Does your work involve a lot of writing but you are not a writer? Apart from the writers, journalism is another field that includes a lot of writing. In the movies, you may have noticed people carrying a pencil and a small notepad to take notes.
Same is not the reality but in the real world, a journalist requires a good laptop that helps him or her with the work. Good news is there is some best laptop for journalists available in the market. Gone are those days when the journalist had to run everywhere to track the stories. Today, most work is done on the phone because it is not easy to get connected to anyone anywhere in the world.
Gone are those days when the journalist had to run everywhere to track the stories. Today, most work is done on the phone because it is not easy to get connected to anyone anywhere in the world.
Writing is not the only thing that a journalist has to do. The job involves a list of other tasks as well such as online chat session, live feed and chatting to people from all over the world. Thus, the pencil and the notepad are not going to help you.
Let’s face the truth, being a journalist is not an easy task. This is one job that demands every bit of you. You live a life on the go and so you are bound to keep the world updated round the clock. needless to say that a great laptop is your best companion to get the work done on time.
In this digital era, it is almost impossible for anyone to like to get the work done with a laptop that suits your work profile. keeping this very fact in mind, we have made a comprehensive guide for you to buy the best laptops available in the market that suit your pockets and comforts. Have a look at these laptops listed below.
12 Best Laptops for Journalists- You Must Consider
Before you start looking out for the best laptops for journalists, you need to fix your needs and budget first. When these two aspects are known, finding the right laptop does not take up a lot of time. This is important because it assures that you do not waste your time and money on the device that is not useful for you.
Before you check out the laptop options that are mentioned here, knowing the essential considerations that make a good laptop for news reporters are as follows:
- The first and the most important aspect that needs your consideration is battery life. Would you want to keep your laptop always connected to the power source while working? This is a no-no by all the journalists. Thus, you need to ensure that the laptop you are willing to buy has good battery life.
Your work asks you to go to various places and thus it must be easy for you to carry your laptop. Looking for laptops that are light in weight and easy to carry all day long will be a great deal.
- The display of the laptop may not be an aspect to consider for most people, but it does hold importance. If you are going to work on the laptop at different places, the lighting may be different, and in such a situation the perfect brightness and resolution play a major role.
- The cost of the laptop plays a crucial role in deciding which laptop to choose. Most people make a mistake of considering only this as a decision-maker. Make sure that the amount you spend on the laptop is worth the specifications you get in return.
- You would want to store a lot of data on the laptop, and so one of the biggest nightmares would be to go out of space. Consider a laptop having sufficient storage so that you do not run out of memory.
Now that you know the factors that are important to buy the best laptop for journalists, we have a compiled a list of devices that are preferred by the reporters.
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
The Acer Aspire 5 is our top most recommendation for journalists! Equipped with the latest 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor, this laptop is capable of tackling complex tasks with efficiency.
It features a thin and lightweight design with an aluminum top cover, making it suitable for travel. This is a primary requirement since journalists tend to have a lot of fieldwork. It also comes with an impressive battery life of 9.5 hours. The long battery life, portable design, and seamless WiFi 6 connection make it ideal for those on the go.
You can also enhance your creativity or watch movies on the 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display. The Acer Blue Light Shield protects your eyes from strain while working for long hours. It is a suitable option, which ensures responsive and personalized performance. You can use the fingerprint reader to easily and securely access your essential files and documents.
Specifications:
- Processor: 10th generation Intel Core i5-10210u processor
- Graphics: Intel UHD 620 Graphics
- Memory: 8 GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 256 GB PCle NVMe SSD
- Screen size: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display
- Battery Life: up to 9.5 hours
- Weight: 3.97 pounds
- Ports: 2 USB 3.1, 1 USB 3.1 Type-C, 1 HDMI, Ethernet
Amazon.com MSI GF63 9SC-614 Gaming Laptop
The MSI gaming laptop is equipped with the 9th generation Intel Core i5 processor that comes with a turbo boost speed of up to 4.1 GHz. The powerful processor and ample memory ensure a smooth and efficient performance at all times. It features a 15.6-inch IPS Full HD display with a thin bezel, allowing you to work, watch movies, or play games for up to 7 hours.
