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A laptop is more than just a means to get online or stay in touch with social media. Your laptop has the capability to do almost anything, except make you a cup of tea. This includes streaming, but you’ll want to be certain that you have chosen one of the best laptops for streaming.

That’s what this list is for, take a look and order one of the best laptops for streaming today.

What Makes a Laptop Good At Streaming?

There are several factors that allow a laptop to stand out from the crowd, knowing what it takes to make the best laptops for streaming will help to ensure you choose the right one.

• CPU

The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is effectively the brains of your laptop. For the best laptops for streaming, you should make sure you have an Intel Core i5 or higher. The AMD Ryzen is also a good option and the AMD A, FX, or E will do although they are at the lower end of the scale.

• RAM

Your RAM, or Read Access Memory, is used to help your computer process information. Many budget laptops come with 4GB but, if possible you should choose a laptop that has at least 8GB, although 16Gb is even better.

• Storage

This is your hard drive and one example where size is not everything. A Solid State Drive, or SSD, will give you speeds approximately 3 times faster than a standard SATA drive. These drives are more expensive so you’ll have to sacrifice some storage space, but it’s worth it for performance.

You can always get additional storage.

• Display

In short, the higher the number of pixels on your screen the better, and sharper, the picture will be. 

While you can get by with 1366 x 768, you’ll be much better off with 1920 x 1080, or larger if you can. 

Of course, the greater the number of pixels, the sharper the screen and the shorter the battery life.

• Graphics Cards

If you’re gaming or streaming you really need to be looking at the mid to high-end graphics processor. It’s best to choose one from AMD or Nvidia. The RTX250, RTX 2060, RTX 2070, or RTX 2080 are great options. 

Getting the right spec on your laptop means you’ll get the best possible balance between performance and battery life, which is essential if you want one of the best laptops for streaming.

The Best Laptops for Streaming

Lenovo 2019 Premium Flagship Yoga: Best Laptop for Streaming Overall

With a name like Lenovo Yoga, you’d be forgiven for wondering if this is one of the best laptops for streaming or a prop from the latest Star Wars movie.

 In fact, it’s a great option and potentially the best option overall.

The Specs

• 15.6” screen with 1920 x 1080 FHD IPS LED backlight
• Touch screen
• 16GB RAM
• 256GB SSD
• Intel Core i5 processor
• IntelHD Graphics 620
• 2 x USB 3.0 ports
• 1 x HDMI port

The Good

There are a lot of good features, but here are the best:

• Flexibility

The Lenovo 2019 Premium Flagship Yoga has a screen that can be moved into virtually any position. Combining this with the ergonomic keyboard ensures that you’ll be comfortable whenever you’re working on your laptop. 

• Reliability

This laptop is designed to work with you, it is a good enough spec to ensure you can perform any streaming task without issue and, Lenovo has a reputation for reliability.

In short, this laptop shouldn’t let you down. If it does it’s covered by a comprehensive, year-long, warranty.

• Extra Features

The start menu from Windows 7 returns, although the machine is running Windows 10. This gives you an array of new features, including the ability to markup webpages in the Edge browser.

This is just one example of how Lenovo is working hard to ensure the laptop does what you need it to. 

The addition of a backlit keyboard is also a nice touch and you even get a stylus included!

The Bad

There are several points that you should be aware of:

• Reflective Screen

If you like working outdoors, or indoors with the lights on then you may find the screen can be annoying. It is reflective, making it much harder to see what you’re doing.

• Battery Life

Despite being a 15” laptop the battery life is surprisingly poor. This means that you may need to stay fairly close to a plug which partially defeats the point of having a laptop!

• No SD Reader

It’s a little disappointing to note that there is no SD card reader on this laptop, you may want to save or upload files and you’ll need a separate reader to do this. 

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Apple MacBook Air: Best Laptop for Streaming Videos on Mac 

The MacBook Air needs no real introduction.

The Specs

• 8GB RAM
• 13” Screen
• 128GB SSD
• Core i5 processor

The Good

• Image Quality

There is no doubting that the image quality of the MacBook Air 2019 is excellent. In fact, you’ll find it hard to beat. It incorporates True Tone technology that adjusts the color temperature according to the light but it’s the detail in the images that really steals the show.

• No Bloatware

As with most Apple products you’re getting a laptop, not a load of extra features that you don’t need or want. This means performance is maximized, that’s great for streaming!

• Looks Great

It’s hard to dispute the fact that the MacBook Air 2019 looks fantastic. This could be a reason by itself to purchase one.

The Bad

• Price

As always, Macbooks come in at a higher price than their competitors, this means you need to make a conscious decision that the MacBook and the Mac system is the right choice for you.

• Only USB-C ports

USB-C ports are potentially the future, but that’s not a lot of help to you now! You’re going to need an adaptor and a separate hub in order to connect your standard USB’s and SD card, readers.

• Performance Not Particularly Impressive

Despite offering good specs the performance of the 2019 Air is not as impressive as you would expect or hope. 

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HP Pavilion 15-cx: Best Budget Laptop for Streaming Twitch

If your funds are tight then HP Pavilion is the laptop to choose. 

The Specs

• 15.6” screen
• 8GB RAM
• 1TB HDD
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics processor
• Intel Core i5 – Quad-Core

The Good

• Battery Life

The battery offers up to 8 hours of life which is good by most standards and even better when you realize that this is a 15.6” laptop, not the smallest option on the market. 

In addition, the keyboard is backlit, as is the micro-edge display, making the battery life even more impressive.

• Usability

With 1 USB-C, 2 USB 3.0 and 1 HDMI port, as well as a card reader, you should have everything you need to start streaming straight away. 

• Price

This laptop is aimed at the budget end of the market and yet it still offers a surprisingly impressive array of specs. It should be enough to keep you happy when streaming or gaming.

The Bad

• Noisy Fans

You may not notice these if you’re just doing routine web surfing and light streaming. However, undertake anything more significant and the fans will probably kick in. You’ll notice the noise they make which could be very distracting.

• Slow Startup

It should also be noted that the laptop can take a long time starting up, which can be frustrating when you’re waiting for it!

Some users have even noted that the laptop runs slow, although this may be a matter of personal opinion. It depends on what you’re expecting and is used to.

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MSI GV62 8RD-200: Best Mid Level Laptop for Streaming Twitch

MSI GV62 8RD-200 is actually a great mid-range gaming laptop and one of the best laptops for streaming currently available. 

The Specs

• 8GB RAM can be upgraded to 32GB
• 16GBinternal storage & 1TB HDD
• Intel Core i5 processor
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics processor
• 15.6” HD screen

The Good

• Ports

The MSI GV62 comes with 1 USB-C port, 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, 1 HDMI, and a card reader. That should give you everything you need straight away.

• Screen Quality

At 60fps you should be more than happy with the quality of the images!

• Ease Of Use

This laptop weighs just 5.2 pounds and is 1.1 inches thick. That makes it very easy to take anywhere with you. The keyboard also fits naturally to your hands and is backlit, making it easy to use in any light level.

• Optane Learning

Optane is a new memory technology that actually learns as you use it. This allows your computer to predict the programs you’ll use the most and create the shortest loading times possible. 

The Bad

• Bloatware

It has to be said that the bloatware is not as bad as it used to be. However, there is still more than you need on the laptop, using memory space and potentially slowing the performance down.

