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Best Laptops for Writers On a Budget – Overview
The best laptops for writers should meet certain metrics beyond a functional keyboard, adequate storage (RAM & ROM), and a good processor, just like other professional content creators have specific needs in a laptop.
Since most writers spend a huge chunk of their day staring at the screen and tapping away, the laptop must have a screen that’s easy on the eyes and an ergonomic keyboard.
So what if you’re on a budget? In that case, it might be hard for you to get a laptop that ticks all the boxes.
Fortunately, in this review, we have compiled a list of the best PCs for writers on a budget. We have listed laptops below the $500 threshold; read on to find out more.
Best Laptops for Writers On a Budget | Processor | GPU | RAM | Display | Storage | Battery Life | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acer Aspire 5 | AMD Ryzen 3 | AMD Radeon Graphics | 4GB DDR4 | 15.6" Full HD IPS Display | 128GB SSD | At least 10 hours | 3.97 pounds |
ASUS Chromebook Flip | Intel Core m3 | Intel UHD Graphics | 8GB DDR3 | 14" Full HD NanoEdge Touchscreen | 64GB eMMC | At least 10 hours | 3.31 pounds |
ASUS VivoBook 15 | 10th Gen Intel Core i3 | Intel UHD Graphics | 8GB DDR4 | 15.6" Full HD Touchscreen | 128GB SSD | At least 8 hours | 3.7 pounds |
HP 14 2021 | AMD Athlon Silver | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB DDR4 | 15.6" Full HD IPS Display | 256GB SSD | At least 10 hours | 3.24 pounds |
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 | 10th Gen Intel Core i3 | Intel UHD Graphics | 8GB DDR4 | 15.6" HD Touchscreen | 256GB SSD | At least 8 hours | 3.3 pounds |
1. Acer Aspire 5
Acer is a brand you can trust when it comes to laptops, including the budget models such as the Acer Aspire 5. The Aspire 5 is a superb piece of machinery ideal for all your writing needs.
This laptop is visibly stunning thanks to its Full HD (1080p) display, and it will protect your eyes because it has Acer’s BlueLightShield technology and Color Intelligence.
The Aspire 5 packs a lot of power under the hood, such as an AMD Ryzen processor and AMD Radeon Graphics. This means you can get all your tasks done fast and easily.
Key Features Include:
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 3
- GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ Full HD IPS Display
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 10 hours
- Weight: 3.97 pounds
See Also: Best Acer Chromebooks
2. ASUS Chromebook Flip
The Asus Chromebook Flip is an amazing budget laptop if you’re a writer and comfortable switching from Mac or Windows OS.
The Chromebook Flip spots an Intel processor, Intel graphics, and eMMC storage.
What’s more, the Chromebook Flip has been touted as the best Chromebook if you want Chrome OS but can’t afford the steep price of the Google Chromebook.
Key Features Include:
- Processor: Intel Core m3
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 8GB DDR3
- Display: 14″ Full HD NanoEdge Touchscreen
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Battery Life: At least 10 hours
- Weight: 3.31 pounds
See Also: Best Asus 32GB Ram Laptop
3. ASUS VivoBook 15
The Asus VivoBook 15 is an amazing budget laptop for writers thanks to its 10th Gen Intel processor, Intel UHD Graphics, and SSD storage.
Everything on this machine runs smoothly, and you’ll be able to work and listen to music without worrying about stuttering.
The VivoBook 15 is certainly not the most powerful laptop on the market, but it doesn’t need to be because you’ll be using it for writing and not a photo or video editing.
Key Features Include:
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i3
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ Full HD Touchscreen
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 8 hours
- Weight: 3.7 pounds
See Also: Best Chromebook for Business
4. HP 14 2021
The 2021 HP 14 is an amazing budget laptop for writers who need a powerful machine that won’t strain their eyes and has an ergonomic keyboard that’s easy to write on.
The 2021 HP 14 has better RAM than the 2020 model coming in at 8GB. This allows you to open multiple browser tabs and applications without so much as a glitch.
The onboard 256GB storage might seem on the lower side, but note that this is an SSD (solid-state drive), which means faster data access and start-up times.
Key Features Include:
- Processor: AMD Athlon Silver
- GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ Full HD IPS Display
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 10 hours
- Weight: 3.24 pounds
See Also: Best HP Laptops Under $1000
5. Lenovo IdeaPad 3
If you’re on a budget and need a laptop purely for writing, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is one of the best options out there.
This machine has sturdy chassis and a keyboard that you’ll l love. What’s more, it has a 15.6-inch touchscreen display that’s good for your eyes.
The battery life on the IdeaPad 3 is about 8 hours which isn’t too bad. So you’ll be able to get through almost a full day without needing to charge it.
This is one of the best laptops for the price, and it comes from a reliable brand.
Key Features Include:
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i3
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ HD Touchscreen
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 8 hours
- Weight: 3.3 pounds
See Also: Best Lenovo Laptops Under $1,000
Final Thought
To sum it all up, as a writer you need a laptop that you can use for extended periods without your eyes aching.
Fortunately, there are some good budget laptops out there like the one illustrated above that will be easy on your eyes and give you the productivity you need.