This post was most recently updated on June 20th, 2023
Best Laptops For Note Taking in 2023
When you’re taking notes in class, it’s important to have a laptop that can keep up with the pace of your lectures. The right combination of processor, memory and battery life ensures that you don’t miss any critical information — or anything funny your professor says.
If you are planning to extend and exhibit your work on digital platforms and you are looking for the best laptop for note-taking, then you have dropped by the right spot.
For the modern era whether in studies or business, a laptop is an essential tool to exhibit their work and use advanced tools and software’s to create innovations.
Therefore, whether you are a student or a professional, selecting the best laptop for note-taking is important for you to fulfil your course requirements and also the requirements of your occupation; a laptop that efficiently handles all your tasks and impeccably displays your work, and is budget-friendly!
After scrutinizing the reviews and doing a great deal of research, we have assembled a list of the 12 best laptops for note-taking for your convenience to make the best selection and ace your work!
Whether you’re studying in a traditional classroom setting or taking part in remote learning, there are many benefits to be had from taking notes. Writing things down instead of typing them on a laptop can help you learn better and remember more of what you’ve learned. But not all laptops are built with note-taking in mind.
The best laptops for note-taking will have some combination of the following features: a pen that feels like a real pen or pencil; an accurate, responsive touch screen; and a palm rejection tech that ignores your hand as it rests on the keyboard.
With these basic qualities, your notebook will be easy to use for jotting down thoughts and making doodles, even during lectures or classes when you don’t have time to look at the screen.
Here are our picks for the best laptops for note-taking, whether you’re taking online courses or going back to school in person.
Is it good to write notes on a laptop?
Writing notes with a laptop can be faster than writing them by hand, but the advantage is not guaranteed. The ability to type quickly depends on your skill and comfort with a keyboard. If you’re taking notes in an unfamiliar subject, you might find it difficult to keep up with what the lecturer is saying and look up terms in an unfamiliar glossary at the same time.
1. Dell XPS 13
The new XPS 13 2-in-1 is a full 360-degree flip and fold convertible with a stunning 13.4″ touch display available with FHD+ or UHD+. It also includes Intel’s latest 11th Generation processors, up to 16GB of memory, up to 1TB PCIe SSD storage, and Intel Iris Xe graphics. The new XPS 13 2-in-1 has the smallest 13-inch screen on the planet in a compact, thin and light design.
The world’s smallest 13-inch 2-in-1 features an innovative web camera located at the top of the InfinityEdge display. Combined with Dell Cinema, and Intelligent Audio, this PC is designed for an outstanding entertainment experience whether you’re at home or on the go.
The XPS 13 2-in-1 is made with premium materials like machined aluminium, carbon fiber, and woven glass fiber. The palm rest is made from recycled fibers that are reinforced using 40% post-consumer recycled carbon fiber material that is four times stronger than polypropylene and resistant to heat, impact, and chemicals.
The woven glass fiber palm rest is manufactured using Dell’s proprietary Hybrid Technology that offers high durability while reducing weight compared to traditional glass fiber composites.
The Dell XPS 13 has great specs and overall system performance. It runs on the latest 8th generation of Intel Core i5. The device has 8GB RAM to support your data and system.
The display features are impressive to produce great visuals, providing sharp images with a high resolution. The graphics are operated by Intel Integrated HD graphics 520. The battery life of the laptop lasts for more than 15 hours.
Even during heavy tasks and longer-duration tasks of note-taking, you can use your laptop without draining the battery. Hence, Dell XPS 13 is a qualifier in the list as a good choice for note-taking.
2. Microsoft Pro 6
The Surface Pro 6 is a (mostly) excellent 2-in-1 laptop with a speedy 8th Gen Intel Core processor that’s also available in a new black color. It’s a solid upgrade over the previous generation, but it faces stiff competition from the likes of 2018’s most impressive 2-in-1, the Lenovo Yoga 920, as well as other ultraportable laptops like Dell’s XPS 13 and Apple’s MacBook Air.
Microsoft has done little to improve the Surface Pro 6’s design. The body is covered in anodized aluminum and weighs 1.7 pounds (0.8 kg), which is slightly heavier than last year’s 1.69 pounds (0.77 kg).
