TOP PICK 
RUNNER UP
Model
BLW's Score
-
90
88
85
83
MSRP
$199.00
$599.00
Price not available
$333.00
$622.39
More Information
Processor
Intel Celeron N4000
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.5 GHz
Intel Core i7-7500U 2.7 GHz
Intel Core i5-8250U (up to 3.4 GHz)
Intel Core i7-7500u 3.5 GHz
RAM
4GB LPDDR4
8GB DDR4
12GB DDR4
8GB LPDDR3
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
64 GB
1TB HDD
1TB HDD
256GB SSD
256GB SSD
Display
11.6" HD (1920 x 1080)
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080)
13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Truelife LED-backlit
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 600
Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel HD Graphics 620
NVIDIA GeForce MX150
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Windows 10
Windows 10
Windows 10
Windows 10
Weight
2.31 pounds
3.7 pounds
4.21 pounds
2.6 pounds
3.4 pounds
Battery Life
10 hours
5 hours
6 hours
12 hours
8 hours
TOP PICK
Model
BLW's Score
-
MSRP
$199.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Celeron N4000
RAM
4GB LPDDR4
Hard Disk
64 GB
Display
11.6" HD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 600
OS
Windows 10
Weight
2.31 pounds
Battery Life
10 hours
RUNNER UP
Model
BLW's Score
90
MSRP
$599.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.5 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
1TB HDD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
3.7 pounds
Battery Life
5 hours
BLW's Score
88
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-7500U 2.7 GHz
RAM
12GB DDR4
Hard Disk
1TB HDD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
4.21 pounds
Battery Life
6 hours
Model
BLW's Score
85
MSRP
$333.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-8250U (up to 3.4 GHz)
RAM
8GB LPDDR3
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce MX150
OS
Windows 10
Weight
2.6 pounds
Battery Life
12 hours
Model
BLW's Score
83
MSRP
$622.39
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-7500u 3.5 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Truelife LED-backlit
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
3.4 pounds
Battery Life
8 hours
Our comparison table only shows our top 5 picks. You can find the other recommendations within this article.
Most businesses and jobs demand a lot of word processing and Excel spreadsheet usage. Employees need to make presentations, submit reports and do extensive office or school-related work on their laptops.
Word processing and spreadsheets have specific requirements that can be achieved at an affordable price. If you need a laptop for word processing or Microsoft office, you don't need to spend a lot of money on a high-end laptop like the Apple MacBook air, when the need can be fulfilled by using a laptop with lower specifications... and a lower price.
So if you’re looking for an affordable laptop to get your work done you’ve come to the right page. Once you finish reading my article you’ll know which laptop is the best laptop for word processing, and for you!
Why Should You Buy A Laptop For Word And Excel Processing?
These activities require a basic laptop with a comfortable build that can store and edit documents. However, buying just any budget laptop is risky since it might result in a data loss if the laptop crashes under heavy use.
Before buying a laptop for word processing or spreadsheet work, you need to consider many factors. First of all, you need to know your requirements. Will you need to store many documents on the laptop? Will the document be large and complex?
Second, do you need to carry the laptop frequently or work while on-the-go? If so, you need to look for a laptop with good portability (reasonable size and lightweight).
On What To Pay Attention When Buying Laptop For Excel Processing?
A document processing laptop doesn't require high-end specifications. However, some components are more important than others.
You won't need a powerful processor. Almost any modern laptop processor will do the job. An Intel Celeron or Core i3 or better or equivalent AMD processor will be sufficient for basic document preparation. If you think you might want to use the laptop for other purposes, like high definition video streaming, you would want to consider an Intel Core i5 or better.
Memory is more important than the processor for word processing or spreadsheet work. We recommend 8GB RAM or more. However, if you can find an affordable and upgradable laptop with 4GB, and can do the upgrade yourself, you can sometimes save a significant amount of money.
Unless you are going to be storing large numbers of documents on the laptop, the storage drive size (hard drive or SSD) isn't critical. We recommend archiving documents to a cloud service like Google Drive, DropBox or iDrive rather than storing them on the laptop. Local storage is risky since a laptop can be stolen or a storage drive can be damaged.
128GB of storage is probably the least you'll want to consider for a Windows laptop and 64GB for a Chromebook. Like RAM, the storage drive can be user-upgraded on some laptop models.
If the laptop will be used away from an outlet for long periods of time, you'll want a good battery. Fortunately, the lower-powered laptops are not only more affordable, but they also tend to have longer battery life.
If you'll be transporting the laptop frequently, you'll need to pay attention to the size and weight of the laptop. Laptops with thin bezels tend to be physically smaller and therefore lighter.
It can also be difficult to find laptop bags for laptops with 17" displays. Although smaller displays will work fine, we recommend a 15.6" display for most purposes.
Other considerations are the keyboard quality. You'll want a full-sized keyboard with a good touch. If you intend to use a numeric keypad for spreadsheet data entry, be aware that not all laptop keyboards have one. If not, you can buy an inexpensive USB numeric keypad. You can also purchase a keyboard that has backlighting so you can work in dimly lit areas.
Some people are surprised that we include a Chromebook on our list. They believe it's not possible to run Excel or Microsoft Office applications on a Chromebook. However, this isn't true. Some options for working with Excel spreadsheets include Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel Online. Other cloud-based services also support viewing and editing Excel spreadsheets.
A Chromebook may not be the best option for Excel, but it can be a good option. Chromebooks are very affordable, portable and secure. Those features may be important for some laptop shoppers.
So, here is a list of 10 best laptops for word processing and Excel. These laptops work well without emptying your bank account. They are very well-suited for the office or for college students.
