTSC color gamut with an integrated AMD Radeon graphics card delivering smooth visuals with vibrant and sharp images, the side bezels are very thin letting you enjoy the wide viewing angles.
For good performance on processing, it is equipped with AMD Ryzen 5500U latest processor have 6 cores and 12 threads.
This laptop is in the cheap range offers a very good CPU with the operating system windows 11 lets you explore the latest functionalities.
It is integrated with 8GB DDR4 ram with 3200Mhz speed and 256GB SSD storage capacity, both configurations help the machine to run faster which enhances the activity and productivity of your work.
The Lenovo Ideapad laptop presents a good battery backup of about 6-7 hours on regular usage, definitely the most suitable laptop for authors, writers, and bloggers.
Despite having a sleek bezel laptop built-in with a 720p resolution web camera with a privacy shutter for safety, also it has a better venting system to keep the machine cool during long hours of use.
This laptop is packed with USB 2.0 Type A, USB type C, USB 3.2 Type A, HDMI 1.4b, and SD card reader support.
Also for wireless connectivity you get WIFI-6 and Bluetooth 5.0, overall design wise laptop looks very professional and its weight is around 4.40lb.
Key Features:
- AMD Ryzen 5500U, 6 cores.
- Ram 8GB DDR4 and 256GB SSD.
- Display 14″ with FHD resolution.
- SD card reader.
- Windows 11 operating system.
- Good battery life of up to 4-6 hours.
Cons:
- Average Brightness.
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2. Dell Inspiron 15 5510 laptop
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The Dell Inspiron laptop is quite a popular model for professionals due to its amazing build quality and boosted configuration, if you are looking for a large-screen device then this is the highly competent laptop for authors and writers on our list.
This laptop comes with a very portable prospect, despite including a large screen the weight of the machine is only 3.6lb and the finishing look of the laptop is very attractive.
Under this machine, Dell uses 11th gen intel core i5 11320H processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, which generates a maximum frequency of up to 4.5Ghz and an 8MB cache keeps processing speed faster.
With its 8GB DDR4 ram 3200Mhz speed and 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, delivers pretty good performance for all your writing work and it has an integrated Intel IRIS Xe graphics card to ensure good visuals on your screen.
Additionally, it has a Full HD 15.6” screen with 1920 x 1080 resolution, anti-glare technology, and is designed with LED backlight backing which is good for day-to-day work, also side bezels are very slim and look nice on this laptop.
The machine has the windows 11 operating system which is the latest feature to boost performance, also it has a full-size keyboard with a separate numeric pad having a 1.3mm key travel distance ensuring a user-friendly typing experience.
It is also having SD card reader support and you also get other connectivity chances USB type A 3.2 Gen 1 and USB Type C 3.2 Gen 2 with a display port and HDMI 1.4.
For extra safety features, device is equipped with a Fingerprint reader to keep all your data safe.
Key Features:
- CPU 11th gen intel core i5 11320H, 4 cores.
- Ram 8GB DDR4 and storage 512GB SSD.
- Display size 15.6″ with FHD resolution.
- SD card reader.
- Fingerprint reader.
- Good keyboard.
Cons:
- None in budget.
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Also Read: Gaming laptop vs regular laptop
3. Acer Aspire 5 Laptop
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There are many Acers Aspire variants available in the market and this device is a budget-friendly option for writers who are having very tight funding.
Though there are specs where you have to compromise on this laptop regardless, this is suitable for you due to the SSD drive.
The very thin and lightweight laptop comes with an 82.58% screen-to-body ratio and fits into your backpack easily.
The Acer Aspire 5 powered by AMD Ryzen 3 3350U Mobile processor with Quad core support delivers 3.5Ghz frequency, overall, it’s a decent CPU for writing.
With help of a Full HD 15.6” screen, you can see good images and screen presence, also it has IPS technology which is a great budget option and it has integrated AMD Radeon 6 graphics.
This laptop is designed with 4GB DDR4 onboard ram which is decent for writing skills also there is 1 slot available in this machine, however, the 4GB ram is not very reasonable for heavy applications but it is fine if you only going to do writing on it.