It also comes in a new color: black. The only difference between the black version and the silver version is that the silver model has more of a matte finish to its metal body, whereas the black looks like it’s covered in paint, not metal. Both models look sleek and professional, though black will fit into more environments and won’t show fingerprint smudges as easily as silver does.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 offers an optional Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor and up to 16GB of RAM with up
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is a versatile and sleek device that offers a wide variety of specifications and features. It runs on the latest 8th generation of Intel Core i5 which can be upgraded to i7.
The RAM also has 8GB or 16 GB options. So you can choose according to your requirements. The display features are also good. It has a screen size of 12.3 inches with a high resolution that produces sharp images.
The storage options vary ranging from 128 GB to 512 GB. Another impressive and important feature of Microsoft Surface Pro is its long-lasting battery.
If you have a long note-taking task assignment, you can take great advantage of the battery life and all the above features alike.
3. Lenovo ThinkPad E15
The ThinkPad E15 is easy on the eyes and easy on your wallet. Its narrow bezel makes for a cleaner design and larger display area.
Plus, it’s made of premium materials, with a full metal cover and keyboard deck to complement its sleek appearance. And you can count on it to last, thanks to rigorous testing that mimics real-life usage.
It’s powered by Intel® processors with integrated graphics for smooth multitasking. And plenty of storage ensures you won’t run out of room for photos, music, or videos. Plus, with up to 12 hours of battery life and optional LTE connectivity, you can work from anywhere without worrying about cords or Wi-Fi.
With a starting weight at just over 4 lbs., The ThinkPad E15 is great for portability while traveling light. It’s also got built-in security features to safeguard your data and privacy—such as a dTPM 2.0 chip that encrypts the information on your hard drive—and comes in an environmentally conscious package that saves up to 18% in materials used for the body without compromising durability.
The model of Lenovo Thinkpad mentioned is packed with great features and specs. It has an efficient and fast processor to accelerate your work.
It accelerates the system procedures. The device is supported with 16 GB RAM, adequate to support your notes and its files. The display features are impressive with a high resolution and a large screen.
The graphics are powered by Integrated UHD graphics on UMA. The battery life is also excellent. Hence, the Lenovo Thinkpad is also a good choice present on the list.
4.Acer Nitro 5
There’s a reason why the Acer Nitro 5 is one of the most popular gaming laptops on the market today. It offers great performance, an attractive design and a budget-friendly price tag that makes it a great entry-level option for gamers who want to dip their toes in the PC gaming world without spending $1,000+ on a high-end machine.
Right now, you can get the Acer Nitro 5 on sale for $699 at Best Buy. That’s $100 off and one of the best laptop deals we’ve seen all year.
The Acer Nitro 5 features a 15-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and wide color technology. The laptop has 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD that are capable of handling modern games at decent frame rates. The Nitro 5 is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor, which should be able to run most games well so long as you don’t try to max out the settings.
The Nitro 5 also comes with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU with 4GB of dedicated memory. While this isn’t a high-end GPU like you’d find inexpensive gaming laptops, it’s more than powerful enough to run Fortnite, Overwatch, or Apex Legends without any major issues.
Both the systems provide great performance in gaming and streaming. The processor provides a high speed and can engage in multiple tasks, providing your gaming experience without hindrance.
The display screen of a large size along with a high resolution provides sharp image quality and enhances your work display and typing experience.
The storage is also up to 256 GB and has 8 GB RAM is sufficient for your storage of junk files and notes. Acer Nitro renders an overall smooth experience of note-taking at colleges or workplaces with all its features.
5. Dell Inspiron 17
It’s getting harder and harder to buy a bad laptop at any price, but there are still a few kinks that need to be worked out. That being said, the Dell Inspiron 17 3793 is our top pick for the best budget laptop because it checks all of our boxes: big screen, good battery life, and a fast processor.
A laptop doesn’t have to cost a fortune just so you can do more with it. The Dell Inspiron 17 is an affordable laptop that doesn’t skimp on performance, and it’s currently at its lowest price ever on Amazon.
The latest version of the Dell Inspiron 17 is equipped with a 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, which allows for fast responses when you’re working on intensive tasks like video editing or photo manipulation. It also has a 256GB SSD for storing your important files, as well as a 1TB HDD for extra storage.
The large 17.3-inch FHD display is perfect for watching movies or playing games, and it offers up to eight hours of battery life. There are also two USB 3.1 ports, an HDMI port, and an SD card slot for expanding your laptop’s storage or connecting it to an external monitor.
