Best laptops for writers 2024

The best laptops for writers let you plop down on a couch and type away during any given workday, and there are plenty of options to get the job done, each with its advantages and disadvantages. 

You'll generally want a portable laptop with a comfortable keyboard and solid performance to run all your text editing and planning software with ease. Another must-have for writers is excellent battery life so your laptop can keep up with your late-night or travel work. Some of the best on this list can even last as long as 15 hours, and for some, that's a necessary part of their purchasing decision.

Not all writers have the same needs, so we've curated a selection to best fit your demands. We review more than 100 laptops a year, so if you need something that can balance gaming and writing, something that won’t break the bank with its price, or maybe even a 2-in-1 laptop for extra versatility, you'll find it here. 

There are even laptops that compromise between each of these categories, with some fine for light gaming with more of a focus on writing or some great at gaming yet still functioning well for productivity. 

Regardless, this list of the best laptops for writers will help you find a suitable device.

CURATED BY
Claire Momo Tabari
CURATED BY
Momo Tabari

Momo Tabari graduated with a bachelor's degree in Journalism & Media Studies at Brooklyn College and has been covering tech for four years. She has written over a hundred reviews and has plenty of experience testing and critiquing laptops.

Quick List

The best laptop for writers in 2024

Why you can trust Laptop Mag Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best overall laptop for writers

15 hours of battery life is long enough to get you through writer's block

Specifications

CPU: M3 8-core CPU
GPU: M3 10-core GPU
RAM: 8GB, 16GB, 24GB
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Display: 13.6-inches (2560 x 1664)
Size: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches
Weight: 2.7 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Outstanding battery life
+
Strong performance
+
Bright Liquid Retina display
+
Comfortable keyboard
+
Improved SSD speeds

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited ports
-
Display not as colorful as competitors

The Apple MacBook Air M3 is one of our best overall laptops, and we cannot recommend it enough. It provides performance, portability, and long battery life, with a satisfying keyboard and stunning 13.6-inch display.

On the Laptop Mag battery test, which involves continuous web surfing over wifi at 150 nits, The MacBook Air M3 lasted 15 hours and 13 minutes, far longer than a standard workday. Longevity is one of the top priorities when determining what makes the best laptop for writers. 

It needs to be able to sustain you on the go, and no matter if you're working longer hours than expected and don't have an outlet nearby, the relief you'll feel from knowing your laptop can last more than 15 hours is unbeatable. MacBooks are perfect for this, and the company has only gotten better, with the M3 lasting a whole hour longer than the M2. 

MacBooks are notorious for their great-feeling keyboards, and if you want a springy and quiet one to keep your fingers happy while typing the day away, look no further. This is all alongside your documents looking fantastic on the 13.6-inch Retina display.

As for performance, the MacBook Air M3 decimated the premium laptop average with its Geekbench 6 overall multi-core score of 12,087 and still holds its own today. It also boasts staggering SSD speeds, managing 3,031 megabytes per second in our file transfer test. It even has spatial audio capabilities and a smooth trackpad. Plain and simple, all of these features make it a great overall pick for writers.

See our full MacBook Air M3 review.

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Best budget laptop for writers

College students will love its affordability

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i3-1215U
GPU: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB SSD
Display: 15.6nch, FHD IPS Touchscreen (1920 x 1080)
Size: 14.2" x 9.39" x 0.79 inches
Weight: 3.7 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Potent AI-infused performance
+
Great keyboard
+
Sturdy design
+
Super affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Just over 8 hours of battery life

While premium features are excellent, all you need to write is a great keyboard and enough processing power to run some of the best writing tools comfortably. It's safe to say that most people looking for a good laptop for writers want something that lets them get their work done without spending much money, especially if you're in college and don't have the cash for the other choices on this list. 

Thankfully, you can get all you need and more without demolishing your wallet. The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is just $399, making it one of the most affordable laptops for writers. But don't let the Chromebook Plus 515's low price fool you. 

This budget-friendly laptop delivers great value and more than enough performance to meet a writer's demands. The display is bright, clear, and vivid, and there are plenty of ports for a mouse or an external hard drive. The top-firing speakers are also perfect for writers who need background noise to get in the zone.

