As a journalist, you do not need the most powerful or expensive laptop out there. These laptops are pretty simple to purchase since most of the work revolves around typing, sending and receiving drafts and documents, and lots and lots of research.
But the point of consideration becomes the size and weight. While you can easily score a good laptop, it does not always come in the ideal structure. This will vary depending on the type of journalist you are.
A lightweight laptop is crucial since journalism does involve lots of moving around. Carrying something heavy will be a burden, and will slow you down. Durability is needed if you work in uncertain environments, in which case look to rugged laptops instead, even if they are heavier.
Contents
For a complete guide on how to find the best laptops for journalists, check out our list down below.
1.HIDevolution ASUS ROG Zephyrus
| PRODUCT | SCREEN SIZE | CPU | STORAGE AND RAM | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIDevolutionASUS ROGZephyrus | 14-inch | Ryzen 9 | 2TB SSD,24 GB | |
| Asus ZenBookPro Duo UX581 | 15-inch | Intel Corei7-9750H | 1TB PCIeSSD, 16GB | |
| Dell XPS15 7590 | 15.6-inch | Intel Corei7-9750H | 256GBSSD, 16GB | |
| MicrosoftSurface Laptop 3 | 15-inch | AMD Ryzen 5 | 256GBSSD, 8GB | |
| LenovoChromebook Duet | 10.1-inch | MediaTekHelio P60T | 64GB eMCPSSD, 4GB | |
| AlienwareANW17-2143SLV | 17.3-Inch | Intel Corei7 4710HQ | 1 TB HDD,8GB | |
| AlienwareAW17R3-4175SLV | 17.3-Inch | Intel QuadCore i7-6700HQ | 1 TB HDD,256 GB SATASSD, 16GB | |
| LenovoLegion Y7000 | 15.6-inch | Intel Corei7-8750H | 1 TB HDD,128 GB PCIeSSD, 16 GB | |
| ASUS ROGZephyrus S GX701 | 17.3-inch | Intel Corei7-8750H(8th generation) | 1TB PCIeNVME SSD,16GB | |
| SamsungGalaxy Book Flex | 13.3-inch | Intel Corei7-1065G7 | 512GB SSD,8GB |
This laptop features a 14-inch full HD display, which happens to be a great size, is easy to carry and provides adequate space for typing as well.
Even though this is a gaming laptop, the structure is pretty slim and compact, so you do not necessarily have to worry about carrying something bulky.
You have the Octa-core Ryzen 9 processor with a 3 GHz clock speed. This gives the device a lot of power which can be put to good use if you work on edits.
Another point that makes this a suitable device for photo editing is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060. It lets you use lots of different photo editing software at high resolutions.
The memory is 24 GB which is more than enough what you need for browsing and writing. But we love that it is higher than what is needed because now you get to use the laptop for more than just typing and can use it for creative work such as content layout as well.
Storage space is without a doubt one of the finest features in this laptop. You have the 2 TB M.2 PCIe MVMe SSD. With a storage space like this, you will be able to use the same device when traveling and at the office without ever having to look elsewhere for third-party storage.
If you are a journalist who works at the office and has to tackle lots of photos and video editing, then this Asus ZenBook Pro Duo is the laptop for you. One of the first things you will notice when you look at this laptop is the extended ScreenPad. Unlike most laptops, the screen over here comes down to the keypad giving you more space to work on.
ScreenPad Plus was created with photographers and video editors in mind since these professions require more screen space for references and editing applications. This provides an unmatched creative experience, especially when used with a stylus.
It is also often used as an app switcher that lets you utilize various editing applications simultaneously, so you get to observe and decide on layouts and pictures more easily.
If you loved the extended screen, you will love the resolution even more. This laptop has the 4K Ultra HD resolution on the main display and the 4K ScreenPad Plus on the screen pad.
Since multitasking makes such a big part of this job, you will be happy to know that this laptop holds the 9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750H processor along with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 that has accelerated ray tracing. These features let you work on multiple projects within a lower time frame.
