With the rise of technology, laptops have become the most common way to take notes in class. This is because laptops offer many features that make taking notes much easier for students. However, with so much choice out there, it can be difficult to decide which laptop would be the best for you. Below, we look at some of the best laptops for note taking and provide reviews on each of these so that you can find the one perfect for your studying needs.
Table of Contents
What are the Best Laptops for Note Taking?
When you’re in college, you expect to be learning a lot. You also have a lot of stuff to remember, especially if you’re studying technical subjects. You may be thinking: what is the best laptop for note-taking in college? Here’s the Top 10 for you in 2023.
- Lenovo Flex 5 Laptop
- HP Pavilion x360 Laptop
- Asus Chromebook C434 Flip
- Microsoft Surface 3
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7
- Lenovo Chromebook C330
- Samsung Pro 2-in-1
- Dell XPS 13 9370 Laptop
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
- HP Spectre x360
Extra Value: Best Laptops For Embroidery Software in 2023
Full Breakdown
1. Lenovo Flex 5 Laptop (best cheap laptop for note taking)
- 14.0″ FHD (1920 x 1080) Touch Display
- AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor
- 16GB DDR4
- 256GB SSD
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Win 10
- Battery 8 hours
The Lenovo Flex 5 Laptop is perfect for students on the go. This sleek laptop offers powerful performance at an affordable price, giving users more time to do what they love while making it easy to get things done at school or work.
The 15-inch display gives enough room for multitasking between applications without feeling too cramped while still carrying around easily in a backpack or briefcase because of its lightweight design.
2. HP Pavilion x360 Laptop (best convertible laptop for note taking)
- 14” Full HD Touchscreen Display
- Intel Core i5
- 8 GB DDR4 RAM
- 512 GB SSD Storage
- Windows 10 Home
- NVIDIA GeForce 940MX 2GB GDDR3
The HP Pavilion x360 is designed to help you work anywhere. This convertible laptop delivers essential performance for running your everyday tasks with ease thanks to the latest Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB RAM while still providing enough power to complete tasks like video editing at home or on the go.
3. Asus Chromebook C434 Flip (best laptop for writing note taking)
- 15.6 inches HD NanoEdge Display
- 4GB RAM
- 32GB eMMC Storage
- 10-hour battery
Asus Chromebook C434 Flip is one of the latest convertible laptops by Asus. It features an elegant design that makes it look like a premium laptop even though it comes at an affordable price. It has 14 Full HD IPS displays with wide viewing angles and 1920×1080 resolution, so content looks sharp on-screen without distortion or pixelation.
4. Microsoft Surface 3 (best laptop for college note taking)
- 13.5″ Touch-Screen
- Intel Core i5
- 8GB Memory
- 128GB Solid State Drive
- 11 hours Battery Life
Now you can enjoy the power of a laptop and the flexibility of a tablet with the Microsoft Surface 3. This revolutionary device lets you work, play, and stay in touch with one multifunctional gadget – anywhere, anytime.
Featuring an incredibly bright 13.5-inch display, front- and rear-facing cameras (3.5MP front-facing and 8MP back-facing), two microphones, Microsoft Office built-in, and an Intel Quad-Core x5 processor for seamless multitasking, this innovative device delivers ultimate flexibility. The Surface 3’s ultra-lightweight design lets you comfortably tote it anywhere for use as a tablet or laptop PC – chances are good it may replace your need for both devices!
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (best math note taking for laptop)
- 12.3″ Touch-Screen
- 10th Gen Intel Core i5
- 8GB Memory
- 256GB SSD
- 13.5 hours Battery Life
- Windows 10 Home
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a powerhouse device, delivering up to 3x faster performance than the previous generation. It comes equipped with 8th Gen Intel Core processors and offers 256GB SSD storage capacity for even more power.
With full compatibility across Windows 10 devices, including ink support on select models, it’s easy to share content between other PCs, phones, and tablets—no matter where life takes you. Pen sold separately available.