Also, it is equipped with a 128GB NVMe SSD that boosts the system fast and loads the data quickly, again 128GB is ok for writers but not a very high storage alternative, but it is still acceptable at cheap pricing.
This laptop has a very well-made design and comes with a backlit keyboard, it also has a separate Numpad.
The overall keyboard is very responsive making your typing experience smooth, additionally, you have a fingerprint reader for safety.
On the battery front, the laptop gives good battery support for up to 6-8 hours, also it has exciting features such as Alexa and a dual speaker system that gives good clear sound while watching videos.
In this Acer laptop, you get a connectivity USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C, HDMI 2.0, and for internet connection it is equipped with RJ45 LAN and Wifi6.
The overall laptop looks very nice, especially the design is quite unique, the device has a special feature Bluelight shield which keeps you comfortable for long hours in front of the screen.
Key features:
- CPU AMD Ryzen 3 3350U, 4 cores.
- Ram 4GB and storage 128GB SSD.
- Display size 15.6″ with Full HD resolution.
- Fingerprint reader.
- Backlit keyboard.
Cons:
- Storage is only 128GB.
- Ram 4GB is not suitable for heavy multitasking.
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4. HP Pavilion 15 Laptop
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This HP laptop is the latest model and comes with a very rich look it is equipped with the latest hardware that keeps your machine super efficient.
For a good level of multitasking, the laptop has facilitated with 8GB DDR4 ram generates 3200Mhz speed and for saving heavy data there is a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD that allows you to take files back up easily.
Both the memory and SSD keep machine speed intact so you can do your research on topics at the same time write your details without any worry of slowness.
As to complement this ram and NVMe SSD, it is powered by AMD Ryzen 7 5700U processor and comes with 8 cores and 16 threads which have a maximum boost speed of up to 4.3Ghz.
On the display front, it is designed with a Full HD 15.6” IPS screen with 45% NTSC color gamut and 250 nits brightness.
This laptop provides comfortable 178 degrees angle and the side bezels are very sleek that look great on this machine, also you get a webcam to help usable for online meetings.
Additionally, the display gets good support from an integrated AMD Radeon graphics card, it is incorporated with a 3-cell, 41 Wh Li-ion battery delivering a decent battery for up to 6-7 hours, and due to quick charging support device charges up to 50% within 45 minutes.
The HP laptop looks very elegant, also it is built in with good standards of keyboard with Numpad and precision pad is very responsive with good large size ensures comfortable working experience.
It is furnished with ports and connectivity options such as USB type A, USB type C, HDMI 2.0, and micro SD card, overall laptop is quite easy to carry as weighs only 1.75 kg.
Key Features:
- CPU AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, 8 cores.
- Ram 8GB DDR4 AND Storage 512GB SSD.
- Display Full HD 15.6″ with IPS technology.
- Good battery back life.
- Quick charging support.
- Micro SD card.
Cons:
- No backlit support.
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Also Read: Best laptop for lawyers
5. Acer Spin 3 Laptop
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This 2-in-1 device is a great opportunity for writing work and we chose this on our list due to its large storage capacity and its premium adjustability feature, you can write anywhere easily.
Under the hood, the Acer spin laptop has 10th gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 with Quad-core support it gives 1.0 GHz speed at regular and maximum boost speed up to 3.6 GHz.
Overall CPU is good for work such as writing, under this machine Acer uses 8GB DDR4 ram and 512GB NVMe SSD allowing you to store massive writing data in this system.
This SSD also ensures a fast-boosting system starts the machine within seconds, the laptop runs with a Full HD 14” screen that has a 1080p resolution.
This touchscreen device includes IPS backlit technology, LCD display, and integrated shared intel UHD graphics ensuring smooth and fine-quality visuals.
This laptop has great adjustability, especially the hinges are very flexible thanks to the 360-degree system, on the other hand, a 170-degree viewing angle gives a good working experience also you can watch videos on it with comfort.
It is integrated with a 3-cell 48 Wh battery delivering a stunning battery backup of 7-8 hours depending on usage, also it has fingerprint reader support to keep your all writing data safe.