The most prominent features of the model include sufficient and fast RAM storage of 16 GB to give you a smooth experience while multitasking.
6.Acer spin 3
The Spin 3 convertible laptop is a great choice for people who want a traditional laptop with a touchscreen. This model comes with an Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. It’s also one of the most affordable laptops on this list. The 14-inch display is bright and clear but lacks the 4K resolution found in some of our other picks. Acer covers this model with a 1-year warranty.
The Spin 3 has the same sleek design as the Spin 5, and boasts an all-metal chassis that feels premium and sturdy. However, it’s heavier than the competition at 3.75 pounds and 0.7 inches thick.
Unlike other 2-in-1 laptops, this model doesn’t have a 360-degree hinge that allows you to flip it into a tablet mode without separating the keyboard from the display. But you can still fold it down and use touch gestures on the screen like you would on any other laptop.
The keyboard on the Spin 3 is well made, but it’s smaller than what you’ll find on other laptops in this price range. The keyboard is backlit and includes dedicated keys for volume control and media playback, but there are no media shortcut buttons above them as you’ll find/
Acer Spin 3 offers some great specs for all those looking for the basic features of a note-taking laptop. It has a 14 inches display screen and a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels.
The device is operated by an Intel i5 processor that powers and accelerates all your note-taking tasks. The sufficient RAM of 8GBand a storage capacity of about 256 GB is adequate for note-taking usage. Thus, Acer is a great choice!
7. Microsoft Surface GO
The Surface Laptop Go is a slimmed-down version of the full-size Surface Laptop 3. It’s a step up from the Surface Go 2 and a step down from the Surface Pro 7.
The laptop is designed to compete with Chromebooks by offering a relatively affordable, capable machine that runs Windows. It starts at $549, but packs some high-end features, like an aluminum case and support for Microsoft’s optional Surface Pen stylus.
The Surface Laptop Go also has some features missing from the Surface Pro 7, including a larger keyboard and trackpad, thanks to the device’s larger size (it’s still not huge).
It’s not quite as versatile as the Surface Pro 7, which comes with a detachable keyboard and kickstand and can be used as a tablet or laptop. But it is more portable than the Surface Laptop 3 — at 2.4 pounds, it weighs about half as much as its bigger sibling.
Microsoft has launched the Surface Laptop Go in India, which is a stripped-down version of the original Surface Laptop. The laptop comes with a 12.45-inch touchscreen display, Intel Core i5 processor, and 8GB of RAM. It also has a full-sized keyboard and a Windows Hello compatible webcam. The Surface Laptop Go supports fast charging and has an all-day battery life.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go comes with a 12.45-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with 1536×1024 pixel resolution and 3:2 aspect ratio. The laptop has a 5MP front camera with support for HD video recording at 1080p resolution and 60fps frame rate. It also has an infrared camera for Windows Hello facial recognition support.
The Surface Laptop Go is powered by the 10th generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB/512GB SSD storage options. The laptop features one USB Type-C port, one USB Type-A port and a 3.5mm headphone jack for connectivity. It also supports Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ax for wireless connectivity options.
8. HP Spectre x360
HP Spectre x360 comes with an array of excellent features and robust build quality. It offers a wide range of specs at a good reasonable price.
It has a highly efficient and powerful processor of the latest 10th generation Intel Core i7 to speed up your Internet chores. It also accelerates your note-taking process.
It supports the system and your surfing with 16GB RAM storage. The flux of your files, data, and downloaded materials is managed through 1 TB SSD card storage.
The Graphics of the system are operated by the eminent NVIDIA Geforce. The 15.6 inches display screen comes with 4K visuals giving a vivid and sharp image quality.
The battery life can last for more than 10 hours which is another great aspect of its array of features.
9. Lenovo Chromebook C330
The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3 delivers everything you need in a budget friendly package. Powered by Intel’s entry-level dual-core Pentium N4020 processor, the Flex 3 offers 4GB of system memory and 64GB of eMMC storage. Thanks to the Chrome OS, you won’t need to worry about running out of storage since most of your files are stored on Google Drive.
But if you do want to store files locally, you can easily save them on a MicroSD card.
The 11.6” HD display is perfect for work and play. It has wide viewing angles so you can comfortably watch YouTube videos with friends even when you’re not sitting directly in front of the screen. It also has narrow bezels that give the Flex 3 a smaller footprint than your average 11” laptop.