The Dell XPS 15 7590 proves to be an equally good of a choice for journalism students and professionals. It has a wide 15.6-inch anti-reflective 4K display. If that does not make the finest screen, what does?
It also has a 400 nits display, which makes it suitable for use outdoors. It might not be able to tackle sunlight at its peak, but it does a good job under moderate outdoor light.
For fast speeds at all times, the XPS has a 16GB RAM with 2666MHz bandwidth. The faster the RAM, the faster you can get work done. And this is something everyone will appreciate, student or not.
The storage space provided is 256GB SSD. Since this is an SSD, you never have to worry about slow loading times again since this can boot and resume within a matter of seconds.
And 256GB is a good enough space for students since journalism mostly contains lots and lots of MS Word documents which does not take up much space.
Journalism also means having to work with pictures and videos, for which you need a good display. Previously you saw this has the 4K resolution. It also has a high contrast ratio of 100,000:1. It creates the deepest blacks, which is very useful for content creators.
The Surface Laptop 3 by Microsoft is the perfect companionfor business journalists and journalists who are always on the move trying to catch interviews. The slim design and sleek outlook make this a carriable device, and it oozes with professionalism.
For the display, you have a spacious 15-inch screen that has a touch display. While a touch display on its own is not much use, it can be very handy for busy journalists who have to work fast when working on the spot.
The 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD make a good combination since you have just what you need, nothing more or less. 8GB is great for multitasking with MS word while you continue to browse away, while 256GB is a good amount of space for all sorts of files too.
The 11.5 hours of battery life is definitely a win. This is a great battery life that can practically push you through an entire workday without having to look for the charger.
With the USB-A and USB-C ports, you have a good connectivity option too in case you need to connect the device to external displays for work.
This is the Chromebook Duet by Lenovo, a fine laptop for journalists who wish to carry a lightweight and no-fuss device when they are out and about for their work.
Keep in mind, this will not be a good replacement for a desktop or heavy-duty laptop used at offices but is a good companion on the road.
It is a 2-in-1 device, so you do have the luxury of using the screen as a tablet when required, and attaching the keyboard back afterward.
On the display, you have a 10-point multi-touch screen. This comes in handy when you need to work on photos or videos and quickly edit content for publishing. When on the road this feature makes work simpler and faster since maintaining time is such a big part of the profession.
The laptop is also fast with its booting times which take less than 8 seconds. Moreover, it also runs updates automatically and keeps the device virus-free without you having to check in on it every few weeks.
While the processor is one of the key components of a good laptop, it does not play as big of a role here for journalists. Since maximum work here revolves around MS Word, or other Microsoft Office applications, along with some web browsing.
Any good processor will do, but we recommend a Core i5, Ryzen 5, Core i7, or Ryzen 7 for journalists who use the same device everywhere.
For users who have a desktop and only require a laptop for their travels, Core i3 or even the Media Tek processors will suffice.
Memory is what you need to check when buying the best laptops for journalists because multitasking is a big part of the job. In fact, more than MS word, you will find yourself on hundreds of websites going back and forth. This requires a good speed, which ultimately comes from good RAM.
8GB is the bare minimum for smooth multitasking where you have to browse and type constantly. If you work entails more tasks such as photo or content editing, then 16GB would be a better choice.
4GB RAM should only be used for commute or travel laptops since it will not be sufficient for full-blown office work.
Simply typing and research require a 720p HD resolution. For editing videos and photos on the side, you should go for a 1080P full HD resolution since a better-detailed view is required for better edits.
Brightness is another factor if you work outdoors a lot. 500 nits are what you should have for working under the sun. And if indoors, then 300 nits will do.
Some displays have matte surfaces too, which prevent reflections. These are also useful when working outdoors since sunlight can create glare and make it harder to see.
