Menu
Researching the best laptops for blogging can get overwhelming, mainly due to the sheer amount of available laptops on the market. Frankly speaking, if your only need is for blogging purposes (i.e., type and publish), any entry-level laptop will get the job done.
Your experience will vary with each laptop, from extremely frustrating to no issues whatsoever, depending on which one you buy for your blogging ventures. However, unless you’re running a gaming blog or vlog, there’s no need to break the bank or go crazy with performance.
There’s no doubt that if you’ve stumbled upon this article, you’ve probably done a little bit of research on which laptop is best for blogging and have encountered the confusing world of computer specs.
While it’s important to be familiar with the function of each spec, the demands of blogging call for two main laptop specs: CPU and RAM. But what exactly does each spec do and how does each affect the blogging experience?
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the more important laptop specs.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU is the brain of the computer. It’s functions include completing all of the calculations and functions it’s given by any given program at any given time and running millions of circuits at once.
It manages getting data to and from the memory, hard drive, keyboard, network, mouse, and video card. It also handles all the math calculations and data flow that make a computer work. Think of the CPU as a tiny traffic cop inside your computer, helping all the important data get from Point A to Point B.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
This is the computer’s running memory. How smooth a laptop runs when there are multiple programs open will depend on how big its RAM is.
Don’t listen to anyone who claims 4GB of RAM is plenty. Today, the Windows 10 operating system alone uses up to 2GB of RAM. Other ongoing applications may take up to 1GB of RAM, which leaves 1GB of RAM to spare. The Google Chrome browser is the most memory hungry browser, so if you plan to run WordPress Editor along with it, you’ll need at least 8GB of RAM.
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
The graphic’s processing unit is what gamers and video editors go crazy for. A laptop with a high-end GPU allows games to run smoother and decreases video editor rendering times. The GPU is an important spec to pay attention to if your blog is gaming or video focused.
Storage
With how accessible and cheap external hard drives are, storage size doesn’t matter. Most older laptops still run on HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), but HDDs are virtually obsolete these days. SSDs (Solid State Drives) used to be a lot more expensive and have become much more accessible, so more and more entry-level laptops run on SSDs.
All of the laptops recommended in this article will run on SSDs because, in my opinion, it’s a necessity and will make your blogging experience much more efficient.
Here are some of the advantages of having an SSD:
Now that you’re armed with an idea of how each laptop spec functions, it’s time to figure out what your best laptop for blogging is based on your needs.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links I’ve provided, at no cost to you. Plus, the prices that I’ve listed here may slightly vary from what you may see on your end.
Generally, there are three main types of bloggers, so what laptop you buy will depend on which category you identify with.
The remainder of this article will detail the best laptops on the market and use the CPU, GPU, and memory to determine which recommendation is the best fit for each type of blogger.
A traditional blogger mainly produces written content that’s sometimes accompanied by casual image editing. While an entry-level laptop would definitely get the job done, there are plenty of laptops available that may look like decent options, but really aren’t. This is why it’s still crucial to check the specs of each laptop you consider.
Imagine typing an 8000-word article while conducting research at the same time, only to have your laptop suddenly freeze and crash – talk about A NIGHTMARE.
Though there are ways to recover lost data, an experience like that can be jarring, kicking you out of “the zone” when writing posts. So, what should a traditional blogger keep an eye out for when buying a laptop?
CPU
As a traditional blogger, the CPU shouldn’t bear much weight on the decision of picking a laptop for blogging. The minimum CPU requirement should be an Intel Core i3 or an AMD Ryzen 3. These kinds of CPUs, especially the newer generations, should be sufficient enough for the demands that a traditional blogger’s work requires.
Memory
Again, you’ll notice throughout this article that I won’t recommend a laptop with only 4GB of RAM. Always opt for a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM. 8GB of RAM should be enough to not cause you problems when writing an article and doing research at the same time.
GPU
For a traditional blogger with minimal processing power needs, literally any GPU will do.
The Vivobook 15 is hands-down one of the best entry-level laptops at its price point. At just under $500, this laptop includes a 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD – the perfect specs for a traditional blogger.
With a sleek design and 15.6 inch display size, this laptop makes for easy transport. The backlit keyboard makes for easy typing in the dark and the battery life is rated for 5 hours, more than enough time for a day of blogging at a coffee shop.
The Acer Aspire E15 comes at a higher price point than the Asus Vivobook 15. Although most of the specs on this laptop are similar, the Acer Aspire E15 offers more storage.