Weighing just 2 pounds and measuring 0.7 inches thick, the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3 is easy to carry around in a backpack or purse all day long.
It has all the ports you need to connect devices like cameras, microphones and thumb drives. There are two USB-C ports that support fast charging and allow you to connect an external monitor with a single cable.
This is a basic and simple piece of Lenovo Chromebook that comes with great specs and features of excellent value. It is an interconvertible laptop which is extremely impressive.
It has a high-quality and smooth screen. The sharp resolution is a tremendous advantage for professionals who have to work on laptops and have to deal with note-taking in offices and work for a longer duration.
The image quality represents their creative work well. The anti-glare screen is advantageous for those students and professionals who have to work on the screen for long hours.
The anti-glare screen prevents eye strains. The high-quality camera is another spec worth noting. According to the reviews, the laptop’s performance and efficiency are commendable, and the keyboard is also comfortable to work with.
10. HP Envy 13
HP Envy 13 Thin Laptop packs the perfect combination of portability and power. It’s built thin without sacrificing power, so you can take it anywhere with confidence knowing you have everything you need.
The 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor delivers all the power you need, while the 8 GB DDR4 RAM and 1 TB 5400 rpm SATA HDD storage let you multitask smoothly and store up to 250,000 photos. With a 5.6-inch IPS touchscreen FHD display, this laptop renders 1920 x 1080 resolution visuals for crisp images and a detailed viewing experience.
This HP laptop features Windows 10 Home OS that lets you access a variety of applications and keeps your data safe with its powerful security features. Moreover, this system is equipped with Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M graphics card that ensures a lag-free gaming performance.
The HP Envy 13 Thin Laptop includes other exciting features like a backlit keyboard, dual speakers, a front-facing webcam with an integrated digital microphone, and more.
The HP Envy 13 is one of the best-looking laptops you can get at this price range. It has the same sleek silver aluminum frame as the more expensive Spectre 13, but instead of having a shiny golden HP logo on its lid, it has a simple matte black one that matches the bezel surrounding the display. The laptop looks great, but it’s not as eye-catching as its pricier sibling.
The visuals are appealing with a high resolution. The graphics are operated by NVIDIA GeForce and Intel HD graphics. There’s sufficient storage to function the note-taking procedure and spree the data and files.
The battery life is also great for note-taking. Thus, this model with all its specs and features can qualify as a great laptop for note-taking in the list.
11. Lenovo Yoga 920
Meet the Lenovo Yoga C940. With a brilliant IPS touchscreen and your choice of a 13.9” display, you’ll enjoy true visual clarity in FHD or 4K. The Yoga C940 brings your music to life with a powerful Dolby Atmos® Speaker System, while the rotating soundbar with its integrated Dolby Atmos speaker delivers projection-tuned sound. And with Intelligent Cooling Mode, your laptop will automatically adjust performance based on the task you’re doing for greater control over thermal conditions.
The Yoga C940’s new Rotating Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos® Speaker System is truly revolutionary, as the audio sound will be just as amazing whatever mode you’re intent, stand, tablet, or laptop. Raise the lid for a full 360° sound experience that envelops you from every angle.
With a battery life of up to 15 hours*, you can leave your charger behind as you tackle your day and beyond. And when it comes time to recharge, Rapid Charge technology will give you two hours of use in just 15 minutes so that you can get back to work (or play) more quickly.)
It also has sufficient RAM to support your memory and notes you would like to store in bulk. The storage capacity is also sufficient enough to support your data related to notes.
The 14 inches display screen is excellent for spending a long duration in notes taking with having the backup of 9 hours of battery life.
12. Samsung Chromebook Plus
The Samsung Chromebook Plus is a convertible Chromebook with a touchscreen and built-in stylus. It runs Chrome OS, and supports Android apps through the Google Play Store, which makes it an excellent choice for students and teachers.
The screen has a 3:2 aspect ratio and a 2400 x 1600 resolution. It features a 360-degree hinge that lets you use it in notebook mode like any other laptop, or fold it into tablet mode with the screen facing outward. The keyboard is full-size, and there’s a touchpad below it.
On the left side of the device, you’ll find two USB Type-C ports for charging, 4K video output, and data transfer. There’s also a microSD card slot to expand the internal memory, and a headphone/microphone jack.