Moreover, the thin and lightweight design with its compact chassis makes the laptop easy to carry around. You can perform productive, computing, and other tasks or play games for hours without worrying about overheating the system. It is known to be cool and quiet under immense load, blending easily into any environment.
The powerful laptop features a single-lit keyboard, making it stand out among peers. Hence, if you are a journalist with enthusiasm for gaming, then this sleek and innovative laptop is for you.
Specifications:
- Processor: 9th generation Intel Core i5-9300H processor (2.4 to 4.1 GHz)
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (Max-Q) with 4 GB DDR5 RAM
- Memory: 8 GB DDR4 2666 MHz (max memory 64 GB)
- Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display
- Battery Life: up to 7 hours
- Weight: 4.10 pounds
- Ports: USB 3.0, HDMI
New Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The New Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a great deal as you get the features of both a laptop and a tablet. The 2-in-1 design enables you to fold it into a tablet when required. It can be converted using the three modes, namely laptop mode, studio mode, and tablet mode. You are also provided with a surface pen, which enables you to draw, write, and design directly on the 12.3-inch touch screen display.
The portable laptop is equipped with the latest 10th generation i5 processor, Intel Iris Plus Graphics, 8 GB RAM, and 256 GB SSD. It delivers an unmatched, powerful performance all-day long with its impressive battery life of 10.5 hours. You can multitask and establish a secure wireless connection while on the go.
The powerful processor and memory ensure smooth and efficient operation. Also, you can safely store photos, videos, and other essential documents related to work in the cloud with integrated onedrive.
Specifications:
- Processor: 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor
- Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Display: 12.-inch touch screen
- Battery Life: up to 10.5 hours
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
- Ports: USB Type-C and USB Type-A
MSI GF65 Thin 9SD-004 15.6″ Gaming Laptop
The MSI GF65 is another great option for journalists with a passion for gaming. The thin and lightweight laptop is easily portable to different locations. It is powered by the 9th generation Intel Core i7 processor so that you can handle the stress of multitasking efficiently.
The model is also equipped with improved graphics and a stunning 15.6-inch Full HD display for exceptional game play and work.
You can depend on this powerful laptop, even on the go. It comes with an impressive battery life to keep you productive on the field for more than 7 hours. Moreover, the dedicated CPU/GPU thermal solutions ensure maximum performance under extreme pressure. Hence, you can work or play for hours without worrying about lag or overheating of the system.
Specifications:
- Processor: 9th generation Intel Core i7-9750h processor (2.6 to 4.5 GHz)
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti with 6 GB GDDR6 RAM
- Memory: 16 GB DDR4
- Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display
- Battery Life: Up to 7+ hours
- Ports: USB 3.0, HDMI
Asus ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop
The Asus Zenbook 13 ultra-slim laptop is ideal for travel. It is light, weighing only 2.8 pounds. Hence, you can carry it around with ease, making it suitable for journalists, business people, students, and others. It also meets the military-grade standards for durability and reliability for carrying out its purpose in harsh environments.
The model is powered by the 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor, ensuring high-speed performance of up to 4.9 GHz. Designed to provide ample screen space within a compact size, the four-way nano-edge bezel is spectacular. It also features an ergo lift hinge that automatically tilts the keyboard to maximize user experience.
However, the stand out feature of this powerful laptop is the innovative screen pad 2.0. It enhances the traditional laptop experience by providing a secondary 5.65-inch touch screen to improve your productivity. You can add apps to the screen for instant access and do much more. The possibilities of using the screen pad 2.0 are endless!
Specifications:
- Processor: 10th generation Intel Core i7-10510u processor (up to 4.9 GHz)
- Graphics: discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX250
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Storage: 512 GB NVMe PCle SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch wide view Full HD four-way nano-edge bezel
- Battery Life: up to 7 or 8 hours
- Weight: 2.80 pounds
- Ports: USB 2.0, USB 3.1 Type-A, USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2, DC-in, HDMI, audio jack, micro SD card reader
LG Gram Laptop
The latest 10th generation Intel Core i7 powers the LG Gram laptop for smooth and high-speed performance. Teamed with the Intel Iris Plus Graphics, it ensures two times graphics performance than the 8th generation models. Hence, you can experience stunning 4 K visuals and enjoy seamless videos, games, and movies on the 17-inch IPS display.