6. Lenovo Chromebook C330 (best budget note taking laptop)
- 11.6-Inch HD (1366 x 768) IPS Display
- MediaTek MT8173C Processor
- 4GB LPDDR3
- 64 GB eMMC
- Chrome OS
- 10 Hours battery life
Are you looking best thin lightweight laptop for note taking basic acces? Here’s Faster, simpler, and more secure, the Lenovo Chromebook C330 brings the latest Chromebook features to you in a sleek, stylish, and durable Blizzard White convertible design.
Offering the latest multimedia in high-definition, this convertible Chromebook features a 10-point touchscreen IPS display for easy viewing in tent, tablet, stand, or laptop mode.
The Lenovo Chromebook C330 offers the latest digital security while delivering perfect day-to-day performance via powerful processing with integrated graphics, never slowing down, and always up to date.
7-Samsung Pro 2-in-1 (best 2 in 1 laptop for note taking)
- 12.3″ TouchScreen
- 6th Gen Intel® Core m3-6Y30 processor
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB eMMC Flash Memory
Samsung 2-in-1 Pro is a versatile laptop with a durable rotatable hinge and touchscreen display. Take it wherever inspiration strikes, and turn heads with the striking Full HD Super AMOLED display. Its built-in S Pen connects magnetically to the side of the device so you’ll never lose it, and its redesigned tip lets your workflow as smoothly as your ideas.
The fast and powerful 6th Gen Intel® Core m3-6Y30 processor and 4GB of RAM operate multiple programs without lagging or slowing down, so you can do everything simultaneously—like writing notes while watching YouTube or responding to emails while listening to music.
8. Dell XPS 13 9370 Laptop (best laptops for note taking with pen)
- Core i7-8550U Processor
- 13.3″ UHD 4K Touch Display
- 256GB SSD
- 8GB RAM
- Fingerprint Reader
- Windows 10 Home 64 bit
With a nearly bezel-free display and almost ten solid hours of battery life, Dell’s XPS 13 remains a fan favorite for students and professionals alike. Those who want to stay glued to their computer all day long will appreciate the comfortable keyboard and touchpad.
Other highlights include a bright screen with wide viewing angles, fast performance, and two USB-C ports. This particular model also has a 256GB SSD and The Dell XPS 13 9370 Laptop is one of our favorite notebooks for taking notes.
9. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (best laptop for digital note taking)
- Intel Core i5 11th Gen
- 14 inches FHD IPS
- 8GB Ram
- 512GB SSD
- Windows 10 Home
Get the flexibility you need, whether you’re working from home or finishing an assignment on the go with this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 laptop. Featuring a 14-inch display with narrow bezels, this laptop is perfect for jotting down notes when you’re in class or attending a lecture.
A 512 GB SSD hard drive provides plenty of space to store your files, while dual speakers offer crisp audio quality so you can enjoy music and videos. This Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 laptop comes with Windows 10 Home preinstalled, ensuring smooth operation out of the box.
10. HP Spectre x360 (best touch laptop for taking notes in college)
- 4K Touch
- Screen Size 15.6 Inches
- Latest Intel Core i7-8705G 3.1 GHz
- Radeon RX Vega M Graphics
- 16 GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM
- 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
HP’s Spectre x360 is, hands down, the best laptop on our list. This machine, combined with its very attractive design, top-notch performance, and a reasonable price tag, makes the competitively priced Spectre x360 highly recommendable by us.
Whether you choose to go for the Core i5 or Core i7 CPU variants, rest assured that you won’t be disappointed by this lightweight machine because of its top-of-the-line performance. It also has a good battery life and comes with impressive speakers.
How to buy a laptop for note taking?
You need to consider many things when buying the best laptops for note-taking that you might not think about if you’re not an expert on the subject.
But don’t worry, I’m here to help. I scoured all over again and did some research and came up with some tips and tricks that would help you figure out which laptop is best for taking notes if you do so in real life (I know most students do, right?)
1-Processor
While there are plenty of processor options, we recommend at least an Intel i5 chip. You want speed and power—the higher end you go, the more expensive your purchase will be, but it can pay off in terms of improved performance.
