Best Laptops for Blogging and Social Media Influencers
Almost everyone uses social media and reads blogs these days, but those who create on these platforms need tech tools that fit their niche. The industry of influence is big business, with some estimating its worth at up to $10 billion in 2020. In fact, over 17% of companies say that they spend at least half of their annual marketing budget on sponsored content.
With so much potential to earn a living online, chances are you have someone on your gift shopping list who needs creation tools up to the task of making fresh, relevant blog posts, videos, and pictures. That's why it's important to research and buy only the best laptop for blogging or content creation.
Here’s more info on how to pick the right one, along with our top choices for serious influencers.
Features you need in a blogging laptop
How are the best laptops for blogging and vlogging different from what someone would use for school or in an office or home office setting? There will be some overlap, to be sure, but influencers and content creators have unique needs only met by certain features.
- Extended battery life: It's common to take equipment on the road and create content in real-time. Look for a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of battery life to cover even the longest events.
- Processing speed and memory: Influencers edit tons of photos and videos, which eats up precious computer resources. Invest in these areas to decrease lag and slowdown.
- Touch screen: While not absolutely vital, a touch screen makes it easier to create graphics on-the-go, including memes or video overlays where handwriting and artwork are necessary.
- Portability: Lighter, more durable laptops are where it’s at, especially for those frequently out and about.
- Storage: Even if your special someone uploads content to the cloud for safe-keeping, even a full day or week’s worth of videos can take up an enormous amount of space.
- Extra ports: There won’t always be wireless internet available, which is why HDMI, USB, and other ports are crucial for staying up to speed and on top of work.
The best laptops for blogging
Every creator is unique, so it’s not surprising that the laptops on our list represent quite a variety. There isn’t a single laptop that works for everyone. We’ve split our list into three basic categories for our top picks: standard clamshell, those with touch screens, and some that even transform into tablets.
Standard laptops
While these look like your typical laptop and may not seem “fancy” in appearance, they’re portable powerhouses and perfect for creating custom graphics, vlogs, blogs, and Instagram stories.
1. HP ENVY 15t laptop
This highly reviewed laptop comes with a responsive screen for swiping, liking, and sending photos and videos to followers in an instant. The HP ENVY 15 laptop is completely customizable and has massive storage and powerful memory options, which makes it a good laptop for YouTube videos, too. Select up to 32GB of memory and 2TB storage to handle all that footage.
Key features:
- Intel® Core™ i7 or i9 processor – the fastest available – for seamless video editing sessions
- IR sensor and unique vent design to keep the laptop cool, even during intense workdays
- Enhanced privacy features, like an unhackable camera shutter and a fingerprint reader
- Brilliant 15-inch diagonal display with micro-edge so your gift recipient sees the true colors of their work before posting, and it’s available in Full High Definition (FHD) or 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD)
2. HP Pavilion 15z touch laptop
Another option with a 15-inch touch screen, the HP Pavilion 15z laptop boasts a powerful processing and graphics combination via AMD tech. It also comes with plenty of storage space and recharges its battery incredibly fast. With the SuperSpeed USB Type-C® charging cord, you can get a 50% battery charge in just 45 minutes.
Key features:
- AMD Ryzen™ 7 4700U processor, with 8 powerful cores that does more with brilliant speed
- Up to 1TB storage for more onsite project space
- Four beautiful color choices: Ceramic white, natural silver, fog blue, and warm gold
- Capture-ready HP Wide Vision 720p HD camera featuring integrated dual array digital microphones
3. HP 17-inch laptop
If your gift recipient doesn’t need touch features, you can save a few bucks and still give them stunning visuals with the HP 17-inch laptop. This creator must-have boasts a larger, 17.3-inch diagonal HD display made even better with the Intel Iris® Xe Graphics card. Paired with the power of the just-released 11th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, they’ll crank out content like the pros without waiting on background tasks to finish.
This 17-inch beauty is also one of the few on the market that includes a built-in, full-sized DVD-rewritable drive. They’ll seamlessly transfer photo assets and other media, or kick back with their favorite retro movie between tasks. Even better, all of these goodies are packed into a laptop that weighs just over 5 lbs.
Key features:
- Stunning style with a brushed-look, full-sized keyboard, and color-matched hinge
- Four on-trend color looks including jet black, natural silver, pale gold/natural silver, and snow white
- Up to 16GB memory and 2TB SATA storage
- More ports and plugs, like 2 SuperSpeed USB Type-A, 1 USB 2.0, 1 HDMI, multi-format SD card reader, and a headphone microphone combo
Convertible laptops
Somewhere between a laptop and a tablet is the convertible laptop, a unique multitasker that’s ready to go anywhere.
4. HP Pavilion x360 15t touch laptop
The HP Pavilion x360 15t with touch screen boasts a level of portability that only a convertible device can provide through three different ways to create, watch, and share. They can use it like a laptop, complete with a full-sized keyboard. Flip it over to use as a tablet in tablet mode or set it into tent formation for hands-free video creation, webchats, and streaming.
It also has one of the most secure privacy features available. Your special someone will log in with the 3D fingerprint identification and ensure no one sneaks a peek at their work without permission.
Key features:
- Blazing-fast processing with the Intel Core i7-1165G7 and Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Beautiful brushed silver look with an hourglass design and stunning backlit keyboard
- Durable and flexible 360-degree hinge for quick opens and smooth transition from laptop to tablet or tent modes
- Robust audio experiences, thanks to the B&O dual speakers with HP Audio Boost built right in
Detachable laptops
What if your gift recipient doesn’t really need a keyboard all the time? They may be more likely to tap and swipe than type out entire blog posts. Enter the detachable laptop. This category of the best laptops for writers and online creators may just be the perfect gift you’re looking for.
5. HP Spectre x360 13t touch laptop
Small in size but big on benefits, the HP Spectre x360 with a 13-inch touch screen easily fits into just about any carryall (especially when paired with a protective sleeve). The base model comes with the Intel Core i5 processor, which you can upgrade to an i7. It’s then paired with Iris Xe graphics and up to 16GB of RAM to help your favorite influencer edit and share as quickly as they want.
Did we mention color? Help your content creator express their personality even more by picking from the three exciting color options. There’s the bold nightfall black and Poseidon blue, as well as the classic natural silver.
Key features:
- Supports fast battery charge, providing a 50% charge in just 30 minutes
- Weighs only 2.8 lbs
- Up to 2TB SSD storage
- Vivid screen options including FHD IPS, FHD OLED, FHD WLED, and 4K UHD OLED (Each comes with anti-reflection, but the SureView privacy screen is available on FHD WLED only)
Why it pays to upgrade now
Just 5 years ago, no one knew what TikTok was, and yet we have influencers making the most of this platform by harnessing the best tools along with their passion for creativity. No matter what platform they use, your special someone will be better prepared to create and share with the right set of tech tools. Whether they’re on the beach, in their living room, or hanging out with friends, they’ll be ready to engage their fans and followers.
So, what’s the best computer for blogging, Insta stories, or the next viral meme? Finding this perfect gift can help your loved one jumpstart their campaigns, earn sponsors, and gain fans. It’s an investment in their future as part of the influencer business.
Don't wait until the last minute or leave a growing media career to chance. An HP laptop is more than just a gift you can reward someone special with; it's the best thing you can do to grow their influence.
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