Laptop You Can Write Notes on
With the advancements in technology, there is no denying that there are a plethora of options available if you are looking for the best laptop for note-taking. Browsing through the options and their spec sheets may get confusing at times, leaving you with no definite choice. That is why we help you with your pursuit to find the best Laptop college students can use.
In this fast-paced world, carrying paper and pen to take down notes seems a bit outdated. Although taking down notes on paper gets the job done, using a laptop for taking notes can drastically improve the whole experience. These laptops are 2 in 1 device that would work as laptops and tablets according to your needs.
Contents
- Why Laptop for Note-Taking
- What to Look for in the Best Note-Taking Laptop?
- Screen size
- RAM size
- Stylus support
- Processor
- Battery backup
- Durability
- Ports
- 7 Best Laptops for Note Taking
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7
- Samsung Chromebook Pro
- HP Pavilion X360
- Acer Spin 5
- Asus Chromebook Flip C302
- Lenovo Flex 5
- Dell XPS 13
- Note Taking Laptop Buyer's Guide
- Closing notes
Why Laptop for Note-Taking
The usability spectrum of laptops is beyond note-taking. They usually come with a stylus as well as a keyboard. With the keyboard, you can take down notes quickly on the Laptop. Whereas, the stylus is an essential tool that will let you draw illustrations, highlight important text, and do much more; the possibilities are limitless.
One of the best things about taking down notes on a laptop is that you can later edit, rewrite, and arrange the notes according to your needs. Doing the same with notes taken down on paper could be very difficult.
Another great thing about these laptops is that they are portable and easy to carry around. Carrying notebooks and papers and keeping them arranged is a thing of the past. Instead of carrying around heavy stationery in your bag, you can bring a single device. This becomes a boon, especially if you have to jot down different lectures.
Almost anyone can use Note-taking laptops. No matter if you are a student, a working professional, an artist, an accountant, or anyone who has to take notes, buying a note-taking Laptop would turn out to be a life-saving decision.
What to Look for in the Best Note-Taking Laptop?
Although the first thing to look for while buying a device is its price, you shouldn't ignore other aspects. As we're talking about note-taking models, you should see to it that the laptop you're going for needs to work as a tablet, if needed. Moreover, you must consider the following:
Screen size
Depending on your choice and work, you must take the size of the screen into account. A smaller screen could be an issue for individual users or could be just fine for others. Today, 13 inch laptops are more common. Besides being fast, multi-purpose, and durable, they're lightweight options so you won't feel any burden carrying it along.
RAM size
If you are going to operate multiple applications simultaneously, you'll need sufficient RAM size. If it's just about taking notes, we won't recommend investing in a laptop that offers massive RAM size as it can be too expensive.
Stylus support
For a laptop cum tablet, stylus support is mandatory. Or, its screen should be touch responsive, to say the least. Most of these devices come bundled with a Stylus. If this is not the case, you can use a third-party stylus. These styluses may not work as fine as the bundled ones but are enough if you are into note-taking that requires minimal illustrations.
Processor
Everyone wants to get the latest generation intel powered core i7. But it depends on the purpose you're buying it for. Choosing a laptop with better processors should be your priority if you will use some heavy applications on your Laptop. That said, if you're not into gaming or want HD video streaming, a Core i7 powered laptop will be too much for simple tasks.
Battery backup
If you are going to be mostly mobile, you must select a laptop with excellent battery life. This will also enable you to work on your Laptop when you are moving. As most laptops for taking notes are meant for people on the move, choose the one that offers sufficient enough battery backup.
Durability
Since most of the time, you'll be using your laptop on the move, its durability is something you wouldn't want to compromise. Therefore, you must look for laptops with metallic or hard plastic casings.
Ports
According to your needs, you should always consider buying a laptop with ports to connect your devices. Apart from USB ports, see if you will need a laptop with USB C-type ports, HDMI ports, Memory Card slots, etc. and make decisions accordingly.
7 Best Laptops for Note Taking
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7
- Samsung Chromebook Pro
- HP Pavilion X360
- Acer Spin 3
- Asus Chromebook Flip C302
- Lenovo Flex 5
- Dell XPS 13
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Sale
Processor: 10th Generation Intel i5 – i7 | RAM: 4 – 16 GB | Graphics: Intel IRIS Plus | Screen: 12.3″ Touch Screen | Storage: 128 GB – 512 GB Solid State Drive | Weight: 1.1 – 1.7 Pounds
An essential addition to the Microsoft Surface family, Surface Pro 7, is undoubtedly one of the best laptops as of now. This 2 in 1 device not just works as a laptop, but also as a tablet. It comes with a detachable keyboard and trackpad unit, which you can use according to your needs. The 12.3-inch screen is apt for taking notes and various other purposes like entertainment, illustration, digital sketching, etc.