Usually, journalists prefer having a smaller screen, which makes it more suitable for carrying and typing on the go. One of the smallest you will get is the 10-inch screen, however, we suggest you go for bigger screens unless this is an extra laptop for the road only.
15-inch screens are the optimal size that can be carried but provides ample space for work as well.
This is pretty simple. We all want a high storage space regardless of work. The more files you need to store, the higher the space requirement.
Working with MS word does not usually require a high storage space since MS word files hardly take up much space. But when working with photo edits, look for high storage spaces like 1TB SSD.
Having a high battery life is crucial in this context. When you are expected to stay outdoors for long, you need a battery that lasts at least 8 hours, if not more.
Carrying a laptop itself is often a burden, so you want to leave the charger behind. It also lets you get more work done on the roads, and you do not always have to wait to reach the office.
Spiral Steno Notebook Writing Pads for Journalists, Reporters and Interpreters - Set of 4 - Walmart Link
Writer Typewriter Journalist Vinyl Matte Sticker, Gifts for Journalists Sticker Laptop - Walmart Link
Story Teller Decal Vinyl Writer Typewriter Vintage Words Literary Books Journalist - Walmart Link
Future Journalist Sticker Laptop Decals Waterproof Water Bottle Sticker, Notebook Stickers - Walmart Link
Panasonic Toughbook CF-53 MK4, i5-4310M @2.00GHz, 14" HD Touchscreen, 16GB, 1TB SSD, - Walmart Link
Typewriter Writer Journalist Vinyl Matte Sticker, Gifts for Journalists Sticker Laptop - Walmart Link
2021 Newest Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Series 3593 Laptop, 15.6" HD Non-Touch, 10th Gen Intel - Walmart Link
1.HIDevolution ASUS ROG Zephyrus - Walmart Link
2.Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 - Walmart Link
3.Dell XPS 15 7590 - Walmart Link
4.Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 - Walmart Link
9.ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX701 - Walmart Link
10.Samsung Galaxy Book Flex - Walmart Link
Spiral Steno Notebook Writing Pads for Journalists, Reporters and Interpreters - Set of 4 - eBay Link
Writer Typewriter Journalist Vinyl Matte Sticker, Gifts for Journalists Sticker Laptop - eBay Link
Story Teller Decal Vinyl Writer Typewriter Vintage Words Literary Books Journalist - eBay Link
Future Journalist Sticker Laptop Decals Waterproof Water Bottle Sticker, Notebook Stickers - eBay Link
Panasonic Toughbook CF-53 MK4, i5-4310M @2.00GHz, 14" HD Touchscreen, 16GB, 1TB SSD, - eBay Link
Typewriter Writer Journalist Vinyl Matte Sticker, Gifts for Journalists Sticker Laptop - eBay Link
2021 Newest Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Series 3593 Laptop, 15.6" HD Non-Touch, 10th Gen Intel - eBay Link
1.HIDevolution ASUS ROG Zephyrus - eBay Link
2.Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 - eBay Link
3.Dell XPS 15 7590 - eBay Link
4.Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 - eBay Link
9.ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX701 - eBay Link
10.Samsung Galaxy Book Flex - eBay Link
Journalismis a fun profession that never gets boring. One of the biggest requirements for journalists is a versatile device that can easily be carried to sites. While some prefer 2-in-1 laptops, others prefer a solid full-blown device. This also depends highly on the job at hand
Whatever your personal preferences are, this article covers the best laptops for journalists and provides a variety of options for everyone.
If you still find yourself confused, carefully take a look at the guide which breaks down the importance of each feature. And then compare those using the chart to find the right fit.
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About Dror Wettenstein
Dror Wettenstein is a software engineer and entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the founder of TechTreeRepeat, a company that enables technical writers to publish their work faster and share it with readers across the globe. Dror has a master’s degree in computer science from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in physics from UC Irvine.
When he’s not working on software projects, Dror enjoys writing articles and essays on various topics. He also likes playing guitar and spending time with his wife and two young children.
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