For example, some models have been clocked up to 2.4 GHz – which is practically equivalent to lightning fast! That said, Intel i3 or Pentium processors can get you going as well if your budget doesn’t quite allow for faster speeds.
2-Display size
If you spend all day front of your computer screen, screen size is an important factor. Laptops with 13-inch screens are popular because they are small enough to carry around easily but big enough to allow easy viewing of multiple documents side by side. Large 17-inch laptops might make sense if you work with giant spreadsheets, but they’re big, bulky, and less portable than their smaller counterparts.
And 15-inch models are often too large to fit on your lap comfortably. You can adjust settings such as font sizes to compensate for different screen sizes, so don’t let it deter you from choosing a model that is right for you. Just remember: It may take some time to get used to looking at a slightly smaller monitor once you have used something bigger (or larger).
3-Weight
It is how much weight you want. At any time, laptops come in different sizes and weights, so choose accordingly. Heavier laptops will be bulkier, but they’ll also contain more functionality at heavier weights. Lighter-weight laptops are sometimes less powerful, but they are also more portable.
As with most things, it’s worth figuring out your priorities and working with them when considering which type of computer is best for you. You should have some idea about these points before buying because there are no return policies or exchanges if you find out later down the line that something doesn’t fit your needs!
4-Screen resolution
If you’re going to be typing and reading a lot on your new laptop, screen resolution is extremely important. For most people, anything below 1,920 by 1,080 pixels will be too grainy—and you’ll probably even find it hard to view that when you’re just scrolling through your Facebook feed. A 2K display can cost anywhere from $250 to over $700 more than a standard full HD (1,920 by 1,080) one.
But keep in mind that there’s no linear relationship between higher pixel density and better image quality. You might not notice much of a difference between resolutions of 1,366-by-768 and 3,840-by-2,160 if viewing content side by side; on top of that, 8 million pixels sounds like an obscene amount but isn’t as high as some alternatives such as 5Kor 4K displays.
5-Battery life
Your best bet is a device with either a lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery when it comes to battery life. Both have high energy density—meaning they pack in more power per pound than other types of batteries—and both are lightweight and compact.
Look for devices that advertise at least 6 hours of continuous use on one charge. If you’re in college and don’t want to be tied down, look for something with an extended-life battery that gives you even more time before needing a recharge.
7-Connectivity options
Your potential new laptop must offer connectivity options that meet your specific needs. Think about how you want to connect it to other devices and what type of internet connection you might require. Is tethering an option you’re looking for, or do you need more bandwidth than most laptops provide?
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity is a good starting point, with 4G LTE as an optional extra if you want high-speed access when mobile (though data charges may apply).
8-Hard drive storage space
Here’s an example of one thing many college students overlook: while you might have enough space on your computer at home, you probably won’t have that much when school starts. Some schools require all assignments be stored online—meaning everything will take up more room than usual.
Luckily, storage space is cheap these days, and there are several options out there if you need to store more of your work on school grounds.
9-Portability
Do you need your computer on the go (or just about everywhere)? If so, pay attention to weight and battery life. However, if you’re mostly working from one fixed location, portability becomes less of an issue—so you can prioritize screen size and processing power instead.
Nowadays, most laptops will offer basic Microsoft Office applications like Word and Excel, making them great options for note-taking purposes. Just make sure they have enough storage space to fit everything in one place! The cloud is a viable alternative to look into as well.
Q1. Is it better to take notes by hand or computer?
Get yourself a laptop if you want your notes to be searchable, good-looking, and digital. When choosing between Macs and PCs, we’d recommend going with a Mac. The operating system is far more intuitive (and aesthetically pleasing) than Windows. It has built-in technology that makes scanning paper simpler, and many people find it easier to use if they’re switching from Windows.
Q2. What are 2 in 1 laptop?
A two-in-one laptop combines both a tablet and a laptop into one device. It’s designed for people who want a portable computer but don’t want to carry around two devices at once.
Q3. Are RAM and graphic cards important aspects to consider while purchasing a laptop for taking notes?