• Crashing

Several users have reported crashing issues which results in hours of reinstalling the software. The laptop still works but you may spend time reloading programs. Make sure you keep the warranty handy.

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Acer Predator Triton 500: Best Laptop for Streaming Games

Acer Predator Triton 500 is thin, light, and as stylish as a MacBook but it is potentially more powerful.

The Specs

• 16GB RAM
• Intel Core i7
• 512 GB SSD
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
• 15.6” screen with 1920 x 1080 Res

The Good

• The Look

This is an exceptionally thin and light laptop, making it easy to carry around with you regardless of where you’re going.  Yet, despite being one of the thinnest currently on the market, it is packed with performance, providing you with everything you need.

The look isn’t designed to blend in, but it is stylish enough to stand out for the right reasons.

• Power

This is actually one of the most powerful laptops on the best laptops for streaming list. It is the first on this list to use an i7 processor and has enough RAM & hard drive storage to maintain performance. 

• Battery Life

Despite the performance, the battery on the Triton is surprisingly good. Depending on your exact usage you should get between 6-8 hours before it needs charging. Considering the spec that’s pretty impressive.

The Bad

• Cost

This is not the most expensive laptop on the market but it’s also not the cheapest, and you’re getting a lot for your money.

However, you do need to consider you’ll be heading into 4 figures if you want this laptop.

• Keyboard Layout

The Triton has a number of ‘hot’ keys which are great for gaming and other uses. However, their positioning could be better. You’ll find you’re constantly hitting the wrong key, which is frustrating.

• Build Quality

You’ll be happy with the performance and reliability but the thinness of this laptop combined with the performance capabilities and price means that something had to give. In this instance, it’s the lid that is exceptionally thin and flimsy.

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Acer Chromebook 14: Best Laptop for Streaming On a Budget

This is not the laptop for a dedicated streamer. But, if you’re just getting started and your funds are tight, the Acer Chromebook 14 offers several positive attributes.

The Specs

• Intel Celeron N3160 Quad Core
• 14” screen with 1920 x 1080 resolution
• 4GB RAM
• 16GB eMMC

The Good

• Google Drive Access

Because the Chromebook is linked to Google you’ll get access to the Google Drive. This is a great way of storing anything you’ve downloaded without having to use the memory space on your laptop.

• Battery Life

The functions of this laptop are limited, which results in extended battery life. It should last as much as 12 hours before it needs charging again.

• Speed

The Acer Chromebook 14 is actually surprisingly fast at booting up, and Acer state it will continue to stay fast over time. This makes it easy to get going whenever you want.

The Bad

• Memory

The memory is small, even with access to Google Drive you’re going to have to question how much hard drive memory is actually left after the computer uses some for background applications.

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Dell XPS 13 9370: Best Laptop for Streaming Netflix

Dell is another of the leading laptop manufacturers and with good reason.

The Specs

• 13.3” screen, 4K
• Intel Core i7 processor
• 16GB RAM
• 512 GB SSD
• Touchscreen display

The Good

• Better Than The Competition

This laptop is better than most of the other options available on the market. It is generally faster at performing tasks and capable of multi-tasking extremely effectively.

It also has a very effective fingerprint reader that provides almost instant access even with damp fingers.

The touchscreen display is a nice extra touch and the resolution of 3840 x 2160 will provide you with every possible detail of your streaming event.

• Performance

The quad-core processor has a turbo boost option, accompanying this is a solid-state drive and 16GB RAM.  This virtually guarantees you fast performance when you need it. 

The Bad

• Not significantly better than the i5 version

The XPS 13 9370 is more expensive than the i5 version of this computer but there is no discernible improvement in performance. This makes you question whether it is worth the extra money.

• Price

The XPS is built for performance which means it has premium parts and not the cheapest of price tags. You’ll have to decide if it is worthwhile or not. 

• Backlit Keyboard

While a backlit keyboard is a great idea the lights are not especially effective which actually makes it harder to see the keys!

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Razer Blade Pro Gaming: Best Laptop for Streaming & Gaming

The Razer Blade Pro gaming is built for gaming, which makes it great at streaming.

The Specs

• Intel Core i7 – 6 core processor
• 15.6” screen
• 16GB RAM
• 512GB SSD
• Biometric security

The Good

• Performance

This is only the second laptop on this list to have an i7 and it makes the most of it. 

• Ports

You’ll find an array of ports on this laptop to suit every one of your needs. This includes a Thunderbolt 3, 3 USB 3.0 ports, an SD card reader, and a USB-C port.

• Cooling & Ergonomics

The Razer Blade is a stylish looking laptop, although slightly chunkier than the competition, this simply adds to the look. But, it’s not just all about style, it also has excellent cooling fans, helping to keep your laptop cool, no matter how hot it gets.

The Bad

• Not Very Portable

At 15.6 inches it’s on the bigger side. It’s also on the heavier side and not great to be carrying around all the time. You’ll have to consider how much you use it before committing to purchasing it. 

• Price

This laptop is likely to set you back in the region of $3,000, that’s a significant investment! You’ll need to consider whether this is really the best and most cost-effective laptop for your streaming needs.

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Your Guide To Purchasing The Right Streaming Laptop

You know the specs and have decided that one laptop looks pretty good. But, before you dip your hand into your wallet there are several factors that should be considered. It is essential that you consider the following before you commit to purchase a laptop, there’s a big difference between a machine that looks the part and one that does the job you need it to.

Size

You can get great laptops in a wide variety of sizes. Obviously, the larger the laptop the better the quality of the images can be. Although, this doesn’t mean they will be as this will be connected to the pixel quantity.

However, big is not always better. 

Consider what you do with the laptop on a daily basis, this will tell you how portable it needs to be. The more you carry your laptop with you the more the size will matter.  The best option is to choose the largest laptop which comfortably fits into your existing bag and isn’t too heavy to carry everywhere with you.

Budget

Laptops are not the cheapest purchase but they should be seen as an investment. You can pay from as little as $200 up to in excess of $2,000.

The question is partly what do you need the laptop to do, (other than streaming), and how much funds do you have available?

Setting yourself a budget ensures that the laptop is a viable purchase and not one that leaves you unable to eat for a month.

Of course, if you’re desperate for a specific laptop you can always wait, allowing yourself time to increase your budget.

It’s worth noting that there are some great finance deals available but this may limit your options regarding the type of laptop and you still need to make the repayments.

Reputation

The main brands, such as Dell, Apple, and even HP are well established and have developed reputations for providing high-quality goods. However, that doesn’t mean they are the only options.

You can get a cheaper laptop by choosing a less well-known brand. However, regardless of which laptop you’re considering, it’s a good idea to check the reputation and what other consumers think.

The easiest way to do this is via social media sites and forums, you’ll be able to see honest opinions regarding any laptop. It is important to remember that it’s almost impossible to keep every customer happy, there will be some that have experienced issues with their laptop. 

The important thing is that most users are happy and the company has reacted well to the issue. This shows you that not just the product is good, but also the support you’ll receive if there is an issue. 

Features

We’ve already looked at the specs and you’ll need to make sure that your chosen laptop has a good enough CPU, RAM, and hard drive. But, that’s not the only features you should be considered about.