It's also not much of a surprise that it has a lightweight Intel Core i3-1215U processor. While this is a couple of generations old, it's fitting that on the Geekbench 6 overall performance test, it managed a multi-score of 5,052. This is below the 5,246 Chromebook average, but it's hard to argue with its price point.

The chiclet keyboard might not be fancy, but it delivers an excellent typing experience. The keys are snappy and responsive with white backlighting and comfy but clear lowercase white legends. Overall, it's hard to go wrong with the Chromebook Plus 515. The only downside is its battery life, which could have been higher but lasted over eight hours in our tests. 

See our full Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review.

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Best keyboard for writers

The best keyboard on this list is on the ThinkPad

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5-10310U; Core i7-1355U
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 256GB; 512GB
Display: 14-inch, 11920 x 1200-pixel touchscreen
Size: 12.7 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 2.4 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Surprisingly lightweight
+
Class-leading keyboard
+
Great battery life
+
Fast SSD

Reasons to avoid

-
Middling performance

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon’s secret ingredient is its keyboard, which has remained unchanged for years because the snappy, tactile key switches are a signature of the X1 Carbon line. The X1 Carbon Gen 11 also boasts an impressive battery life of 13 hours and 45 minutes on the Laptop Mag battery test.

On the Geekbench 5.5 overall performance test, its multi-core score of 8,628 is solid and beats the premium laptop average of 7,768. It also benefits from an incredible SSD transfer rate, which can be excellent for moving files around. It duplicated 25GB of multimedia files in 16 seconds at 1,704 megabytes per second, far above the average of 1,382MBps.

However, its long battery life and solid performance make it no surprise that it makes sacrifices in some avenues. Its 69 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut is significantly below the 94 percent category average, and if you're a stickler about color depth, you won't be satisfied watching movies on it. It's also relatively dim at 327 nits of brightness, again falling behind the average of 391 nits. You'll have to give up color and luminescence for its incredible battery life.

Like most ThinkPads, the X1 Carbon can survive harsh conditions, as it’s been tested against 12 military-grade durability tests. Despite that rugged weight, it only weighs 2.5 pounds and is just 0.6 inches thick. So it's a good choice for writers on the go. Although the X1 Carbon Gen 11 starts at a premium price, it’s worth it for the keyboard alone. But it's not just the keyboard; add the lightweight but durable design, solid performance, decent battery life, and the X1 Carbon feels like a value.

See our full Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (11th Generation) review.

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Best 2-in-1 laptop for writers

My favorite laptop ever

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7-1360P
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 14-inch, OLED, 2880 x 1880-pixel touchscreen at 90H
Size: 12.5 x 9.1 x .6 inches
Weight: 3.09 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Breathtaking 2.8K OLED display
+
Great productivity performance
+
Decent battery life
+
Blisteringly fast SSD

Reasons to avoid

-
Display brightness is good, but not great

Lenovo's Yoga 9i Gen 8 is a serious improvement over the previous generation. It has a gorgeous OLED display, excellent performance, and decent battery life, making it a great option for writers who want a 2-in-1 platform. 

While it isn't our first pick as the best laptop for writers, it is important to remember that it is personally my favorite laptop. With its clicky keyboard, sturdy chassis, and awesome display, I have loved using it to write. In fact, it is our best 2-in-1 laptop

It also has a solid longevity of 10 hours and 10 minutes, and while that's pretty good, it's nowhere near some of the other laptops on this list (with the MacBook Air M3 going above 15 hours).

We normally advise writers searching for laptops to focus less on-screen color. Still, if you want the best of both worlds, its OLED display channels a mouthwatering 142.1 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, absolutely demolishing its competition in panel vividness. While its 353 nits of brightness aren't quite as high as some might like, it's still bright enough to take on the go without issue.

It's also especially important that 2-in-1 laptops are sturdy, as feeling like they might snap from the slightest movement can give you an anxiety attack. Luckily, the Yoga 9i's aluminum chassis is so rigid (in a good way) that I'm never worried when placing it in diverse positions.

Our only complaint about this 2-in-1 is that the display could be a bit brighter, but it's easily one of the best laptops out there for writers who need a 2-in-1 that can keep up with all of their daily needs.