RAM (Random Access Memory) is a computer memory used by computers to store programs and data. It is also known as random access memory or main memory. A graphic card refers to the graphics processing unit (GPU), an integrated circuit with specialized hardware designed specifically for 3D rendering.
Q4. What screen size should the best laptop for students have?
A 13-inch or 15-inch screen is good enough for most college students. The larger screens are better for graphic design programs, but they also take up more space on desks.
Q5. How Much Power Do Note taking laptops students need?
Getting through college requires one very important tool: A laptop. You may have an old desktop lying around that you’ve been using over and over again, but it’s time to start thinking about getting your laptop. The problem with most laptops is that they aren’t powerful enough to handle everything thrown at them. This can be frustrating for someone who has never owned a computer before.
Q6. Is Chromebooks Good For Notes Taking?
Yes! Chromebooks are great for taking notes on any subject. They’re easy to use, lightweight, and they don’t require an internet connection. You can also store files directly onto them, so you’ll never lose anything again!
Q7. Which laptop should I buy if I need to take notes through a stylus?
If you want to use a stylus with your laptop, you’ll probably want to get an external keyboard. However, if you’re looking for something that will work well with a stylus, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 tablet may be what you’re looking for. It has a kickstand so you can prop it up on any flat surface, and the screen is large enough to make writing easier.
Q8. Is it better to take notes on laptop or notebook?
It depends on what you are taking notes for. If you are taking notes for school then it would be best to use a notebook. However if you are taking notes for work then it would be best for you to use a laptop.
Q9. Which 2 in 1 laptop is the best for note taking?
A 2 in 1 laptop is a laptop that can be converted into a tablet. They are popular because they make switching between working on the go and working at the desk.
There are many different 2 in 1 laptop available, but which one is the best for note-taking?
The Surface Pro 7 is an excellent choice for note-taking because it is lightweight and has a large screen. It also has excellent battery life, so you can take notes all day without worrying about running out of power.
Q10. What is the best thing to take notes on on a laptop for college?
When you’re in college, it’s necessary to keep up with your studies. But it’s also essential to stay organized. You need to take notes quickly and easily, so you don’t waste time scrambling for a pen or losing the last page of your notes when you throw your notebook in a drawer. If you’re using a laptop, several note-taking apps provide you with a simple way to get your thoughts down.
The best thing to take notes on is whichever writing surface is most convenient — paper, a digital whiteboard, or another laptop screen. Whatever works for you will help you be more productive and have more room for social life, too. Samsung Pro 2-in-1 is the leader of note-taking laptops devices.
Q11. Which laptop is best for taking academic notes?
The best laptop for taking academic notes is not an expensive laptop with all sorts of bells and whistles but rather one that has lots of RAM and storage space, is lightweight, and is made by a reputable company. You can go with HP Pavilion x360 Laptop.
Q12. What is the best way to take notes on a laptop?
The best way to take notes on a laptop is with a stylus and a writing pad. It may seem like an unnecessary step, but using a stylus means you won’t need to erase or wreck your screen.
A good writing pad is essential because it keeps your screen free of smudges and scratches while helping you write clearly and quickly. This will help you maintain focus throughout the day and make easy-to-read notes.
Other options include sticky notes, which can be placed on your keyboard as reminders. If you’re working in an office, try leaving some around the office for coworkers to use; this will eliminate any potential annoyance.
Q13. How to take the best notes in class on laptop?
Taking notes in class on a laptop is a question I get asked a lot. Look, it’s not exactly rocket science, but some essential tips can make the difference between getting good notes and getting bad ones.
First of all, listen to your teacher more than you listen to the lecture. If they are going off on tangents, keep an eye out for relevant material and write down the key points. You’ll find yourself taking more detailed notes in these instances because you’re interested in the subject matter and want to understand what you’re hearing. That’s when you’ll see that you’re listening more closely than before you took notes.
When it comes to writing, don’t be afraid to take time to jot something down if it’s important to remember later. Don’t write something just because it’s the thing your professor expects you to write down — that will come across as uninspired and robotic. Write something you feel will help you remember the lecture and put it in context later with other material.