It’s worth spending a few minutes deciding if a DVD drive is essential, useful, or not needed. If you’re planning on streaming music and movies you probably won’t need one, but there are still plenty of laptops that come with one. 

You should also be looking at the number of ports on a laptop and how many accessories you tend to plugin. It’s much better to have enough ports in the first place rather than having to add an array of dongles and hubs. Of course, this isn’t a deal-breaker but it is worth considering.

This is also the time when you should be checking how smooth the keyboard is to use and the touchpad, you don’t want to be adding extra ones of these.  You may also feel that a touch screen is essential, although this will limit your choice of laptops and reduce battery life.

Operating System

You may already have a preference for an operating system. But, if you don’t then you’re going to need to consider which system suits your needs best. 

The most obvious choice is Windows as this is compatible with Microsoft Office, the most common office software. However, if you’re interested in just streaming, there is a lot of merit in choosing Mac, or even a Chrome system. You should note that Chrome is not generally the best operating system for streaming as many web apps don’t work smoothly when you’re offline.  

Consider A 2-in-1

2 in 1 laptops can be changed between a traditional laptop and a tablet. There is usually an array of screen positions in between, but, the crux of the matter is that you can fold the screen around or even remove the keyboard, allowing you to use the laptop as a tablet.

While this is a cool gimmick, unless you have a real need for the feature it is usually better to choose either a laptop or a tablet.

Check Battery Life

The battery life is affected by a huge number of factors, ranging from the size of the battery to the size of the screen. The greater the processing power and the screen quality, the shorter the battery is likely to last.

However, you should verify this before you choose your laptop. In fact, the best laptops for streaming will have been reviewed by other users, this will allow you to see the battery life in real-world conditions, as opposed to what the manufacturer says.

It’s worth checking the forums and media sites to establish how good the battery really is. After all, there is no point in having a laptop that is great at streaming but runs out of power halfway through!

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to give a definite answer on which laptop is the best of the best laptops for streaming, all the ones on this list have their merits.
The final decision will be down to what you want to use the laptop for as well as streaming, or what kind of streaming you intend to do, alongside the budget you have available.
Personally, I like to game as well, there is nothing that can c=quite match the Razer Blade Pro, but it is a significant investment.

Virtual reality is all about immersion, tricking your senses into believing that you are the part of the virtual world. Manufacturers of Virtual reality headsets focus mostly on technologies and features like a field of view, display types, resolution, and tracking systems. These all are essential parts of VR experience, but the same applies to the sound. If your audio quality is lousy or subpar, the perfect VR illusion will crumble, and you will be left with beautiful visuals but without total immersion. 

What does Huawei VR2 offer?

Huawei VR2 headset offers dual fast 3.5’’ LCD screens with combined 3k resolution of 1600×1440 pixels per eye. It fits well among other products in the niche, and this headset also features a pretty standard 90Hz refresh rate and 100° field of view. 

Among the essential VR, headset features are tracking. Huawei has native 3DoF support, but it works with Nolo controllers which gives the full 6DoF support for Huawei second-gen VR headset.

Top Huawei VR2 features include:

• Hybrid support- VR2 headset supports both Huawei smartphone for enjoying VR apps and PC tethering along with the access to SteamVR platform for gaming
• Comfort and build quality- You can wear Huawei VR2 headset over glasses, it is one of the most comfortable headsets on the market with high-built quality and cushioning on the headband and googles the part
• Resolution: The VR2 glasses has two LCDs each having 1600×1440 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate and 100-degree field of view
• Handy Flip-up visor- Unlike most headsets, for getting out of virtual reality, you won’t have to take off the headset. Huawei VR2 comes with flip-up google part of the headset.
• 360° DTS sound- Huawei built-in DTS certified sound, which is crucial to our topic. The sound quality is stable, as well as the immersion level, but it still not as good as standalone headphones.

With Huawei overtaking Apple as a second-largest phone manufacturer, VR2 headset had and still has a purpose of promoting Chinese producer high-end line of phones. The device works with flagship Mate, and P series of phones and the main feature besides mobile VR games in collaboration with IMAX. One of the key selling points on launch day was IMAX VR Cinema, which is a giant 3D screen with an enormous field of view in VR glasses.

Besides smartphone support, Huawei VR2 could be used with the classic PC gaming machine and has support for SteamVR game library. That means you can play top VR PC games with much better graphic quality and more immersive AAA VR titles.

Comfort and design

One thing that stood out among the competition is to build quality and comfort. Most users agree that Huawei VR2 headset is among the most comfortable on the market. It comes with an adjustable head strap, comfortable cushioning, and flip-up visor for the easy way out of VR setting. There is also the possibility to adjust the distance between the eyes and the screen, and you could wear regular glasses underneath the headset.

For getting the most out of Huawei VR2 headset, you should probably buy Nolo controllers, but if you just want to play and watch mobile VR content with IMAX movies included, you can stay with the first input device. Huawei VR2 controller has home, back, trigger, trackpad, and volume up and down buttons. 

The 3020 mAh battery will give you two and a half hours of usage. 

The headset comes with DTS 36.0 degree sound that has satisfactory quality, but still not as good as some standalone headphones. For the ultimate VR enjoyment, you should consider buying new headphones. That is why we made a list of the best available phones for Huawei VR2 headset.

Top headphones for Huawei VR2 headset

Sennheiser Game One

The list of VR gaming without Game One? No way. The Sennheiser Game One is incredibly comfortable to wear with weightless design. Earbuds cover up the whole ear, and with noise-canceling technology, they increase the immersive factor. Sennheiser Game One is suitable for long gaming sessions due to luxury ear pads that feature cooling. The sound quality is top-notch with a great representation of the whole spectrum. You can hear clearly the music, sound effects, and voices at the same time. The downside to this device is a bit steep price.

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Turtle Beach Stealth 350 VR

Specially designed for VR in mind, Turtle Beach Stealth 350 VR has some design features that come in handy when pairing with the headset. The headphones come with a broader design, which helps a comfortable placing over a VR headset. Designers thought about wires with the gap between cushioning at the top of the headset. The headphones are lightweight, made of plastic, and comfortable. Turtle Beach connects with the VR through wire connection, and you will get around 30 hours on one charge. Audio quality is high, especially for this price range. Powerful bass and 50mm drivers along with a good representation of high and mid-range sides of the spectrum, make this an excellent choice. It’s not all great with these headphones. The build quality doesn’t seem to sturdy, and designers decided to use no-frills design.

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Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose has excellent active noise-canceling technology. QuietComfort 35 headphones have a clean, minimalistic, and comfortable design. These headphones have support for pairing with two devices at once. You can change inputs easily, play VR games, and have smartphone paired at the same time. Excellent sound quality, noise-canceling, and long battery life is the biggest strengths of the Bose QuietComfort 35.

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Audio Technica M50x

Ergonomic design and high sound quality make Audio-Tehnica M50x one of the most common choices for audio engineers. Besides professional sound performance, M50x comes with the detachable audio cable. Great news for VR compatibility is two included cables in the package. Sound isolation is an excellent feature for immersion in VR worlds, and superior sound quality will enhance the intense VR gaming session.