See our full Lenovo Yoga 9i (Gen 8) review.

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Best high-end laptop for writers

A great choice of productivity speeds

Specifications

CPU: Intel 13th Gen Core i7-13700H
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU (6GB of VRAM)
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD
Display: 16-inch, 2880 x 1800-pixel 120Hz Super AMOLED 2X
Size: 14 x 9.86 x 0.65 inches
Weight: 3.95 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Stunningly accurate 16-inch AMOLED display
+
Sub-4 pound weight
+
Full-size keyboard and massive trackpad

Reasons to avoid

-
Below 10 hours of battery life
-
Disappointing webcam

Samsung's super-charged Galaxy Book 3 Ultra comes with an Intel 13th Gen H-Series CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU while keeping the laptop below 4 pounds. This portable powerhouse is the thinnest and lightest RTX 40-series laptop we've reviewed so far, which does mean it has a bit less battery life than some of its competitors on this list.

The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra averaged 9 hours and 3 minutes on the Laptop Mag web surfing battery test. But it will absolutely crush any task you can set before it in that time, though heavy GPU use will mean even less battery life. So if you need to travel or work long hours, this may not be the best laptop for your workflow.

On the Geekbench 5.5 overall performance test, its Intel Core i7-13700H processor achieved a multi-core score of 12,212. This is quite a bit better than the premium laptop average of 10,621, and frankly, it's on par with some of the best scores you can get from 13th-generation Intel processors. You won't have to worry about productivity speeds with this beast.

And, of course, as this is built with an RTX 4050 graphics card, you can expect decent budget gaming performance. On the Assassin's Creed Valhalla test at 1080p, it managed 54 frames per second at the highest graphics. If you mostly stick to indie titles or older games, this GPU has you covered. New games won't run perfectly, and you might have to make sacrifices for high performance, but it should still be able to handle it.

The only other problem with the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra is its starting price. At $2,199, this lightweight, high-performance laptop can easily break the bank. However, for writers, this beast boasts enough power and portability to be a great pick for those who can afford it.

See our full Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra review.

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Best gaming laptop for writers

Perfect keyboard in a fantastic gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
RAM: 16GB of RAM
Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Display: 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, IPS, 165Hz
Size: 14.3 x 10.25 x 0.86-1.05
Weight: 5.5 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptional performance
+
Decent color and brightness
+
Sturdy chassis and hinge
+
Perfect keyboard
+
Highly affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Subpar battery life
-
Grainy webcam

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is not only one of our favorite budget gaming laptops, but it is also perfect for writers. It boasts superb RTX 4070 performance that outperforms its many competitors without a sweat, alongside excellent productivity scores to satisfy your needs in everyday tasks.

Of course, a vital aspect of any laptop for writers is the keyboard, and you will not be disappointed by the Legion 5 Pro, as it boasts my favorite keyboard ever. In fact, I wrote a piece describing it as my keyboard soulmate. Between the touchpad, the arrow key nook, and only 1.5mm of key travel, it stands out and excels as one of the best for quickly getting work done without feeling slowed down by awful design.

And if you want something great at gaming and writing, this hits a perfect balance. Its RTX 4070 graphics card performed the best when compared to RTX 4070 GPUs on competitors. It managed 110 frames per second in Borderlands 3 when compared to the Razer Blade 14 (98 fps), Origin EON16-S (106 fps), and MSI Katana 15 (99 fps). It also beat these laptops in Red Dead Redemption 2, Metro Exodus, Dirt 5, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Grand Theft Auto V. It was defeated once by the EON16-S in Far Cry 6.

While the Legion 5 Pro doesn't have the best display, it is surprisingly high quality for a laptop at this price point. It also has a remarkably powerful audio system. With an AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, this laptop also has excellent non-gaming performance. It achieved a Geekbench 6 score of 13,063, took only 4 minutes and 5 seconds to convert a 4K video into 1080p resolution through the HandBrake app, and has 2,150 megabytes per second transfer rate. Its performance is unbelievable.

See our full Lenovo Legion 5 Pro review.

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How to Choose the best Laptops for writers

Do your intensive daily workloads require more RAM than the average Joe? Are you a video editor who needs extra storage? Are you a power user who wants a beefy GPU? Sorting through the best laptops to fit your lifestyle is a tricky business.