The most important thing about taking notes on a laptop is being present during class — not just sitting there looking at your laptop and thinking about how cool your Toshiba Satellite Pro or other is. Pay attention to what your professor is teaching.
Q14. What is the best laptop for note taking?
The best laptops for note taking are different for everyone, but here are some tips:
Only a few years ago, laptops were not designed with note-taking in mind. Note-taking required a separate stylus and a separate paper pad to keep track of your notes. Today’s machines have converged into one device that can be used for both word processing and note-taking.
- HP Pavilion x360 Laptop
- Lenovo Chromebook C330
- HP Spectre x360
Q15. What is the best note taking app for laptop?
There are a lot of note-taking apps available in the app store, most of which are free. Many claim to be better than what they’re better than. There’s also no end to the number of productivity apps on the market, but our research has revealed that some have extensive features and abilities that will make your life easier.
The best note taking app for the laptop is Evernote, which has an abundance of features, including the ability to take screenshots, capture text and audio notes, create checklists, and more. Other notable programs include Notes Plus ($5) and One Note (free).
Q16. What is the best laptop that you can flip and write on?
The best laptops you can get your hands on are going to change over time, and they’re likely to be thinner and lighter than even the most recent models. In other words, a laptop that’s good today will probably be lacking in a couple of years from now. Dell XPS 13 9370 Laptop is best laptop that you can flip and write on today.
Q17. What is the best laptop for handwritten notes?
If you’re looking for the best laptop for handwritten notes, we’d recommend checking out the Dell XPS 13.
This 2-pound convertible from Dell is one of the lightest and thinnest laptops on the market. It’s not just great for taking notes on a plane or day-to-day life — it’s also perfect for travel photography, with its 13.3-inch display that lets you easily compose and share images.
Dell’s battery life is among the best in this class, with up to 9 hours of battery life on a single charge. You can get an optional external keyboard case, which can transform your XPS 13 into a laptop that looks and feels like a MacBook Pro.
Q18. What is the best laptop you can write on the screen?
It’s challenging to quantify the best laptop you can write on because it depends on many factors. But there are still some general guidelines to follow when looking at a laptop as a workspace.
Laptops are designed to be portable, but they’re not all built equally. You want one that’s easy to carry and has a full-size keyboard. You also want it to be lightweight, durable, comfortable and have good battery life (this is the most critical factor).
There are other things you need to consider, like how much storage it has, how fast the processor is, and how much RAM you can get into it without reducing screen resolution.
Q19. What are the best note taking apps for 2 in 1 laptops?
The best note-taking apps for 2 in 1 laptops are those that allow you to create notes on the fly or allow you to save them as templates. The more features you can have, the better.
Ideally, your list of note-taking apps should include both a desktop app and a mobile one. A combination of the two gives you access to your notes from anywhere you have an Internet connection.
1)Microsoft OneNote for a free note-taking app.
2)Evernote for the ultimate digital notebook.
3)Apple Notes for Apple users.
4)Google Keep for Google power users.
5)Notion for collaboration.
Q20. What are the best pen to take notes on touch screen laptop?
One of the most important things to consider when searching for a good pen to take notes on touch screen laptop is what you’re trying to achieve with your digital pen. Are you looking to simply highlight text or do you need to write in a specific way? If you’re just taking notes, consider getting a stylus that can write in the same way as a ballpoint pen.
This will allow you to keep using the familiar graphics and fonts of your computer while still being able to take notes properly. You may also want to consider getting an extra stylus for your laptop if it has a touchscreen, as this will allow you to be completely comfortable when taking notes.
1)BaseTronics Stylus Pens
2)Adonit Pro 4
3)Mikicat Active Stylus
4)Wacom Bamboo Ink Plus
5)Apple Pencil
Bottom Lines
Whether you are a student or a professional, having the right laptop can go a long way in making your life easier. Whether you need to take notes in class or need a computer for your professional work, this list of best laptops for note taking should give you some idea of which machine to buy.