The incredible 12.3-inch PixelSense display offers impressive clarity and color depth. The 2736×1824 intel UHD resolution display unit is touch-sensitive with up to 10 multi-touch support and also supports stylus input. Although the Microsoft Surface Pen (stylus) doesn't come bundled with the device, we highly recommend using it because it glides on the screen.
Who should buy this device?
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a device for everyone. It has all it takes to be the best companion for note-taking. You can take notes, draw illustrations, run multiple programs at a time, and do much more using this versatile device.
The processor and the RAM choices make it easy for different sets of people to consider buying it, and none of these variants are underpowered. Another USP of this device is its super light, making it easy to carry around without you even feeling its presence. And for those who will be spending most of their time mobile, its impressive battery backup will keep you company.
Variants
Depending on your needs, you can choose various RAM size, Processors, and the Hard Drive capacity. The RAM choices available are 8 GB and 16 GB.
With the 8 GB RAM variant, you get an Intel Core i5 processor, and you can choose between 128 GB and 256 GB SSD space. The 16 GB RAM variant comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, and you can choose between 256 GB and 512 GB SSD.
Samsung Chromebook Pro
Processor: Intel Core M3 Processor | RAM: 4 GB | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 | Screen: 12.3″ Touch Screen | Storage: 32 GB | Weight: 2.38 Pounds
The Samsung Chromebook Pro is another excellent choice for those looking for a 2 in 1 device that works as a laptop and a tablet. Its touchscreen display supports multi-touch functionality, and the device also includes a stylus stored in the Laptop's built-in slot.
Unlike the Surface Pro, this device runs on Chrome OS instead of Windows. Samsung has done a great job with this mid-range device that can be used to carry out usual tasks like taking done notes, creating illustrations, etc.
The 360-degree foldable display enhances the usability of the device. The 12.3 inches screen shows crisp details, and the touch sensitivity is something you cannot complain about. The Chromebook is easy to carry around, thanks to its meager weight. It provides a battery backup of around 8 to 10 hours. Its Aluminium casing makes this device sturdy, and they have made it spill-proof.
Who should buy this?
This laptop is for those looking for a device that supports the stylus and could carry out light to moderate workload. Also, this device promotes cloud storage, so if you make do with keeping less and small size files on your PC, you should go for it. Although it has a 4 GB RAM, it can handle a moderate workload with multiple apps running in the background. If you are going to stay mobile, this could be your choice because of its battery life and the weight factor.
Variants
Samsung Chromebook Pro comes in just a single variant. Backed by Intel Core M3 processor and a 4 GB LPDDR3 RAM, the device can handle pretty much any note-taking requirements.
HP Pavilion X360
Processor: Intel Pentium N5000/ Intel Core i3 – i5 10th Gen | RAM: 4 – 16 GB | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics | Screen: 11.6 – 14′ Touch Screen with FHD / HD options | Storage: 128 – 512 GB | Weight: 2.67 – 3.55 Pounds
An affordable option, the HP Pavilion X360 is another 2 in 1 laptop that can be used as a tablet as well, thanks to its 360-degree foldable touchscreen display. The affordability of these devices results from HP using less powerful processors like the Pentium N5000 and Core i3.
However, you can also opt for variants with Intel Core i5 process, which will set you back by a few more bucks. The base variants of the X360 come with 11.6 inches screen, and the higher variants rock 14 inches screen. Although the battery life is not as good as the previous two devices, it gets the job done with up to 7 hours of backup.
Who is HP Pavilion X360 for?
Depending on the variants, this device can be used by students, professionals, and those who will use it leisurely. If you are going to use the device just for note-taking and a couple of other things, you can go with any of the 11 inches HP Pavilion X360 variants depending on your needs and budget.
If you want a laptop that can handle moderate to heavy workload, but still is affordable, go for the higher models of the X360. All these features make it one of the best laptops for college.
Variants
The base variants run on Intel N5000 / Core i3 chipsets and offer 4 GB RAM and 11.6 inches screen. The top variants accommodate a Core i5 processor, up to 16 GB RAM, and up to 512 GB space and 14 inches display.
Cons
Sluggish Processor Options
Acer Spin 5
Sale
Processor: Intel 10th Gen i5 – i7 | RAM: 8 – 16 GB | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | Screen: 13.3 -14″ Touch Screen | Storage: 256 GB – 1 TB | Weight: 2.65 – 3.53 Pounds
Here's another high end 2 in 1 laptop cum tablet that lets you take notes and do a few more things as well. It comes with two display options and different RAM and Processor-based options. The features provided with this notebook make it value for money.
It's a rechargeable active stylus, backlit keyboard, sleek design, 1920 x 1080 FHD display, a touch-sensitive screen, solid-state hard drive, 10th generation Intel Core processor, etc. are some of the fantastic features making it the best 2 in 1 option on the market. Acer Spin 5 series run on Windows 10 OS and is capable of carrying out multitasking along with taking notes.
Who should buy the Acer Spin 5?
You might consider it as the best college laptop that turns into a tablet. It suits the needs of working professionals as well. If budget is not your concern and you want an alternative to Microsoft Surface Pro 7, this should be your choice.