The system includes 32GB of eMMC storage, 4GB of RAM, an Intel Core m3 processor (6Y30), Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, dual microphones, and two cameras: one on the front that faces the user when in notebook mode or faces outward when in tablet mode; and one on the back that faces outward when in either notebook or tablet mode.
The graphics are operated by Intel HD graphics. The device is driven on a 9-hour battery which is quite suitable for the note-taking process. Hence, our last option is also a good choice for you.
BUYER’S GUIDE
Here’s a buying guide for all of you selecting the best laptop for note taking to meet your daily demands.
The most significant factors and specifications that should be considered are mentioned below which the buyers should bear in mind before opting out for the best laptop for note-taking.
Firstly, you need to prioritize your requirements and these specifications before making a decision.
When you have your requirements in mind, you can look for the most important factors and inspect those features in the best laptop for note-taking you are going to pick.
Without delay let’s take a look at the specs you need to consider while picking the best laptop for notes taking
- CPU:
Processors are a critical and significant factor to consider because they have a control on the speed of your system.
For notes taking that does not involve heavy tasks and workflow is also moderate, an average processor like Intel i3 or older versions will do. Since note-taking consumes around 5-10 percent of the processor.
Thus there’s no need to spend much on the processor. The minimum and the recommended processor for the best laptop for notes taking would be Intel i3.
However, if you can grab the latest versions of processors like Intel Core i5 or i7 at a good budget and with other specs, then certainly, go for it.
- RAM AND STORAGE:
RAM plays an important role in notes taking since most of the browsing activity depends on the amount of RAM storage your laptop has. Thus, it’s an important factor while selecting the best laptop for note-taking.
The least RAM status for taking notes is 4GB RAM. However, the recommended version of the RAM storage would be 8GB. If you have 8GB or more on your laptop, then it is the way to go!
The minimum storage requirements for the best laptops for notes taking can range from 128-256 GB. This storage capacity can fulfill your mundane and regular tasks and requirements.
However, if you have larger requirements, you should look for the recommended system which fulfills the requirement of 512GB storage.
Another recommendation while selecting the best laptop for note-taking would be to get an SSD rather than HDD storage since SSD is far faster and more efficient than HDDs. An SSD can also give a boost to your task performance.
- DISPLAY:
For longer and convenient usage, the best laptop for note-taking should come with decent screen size and high resolution to give you great image quality and visuals.
Consider a Full HD display with a screen size of a minimum of 11 inches. If you have a larger screen with a good budget, then it will be more convenient and comfortable for you.
- BATTERY LIFE:
For taking notes that involve simple typing tasks, a battery life of 5 hours can do too. However, if you step outside and need the laptop for work purposes, then you should plan to buy a laptop with longer battery life.
The minimum battery life should be 7 hours or above. If your battery life is above 7 hours with other required specs at a decent budget, then you have grabbed the best laptop for note-taking.
FAQS
What is the best way to take notes on a laptop?
The best way to take notes on a laptop is by installing the applications mentioned below and taking notes using these applications.
- Evernote (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Web)
- Microsoft OneNote (iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Web)
- Apple Notes (iOS, macOS, Web)
- Google Keep (Android, iOS, Web, Chrome)
- Notion (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Web)
These are the most top-rated applications used for note-taking.
CONCLUSION:
We have highlighted the importance of picking the best laptop for note-taking for day-to-day affairs and tasks on the web. A laptop with the requisite specifications is a vital asset to deal with while dealing with tasks on the web.
For your convenience and to assist you in selecting the best laptop for note-taking, our list discusses all the important specifications that you must pay special attention to while buying the best laptop for note-taking.
The requirements of one user might vary from another, hence, basic knowledge about the specifications and features of the laptop you are about to pick is essential.
We have reviewed all the advantages and disadvantages of the laptops suggested by editors and discussed all the specs the laptop offers you so that you can easily opt for your best laptop for note-taking.
Since you can’t always rely on customer reviews and ratings, it’s great if you select the most important specs you need and make a selection by yourself.
You also need to pay special attention to your budget and task requirements. If you have an enormous budget, you can go for premium laptops.
However, if your budget is restricted and so is your need, then a basic laptop with simple specs can easily qualify as the best laptop for note-taking.
We hope you have by now come to the right conclusion. Hopefully our article helped you and by now, you have selected your best laptop for note-taking.