The look of the laptop is professional and the build quality is decent, especially keyboard comes with backlit support which makes it a great pick in the segment.
This Lenovo laptop comes with very well design side bezels and also provides a 720p webcam usable for meetings and classes, also dual stereo speakers create a good sound with a little bass feel.
The laptop is packed with impressive connectivity and ports, including USB Type A, USB type C, HDMI, thunderbolt 3, and a memory card reader making it a good chance for quick data transfer.
Key Features:
- CPU 10th gen Intel Core i5-1035G1, 4 cores.
- Ram 8GB and storage 512GB SSD.
- Full HD 14” screen IPS technology.
- fingerprint reader.
- Backlit keyboard.
Cons:
- None in budget.
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Also Read: Best laptop for playing GTA 5
6. ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 Laptop
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This Asus device is next on this list for the most affordable laptop for writers, this is also 2 in 1 laptop, in case Lenovo Spin 3 is out of the budget then you can consider this Asus VivoBook for your work.
The Asus laptop runs on an 11th generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor comes with dual-core and 6MB cache, it delivers a max increase clock speed of up to 4.1Ghz.
This CPU is a decent option for writers only, for blogging work suggest you try and choose a laptop with 4 cores rather than 2 cores.
This device offers you 4GB LPDDR4X ram memory which is fine for writing and 128GB PCIe SSD storage capacity stores your word files in the system, however, if you work on heavy software this can be a low space.
The display quality of the laptop is good for a budget, Asus laptop has Full HD 14” resolution with small bezels you get 178 degrees wide viewing angles for better visuals.
Additionally, the laptop is slim 18.2mm thin with an 82% screen-to-body ratio, and weight only 3.31 pounds.
The Asus VivoBook has backlit keyboard support which is again a very good feature to have in a cheap laptop and the key spacing is 1.4mm making you comfortable while working on it.
The touch screen laptop gives a very responsive screen you can use the stylus as well to draw any diagram on your writing projects, also it is having Harman quality speakers that create excellent sound around you to enjoy the music while working.
Another unique part of this device is its noise-canceling feature that keeps the background sound away while watching videos and listing to music.
Also, it is packed with a USB type C port along with thunderbolt 4, furthermore, you also get USB 3.2 gen 2, HDMI 2.0, and a micro SD card reader.
Key Features:
- CPU 11th gen Intel Core i3-1115G4, 2 cores.
- Ram 4GB DDR4 and storage 128GB SSD.
- Excellent speakers.
- Backlit keyboard.
- SD card reader.
- Thunderbolt connectivity.
Cons:
- Low storage and ram memory.
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Buying guide- Best laptops for writers on a budget
Purpose
Before diving into things to consider for the budget laptop you need to specifically understand that there are different types of writers and selecting the right device depends on your purpose.
However, if your work is to take notes from someone’s dictation then suggest you read our article on the best laptop for note-taking.
Also, many bloggers do a lot of writing So they too look out for the best laptop for blogging and writing, though some of the listed laptops are good for writing blog content yet you can read our post on blogging laptops to know more details.
Portability
This is a big concern for many writers as if you go for a lightweight laptop there are. chances you compromise with its display.
There is quite a variety of preferences where you get a large screen of 15.6″ and weight is around 1.70 kgs which is pretty much ok.
Keyboard
As a content writer and publisher, you have to use a keyboard all the time so the keyboard of your device actually determines how fast and user-friendly the experience you get and fast typing means you finish all work within the time frame.
The one factor that you must consider is the key spacing of the device it should have between 1.4mm to 1.7mm it ensure good tactical keys that perform your speed faster.
Another thing is to try to go with a backlit keyboard if you work long hours or at late night.
Display size and quality
This is mostly depending on you but if you are a blogger then there are high chances you have to do a lot of editing stuff such as images and sometimes even videos.
For this you should consider a 14 to 15-inch laptop also full HD 1080p resolution is required in today’s modern devices.
Yet if you are dedicatedly looking cheapest laptop and your work has nothing to do with blogs then it’s okay to have an even HD quality screen with a 13-inch size.
Processor
The Processor is always important for a laptop for any work without a good processor you won’t be able to do any tasks properly.