The LG Gram laptop is lightweight and sleek, weighing only 2.98 pounds. A journalist can easily carry it around for on-field work. Also, it enables you to meet deadlines with its impressive battery life of 17 hours.
Moreover, the heavy-duty laptop is built to last. It has passed seven tests to meet the military standards of durability. Hence, it can withstand bumps, shocks, and extreme temperatures with ease. The versatile thunderbolt 3 port makes it ideal for professionals. It supports simultaneous fast charging, data transfer, and it enables 4 K or 5 K signals to two different screens. The LG Gram laptop is a durable, powerful, and convenient option for journalists.
Specifications:
- Processor: 10th generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor
- Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Memory: 16 GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD
- Display: 17-inch IPS LCD screen
- Battery Life: up to 17 hours
- Weight: 2.98 pounds
- Ports: USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI
HP Envy
The HP Envy is the perfect laptop, which allows you to multitask and run multiple applications seamlessly. Powered by the 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor, it is capable of operating efficiently with a turbo boost speed of up to 4.9 GHz. You can experience a faster performance with the 1 TB NVMe PCle M.2 SSD. It provides ample storage for essential documents, files, photos, and videos related to work.
The 17-inch diagonal full HD touch display ensures stunning life-like visuals. This is teamed with Bang and Olufsen audio for an immersive experience. You can take breaks from work by binge-watching movies, videos, and more.
The HP Envy laptop may be a bit bulky or heavyweight for on-field journalists. However, it ensures long-lasting performance for up to 10 hours. Moreover, the superior aesthetics of the laptop makes it stand out. It also features a lifting hinge for comfortable typing.
Specifications:
- Processor: 10th generation Intel Core i7-10510U processor (1.8 GHz, up to 4.9 GHz)
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX250 with 4 GB RAM
- Memory: 16 GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 1 TB PCle NVMe M.2 SSD
- Display: 17.3-inch diagonal Full HD anti-glare multi-touch-enabled display
- Battery Life: up to 10 hours
- Weight: 6.14 pounds
- Ports: 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C, 1 USB 3.1 Gen1
HP 15.6″ Touchscreen Laptop
The HP 15.6-inch laptop is equipped with the latest 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor with a turbo boost speed of up to 3.9 GHz. The lightweight and portable laptop is capable of enhancing your productive tasks by running multiple programs seamlessly. It ensures a smooth and efficient performance to enhance creativity and gaming experience.
You can work on the laptop for hours because of its long battery life. The 15.6-inch touch screen display with an 81% screen-to-body ratio minimizes distraction to maximize your immersive experience. Hence, the versatile model enables you to balance work, play, and everything else.
Specifications:
- Processor: 10th generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor (up to 3.9 GHz)
- Graphics: Intel Iris plus Graphics
- Memory: 8 GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 512 GB PCle NVMe M.2 SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch WLED HD touch screen with 10-finger multi-touch support
- Battery Life: 41 Wh, 3-cell Li-ion
- Weight: 3.75 pounds
- Ports: 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1 HDMI, 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C
DELL XPS 13 9380
DELL XPS 139380 is one machine that has a great design, sturdy built and solid construction. This is an amazing laptop that is highly responsive and promises a great user experience.
The screen size is 13.3 inches with 4K ultra HD Infinity Edge touchscreen wide viewing angle display. It runs on a powerful 8th generation Intel Core i7-8565U quad-core processor that has a very good computing speed. The onboard memory is 16 GB and Intel UHD graphics 620 Coprocessor. The operating system is the Windows 10 Pro and also has 1 fingerprint reader integrated into a power button.
The additional features include a dell cinema color that is designed with powerful engineering tools to display with a super dynamic range that makes for a great visual treat with the most vivid and dazzling colors. On the whole, a really great little machine that will not disappoint you.
Specifications:
- RAM: 16 GB
- Screen size: 13.3 inches
- Hard drive: 512GB PCie SSD
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
Dell Inspiron 15
The Dell Inspiron 15 is equipped with the latest 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor that comes with a turbo boost speed of up to 3.6 GHz. The 15.-inch Full HD anti-glare LED display ensures stunning visuals backed by the Intel UHD graphics.