Its solid battery life keeps it up and running for a hours, and the powerful processor lets you carry out various other tasks apart from taking notes.
Variants
A wide range of variants is available under the Acer Spin 5 series, which we have explained earlier.
Asus Chromebook Flip C302
Processor: Intel Core m3 / m5 / m7 | RAM: 4 – 8 GB | Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics | Screen: 12.5″ Touch Screen / 1920 x 1080 resolution | Storage: 64 GB Flash | Weight: 2.65 Pounds
The Chromebook Flip C434 by Asus may be an affordable option but packs powerful performance figures and premium features. It might not seem like the best Laptop for college, but the specs speak otherwise.
Full HD touchscreen, 1920 x 1080 screen resolution, all-metal body, Chrome OS, and 10 hours long battery life are some of the features that make this device worth having. Of course, the usage is limited to low to moderate because of its hardware, but most of the users' requirement is.
Who should buy this device?
This 2 in 1 laptop that works both as a notebook and a tablet could be a good buy for students and working professionals. The only restriction is that of memory space and heavy usage. If you are using this device for note-taking, a little bit of artwork, and entertainment, this budget-friendly tablet cum laptop is worth going for.
Variants
The Asus Chromebook Flip C302 is available in three different variants. The three variants come with Intel Core M3, M5, and M7 processors. The M3 and M5 versions have 4 GB RAM, and the M7 version comes with 8 GB RAM.
Pros
Full HD 1920 x 1080 Resolution
Lenovo Flex 5
Sale
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 | RAM: 16 GB | Graphics: AMD Integrated Graphics | Screen: 14″ Touch Screen | Storage: 256 GB SSD | Weight: 3.63 Pounds
A budget 2 in 1 laptop that comes with a stylus, the Lenovo Flex 5 could be a great companion for note-taking and several other purposes. It is considered one of the best laptops in the budget that also packs performance with it. The AMD processor works like a charm along with the 16 GB RAM. Although higher models of this series feature AMD Radeon graphics processor, with this one, you will have to satisfy with AMD Integrated Graphics.
Let us check out some of the features that make it one of the best laptops. 10 point touchscreen, 360-degree foldable screen, 1920 x 1080 full HD display, excellent battery life, big 14 inches screen, narrow bezels, quick charge are some of the many features this Laptop has to offer.
Variants
Although the Lenovo Flex series has a wide range of variants to choose from, the Flex 5 we have mentioned here is the best pick among laptops for taking notes.
Dell XPS 13
Sale
Processor: Intel Core i5 10th Gen | RAM: 8 GB | Graphics Card: Integrated Intel HD Graphics | Screen: 13 inch Touch Screen | Storage: 128 GB | Weight: 5.5 Pounds | OS support: Windows 10
We will talk about one of the aptest laptops for taking notes in the Dell XPS 13 series. With a Core i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, 360-degree foldable screen, touch screen, and excellent battery life, this is a perfect fit in this category.
You can easily use this laptop as a tablet and even draw illustrations along with your notes. As it runs Windows 10, you can run applications like Photoshop and use it for artistic drawings, and more.
Who should buy the Dell XPS 13?
If you are going to be indulged in some moderate activities apart from taking notes and have a generous budget, this should be your choice. Its metallic casing makes it pretty strong and will protect your PC from damages; therefore, if rough handling is your concern, this PC has got you covered. Business personals looking for a durable piece that will long last and keep performing throughout should consider buying this laptop.
Variants
This particular configuration is the best choice in XPS 13 series. However, if you need a laptop with better graphics and CPU performance, or if you can spend more, then look for higher variants of the Dell XPS 13 series.
Note Taking Laptop Buyer's Guide
If you are buying a Laptop specifically for note-taking, we suggest you go with a budget-friendly device. Taking down notes is not a massive task that requires a large RAM and a fast processor. A mediocre laptop would be enough for you.
However, the additional requirements may change considerably depending on the other task that you would be carrying out along with taking notes. If you need a laptop that also offers entertainment, gaming, artwork, editing, you should think about processor speed, graphics, massive RAM, etc.
Also, it is essential to make decisions according to your pocket. If your budget allows you to get a pricey device with additional features, go for it. Otherwise, you might have to spend later and buy a new laptop.
Closing notes
So, which one is your best laptop for taking notes?
The first and foremost element of the note-taking laptops is the 360-degree foldable touch screen. Although many laptops meet this requirement, the presence of a stylus, volume keys, and additional features make the best laptop for note taking.
Then there are some more that you may or may not need, such as compatibility with the latest OS like Windows 10, top-notch graphics like intel UHD graphics backed by AMD Radeon processor, detachable keyboard, and more. These are handy features, only when you can afford to have them.
We hope this article helped give you a fresh perspective toward this category of laptops. In case you have any further questions or doubts regarding any of these laptops, let us know in the comment section below.
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