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Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H6

Extremely comfortable, Beoplay H7 comes with cushioned earpads and use of premium leather and metal materials. They don’t have noise-canceling tech, but still manage to block most of the outside noise. The area B&O thrive is the sound quality and performance. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H6 is consistent throughout the sound spectrum. The lows are great with dynamic and powerful bass, and other frequencies are equally represented. The primary market for Beoplay H6 is audiophile and music enthusiasts, but the comfort and performance make these headphones a good option for VR.

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Conclusion

Huawei VR2 comes with decent sound quality audio and with DTS certificate, so for an upgrade, we had to reach for top-quality headphones. Comfort and performance are the two main attributes to look for. Since VR gaming sessions don’t last more than two hours, most headphones will be suitable in the ergonomic and comfort category, as well as with the battery autonomy. These features aside, the choice for an audio upgrade to Huawei VR2 headset will depend on the personal preferences. 

Buying a laptop can be difficult. It requires a thoughtful approach, since you have to consider each laptop’s capabilities when deciding which option will fit you best. In fact, this process can mean several hours of intense research to find exactly what you need in a laptop, as well as what you want in a laptop. Fortunately, there’s usually quite a bit of overlap between wants and needs!

What to Look For when Buying a 13 Inch Laptop

When purchasing a 13 inch laptop, what should you be looking for? This is truly a personal question and will vary from person to person. However, some of the things that many people look for include:

– Long battery life

– A laptop for a specific purpose like gaming or VR

– Lightweight and easy to carry

– Fast performance

– Easy to setup and use

– Attractive appearance

There are of course other attributes, but these are the most common ones. What everyone needs to keep in mind is that there are tons of choices out there. We have narrowed down some of these choices for you to make it a whole lot easier to research your options and come to a decision.

Best Overall 13 inch Laptop

There are several 13 inch laptops vying for this position, so the choices can feel a bit dizzying. Here are two top-rated choices that make just about everyone happy.  

HP Pavilion light

One of the highest rated 13 inch laptops on the market is the HP Pavilion light and thin laptop. Why do people love this? They like that this is super lightweight, and the size coupled with the weight makes it the perfect laptop to have while traveling. This model does not have a touchscreen, but it is considered one of the better simple laptops in the 13 inch size range.

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The Dell Inspiron 13” Full HD 2 in 1 Touchscreen

The Dell Inspiron 13” Full HD 2 in 1 Touchscreen laptop is a great overall laptop as well. With its several functions one of the main selling points is that most people find it is super easy to set up and within minutes, they’re happily surfing or working away..

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Best Hybrid Laptop

The Surface Book

There are several hybrid laptops on the market, meaning that you have a lot to choose from. People like these hybrids since they combine functions of the best attributes of both a laptop and a tablet. The Surface Book is highly recommended. Reviewers of this hybrid laptop state that they love the entire concept, that is executed brilliantly, and the visuals of this machine are superb. It is capable of doing everything that they need it to do, while being super light and offering a fantastic experience overall.

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Best Laptop for Gaming and VR

When it comes to gaming and VR, you have to have a laptop that is going to handle this type of activity. If you’re an experienced gamer, you know that not every laptop can handle the intense demands. Using a laptop that cannot handle gaming and/or VR means lag time – and that is never good while you’re deeply involved in a game! Here are a few options for those who are gamers.

The Alienware 13

The Alienware 13 laptop is considered to be one of the best laptops for gaming – in fact, that’s what it’s designed for! It offers plenty of speed, has a user-friendly design, and overall people have nothing but great things to say about this. Gamers of all ages tend to gravitate towards this laptop.

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Razer Blade Stealth

Another great option is the Razer Blade Stealth gaming laptop. Users typically enjoy this laptop’s features beginning with the 3-pound weight, which makes it ultra portable. In addition, the keyboard is silent, which many gamers like to have so as to not be annoyed by the clicking sounds typically associated with keyboards.  The touchscreen is super responsive and for the price, many people think that it is one of the more affordable gaming laptops on the market.

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Best Laptop for Students

Students often need a small laptop for class work, taking notes and more. As you might imagine, smaller laptops like the 13-inch models we’re discussing are most popular due to their size and light weight.

One option is the LG Gram Thin and Light Laptop. Many reviewers mention its speed and responsiveness, mentioning that they can easily browse the web while researching, writing, filling in spreadsheets, and more. Despite its light weight, this laptop performs like a desktop, making it ideal for students who want a lightweight laptop that easily goes everywhere.  

The ASUS C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook is one of the bestselling laptops and it’s very popular with students. Besides a cool flip feature that makes everything easier, this is one of the fastest laptops in its category. It gets high marks for ease of use and sturdiness. It’s lightweight too, which is a huge plus for anyone who has to carry a pack around campus.  

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Best Battery Life

There are several laptops with good battery life. Overall, laptop battery life is improving but these options stand out. The Dell XPS 13 boasts an impressive  battery life of 12 hours and 18 minutes. With what users describe as a stunning screen and extremely light weight, it is a winner all the way around.

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The ASUS NovaGo is even more impressive, with a battery life of 13 hours and 12 minutes. Customers like the size and many mention that they enjoy the fact that this is more like a notebook than a laptop. It allows for easy browsing with a way to connect to cellular plans so users can browse anywhere they happen to have a signal. This is fantastic for anyone who’s always looking for WiFi.

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Lightest Laptop

When laptops first came out, they were super heavy. If you had an early laptop, you probably remember how it felt like you were dragging a load of bricks around with you! The good news is that those times are now long gone!

The HP Spectre is ranked in the top 10 for lightest laptops. It weighs in at 12.3 ounces! Users have commented that while it is extremely light, it is still able to handle whatever tasks you may throw at it, and it is super easy to travel with.

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The ASUS Zenbook 13 is classified in the 13 inch range, though it is slightly bigger. However, it only weighs 12.3 ounces. It has plenty of speed and can do just about anything a regular sized laptop can do, without the weight. If you’re looking for the lightest laptop on the market, one of these two options is likely to suit your needs.

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Best Laptop Under $1000

Just because you’re on a budget, doesn’t mean you can’t get a high-quality laptop. Here are some of the better options in the laptops under $1000 category:

Asus ZenBook 13:

This is a budget friendly laptop, especially considering all that it includes. People like the Asus ZenBook 13 for its sleek design and it’s often mentioned as a high quality laptop for under $1000. Users like how well it performs and responds – after all, great looks will only take you so far!  

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Lenovo ThinkPad T480:

This laptop is one that many users appreciate. Thanks to its ability to handle a variety of tasks with ease, it’s among the best laptops for business purposes. It offers a strong performance overall despite being more affordable than higher end models.

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Best Laptop Under $500

Having a budget of $500 or less doesn’t prevent you from purchasing a great laptop. Sure, you might want to upgrade later but for now, here are a few options that receive favorable ratings.

Acer Swift 1:

This is a cheap laptop that lets you take care of basic functions such as surfing the web, prepping documents, and checking out social media. It offers good battery life compared to some other good, cheap laptops. If you’re a gamer, you’ll want to keep on looking. This laptop isn’t suitable for gaming and it doesn’t work with VR.

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HP Chromebook 13:

People like this laptop for its elegant design, and they find that it takes care of most tasks with ease. HP Chromebook 13 is a good option for those who just need a laptop for social media or web browsing. It’s also ideal for working with documents.