You can watch seamless videos, movies, and more on the laptop for hours. Moreover, the anti-glare backlight display allows you to work in various lighting conditions without causing strain to your eyes.
The model also enables smooth and efficient multitasking with its 8 GB RAM. It ensures faster performance because of the 512 GB PCle NVMe M.2 SSD. Hence, the Dell Inspiron 15 is an ideal option for a journalist as it meets all requirements.
Specifications:
- Processor: 10th generation Intel Core i5-1035g1 processor (up to 3.6 GHz)
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
- Memory: 8 GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 512 PCle NVMe M.2 SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD anti-glare LED-backlit display
- Weight: 5.9 poundsPorts: USB 3.1, USB 2.0, HDMI, RJ-45
ASUS ROG G531GT
The Asus ROG laptop is powered by the 9th generation Intel Core i7 processor with a turbo boost speed of up to 4.5 GHz. The high performance of this laptop is enhanced by the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics.
Backed by the dedicated 4 GB video memory, this laptop is capable of fueling your gaming experience. You can take a break from all your productive tasks as a journalist to enjoy a breathtaking gaming experience.
The laptop also serves to be an asset for investigating journalists as one can store essential documents, photos, videos, and more securely. The thin and lightweight design helps in portability. On the other hand, it also enables you to connect to a wireless AC router three times faster speed than the Ethernet LAN port.
Specifications:
- Processor: 9th generation Intel Core i7-9750H processor (up to 4.5 GHz)
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- Memory: 16 GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 512 GB PCle SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD RGB LED backlight
- Battery Life: up to 4 or 5 hours
- Weight: 5.29 pounds
- Ports: HDMI, Ethernet, headphone/microphone combo output, 3 USB 3.0
HP Pavilion x360 2-in-1 Laptop
The HP Pavilion x360 is a 2-in-1 laptop, featuring a durable 360-degree hinge. This enables you to fold the laptop to convert it into a tablet. The portable and lightweight design makes it easy for journalists and news reporters to carry around. It is powered by the 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor, ensuring smooth and efficient operation with a speed of up to 4.10 GHz.
It is equipped with ample memory and storage for fast data transfer. Along with massive storage and communication power, this laptop enables you to run multiple programs, gaming applications, video editing apps, and more. You can record podcasts and interview sessions with people easily.
Also, the 14-inch energy-efficient display ensures vivid colors and a wide viewing angle. This is enhanced by the Integrated Intel UHD graphics that bring the visuals to life.
Specifications:
- Processor: 10th generation Intel Core i5-10210U processor (max turbo speed of 4.10 GHz)
- Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
- Memory: 8 GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 256 GB PCle SSD + 16 GB Optane SSD
- Display: 14-inch Full HD touch screen display
- Battery Life: 3-cell, 41 Wh
- Weight: 3.48 pounds
- Ports: 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C, HDMI, SD media card
Frequently Asked Questions
The best laptop for journalists comes with good battery life to keep you going for the entire day. A journalist’s job covers a ton of fieldwork. Hence, the laptop should feature a thin and lightweight design, allowing you to carry it around wherever you go. It should also be configured with the latest processor, graphics, ample memory, and storage.
After thorough research, we have shortlisted the best laptops for journalists in this article. You can easily purchase some of the best laptops from brands like HP, Dell, Acer, MSI, and Asus.
A 15-inch laptop will be ideal for journalists as it is more lightweight, compact, and easier to carry around. On the other hand, 17-inch laptops are bulkier and less portable compared to 15-inch laptops. Hence, in terms of portability, 15-inch laptops are better for journalists.
The memory and hard drive of the laptop determine its speed. The speed of the hard drive affects the quick loading of the program or application. The laptop will be fast when the rpm of the hard drive is fast.
HP is a leading brand dealing with the manufacture of laptops. Over the years, it has gained a reputation for delivering long-lasting and reliable laptops. Hp has stepped up the game by designing sturdy laptops with the latest technologies.
A mid-range laptop should last you three years. However, it could last longer, provided you take proper care of it over the years.
As you can see from this article, many factors make a laptop appropriate for the journalists. No one laptop is perfect for someone. So, consider your budget and needs and go ahead picking one.