This laptop boasts an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD + 500GB HDD. The battery life on this computer is rated for 6 hours (compared to the Vivobook’s 5 hour rating).
The design of the Asus Vivobook 15 is more appealing than the Acer Aspire E15, and it’s worth noting that the Vivobook 15 (3.75 lbs) is a bit lighter than the Acer Aspire E15 (4.19 lbs).
1. Macbook Pro 13-inch ($1,249)
This laptop is the holy grail of laptops for traditional bloggers.
If your budget allows, the Macbook Pro is the way to go. Naysayers argue that for the price of a Macbook Pro you can acquire other laptops with better specs, but the value of the Macbook lies in its steady performance for up to 10 years without any depreciation.
The 13-inch Apple Macbook Pro includes an 8th generation Intel Core i5 1.4GHz dual-core processor (with Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz) and 8GB of RAM that allows the computer to work flawlessly while simultaneously handling multiple tasks. Open dozens of browser tabs and utilize Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Lightroom with lag-free performance. The Macbook Pro also includes a 256GB SSD with different variants available for high storage capacity as well.
The battery on this laptop is rated for 10 hours (even when continuously surfing the net).
If you don’t want to spend $1,249 on a Macbook Pro, the ASUS Zenbook is a comparable option. It can compete toe-to-toe with the Macbook Pro despite the price tag being $400 cheaper.
The ASUS Zenbook provides quick data transfer speed with its super fast 256GB SSD disk drive. This laptop can easily handle multiple browsers and softwares at once without speed issues. The ZenBook is packed with an 8th generation Core Intel i5-7200U 2.5 GHz Processor (with Turbo Boost up to 3.1 GHz) and 8GB of RAM. The battery life is rated for up to 11 hours of use.
The ASUS Zenbook is sleek, slim, lightweight, and has a full HD display of 1920×1080 pixel resolution. It’s powered by an Intel HD Graphics 620 processor that can handle editing software easily and includes a backlit keyboard.
A travel blogger should have a laptop with a long battery life and that’s portable and lightweight. It’s easy to assume that performance and portability don’t go hand-in-hand, however, there’s no need to sacrifice quality when deciding which laptop is the best option for the traveling blogger.
CPU
As a travel blogger, aim for a laptop with a powerful CPU. I recommend a laptop with an Intel Core i5 (or its AMD equivalent) for light image and video editing purposes.
Memory
8GB of RAM is a must for the travel blogger. However, consider a laptop with 16GB of RAM for convenience’s sake. A laptop with a 16GB of RAM paired with a fairly decent GPU allows smooth video and picture editing while writing content.
GPU
If you’re a travel blogger who edits a lot of pictures and videos, I recommend a laptop with a fairly decent GPU. A laptop with a decent GPU will help with video render time and make editing extra convenient.
The Acer Swift 3 is wrapped in a stylish, slim metal case and has a battery life that can last for up to 10 hours.
This laptop is more than enough for daily blogging tasks and can handle light video editing thanks to its latest AMD Ryzen 5 4000 with Radeon Graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD.
The Swift 3 is my personal favorite when it comes to a lightweight yet powerful and stylish budget laptop.
Every Macbook Air that has been released brandishes nothing less than an Intel Core i5 CPU, and the latest MacBook Air includes an 8th generation Core i5 CPU and 8GB of RAM (that can be upgraded to 16GB of RAM).
An Intel Core i5 paired with 8GB of RAM is a sweet combo for blogging: you’ll be able to use Photoshop, do light video editing, and write long posts that include plenty of images without any lag. The Macbook Air’s SSD is top-notch, booting up your Macbook in just five seconds. And true to its name, the Macbook Air is only 2.8 lbs.
This laptop packs enough punch for all blogging aspects. What got the Macbook Air to its prominent status among bloggers and writers is its design, namely the keyboard and the trackpad. The monstrous battery life is nothing short of amazing, either (it’s rated for up to 12 hours!). However, if you’re trying to cut costs, the 11” MacBook Air is a great option as well.
If your blog focuses on gaming, tech reviews, or video editing, you’re going to need a much more powerful laptop. I don’t necessarily recommend buying a high-end laptop if you’re starting out because you won’t immediately earn enough to get your investment back. Let’s take a look at the specs to keep an eye out for, though.
CPU
The CPU will play a crucial role in gaming and video editing. While any Intel Core i5 should work decently, I recommend getting a laptop with an Intel Core i7. An Intel Core i9 is just overkill, so it’s better to focus on the other specs at this point.
