The Best Laptops for Note Taking – [Reviews & Buying Guide]

The world has gone digital and, as a result, a number of things have gone obsolete, long-hand notes are an example. The time when you had to carry a notebook, textbooks, pens, and whatnot is long gone. Now all you have to do is to find a decent laptop that would do all the tasks of your daily life including taking notes.

In addition to being convenient, note-taking on a laptop is secure as well. The risk of the documents being lost is a lot lesser since you can always upload them on a number of clouds. Plus, no one can access these notes without your permission which ensures personal privacy.

Keeping all these benefits into account, it is natural to have a desire to get a decent laptop. However, it is not that simple because of the high number of companies producing these devices. The more variety gets delivered to the market the trickier it gets for the customers. So, to help these customers out we have compiled a list of the best laptops for note taking. But before going into the details, let’s take a bird’s eye view of what these laptops actually offer.

PRODUCT	PROCESSOR	WEIGHT (LBS)	PRICE
Dell XPS 13	Core i7 8th Gen	2.2	Check Price
Microsoft Surface Pro X	SQ1	1.7	Check Price
HP Pavilion x360	Intel Pentium	2.7	Check Price
2018 Newest Flagship HP	Core i5 7th Gen	4.72	Check Price
HP Spectre	Core i7 9th Gen	4.81	Check Price
Microsoft Surface Laptop	Core i7	5	Check Price
Lenovo Yoga 730	Core i7 8th Gen	4.17	Check Price
Dell XPS 13 9360	Core i7 8th Gen	2.2	Check Price
ASUS Chromebook	Intel Core M5	2.64	Check Price
Samsung Chromebook	Intel Core M3	2.38	Check Price

XPS is one of the most popular and successful series of laptops that Dell has ever designed. The series offers a variety of devices including some low-key gaming laptops. Basically, it has a piece for everyone and essentially has the best laptop for note taking which we are going to discuss.

They say “the first impression is the last” and this device makes a hell of a good impression. The sleek design, featherlike weight, and compactness of the device leave quite an impression. The overall design is as simple as it gets but dignified nonetheless. Plus, it weighs only about 2.2 pounds which makes it even lighter than some of the tablets. In fact, it was the key feature because of which it made it to our list.

Moving on, the interior of the device is well balanced and optimized for daily use including the notes taken. The processor used in it is Intel’s i7 8th generation which is arguably one of the fastest chips that are available. Plus, it has 8GB of RAM which is more than enough for the activities you would be performing on the device.

The point is, the specifications of the device are good enough to run all the applications one needs in daily life. In most non-technical jobs, most of the work is carried out by the MS office and it runs all MS office applications without lag or error.

For storage, it uses a 256GB SSD hard drive which would be enough for most people. However, in case someone wants to extend it, plenty of options are available.

Another worth mentioning feature of this device is its display which is magnificent. It uses a 4K UHD display that provides exceptional clarity, details, and the right colors. On top of that, it is a touchscreen display which would come in handy if you are a PowerPoint geek.

Overall, it is a decent package for people who are looking out for something for daily use. Processing chip is fast, storage is enough, the display provides minor details but most importantly it has an extremely light-weight and durable design.

Specifications:

Processor	Core i7 8th Generation
Ram	8GB
Storage	256GB SSD
Weight	2.2lbs

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Microsoft has hardly ever disappointed its customer; the surface XT was a bit of hiccup but they have made up for that with their Surface Pro X. This device by Microsoft is the best note taking a laptop and provides unmatchable convenience to the users.

The device is a tablet that can be converted into a laptop. And it uses ARM chips which are usually found in mobile devices. The benefit of using this chip is it performs a limited number of functions but at a speed much faster than a regular PC chip. For example, in this device, you would not be able to run demanding games but official functions like spreadsheet and OneNote would run seamlessly.

In case you are thinking that the device would not be able to support desktop applications you cannot be more wrong. This device can run almost all the available apps for desktop and runs them without any lag or whatsoever.

Moving on, the best thing about the device is its weight which is only about 1.7lbs. One can carry a device of this weight with oneself all day around and not get tired. Plus, its size is so compact that it takes negligible space when packed in a backpack.

