When a writer is buying a laptop, he or she is not only buying a source of income, but also a friend and a work colleague. All in one. Hey, don’t tell me you have never had a serious talk with your device, gone through an existential crisis with it, or complimented it for all the good work it does. I know I have.
This is why making the ultimate decision on which laptop to buy becomes that much harder. For one thing, it has to work perfectly. And in addition to that, it has to grow on you and not bore you. You know you have made a great choice when you keep falling in love with it over time and when buying a new one feels more like heartbreak and less like a logical step towards improvement.
But, as nature would have it, things change. Just think about it, not so long ago, typewriters were the real deal. What if you became a writer back then and now you were completely emotionally attached to these machines, refusing to use a computer? Would it even be possible? Could you find one today? Additional info.
The same goes for computers. Who is to say that the laptop you are using right now won’t stop being produced in a couple of years? That is why, even though it might hit us right in the feels, as professional writers, we simply must stay up to date.
What Should You Look For?
Since I am a writer in the process of deciding which laptop to buy, I have conducted some research of my own. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but it will definitely lead you in the right direction when trying to figure out what you should look for in your writing partner. So, if you are on the hunt for your next machine companion as well, stay tuned for some tips.
When it comes to computers, you will definitely hear some expressions you might not understand. Operating system, CPU, motherboard, bits, bytes and whatnots… Luckily, as writers, we don’t have to be computer wizards to choose our optimal laptop configurations. Although, be careful, this does not mean that we should buy that red one because it looks so cute. There are important elements to consider.
However, if you are interested in some in-depth hardware and software explanations, start here: https://www.wikilectures.eu/w/Computer_hardware_and_software
One more important thing to remember is that a writer’s laptop does not need the same specifications as, for example, the one used for programming, or video editing. This means that the best laptop in the world from a gamer’s point of view might offer nothing of special value to you, and vice versa. Your niche requires some very different features.
Performance Is Overrated
How many times have you heard that the quality of a laptop is all about its performance? Too many, I’d guess. That might be true, but it is not the most important factor from where I am standing. And neither from where you are standing. After all, we come from the same profession.
Writers do not need an extremely strong processor. We use Microsoft Office, WordPress, maybe WordPad, possibly some Photoshop, and similar programs. Sure, we probably have a million tabs open at once while in the middle of a project. But, none of the tasks we do essentially require a high level of CPU performance.
So, next time you are being offered a “powerful beast” in exchange for draining your bank account, you can safely pass the opportunity without wondering whether you have made a mistake. Trust me, you haven’t. The best laptops for writers are not necessarily the strongest ones. Of course, I repeat, this does not mean: “Go for the cute red one”.
The Key Is The Keyboard
Now, this is something to think more carefully about. Your job is to type, right? Then, you do want your fingers to be comfortable. Additionally, you want to feel the keys underneath while pressing them, but you do not want them to be hard to push down, since that can be extremely tiring.
When you release your finger from a key, there is a spring inside that pushes it back. Depending on it, you can either feel a resistance from the key or not. I prefer to be aware of a small amount of resistance, since, well, it leaves me assured that the keystroke actually occurred. However, when the resistance is strong, typing becomes difficult. Simply put, you need to find the middle ground.
Keep in mind that keyboard preferences are subjective, so our opinions might differ. This is why it would be best if you could feel the keyboard and see if it suits you before buying it. But hey, as a professional writer, I suspect you are by now perfectly capable of knowing how the keys feel even by looking at a photograph.
Display
Finally, since you will be spending a lot of time in front of the screen, one of the most significant things is for it to be pleasant on the eyes. High-resolution, wide viewing angles, accurate colors – these are the things that will make your writing an enjoyable experience. Furthermore, they help keep your eyes healthy. Once again, the actual size of the screen is a subjective matter and depends on your personal preferences.