If you’re shopping for a 13 inch laptop, you’ll find that there are plenty of options available. We hope that this list of the best 13 inch laptops helps you create a shortlist that in turn aids in faster, easier decision making. Enjoy your new computer!

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Backlit keyboards and affordable laptops mostly don’t go in the same sentence, or that was the case until recently. Nowadays, even some of the cheapest notebook categories such as Chromebooks sometimes come with a backlit keyboard. But not all backlit keyboards are the same.

Type of laptop keyboards

If you buy a laptop today, you will probably get a chiclet keyboard. This most widespread type of laptop keyboard has keys that look like they come out of the device body. Keys are flat, which creates the impression that there is more space, and that is essential for manufacturers in their fight with the scarcity of space. 

The traditional style of the keyboard has keys close to one another, and space between them is created with slopes at the edges of the keys. The biggest advantages include more key travel, and they are easier to replace.  

Mechanical keyboards are also rare but are present in a high-end gaming laptop. These are the highest quality keyboards and include the best feedback, zones of backlit illumination, and replaceable keys. 

What to look for in laptop keyboard

There is no right answer to the question of which keyboard is the best. That is why you will ask how does it feel to type on the keyboard. Some users will like a shallow path; others will insist on sturdy mechanical keyboards. 

There are, however, some indications and guidelines to follow when choosing the right laptop keyboard. The first thing to check would be how much does the deck flex under pressure? Press on several keyboard zones, and if the keyboard flexes more than usual, it could mean your typing experience will not be top notch. Keyboards with lots of flex can contribute to more typing errors, devices lifetime and can also look cheap while deducting from the laptop’s appeal.

Key travel the on chiclet keyboards is shallow compared to the traditional, desktop and mechanical ones. This can be useful in the never-ending trend of making the thinnest laptop, but shallow travel translates to poor feedback and more typing errors. That said, there are some great laptop keyboards despite their chiclet style.

The keyboard layout is another big thing to consider when choosing a laptop. If you often write, there are certain checkboxes to cross. The ideal keyboard has six rows of keys, with separate rows for F1-F12 keys and numeric keys, dedicated Home, End, PgUp, and PgDn keys. Some laptops use Function (Fn) key to toggle between the key functions, so you might not have these dedicated keys.

With backlit keyboards, illumination is controlled with the function key, and you will need to use it with Fn modifier. In the Function keys row, keys have new functions like illumination as mentioned earlier control, but also screen brightness, volume up and down. 

Most 15.6’’ and 17.3’’ bigger laptops have an additional numerical keyboard like their desktop counterparts. The keys are around two-thirds of average size, but this is an essential addition if you work with spreadsheets a lot. 

Things you should not accept are half-sized keys in smaller laptops and subpar quality keyboard with too shallow key travel, or severe flexing under pressure. 

Benefits of a backlit keyboard

Excellent addition to the chiclet laptop keyboard is backlit illumination. There are numerous use cases for this feature. The backlight illuminates the letters and symbols which make them visible in dark or low light conditions. The print on the key is transparent so the light will shine through the letters. 

Expensive high-end laptops offer better quality keyboards, which translate in clean-cut backlit illumination without spills around the keys. Gaming laptops go a step further with special colors for crucial keys like WASD, or even more different illumination zones. All these features can elevate your user experience, but even a cheap backlit keyboard with non-perfect construction and light leakage will do the trick if you need to write or work on your laptop in the dark.

There are many situations in which the backlit keyboard will be invaluable. 

If you are a night bird but don’t like having all the lights up, or you can’t turn them on if your spouse or kids are asleep near you, the backlit keyboard will save your life. The same applies if you need to work outside and it’s dark, or if you are on a long flight and lights are out for passengers to sleep. Sometimes during the classes, the teacher/professor needs to dim the lights to show some presentation or other material. With the backlit keyboard, you will be able to take notes. 

Best affordable Laptops with Backlit Keyboard

Every person has its definition of cheap or affordable. We wanted to find the best laptops that have a backlit keyboard, but they also excel in other areas. The budget limit for affordable in this case is $600, which enabled us to go with really potent laptops. After all, what good is the backlit keyboard if your laptop can’t perform?

Acer Aspire 5 A515-54-51DJ

Acer Aspire 5 is among the most popular affordable all-around laptops, and the thing that separates this device from full desktop replacement capabilities is lack of dedicated GPU. 

Aspire 5 body has an aluminum finish, and it spells high-quality. Sturdy unibody design with metallic silver color gives the laptop a serious business look and feel. Other features also point to that cause. The laptop is lightweight and very mobile, which brings us to the display. 

One of the most siginicant asset for Aspire 5 A515-54-51DJ is the IPS screen. It has narrow bezels, and that contributes to the smaller overall size of the device. The FullHD display needs to become standard even among lower-end models and in this device is a must. It has an excellent viewing angles and color representation with right enough level of brightness.

Great things are under the hood with potent four cores, eight threads Intel Core i5-8265U CPU and speedy 256 GB NVMe SSD and standard 8 GB of RAM. This is enough power for business, multimedia, and even casual gaming tasks, but gaming will be seriously limited due to the lack of dedicated graphics. Intel UHD Graphics 620 will work perfectly for most jobs outside of gaming, and if you lower the resolution and the level of details, you will be able to play some less demanding games.

The laptop’s keyboard comes with side numerical keypad and has standard keys layout. Direction up and down keys are somewhat smaller, and it is the only layout drawback. The chiclet-style keyboard has decent key travel, a clear pressure point, and the deck doesn’t flex under pressure. Backlit illumination is controlled with the Fn key, and it has only one brightness level.

The touchpad is large, and it supports gesture controls, it’s responsive even in the corners, and the mouse buttons are integrated at the bottom. Overall, input devices are what you would expect from this price category, not without flaws, but in this case, very good.

For business users, Acer added a fingerprint reader in the mix. Aspire 5 comes with all the relevant ports including HDMI, USB Type-C, two USB 3.1 and one USB 2.0. It also features an SD card reader. 

The laptop comes with two 802.11 ac antennas so that you can connect to a faster 5 GHz Wi-Fi network. Acer Aspire 5 has TruHarmony for audio, which is a marketing term for a bit different stereo speakers that deliver decent audio.

Overall, Aspire 5 is well built, a lightweight performer with a nice backlit keyboard, and its only flaw is subpar GPU, but if you are not a gamer, it won’t trouble you.

Specs:

• Display size/type: 15.6’’/ IPS

• Resolution: 1920×1080

• CPU: Intel Core i5-8265U

• GPU: Intel HHD Graphics 620

• Memory: 8 GB DDR4

• Storage: 256 GB PCIe NVMe SSD

• Operating system: Windows 10 Home

• Dimensions/Weight: 14.3 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches/4.19 l

• Battery: 48 Wh

Pros

• Build quality

• Hardware

• IPS Screen

• 9 hours battery time

Cons

• Integrated GPU only

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Lenovo Ideapad Flex 

Ideapad Flex is 2 in 1 laptop with a compact, sturdy body, great screen, and a backlit keyboard obviously. All that aside, his main advantage is the price which is significantly lower than with similar 2 in 1 thin and light laptops.