As mentioned before, the device is more of a tablet than a laptop which means it offers some other benefits as well. For example, with a PC you need Wi-Fi to get access to the internet but if you own a Surface Pro, it would not be a problem. It provides you blazing-fast LTE which supports every network that is available in the US. Therefore, even if Wi-Fi is inaccessible, you would always have your hands-on high-speed internet.

Furthermore, the device comes with a keyboard and slim pen both of which can be easily attached and detached. Moreover, the slim pen can be secured within the keyboard that charges the pen so no extra charger is required.

Specifications:

Processor	SQ1
Ram	16GB
Storage	512GB SSD
Weight	1.7lbs

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The best thing about big companies like Dell, HP and LG is they have a piece for everyone in their collections. For example, in this case, HP has designed a device which suits perfectly to the people who want something for note taking. It is cheap, efficient and gets the job is done which is one of the best but also a cheap laptop for note taking.

Although the device may seem bulky in the pictures provided by the manufacturer, it is not the case. In fact, it is quite the opposite as the laptop weighs only about 2.7lbs which is quite remarkable for a device of this price range. You can carry it in your bare hands or put it in your backpack, either way, you would not have any problem.

Moving on, the hardware of the device, especially the processor might sound outdated but trust me it gets the job done. Yes, it is not as powerful as the core i3, i5, or i7 but you have to look at the price tag as well. In this price tag, you can either get a Pentium or an AMD and I would choose Pentium over AMD any day.

As the intended purpose of the device is note taking, Pentium does a wonderful job at it. You would be able to run MS Word, OneNote, and PowerPoint without any glitches. Plus, thanks to its SSD hard drive the software would not take much time in loading up. The point is if note-taking is the only thing you need a device for this is the best laptop for note taking.

The storage is the shortcoming but again you have to look at the fact that it is a solid-state drive, not any ordinary drive. Plus, even if the storage falls short one can always attach an external hard-drive if the capacity falls short.

Another quite remarkable feature, especially when we consider its price tag is the touchscreen which comes in handy. One can use an onscreen keyboard if one does not feel like typing. All in all, it is a very decent device within an affordable price tag and is one of the best laptops for note taking.

Specifications:

Processor	Intel Pentium
Ram	4GB
Storage	128GB SSD
Weight	2.7lbs

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While looking for affordable laptops for note taking, I could not help myself to include Newest Flagship in my list. I know the weight of this particular device is a little bit higher but one has to look at other features as well. And when you look at this device with a wider perspective it becomes evident why it made our list of best laptops for note taking.

First thing first, when I say the word bulky it does not mean something that weighs over five or six pounds. In fact, it weighs a lot less than these. Yes, it is relatively heavier than most laptops mentioned in the list but not too heavy to be included in bulky laptops. At 4.7lbs, it can be easily packed in a backpack and can be carried around pretty much everywhere without tiring up.

However, even if we categorize its weight as a “shortcoming”, we have a lot more that can make this device the best laptop for note taking.

For starters, it has Intel’s 7th Generation processor which is quite wonderful given the price bracket it comes in. This processor is one of the powerful chips that are available and can run pretty much every demanding application on the app store.

Moreover, the device has RAM of 8GB which is again a decent piece of hardware. A RAM powerful as this can transfer the data of GBs in magnitude in a matter of seconds. Plus, it loads up the program speedily and provides a seamless and flawless performance.

For storage, it has 128GB of SSD storage which makes a great impact on the overall performance of the laptop. It boots and reboots the laptop in a matter of seconds and also provides quick reading and writing speed. If the note-taking is your only intended purpose, the storage would be just enough. However, you would have to upgrade it in case you need it for something else as well.

Specifications:

Processor	Intel Core i5 7th Gen
Ram	8GB
Storage	128GB
Display	4.72lbs

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HP Spectre x360 is a device for everybody as it is equipped with a set of hardware that can do pretty much every application that is available. Be it the students, realtors, teachers, programmers, or even doctors this device is a perfect fit. Let me explain why I’m saying so:

For starters, the device features Intel’s 9th Generation i7 processor which arguably is the best processing chip that is available. To date, no such application has been invented or designed that this processor cannot run. Plus, the speed at which this chip operates is lightning fast.