Budget: What you get for your money

You can find decent Windows laptops and high-quality Chromebooks for under $500. However, better mainstream laptops usually cost more than $700, and premium Ultrabooks can run for over $1,000. The best gaming laptops can cost $2.000 and up, but you can play the latest titles at decent frame rates on gaming laptops under $1,000.

Screen Size: 12 to 14 inches for portability

Knowing a laptop's screen size tells you a lot about its portability overall. If you want to use your computer on your lap or carry it around a lot, go for one with a 12, 13, or 14-inch display. If you want to use the computer on tables and desks and won't carry it around much, a 15-inch model may give you more value. Some gaming rigs, media machines, and workstations even have 17- or 18-inch screens, but those are the hardest to carry.

Design: 2-in-1 or Clamshell?

More and more of today's laptops are 2-in-1s with screens that either bend back 360 degrees or detach so you can use them as tablets. If you like the idea of using your laptop in slate mode for drawing, media consumption, or just standing up, a 2-in-1 could be for you. However, you can often get better features or a lower price with a traditional clamshell-style laptop.

Battery Life: 9+ Hours for Portability

Battery life matters unless you plan to use your laptop only on your desk. Even in the home or office, having plenty of juice enables you to work on the couch or at the conference table without being chained to the nearest outlet. We recommend getting a laptop that lasted over 9 hours on the Laptop Mag Battery Test for the best portability. The longest-lasting laptops endure for up to 15 hours.

How We Test the best laptops for Writers

We put each laptop through extensive benchmark testing—both synthetic and real-world—before we send it to our reviewers. We evaluate each aspect of the laptop, including its performance, battery life, display, speakers, and heat management.

In our benchmark testing, we use a Klein K10 colorimeter to detect the laptop's display's brightness and sRGB color gamut. For performance testing, we run the laptop through a gauntlet of benchmarks, including Geekbench 5.5, 6.1/6.2, and 3DMark professional graphics tests. 

To determine real-world performance, we task the laptop to convert a 4K video to 1080p resolution and duplicate a 4.97GB multimedia file. Our real-world graphics test is Cid Meier's Civilization V: Gathering Storm benchmark at 1080p resolution.

We also run heat tests by playing a 15-minute full-screen video and measuring temperatures in different areas of the laptop. Last but not least, our battery test consists of continuous web surfing over wifi at 150 nits of brightness. For MacBooks and premium Windows 11 laptops, a runtime of over 9 hours is considered a good result, whereas gaming laptops and workstations that can stay powered longer than five hours deserve praise. 

We complement these tests with extensive hands-on testing from our reviewers, who critique everything from the laptop's materials to the feel of its touchpad.

See this page on How We Test Laptops for more details on our benchmarking procedures.

Why Trust Laptop Mag

Laptop Mag reviews over one hundred different laptops yearly, from paperweight ultralights to everyday workhorses to lumbering gaming notebooks that scorch the frame rates of even the hottest AAA games. We're not just experts in the laptop field; we go one step further by meticulously testing smartphones, tablets, headphones, PC accessories, software, and even the latest gaming. 

We are 100 percent independent and have decades of experience to help you buy with confidence. In fact, Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing products for three decades and continues to deliver trustworthy reviews you can rely on. 

Our experienced team of writers and editors scour the available information about the laptop and put it through its paces to determine which is best for you. But before they start, the testing team subjects each system to a rigorous regimen of synthetic and real-world tests to see how a system handles the type of work and games you’re most likely to throw at it. 

One of the world's largest technology publishers, Future Publishing, enforces our editorial trustworthiness. As a company, we have unrivaled experience across every tech sector — and we're the group's specialist for all things mobile tech. 

Momo Tabari
Contributing Writer

Self-described art critic and unabashedly pretentious, Momo finds joy in impassioned ramblings about her closeness to video games. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Media Studies from Brooklyn College and five years of experience in entertainment journalism. Momo is a stalwart defender of the importance found in subjectivity and spends most days overwhelmed with excitement for the past, present and future of gaming. When she isn't writing or playing Dark Souls, she can be found eating chicken fettuccine alfredo and watching anime.