Design and build quality are way above the price category. The sleek, thin, and convertible laptop has a brushed aluminum case with gunmetal color. The IPS screen comes surrounded with thin bezels. It’s a FullHD display with a glossy reflective coating, so you won’t enjoy working in bright outside conditions. The other drawback is the screens maximum brightness levels. It’s not the brightest display out there with 250 nits. The display is a touchscreen, very responsive, with great viewing angles and correct colors.

Lenovo is well known for keyboard quality, and Flex is no different. Although it has small form-factor, the keys are large, ergonomic with a slightly concave build and shallow but responsive key travel. The keyboard offers a smooth and responsive experience, and it has backlit illumination with a single brightness level, but still, a great help in dark writing conditions. Flex has midsize trackpad with excellent performance.

Ultrabook format of Ideapad Flex is accompanied by great hardware. Lenovo Ideapad Flex 14 comes with four cores Intel Core i5-8250U CPU, standard 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB SSD. The operating system will feel snappy, and this combination of components will provide a great user experience. 

With only 128 GB of space, you won’t be able to store videos, photos, and other files, so you should consider Cloud or external storage.

Another disadvantage of Flex laptop is his integrated graphics. You won’t be able to play serious games or edit high-resolution video. Other than that, Lenovo Ideapad Flex is capable of all other tasks. 

With its 45 Wh battery, you will have around 8 hours of autonomy, which is pretty good. Besides the lack of a dedicated graphics card, the audio experience is another not so great feature. Speakers are placed under the case and are despite the Harman Kardon branding average at best. It’s whole another story if you plug in a quality headset. 

Lenovo Ideapad Flex 14 is a convertible 2 in 1 laptop with great performance, design and build quality and an excellent price. It lacks gaming performance, and audio could be better.

Specs:

• Display size/type: 14’’/ IPS

• Resolution: 1920×1080

• CPU: Intel Core i5-8520U

• GPU: Intel HHD Graphics 620

• Memory: 8 GB DDR4

• Storage: 128 GB SSD

• Operating system: Windows 10 

• Dimensions/Weight: 21 x 12 x 3 in/3.53 lbs

• Battery: 45 Wh

Pros

• Build quality and design

• Hardware

• IPS touchscreen

• battery lifekeyboard

Cons

• No dedicated GPU

• Reflective and not very bright screen

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Dell Inspiron 15 5000

Dell Inspiron 15 5000 is a classic 15.6’’ laptop, and his backlit keyboard is among few features that separate him from the most populous category of notebooks. 

Besides the metallic lid, there is no other design or build a feature that stands out. Other parts are made from matte black plastic, and it is just what you would expect in this price range. Some of the cheaper Inspiron laptops got killed in customers reviews for its screens. Good news for Dell buyers is that Inspiron comes with FullHD touchscreen. 

Not that the touch part will be a definite selling point, but touchscreen displays tend to be of better quality, and that is the case with this model. 

Chicklet keyboard has a numerical keypad, which is excellent for productivity. The nice layout has little smaller return key, but besides that it’s ok. Shallow key walk and bending of the surface could ruin longer writing runs. Overall, the keyboard is decent, with backlit illumination that raises the grade. Big trackpad underneath has a subtle mark for left and right mouse button. There is enough space for gestures, and there are no serious flaws with it.

Dell Inspiron 15 comes with potent four cores Intel Core i5-8250U CPU that works on 1.66 GHz base clock, and it can go up to 3.4 GHz. Great support for the processor comes from 12 GB of RAM, slightly above average in this price range. What we didn’t like is lack of SSD. Inspiron 15 5000 comes with 1 TB classic HDD. This will result in slower and not quite so responsive user experience, but you will have substantial storage capacity. 

Another drawback is the integrated GPU, capable of most task excluding gaming. The only upgrade we would recommend however would be swapping HDD with SSD. 

Dell Inspiron 15 comes with Dual Band Wireless ac, and great ports selection with two USB 3.1, one USB 2.0, HDMI and media card reader. There is another blast from the past in the form of  DVD/RW device. Audio performance is not bad with stereo speakers and MaxxAudio Pro processing. 

Powerful CPU and abundance of RAM make this all-rounder tempting, but the lack of SSD could be a dealbreaker. Formidable build quality and solid touchscreen display with great price make this package a good offer.

Specs:

• Display size/type: 15.6’’/ LED

• Resolution: 1920×1080

• CPU: Intel Core i5-8250U

• GPU: Intel HHD Graphics 620

• Memory: 12 GB DDR4

• Storage: 1 TB HDD

• Operating system: Windows 10 Home

• Dimensions/Weight: 14.96×10.15×0.89 in/4.8 lbs

• Battery: 48 Wh

Pros

• CPU and RAM combo

• Lots of storage space

• FHD Touchscreen

Cons

• No dedicated GPU

• No SSD

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HP Pavilion 14

HP Pavilion 14 is a mix of a compact laptop with potent hardware and very competitive price. It features IPS display, speedy SSD- RAM combo and a backlit keyboard that got him a place on this list.

Pavilion 14, 2019 edition has ultra-thin and light design with attractive matte finishing touches and a combination of plastic and aluminum materials. The stylish design doesn’t quite translate to the screen area, which has thin bezel on the side, but a lot of plastic up and under the display. 

The keyboard is chicklet style with no big layout issue beside smaller return and arrow keys, but that is standard with 14’’ devices. The keyboard is comfortable for typing despite having shallow key travel. The backlit keyboard on this compact and very mobile device is valuable in cases you’ll need to use the laptop in darker light conditions. Illumination is controlled with function keys, and there is only one level of brightness available.

The touchpad is very wide, with mouse buttons separated physically. It’s responsive and tall enough for using gestures.

Pavilion 14 comes with FHD IPS display with great viewing angles and touch capabilities. The screen is one of the stronger assets for this device. Besides the great screen, HP Pavilion borrowed versatile ports from the higher price category. The laptop comes with Thunderbolt USB 3.1 Type-C with data transfer up to 5GBs, two standard USB 3.1 and HDMI. HP doesn’t offer Wi-Fi ac support, but that is not a dealbreaker.

The stylish Pavilion has dual-core Intel Core i3-8130U CPU. Along with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD the processor will enable excellent user experience with fast boot times, responsive system and opening of the apps. You won’t be able to play serious games on integrated graphics or to work with advanced 3D professional apps, but Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Avid, or other production applications will work just fine.

HP Pavilion 14 is a stylish, compact laptop with great display and hardware, and backlit keyboard makes it perfect for writers on the go. With 3.16 lbs it’s lightweight which makes it mobile and ergonomic. It’s not meant for gaming, although you can play Hearthstone or Plants vs. Zombies. 

Specs:

• Display size/type: 14’/ IPS

• Resolution: 1920×1080

• CPU: Intel Core i3-8130U

• GPU: Intel HHD Graphics 620

• Memory:  8 GB DDR4

• Storage: 256 GB SSD

• Operating system: Windows 10 

• Dimensions/Weight: 12.76 x 8.89 x 0.78 in/3.16 lbs

• Battery: 41 Wh

Pros

• Build quality and design

• FHD IPS Display

• Hardware

• Price

Cons

• No dedicated GPU

What to look for in a budget laptop, besides the backlit keyboard

This is the questions that are repeated over and over for every laptop and other devices category. And the answer is hidden within the customers. First thing you should do is determine what you need a laptop for. If you are a writer, a great keyboard is essential, if you want to play games, you will need a dedicated GPU, and if you need an all-around laptop, it boils down to your budget.

