What laptop to get as a book writer or aspiring author
This post is all about the best laptop for writing a novel.
The great thing about writing a novel is that anyone can do it because there aren’t many barriers to starting. You can write on any laptop, or even a piece of paper. But if you actually want to take this novel writing thing seriously, it may be wise to get the best laptop for writing a novel right off the bat.
And if you really want to become a published author, or if you plan to write multiple books, the most important thing you’ll own is your laptop.
So, it’s important to make a wise decision about what laptop to buy as a writer.
You want to look at things like screen size, how comfortable the keyboard is, whether it has long battery life, and so much more. But if you’re not a tech-y person, how do you even know where to start with all that?!
I went through the hassle of doing some research for you so that you know exactly what to look for in a laptop for writers.
This post is all about the best laptop for writing a novel.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Our full disclosure policy is pretty boring, but you can read it here. Please note that the exact details of every laptop will depend on the model, brand, and year you purchase. The details in this blog post are just a guideline, but you are responsible for doing your own research to ensure the laptop you purchase is up to your preferred specifications.
If you don’t want to read all the specifics, you can find a quick list of the best laptops for writers based on different criteria.
Quick Links ↓
- Best Battery Life: MacBook Pro
- Best Affordable Laptop: Asus Chromebook
- Lightest Laptop: MacBook Pro (depending on what size you get)
- Best High-End Laptop: MacBook Pro
- Best Storage Capacity: Lenovo Yoga
- Best Touchscreen: Lenovo Yoga
What to Look for in a Laptop for Authors
Every author is going to have slightly different personal preference and needs when it comes to finding their perfect laptop, but as a guide, here’s what to consider when looking for the best laptop for writing a novel:
- Screen size
- Comfortable keyboard (this is HUGE for writers)
- Whether you want a touch screen laptop or not
- Great battery life
- Graphics processor and word processor
- How much storage it has
- Storage capacity (although external hard drives and cloud storage are always an option too nowadays, so storage doesn’t make or break the quality of a laptop).
This post will give you a general overview of the pros and cons of three popular types of laptops for writers today. These companies are constantly coming out with new models of their technology, so it’s always best to do your own research to see what improvements have been made and what new model might be out there now. We do our best to keep blog posts updated here, but it’s always a good idea to check what laptop offerings are out there as you look at this!
Now, let’s get into our list of the best laptops for authors.
1. Apple MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro is my favorite option, I personally think it’s the best choice for anyone with creative inclinations. This is the laptop that I own and use for all my writing.
In my opinion, the MacBook Pro’s with the touch bar are the BEST MacBook but unfortunately Apple doesn’t make those anymore. I’m trying to hang onto my touch bar MacBook Pro as long as I possibly can, haha. It has already lasted me about 3 years and going strong!
Don’t take my word for it, though. Here are some facts about the MacBook Pro that make it so great:
- 14″ or 16″ screen size, meaning you can opt for a large screen
- Up to 22hrs of battery life after a single charge (BRILLIANT battery life)
- Up to 256GB storage
- Sleek design
- Available in a Silver or Space Gray
- Backlit keyboard that can be adjusted to your light preferences
Cons:
- Lack of USB ports (you’ll want to get an adapter like this)
- If you want a more lightweight laptop, you can opt for the Apple MacBook Air instead. It’s a bit less heavy duty but is still a great option for writers.
I don’t only write my novel on my MacBook Pro — I also do a full day’s work on it every day, so I can vouch for this laptop being great for working (or writing) long hours. As far as good laptops go, I can definitely speak from experience when I say this laptop has pretty much everything a writer needs.
2. Lenovo Yoga (Touchscreen)
My husband used to have a Lenovo Yoga and he loved it while he had it. It’s one of the best 2-in-1 laptops we’ve had experience with.
What I will say about this laptop is that my old MacBook Air outlasted my husband’s Lenovo Yoga, which is why this isn’t my top recommendation. My husband loved many of the features of the Lenovo Yoga, and although it was one of his favorite laptops, he ultimately ended up getting a MacBook Pro once he needed a new laptop (which is why I made the MacBook Pro first on this list). The two laptops are a pretty comparable price, so it just depends what features you’re exactly looking for.
The main feature about the Lenovo Yoga that stands out is the fact that it’s a touchscreen, so it can function as a laptop AND a tablet.
The touchscreen feature is great for writers who also might like writing by hand, or annotating by hand, because you can do that directly on your laptop with the touchscreen and pen features.
Here are some other great features:
- 14″ Display
- Touchscreen and it comes with a touchscreen pen
- Up to 512GB storage
- Windows 11 Pro 64 Operating System
- Backlit keyboard
- 13th Generation Intel Core Processor
- Can be used as a tablet or laptop
Cons:
- Up to 14 hours of battery life, making it lower battery life than the MacBook Pro
- Lack of USB ports (you’ll want an adapter for this one, too)
3. Asus Chromebook
If cost is the most important factor for you, you might want to opt for an Asus Chromebook. These laptops are sold at a reasonable price and are an excellent choice for any writer looking for a cheap laptop to start out with.
Like I said at the top of this post, all you really need to be a writer is a way to write, and while the Chromebook might not be the most luxurious option, it’s the best budget laptop and it will certainly get your novel written. I’m sure fellow writers would agree with me that writing doesn’t have to be the most glamorous or luxurious activity to be successful.
Here are some features of this Asus Chromebook:
- 17.3″ screen size, making it a larger screen than any of the other laptops I’ve mentioned
- Up to 10h battery life, making it lower on battery life (but not bad for the price)
- 64GB hard drive capacity
- Has a regular USB (Type-A) port
- Runs on ChromeOS and comes with Google apps, but you can download and convert Microsoft Word files in Google Docs
When it comes to getting a budget-friendly laptop, these are some of the best Chromebooks you can get in a lower price range.
No matter which laptop you choose, remember this…
You can have a great laptop with a great keyboard and perfectly long-lasting battery in a beautiful home office, and that still doesn’t mean your writing journey will be successful.
What makes a writing journey successful is dedication, consistency, and the drive to constantly improve your skills. If that sounds like something you need, follow me on Instagram where I teach aspiring authors how to write the most compelling stories possible.
What do you think is the best laptop for writing a novel?
This post was all about the best laptop for writing a novel.
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