In the world of journalism having the right kit all the time with you is probably one of the most important aspects that can help you do a great job. If you’re a journalist, you might wonder what type of laptop you need. After all, most journalists for sure don’t need to ask too many things from a laptop, unless you’re working with audio or video interviews. To help you find the best laptop for your needs, we have selected some of the best laptops for journalists out there, which you can find below. But before that, let’s check some of the things to consider.
What should journalists consider when getting a new laptop?
Most journalists don’t need a powerful computer, and basically any current laptop will meet their needs. However, there are a few things to consider in order to get a laptop that will help boost your productivity, and offer a good mix between performance and reliability. If you’re also going to be traveling or commuting on a daily basis, you’ll need a lightweight machine.
In terms of performance, you need to consider exactly what are you going to do on the laptop. Besides a few exceptions, many journalists usually use their laptop for
- Writing
- editing content (audio, video, image)
- Web Browsing with many tabs open
- InDesign when they are part of a magazine staff.
Another important aspect is also the Keyboard because if you write a lot you need to get something that feels good on touch. Typing a few hours, a day on a keyboard that makes your fingers not feel ok is quite difficult and it will not help you get focused on the task you need to finish. You can also check this article, to read more about laptops with best keyboards.
Also, battery life is an important feature especially if you know you will have to work remotely. Maybe you will be on a train and have some hours free to work or in a coffee shop. The idea is that you want to have a laptop that can provide at least some decent hours of work without you needing to charge it because this can make you lose precious time that should get in the news you are creating.
Best Laptops for Journalists:
Now, taking all this information into account, we have compiled a list of some of the best laptops for journalists out there. Feel free to ask us in the comments if you have a question or a suggestion!
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ASUS Vivobook S15 S530FA-DB51
The ASUS Vivobook S15 is an ultrathin laptop and weighs only 3.65 lbs. so for sure you can put it in your backpack easily. It is durable and it has a one year ADP program that was created for damages like liquid spills, electrical surges or drops.
The display is at 15.6 in so that is plenty of screen space so you can do your job and it is powered by Intel Core I5-8265U processor that has a speed of 3.9 GHz.It has a 256GB SSD and 8GB of RAM that is more than enough for journalism activities.
One of the reasons why the Vivobook is one of the best laptops for journalists is its great keyboard. Not only does it come with a comfortable backlit keyboard, but it also comes with a hinge that automatically tilts the keyboard up to 3.5° for a more comfortable typing position.
Processor | Intel Core i5-8265u Processor |
RAM | 8GB |
Storage | 256GB, SSD |
Graphics | Integrated, Intel UHD 620 |
Screen | 13,3 inch, 1920X1080, IPS |
Connectivity and Ports | 1 – USB Type C port
3- USB 3.0 port 1 – HDMI port, Card reader, Bluetooth 4.1, |
Battery | up to 8 hours battery life |
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Lenovo Thinkpad E590
Lenovo’s Thinkpad series is a popular choice among writers and journalists, thanks to their reliability and most of all, great keyboards. The Thinkpad E590 featured here comes with an i5-8256U processor that has a speed of 1.6 GHz and with 8GB of RAM, you can be sure you can do all the tasks you need on it. In terms of storage, you get a 256GB SSD speeds up the laptop.
The Thinkpad E590 is also well equipped when it comes to I/O: It has 2 USB Type 3.0, 1 USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 HDMI, a Headphone jack plus a Micro SD reader. Its battery life is around 12 hours so for sure it gives you enough time to work on it.
Processor | Intel Core i5-8265u Processor |
RAM | 8GB |
Storage | 256GB, SSD |
Graphics | Integrated, Intel UHD 620 |
Screen | 13,3 inch, 1920X1080, IPS |
Connectivity and Ports | 1 – USB Type C port
2- USB 3.0 port 1- USB 2.0 Port 1 – HDMI port, Ethernet Card reader, Bluetooth 4.1, |
Battery | up to 8 hours battery life |
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LG Gram 15Z980-U.AAS5U1
LG Gram is one of the best multipurpose laptops over there, and if you want a laptop that will become your new personal assistant, it’s a great fit too. It’s very light having just 2.4 pounds and it has passed seventh standard tests to prove its durability. Under the hood, we have an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. This configuration is more than enough for most journalists’ tasks.
The LG Gram 15Z980-U.AAS5U1 also features a gorgeous Full HD 15,6 inch display, which offers excellent viewing angles, and has thin bezels around the screen for a more immersive experience. Battery life is also excellent, with most users getting more than 10 hours of use.
Processor | Intel Core i5-8250U Processor |
RAM | 8GB |
Storage | 256GB, SSD |
Graphics | Integrated, Intel UHD 620 |
Screen | 13,3 inch, 1920X1080, IPS |
Connectivity and Ports | 1 – USB Type C port
3- USB 3.0 port 1 – HDMI port, Ethernet Card reader, Bluetooth 4.1, |
Battery | up to 19,5 hours battery life |
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MacBook Pro 13
The MacBook Pro is a popular laptop among creative professionals, and journalists. The model featured here comes with an Intel Core i5 processor that goes up to 4.1 GHz with Turbo Boost, 16GB of RAM , and a 512GB SSD. This laptop is an excellent choice if you’re into the Mac ecosystem, or if you’re looking for a reliable premium machine. The new design of the keyboard and Touch Bar helps you be more productive and its battery life is around 10 hours.
It is also ultra-light so you will not feel that you are carrying something heavy when you are on the run.
Processor | Intel Core I5-8279U Processor |
RAM | 16GB |
Storage | 512GB, SSD |
Graphics | Integrated, Iris Plus Graphics 655 |
Screen | 13,3 inch, 2560X1600, IPS |
Connectivity and Ports | 4 – USB Type C ports // Thunderbolt 3
Bluetooth 5, |
Battery | up to 10 hours battery life |
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Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon (7th Gen):
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon is a really one of a kind laptop that runs fast and quiet. This laptop features an 8th gen i7-8565U processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, all in a 14 inch format. The X1 Carbon is lightweight, easy to carry, and extremely fast and responsive. It’s also capable of doing any task a journalist would need. There is also a fingerprint scanner for additional security, and like most Thinkpads, the keyboard is one of the best among laptops.
Despite its dimensions (0.59 inch thick),the Lenovo X1 Carbon has plenty of ports, including 2 USB 3.1 ports, 2 USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 ports, HDMI, and Ethernet.
Processor | Intel Core i7-8565U Processor |
RAM | 16GB |
Storage | 512GB, SSD |
Graphics | Integrated, Intel UHD 620 |
Screen | 13,3 inch, 1920X1080, IPS |
Connectivity and Ports | 2 – USB Type C ports // Thunderbolt 3
2- USB-C 3.1 ports 1- HDMI// Ethernet Card reader, Bluetooth 4.1, |
Battery | up to 18,5 hours battery life |