With Windows 10 as dominating the operating system and Google Chrome as the most popular browser, we would recommend at least 8 GB of RAM.

 SSD is another component you should prioritize when buying a new laptop. This is the component that has the most significant effect on the overall speed and responsiveness of the system. 

For most uses, CPU is not bottleneck, but to be sure and future proof doesn’t go under Core i3- 8xxx or AMD Ryzen 5. If you are really on a tight budget, new Intel Pentiums are a solid choice also. 

For all of you budget gamers, there are a couple of choices with nVidia MX 150 being the bare minimum and GTX 1050 for comfortable 1080p gaming without breaking the bank. 

The display should be FHD and IPS, and that is already a great combo for budget laptops. 

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Bottom line

The backlit keyboard is a handy feature in numerous scenarios. It can make an average keyboard better and more useful, but it won’t be much help if your laptop keyboard is awful. For the cheapest laptops with backlit keyboards, you will probably get only one level of brightness. RGB laptop keyboards are reserved for more expensive and most gaming laptops. I finished writing this article on a backlit keyboard, so LED illumination is a definitively great feature, and even if the quality is not very good, it’s still a great help when you don’t see the letters on the keyboard.

There is little doubt that a tablet is much more convenient than a laptop, it’s smaller, easier to carry, and generally much better for specific functions; such as note taking. But not all tablets are created equal – in fact, you may be surprised to discover that not all tablets support stylus use.

Why A Stylus

To many people, a stylus is nothing more than a nice accessory that sees some occasional use. To many others, a stylus is an essential part of your tablet and helpful in performing a variety of tasks. This includes business people who don’t have time or want to leave handwritten notes everywhere, creative types who want to be able to design whenever they feel like it, and even people who just don’t like or want to touch the tablet screen.

Initially, a stylus was simply any device that you used to touch the screen. This was thanks to the fact the screens were simply two layers of glass with a gap between them, and any object pushing the two screens together had the desired effect.

As demand has grown, so has stylus-specific technology. The modern stylus uses electrical conductivity, matched to capacitive touchscreens. It’s a more efficient and accurate method but it has resulted in some styluses being a better fit, depending on the function you want to use it for.

Here are some of the top reasons for using a stylus:

Precision

It doesn’t matter how good your fingers are, there are times when the icons are so small it is hard to be accurate. We all know how annoying it can be when you keep hitting the wrong function, especially if it takes you to an advert that is of no interest.

Using a stylus ensures accuracy.

Don’t forget that you can do almost anything with a tablet, including drawing, taking notes, and accessing apps/information. A stylus is simply a more practical approach.

Temperature drops

When the temperature drops you’ll want to start putting gloves on, as well as a coat, scarf, etc. Unfortunately, while gloves wouldn’t impede the use of early tablets, modern tablets with capacitive touch screens need the electrical current of your finger or a stylus.

A stylus will allow you to use your tablet and wear gloves.

Hygiene

Oil on your skin can be damaging to touchscreens and it’s not just natural oils that remain on your hands. Food debris and other items can remain on your hands causing inconvenient smudges and potentially damaging the screen.

Finger Care

Finally, (and this may apply more to the ladies), if you like to have long nails and manicured hands you’ll already appreciate the difficulty in operating a touchscreen accurately without scratching it.

Again, the stylus will eliminate this issue. 

Best Tablets for Note Taking 

If you’re looking for a tablet that is great for taking notes and is compatible with a stylus, then you need to know what’s available. Not all the premium-priced tablets have great stylus support, and that‘s what really counts.

Of course, you also need to consider the operating system that you’re using or want to use, which will help you decide on the tablet that suits your needs best.

Android Options

There is little doubt that Android tablets continue to dominate the market. Grab one of the following two and start putting your stylus to work!

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 – Best All-Purpose Tablet

It is justifiable to say that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is one of the best options on the market. It is extremely capable of handling any task you’d like it to do and works well with your stylus.

The Specs

• Available in 64gb or 256gb
• Includes S Pen
• Uses Far Field Mics – allowing voice responsiveness even across the room.
• Super AMOLED display, giving the very best visual performance.
• Dolby Atmos surround sound
• 10.5” screen
• Resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels
• Solid State memory
• 2.3GHz Snapdragon 835 Octa-Core
• 4gb RAM
• Front & Rear Cameras – 8MP & 13MP respectively
• 12-hour battery life

The specs are impressive and so is the performance. But, more importantly, what’s the verdict of people who’ve actually used the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4?

The Negative

Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. One of the biggest issues and a justifiable one seems to be the lack of fingerprint reader. Considering the modern emphasis on security this is a poor oversight by one of the world’s biggest tech companies.

There have also been several issues regarding the quality of the goods supplied. One customer received a ‘new’ tablet to find a pixel was out. Another found only half the screen working.

It should be noted that these customers purchased through Amazon, not direct with Samsung.

Potentially more important is the fact that the tablet is not capable of playing rhythm games as two or more short flick inputs means the input is ignored.

The Positive

 On the plus side, 74% of users have given the Samsung Galaxy Tab4 5 stars. The emphasis of these reviews is the portability and productivity of the tablet. Providing you select the 256gb option you’ll have plenty of space to cover all the downloads you want to make. 

But, what really sells it is the inclusion of DeX and how well it works with the S Pen, (which is also included). In effect it can make your tablet feel and work more like a laptop, giving you the best of all worlds.

It’s worth noting that the S Pen does not need a battery and has up to 4096 points of pressure sensitivity, allowing you to get just the right level of responsiveness for your personal tastes.

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Huawei MediaPad M5 Pro – Best Value Android

The Huawei MediaPad M5 Pro is cheaper than the Samsung offering, sitting squarely in the mid-price range. However, it has a lot of good points that make it a viable alternative, especially if your budget is limited. 

The Specs

• 10.8” screen
• 2.5D Curved Edge Glass Display
• Resolution 2560 x 1600
• Harman/Kardon tuned speakers
• Dual Cameras – 13MP on the rear and 8MP on the front
• Kirin 960 series Octa-core
• 4GB Ram
• 64GB Hard Drive
• Android 8.0 Oreo
• Battery Lasts 11 hours & charges in just under 3 hours
• Fingerprint recognition
• Weighs Just 1.1lbs
• Comes With M Pen

This is one good-looking tablet that looks like a top-end model. The fact that it is made of aluminum and weighs virtually nothing contributes to this look and style. But, as you can see it also has decent specs, although the battery life is not as good as the Samsung and it lags in performance.

The Negatives

The M Pen is a big selling point and useful addition to this tablet. However, it should be noted that if anything goes wrong with the M Pen you’ll need to send the M Pen and the tablet back. This will allow it to be rectified under warranty if the fault is covered. But, it is, at best, inconvenient.

Another point that has been made by users is the fact that the Chrome on this tablet is UI, the phone version. You’ll probably find you prefer the tablet version.

In addition, several users have commented that the system resets your settings when it feels like it, leaving you with the time-consuming task of putting the back again. 

Finally, it has been noted that trying to use Bluetooth and the Wi-Fi at the same time results in agonizing speeds for both features. Individually they’re good, just not at the same time.