Moving on, the RAM of the device is another feature that makes it a digital beast. At 16GB, it provides an exceptional reading and writing speed and transfers the data of GBs within a few seconds. Plus, almost every application would have a minimum requirement lower than 16GB which makes me want to reiterate that this device is for everyone.

Furthermore, the device has 512GB of SSD storage which allows the PC to reboot and boot in a matter of seconds. Plus, the storage capacity is enough to store almost all of the data without requiring additional storage space. What I mean is all of your applications would be on SSD which means they would operate a speed much higher than usual.

Another feature that people who are into gaming would appreciate is its 4K Ultra HD display and its GPU. HP has incorporated NVIDIA GTX 1650 which is a decent graphic processing unit. It does not make it a pure gaming machine but can run almost all modern games at low-to-medium graphics.

While we are talking about the display, let me tell you that it has a touchscreen display and comes with a pen. And, thanks to the ability of the hinge to rotate freely one can make the most of it.

Another bonus you get for purchasing this device is Neopack’s slim pen drive with a capacity of 64GB. People who need laptops for note-taking often need pen drives to transfer the notes from one device to another which is where this pen drive would come in handy. It is small features like these that make it the best laptop for note taking.

Specifications:

Processor	Intel i7 9th Gen
Ram	16GB
Storage	512GB
Weight	4.81 pounds

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Microsoft has made yet another entry to our list of best laptop for note-taking. However, this time around, it is with a completely different device. Unlike the Microsoft device that has been mentioned before, it is a proper laptop and has standard processing chips as well.

From a design point of view, it is one of the most elegant laptops you would find on the market. The design is compact and fairly simple with just a Windows logo on the back of the laptop’s screen. This simplicity in design is complemented by the burgundy color which makes it aesthetically appealing.

However, it is not just the design that has helped this laptop to make it to our list of best laptops for note taking. In fact, it is the hardware that this device possesses which makes it an ultimate powerhouse and best note taking computer.

For starters, this laptop features Intel’s Core i7 processor which is often ranked amongst the fastest processors that are available. This processor is capable of running multiple demanding applications simultaneously, let alone software like MS Word and OneNote.

Moreover, it features 8GB RAM and 256GB of SSD storage which are both efficient pieces of hardware. This combination has a great impact on the overall performance of the laptop, especially, when it comes to reading and writing. However, if we are strictly talking about storage, 256GB might not be enough for some people. But the option of upgrading is always available, so it is not that big of a deal.

Another feature that makes it the best laptop for note taking is that it uses aluminum in external cases. People often carry their notes take the laptop in their bare hands especially while switching classes. In such scenarios, the laptops are at higher risks of accidental falls which is why they need a solid exterior and aluminum does exactly that.

The point being, this laptop is one of the most durable devices you would find in the market. Plus, the cost of the device is affordable which makes it a budget laptop for taking as well.

Specifications:

Processor	Core i7
Ram	8GB
Storage	256GB
Weight	5lbs

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If you are one of those people who get bored of sitting and using the device in a single position, this device is for you. Yoga 730 by Lenovo is the device with a hinge capable of 270-degree rotation. Plus, it has a touchscreen which can turn the creative beast inside many of us.

The design of the device is fairly simple and has just a logo on the top right corner of it. It is a two-tone design with grey being the dominant with some patches of pure black. The people who have to like for traditional and simple designs would find its design quite pleasing.

Moving on, the processor that this device uses is Intel’s core i7 that is the 8th generation. As mentioned before, it is one of the most powerful processors that are available in the market. You can estimate the power and efficiency from that no application has ever been designed that this device is unable to run. I do not think any further explanation is required.

As for the RAM and storage it has 16GB and 512GB SSD respectively. Together with a powerful processor, these three make this device a powerhouse that can run almost every application seamlessly and without any glitches. The storage capacity is also going to be enough for most people especially those who only need it for note-taking.

Another praiseworthy feature of this device is the graphic processing unit which is GTX 1050. This GPU is not too powerful but a useful one nonetheless. What I mean by this is this GPU does not make it a pure gaming device but can still provide a decent degree of entertainment.