Memory
Gaming and video bloggers should have a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM. Although not sufficient for high-end games, this should get the job done when it comes to heavy video editing. If you’re a gamer, then a laptop with 16GB of RAM is ideal. Any game will work flawlessly on a laptop that has at least 16GB of RAM.
GPU
While a laptop with a strong GPU helps with heavy video editing, any mid-range GPU should do the job. GPU consideration is different for gamers. A strong GPU is a must if you want to play games with graphics on an ultra high setting.
1. MSI GF63 Thin 9SC-614 ($719)
The MSI GF63 is one of the best low budget gaming laptops on the market right now. With a solid Intel Core i5-9300H, paired with the GTX 1650 graphics card and 8GB of RAM, this laptop proves that you don’t need to spend big cash to dabble in modern games. On top of being a “value for money” performer, the MSI GF63 has decent storage size and a bright display.
It’s equipped with a 256GB SSD and around 7 hours of battery life. Although it weighs in at a whopping 7.78 lbs, that shouldn’t be much of a factor since you probably won’t be commuting with this laptop much.
The disadvantages of the MSI GF63 is that it has poor speaker quality and its screen is only at 60 Hz display, a fair trade-off for a laptop within this price range.
If you’re looking for maximum gaming performance at this price point, the ASUS TUF FX505DT is the perfect fit. It’s the cheapest laptop available on the market that’s equipped with a GTX 1660 Ti and an AMD Ryzen 7-3750H 4-core processor (along with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD).
The FX505DT’s CPU plus its GPU looks great on paper. For the most part, the laptop delivers in actual gaming and makes heavy video editing a piece of cake. It has a screen refresh rate of 120 Hz, which is better compared to the MSI GF63. This laptop is also much lighter, weighing in at 4.9 lbs.
However, there is one problem that the FX505DT faces: high temperatures. When pushing graphic settings to the max, the laptop easily heats up to 185°F, causing the game to stutter and encounter FPS (Frame Per Second) drops.
While the previous two laptops introduced in this category can handle video editing perfectly fine (especially with upgraded RAM), the next two laptops will focus heavily on top-tier gaming. Most gaming laptops are a bit of an overkill for a traditional blogger, but if you blog about games, then your laptop should be able to handle the highest level of game.
I should also advise at this point that a much better and cheaper option would be to build your own PC or desktop. But if you’re dead-set on buying a laptop, here’s what we recommend.
1. MSI GP65 Leopard 10SDK-049 ($1,199)
MSI, the company that manufactures this computer, claims this laptop is made with the gamer and creator in mind, and I agree 100%. The MSI GP65 Leopard 10SDK-049 is a thick boy – it stands at 27.5mm tall and weighs 5 lbs.
The specs for this laptop are the gold standard for a mid-tier gaming laptop. Brandishing an Intel Core i7-9750H, Nvidia RTX 2060, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB NVMe SSD, the GP65 Leopard checks every box expected of a gaming laptop at the $1,500 price point. The downside of the GP65 Leopard is that it performs well at the expense of high heat output and fan noise.
2. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 ($1,449)
There’s a lot of hype surrounding this laptop – and rightfully so! The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 delivers excellent performance and is something of a design wonder for a gaming laptop. It’s extremely slim, light, and crams more gaming prowess into its 14-inch chassis, weighing in at just 3.5 pounds.
This laptop offers arguably the best combination of power and value. Released with an AMD Ryzen 9-4900HS processor, 24GB RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q GPU with 6GB of VRAM, it will handle most gaming demands with ease. With a 1TB SSD for storage and a 1080p 120Hz display, it’s also ready for both gaming and productivity use.
However, you’ll find one significant feature missing from the Zephyrus G14 — a webcam. The sleek and slim design of the screen doesn’t leave much room for it. In my opinion, most laptops offer low-quality webcams anyway.
“Wait – that’s it?” Yes it is!
These are the best laptops for blogging and writing according to my research and personal experience. I’ve carefully curated which laptop works best for the specific demands of each type of blogger.
If you’re curious about my personal preference, I use the latest 16” MacBook Pro. This laptop fulfills all of my particular blogging business needs.
Remember to treat your laptop purchase as an investment because that’s exactly what it is. This content machine is where you’ll be spending hours, days, and years, so choose carefully.
Happy laptop hunting!
I've been in internet marketing for over 10 years, and I've purchased dozens of illegitimate products for the sole purpose of evaluating them and exposing the truth about these products to anyone who's thinking about purchasing it. I never let money influence my rating of a product and your success/safety is my absolute highest priority. Don't want to buy a product? Register for one of my 100% free internet marketing training courses>>