The Positives

The vast majority of users rate this tablet as a good purchase. In fact, one of the most positive comments that are often repeated is how good the M Pen is. That’s good news if you’re looking for a tablet that works well with a stylus.

The finish of the Huawei is excellent, its buttons are well-positioned, allowing button and finger swipe to be used efficiently at the same time. The M Pen is responsive and allows you to draw, write, or do practically anything else with your tablet. 

You’ll also appreciate the comfort eye mode that allows you to read the screen even when the room is in complete darkness.

In short, this tablet looks great and performs nearly as well as the Samsung, but costs less. You’re unlikely to be disappointed with this choice.

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Apple Option

Of course, Apple still has approximately a 30-35% share of the tablet market. For many people, Apple products are the only logical choice.

If this is you then you’ll want to take a look at these two iPads, there are worth considering for note taking and using with a stylus.

Apple iPad

The first thing that will surprise you about the iPad 2018 is the fact that it is far more affordable than any of its predecessors. 

With Smartphones becoming so powerful, Apple has recognized there is a decreasing demand for tablets. In order to keep selling their products, the price has come down, making them an attractive option that’s more affordable than ever before.

The Specs

• 9.7” Retina Display
• A10 Fusion processing chip
• 2GB RAM
• 32GB Hard Drive
• Dual Cameras – 8MP on back and 1.2MP on the front
• Battery Lasts 10 hours
• Dual Speakers
• Fingerprint Sensor
• Standard Lightning Connector
• iOS 12
• Weighs .99lbs

The Negatives

It’s an Apple product. That’s not actually a negative in its own right unless you are making the transition from an Android or Windows tablet. If this is the case you’ll need to be prepared to change the way you do everything!

Perhaps the most important thing to note is that this tablet does not support the 2^nd generation pencil. This is unfortunate as the 2^nd generation pencil is more versatile than the 1^st generation option.

To add insult to injury, you’ll need to purchase the pencil separately.

Some users have also voiced safety concerns as the screen breaks surprisingly easily and shatters into lots of glass fragments; these can be dangerous. Alongside this, the cost of repairing the screen is comparable to purchasing a new iPad.

It’s also worth noting that the screen is smaller than the other options on this best tablets for note taking list, that may be an issue. 

The Positives

Fortunately, most users have a good experience with this tablet and are happy to recommend it. The iPad 2018 is stylish, lightweight, and very fast, despite only having 2GB RAM. 

But, the real selling point for many users is not the screen quality or the speed, it’s the accuracy, pressure sensitivity, and performance of the Apple Pencil. There is very little to fault with the pencil, making this an excellent choice for anyone who needs a stylus.

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Windows Option

Window based tablets are definitely in the minority but this doesn’t mean they should be overlooked completely. You may be surprised!

Microsoft Surface Go – Great For Note taking & basic tasks

The Microsoft Surface Go is a good option if you don’t do too many tasks at the same time or your main aim is note taking and basic apps. 

This tablet is not the fastest one on the market but it does have a good display, is very slim, and looks like a premium tablet, without the premium price tag.

As a bonus, this tablet is designed to support the latest Surface Pen, the same one that works with the Surface Pro 6; making it a very responsive option.

The Specs

• 8GB RAM
• 128GB Solid State Hard Drive
• Dual Cameras – 8MP on the back and 5MP on the front
• 10” Screen
• Resolution 1800 x 1200
• Processor Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y – 1.6GHz
• Intel HD Graphics
• Windows 10 Home Installed
• Dolby Stereo Speakers
• 9 Hours Battery Life
• Weighs 1.15lbs

The Negatives

While most users have been happy with their purchases there have been some that have had issues with the laptop freezing up.

However, the bigger issue revolves around apps, such as Amazon Prime video or Netflix. These don’t connect well to the Microsoft Surface Go unless you use an Android emulator, which effectively ruins the point of purchasing a Windows device!

It is also important to note that the Stylus pen needs to be purchased separately.

The Positives

Fortunately, the issues are quite rare and most users have had a positive experience. When used for note taking and other office-based apps the tablet is surprisingly fast and responsive. The tablet can even be used to run games providing you keep the settings between low and mid.

Perhaps most positive of all is how well the stylus integrates with this tablet. You’ll find it is a smooth, natural experience that actually enhances your ability to complete tasks, whether note taking or sketching.

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Top Tips When Choosing the Best Tablet For Note Taking

If all the above options look appealing then you may want to take a look at the following tips, they can help you to decide which is the best tablets for note taking, for your specific needs:

Budget

The first consideration must be the budget you have available and are willing to send. Tablets are generally much cheaper than they used to be, all of these can be bought for under $700, the question is how much do you have spare to spend?

It’s worth considering this as the tablet should be an investment to help you work better. But, it will quickly be outdated, how much are you willing to spend on something that will be old news within 12 months? 

Operating System

Perhaps the most obvious part of your decision is which operating system the tablet uses. If you already have a preference then this will narrow the competition. 

Of course, this doesn’t rule out trying out a new operating system, you just need to be aware that not all your current apps and products will integrate perfectly if you switch operating systems.

Multi-Tasking

The better the processor and the RAM the easier your tablet will find it to multitask. You’ll need to consider how often you’re doing several applications on your tablet. This will help you to decide how much RAM memory and how fast the processor should be.

Memory

In simple terms the larger the memory the more things you’ll be able to store. That’s a good thing! However, you shouldn’t base your decision entirely on how big the memory is, it is also important to consider how much memory you need. 

It can be frustrating running out of memory but some of the tablets with smaller memories actually have storage slots, allowing you to quickly change Micro SD cards and bypass the need for a large memory on the tablet.

Consider how much memory you really need before you decide on a tablet but don’t forget that every app you download will use some of that memory.

Stylus

As you’re looking for a tablet that offers great note-taking abilities you need to consider the stylus.

All the tablets on this list work well with a stylus. However, they don’t all come with a stylus, purchasing one separately can add a significant cost to your purchase and may even make it more expensive than choosing an alternative tablet.

It’s definitely worth checking first. 

Camera

Interestingly the iPad 2018 has the lowest MP cameras. This may not be an issue but if you like keeping up with social media while note taking you may want to consider which tablet gives you the most responsive camera, as well as the best picture.

Screen Size

Finally, you should spare a few minutes to consider the size of the screen. The larger the screen the easier it usually is to read and process information. However, this will make it more like a laptop and more difficult to carry around with you.

Before you commit to any screen size, consider what you use it for and when you carry it around, it will help you to choose the best size for your needs.

Final Thoughts

If money is no object you’d be wise to choose between the iPad 2018 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, depending on your system preference.

They are both well-built machines that will give you all the responsiveness that you need with a stylus and simultaneously complete multiple tasks.

However, if you have a more limited budget, either of the other two options should be an attractive choice and a worthwhile investment.

Just take a few moments to consider what you really need and then go for it. This is one purchase you won’t regret.

Finally, don’t forget that this is a look at the best tablets for note taking with a stylus. It doesn’t mean they are the best products on the market or that more expensive options will work as well. These tablets are designed to work with a stylus and give a comparatively smooth performance, which is what makes them the best in their class. 

If you’re creative or spend much of your time on the go, then you’ll find the stylus is an essential part of your day, and so should one of these tablets be.