You would be able to run pretty much all the modern games on it, though the graphic quality would not be ideal. So, when note-taking or some other work-related task tires you up, the games can provide an escape from all that stress.

Lastly, the battery timing on this device is also something that deserves a mention. It lasts eight to twelve hours depending on the activities you are performing on the device. In case, you are only using it for note-taking it can last even more than 12 hours. So, all you have to do is to plug it in one time and it would provide you with the power you need for half a week of note taking. In fact, it is one of the major reasons it is the best laptop for note taking.

Specifications:

Processor	Core i7 8th Gen
Ram	16GB
Storage	512GB
Weight	4.17

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XPS is probably the most popular series of laptops Dell has ever designed. The diversity in the machines has played a vital role in the success of this series. XPS 13 is one of such device that fits perfectly for people looking for the best laptop for note taking. From the exterior to the interior, everything is optimized for notes taking

For starters, the design of the device is very compact and weighs only about 2.2 pounds. It is so light that it can be carried around in bare hands. Plus, the design is simple but it surely appeals to people who have classic taste. All in all, be it in the looks or practicality, the laptop does not disappoint.

As mentioned earlier, the hardware is just as good as the exterior of the laptop. The processing chip used in it is Intel’s Core i7 8th Generation which is ranked among the fastest chips available. You would have no problem running any applications let alone the OneNote with this processor.

On top of it, it has 16GB RAM and 512GB of SSD storage, both of which make a great impact on the overall performance of the device. The reading and writing speed of the device becomes exceptional and loads the programs within seconds.

Another praiseworthy feature in this device is its keyboard which is something that is going to be used the most. It is very responsive and nice to type on. I have been using this device for several months now and my job involves a lot of typing. Trust me, I have never been disappointed by the quality of this keyboard.

Some miscellaneous features of the laptop include an HD widescreen webcam, a power button integrated fingerprint reader, and high-performance Wi-Fi.

All in all, this device makes an excellent choice for people looking for the best laptop for note taking. So, if you have some extra bucks lying around and want something for note-taking, give this device a shot, you would not be disappointed.

Specifications:

Processor	Core i7 8th Gen
Ram	16GB
Storage	512GB
Weight	2.2

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If you are a regular visitor to the website you would try to make our list of top laptops for note-taking as comprehensive as possible. This list is not any different and the product I’m about to discuss is for people who are running low on budget. However, despite coming at a low cost, this device has some mind-blowing features.

For starters, it has an ultra-light and compact design weighing only about 2.64 lbs. The laptops that come well above this price tag do not even have a weight lighter than it. Plus, the design is beautiful looking as well.

Another fascinating feature of this device is the ability of its hinge to move in 360 degrees which lets you explore different sitting and working positions. This rotatable screen along with the touch screen opens a lot of opportunities. You can simply write using the s-pen if you get tired of typing and vice versa. Plus, you can add custom-made art to your PowerPoint presentation to make them look more appealing. It is why I often call this device the best laptop for note-taking.

Moving on, the processor used in this device is Intel’s Core M5 which has pretty much revolutionized the industry. It runs at very low power and generates almost negligible heat which in turn does not heat the device up. This not only improves the battery timing but also keeps the device cool regardless of the temperature outside.

The device does not disappoint when it comes to RAM as it features 4GB of it. Together with a powerful processor this RAM improves the overall performance of the device and makes it the best laptop for note taking.

An area where this laptop disappoints is the storage which is only about 64GB. I mean the one could get a pen drive bigger than this. However, it is not a deal-breaker since one could always have it upgraded.

Lastly, the operating system of the device is Chrome’s own OS which might take some time to get used to. However, once you get a hold of it you would have no problem running it. It is a decent operating system that runs seamlessly and is compatible with the hardware of this device.

Specifications:

Processor	Intel Core M5
Ram	4GB
Storage	64GB Flash
Weight	2.64

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Samsung has always done right to its users by delivering quality products in the market. Be it the mobiles, laptops or any other household device they have never disappointed with their performance. And with the release of Chromebook pro, Samsung has kept its reputation intact.

This device by Samsung is more of a tablet but with a proper PC processing chip. It features a design that is convertible into a tablet and weighs light as well. The display is touchscreen and the hinge is rotatable to 360 degrees that make it convertible.