However, the good thing is writers do not need a very high-power processor, if you are not into blogging and content creation then your only work has writing and data entry stuff then the intel i3 from the 10th gen is pretty much ok and if you are looking for AMD CPU then Ryzen 3 does a good job.
Moreover, this is ok for those who are having the lowest budget around 350 to 450, if you can spend on a laptop for writers around 500 dollars and above I strongly suggest you go with Ryzen 5 or 10th gen intel core i5.
Specially AMD Ryzen 5500U Processor is quite a good prospect in the cheap range if your aim is to get a laptop for writing and photo editing then Ryzen’s this variant is highly capable of multi-tasking.
Ram
The random access memory is the other hardware that is essential for your device as this ensures smooth working while using the device.
However here again on a tight budget of around 400, you may have to settle with 4GB ram but this is ok for only writing content on a word file.
In today’s world, your laptop must have 8GB ram so always aspire for this, even if you have a very tight budget.
Additionally, if you are a blogger then 8GB is a must-have feature, as writing is a multi-tasking job where you have to do a lot of research.
For multi-tasking 8GB is a must, if your budget is anywhere above 470 to 500 then you can easily get an 8GB memory laptop.
Also, make sure to keep your eye on memory technology DDR3 is a little outdated and DDR4 is fast.
Graphics card
The writing work is very simple and there is not any task where you need a dedicated graphics card even if you are a blogger you can manage photo editing work with the integrated graphics card.
Moreover for playing games you must have a dedicated GPU but gaming laptops are not optimal for writing work as they are very heavy in-built and also the battery life is a concern in gaming laptops, therefore, ultrabooks and normal laptops are strong contenders for writers.
Storage capacity
If you are a writer and create blogging content then you do not have to save necessarily heavy software.
In this case, 256GB SSD is pretty much fine and in case you can not spend a high price then 128GB SSD is decent.
However, we always recommend 512GB SSD as it allows you to store even heavy files easily and gives maximum space in your system.
Now SSD vs HDD which one to choose is a big concern for many and on a low budget, you can get various options for HDD.
Though HDD gives you very high storage nevertheless SSD is faster than HDD and it is also quite efficient to give you longer battery backup.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest laptop for writers?
There are many variants available in the market that is suitable for writing we have compiled the 6 laptops for writers above, our top 2 picks are Lenovo Ideapad 3 and Acer aspire.
The Lenovo IdeaPad is the best possibility on the budget as it offers you an AMD Ryzen 5500U processor with 6 cores and 256GB SSD storage which is a prominent preference even for tasks like editing photos and videos and bloggers can also utilize it.
Acer aspires, on the other hand, you can consider if you have the lowest budget it has a decent CPU which works fine and due to SSD machine runs faster but again you have to manage with 4GB memory which is not optimal for multi-tasking but it does the job for writing.
Which laptop is best for content writers?
If you are a text-based content creator then you have to do a lot of writing every day in this case with decent specs your laptop must have a good quality keyboard possibly with backlit support.
The Lenovo Ideapad 3 is similarly a fantastic preference for content creators and even for video-based content, it works fine as it has a capable CPU and 8GB ram that run editing software smoothly.
Is Chromebook good for writers?
The short answer is yes they are ultra light in weight, run faster, and gives long battery back up yet in my personal opinion it’s not comparable to laptops.
As laptops always provide you with better storage and Chromebooks are limited to facilities such as Microsoft and you are also highly reliant on the internet, so even though you can consider it but laptops have a little edge over Chromebooks.
Conclusion:
Let’s conclude, in this article, we have covered some of the best laptops for writers on a budget, the writing skills need a decent device to work smoothly you can manage without a dedicated graphics card but you must have a fast processor with 8GB DDR4 ram and SSD drive is a must for functioning.
Portability is important only if you are always on the go whereas solid hardware, build quality and a user-friendly keyboard is needed as they can lift your productivity.
Additionally choosing a laptop also largely depends on your budget yet 450 to 550 is the right kind of spending for a writer’s job, I am sure you have got all answers still if there is any query post it in the comments we will guide you.
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