However, it is not just practicality, the design is decent-looking as well. The design is very simple and has no bells or whistles attached to it. However, the delicacy with which the body has been crafted and finished is simply amazing. The placement and size of keyboard keys are just perfect and make it look aesthetically appealing.

Moving on, the processor used in the device is Intel core M3 which is similar or, to be more precise, the predecessor of Intel M5 that has been mentioned earlier. Just like that, it runs at low power and does not produce much heat. Since the dissipation of heat is not an issue, Samsung did not need heavy fans for temperature control. So, by removing those, it was able to produce a device as compact as this.

Furthermore, the 4 GB RAM is also quite decent for a device like this. Along with the Core M3 processor, this RAM improves the overall efficiency of the device. Storage, however, is a bit of a bummer that is only 32GB which is too low even if one only uses it for notes taking.

However, it is something that can be worked around by upgrading the drive or by attaching external hard drives. So, it should not be taken as a deal-breaker.

Another interesting feature of this device is the pen that comes with it. Do not worry you would not have to get an extra compartment in the bag to secure it as it fits well within the laptop. This pen would help you to get every detail right. Be it casual doodling, photo-editing, or penning down notes, this device would come in handy. In fact, it is one of the key reasons I call it the best laptop for note taking.

Just like the Chromebook that has been mentioned earlier, this one also has its own operating system. So, the people who have never used anything but windows might take some time to get used to it. However, the interface is fairly simple so it would not be too difficult for anyone to learn it.

Lastly, the battery on this device works exceptionally, thanks to the non-demanding processor. The device would last almost the entire day with just one charge. So, even if your classes last the entire day, the battery of the device would back you up. You would not even have to carry a charger to your university or college. It is the other key reason; this device is the best laptop for note taking.

Specifications:

Processor	Intel Core M3
Ram	4GB
Storage	32GB
Weight	2.38lbs

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Comprehensive Buyer Guide for Best Laptop For Note Taking

The laptop is an expensive piece of electronics and for most people, it is often a one-time investment. So, before purchasing the best laptop for note taking a lot of thought should go into it. In this section we will let you know what are the key features you need to look for that would make a device the best laptop for note taking.

1. Weight and Design

Laptops for note-taking are meant to be carried around all day as one has to shift between classes and campuses. In this scenario, if a laptop is too bulky or heavy it becomes pretty difficult for one to carry it around all day. Therefore, you need a laptop that is lightweight and not too bulky.

So, while purchasing the laptop, make sure the weight of the device is such that It would be difficult for you to carry it around. To be more precise, anything before three pounds is ideal. However, a device weighing a little more than this can also work provided that you carry it in your backpack instead of bare hands.

2. Specifications of Laptop

Note-taking on a laptop is mostly done on applications like MS Word and OneNote. These applications do not really require hardcore PC specifications. Therefore, pretty much every laptop would be able to run these applications. However, as mentioned earlier, laptops are one-time investments. So, while purchasing the top laptops for note talking, make sure you keep a wider perspective.

If you have some bucks lying around, send them to better specifications because they would come in handy. Plus, with doing so, you would not be limited to just a few applications. You can try several other applications as well.

The point is, even if your sole purpose is note-taking, go for higher specifications. However, in case you are running too low on the budget then a laptop with minimum specifications would also do.

3. Battery of Laptop

While purchasing the best laptop for taking notes, the battery is one of the key features to look for. Public charging plugs are limited in number and you would not always find it nearby. Therefore, the laptop’s battery should be such that it could provide you with the backup worth of the entire day.

So, while looking for the best laptop for note taking make sure it provides a battery backup of at least 8 hours. This way, all you would have to do is to charge it in the night and spend the entire day taking notes without worrying about the battery running out.

Conclusion – Best Laptop For Note Taking

Well, there it is, everything we had one best laptop for note taking. We hope this article has helped you in making a decision or has at least narrowed down your choices. We have tried to include a diverse range of laptops for note taking in our list. I hope you have gotten your piece from it.

In case we have left anything about the best laptop for note taking or you want to add anything, let us know in the given section, we would love to respond. Thank you!

You can also check out or other Laptop related posts below.

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