Our Top Picks for Best Laptops for Word Processing and Excel
1. ASUS L203MA-DS04 VIVOBOOK L203MA LAPTOP
Specs:
This laptop is ideal for casual users. You can use Word processing and Excel, and it has 64 gigabytes of disc space that is enough for Windows 10. You wouldn’t be able to use it as your gaming laptop if you want something appropriate for light work and play, but it is a great choice for standard everyday use.
Typing on this laptop and using the built-in mouse is a delight. The keys make the perfect amount of noise; not too loud and not entirely silent, and the mouse is smooth and works like butter.
You can do a spot of light editing and on this ASUS model. Although this laptop isn’t ideal or designed to be used as an editing tool, it does the job well, making it a brilliant multitasking laptop.
2. ASUS VIVOBOOK F510UA
Specs:
With a look quite similar to a MacBook, this very popular model produced by Asus is a stunning piece of work. It is elegant and powerful. Its sleek body makes it easy to carry this laptop anywhere and work while on the go.
Its backlit keyboard enables the laptop to be used effectively in dimly-lit rooms. There's also a fingerprint reader for extra security when working at the local coffee shop. However, there's no numeric keypad on this model.
The widescreen 15.6" FHD display works great for viewing spreadsheets. The NanoEdge bezel reduces the physical size of the laptop and increases its portability. The screen is bright enough to be used in full daylight.
With a 7th generation Intel Core i5 processor, it has more than enough processing power for document editing tasks. The 8GB RAM will allow editing applications to run as fast as possible. The battery life is average at 5 hours under normal use.
This laptop uses the latest technology to prevent laptop overheating when used for long periods of time. It has fanless cooling pads and makes no noise while being very effective. This laptop has good value for the price.
3. HP PAVILION 15.6-inch FHD
Specs:
This 15.6-inch laptop is just perfection crafted at its best. It is a blend of power along with comfort and convenience. Being an HP laptop it provides good quality parts and great after-sale services.
It's 12 GB RAM and 1 TB hard drive provides more than enough storage and memory than required. The laptop runs applications smoothly and allows you to be as productive as possible.
The Intel Core i7-7500U Processor will have no problem with handling word processing and Excel tasks. This laptop comes installed with Windows 10 and is extremely user-friendly.
Everything about the laptop is filled with simplicity making it a favorite among tech-savvy people. It's lightweight and sleek body gives it the name 'notebook’ as it can be carried anywhere just like a notebook. Its sturdy body provides strength and prevents any damage from occurring.
Its powerful battery provides up to eight hours of unplugged use, which is better than average. Its display is capable of 400 nit brightness. This makes the display easier to see in well-lit rooms.
One potential issue with this laptop is noise. We noticed the fan ran more often than we would have expected. If you are using this laptop in places like a library or a classroom, this fan noise could attract unwanted attention.
Overall this laptop may not be our top choice, but it is one of the best choices in this price range.
4. ASUS zenBook 13
Specs:
This Asus laptop is designed to especially meet the needs of students and people who work frequently with business software. This laptop provides productivity, efficiency, speed, and comfort.
The ultra-slim body makes it lightweight at 2.6 lbs and very portable. The frame of this laptop is made with aluminum and has an all-metal body, similar to the more expensive MacBook. A few falls and bumps cannot harm or damage the laptop.
Its 256GB solid state drive (SSD) provides blazing speed and good storage capacity. It is enabled with the 802.11ac and USB-C connectivity making it easier for the user to use the internet or Bluetooth on the laptop. Using the micro-HDMI connector, you can also attach it to an external monitor if you need a larger display.
This laptop has a fingerprint reader for extra security and one-touch login for convenience. This and the 12 hour battery life makes this an excellent choice for working away from the office.
This laptop is a nice combination of durability, computing power, and portability. It is a wise choice for daily computing and is definitely worth the price.
5. Dell Inspiron i5378-7171GRY
Specs:
Here's a laptop for the Dell lovers out there. Some users will only use Dell laptops after they become accustomed to the build, speed and other features on these machines.
This model of the Dell Inspiron series is an affordable yet powerful one. Its 7th Generation Intel Core i7 provides both power and productivity ensuring quality work. Besides this, the 8 GB RAM and 256 GB Solid State Drive provides great storage, memory, and speed.
This laptop is a two-in-one hybrid laptop which means it can be easily converted into a tablet. This hybrid laptop also has a touch screen that can make selecting cells on an Excel sheet much easier.
Furthermore, a touchscreen-enabled laptop can be easier to use since you don't need to scroll on the touchpad or use a mouse as much. You can simply tap on the screen. This laptop is a perfect blend of simplicity with power and can be a great buy for all those who want both a tablet and a laptop combined in one.
6. Lenovo Chromebook C330 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop
Specs:
The Lenovo Chromebook C330 boots up in just a few seconds and has a super easy-to-use Chrome OS operating system that most people find useful and fun. You can also enjoy heaps of memory space and computer storage, which won’t hold you back during any job or task.
Its connectivity is impressive and includes a wide variety of USB ports and a built-in camera. This is perfect for people working from home who are expected to participate in virtual meetings.
Response time and speed is particularly impressive here. Most programs and applications load immediately and do not lag which improves productivity.
7. ACER CHROMEBOOK CB3-131-C3SZ
Specs:
Acer laptops are very popular in office environments of large companies. This has an affordable price and contains great quality computer parts.
Although it's in the budget price range, it has everything that you need for word processing or working with Excel. It's Intel Celeron N2840 Dual-Core Processor satisfies the basic requirements for document processing and internet use. More good news is that you can work for up to 9 hours on this laptop without needing to recharge the batteries.
Its 2 GB RAM and 16 GB Solid State Drive is a bit lower than other laptops on our list but it provides adequate speed and storage for doing office-related work. Chromebooks are cloud-based, so files and applications are stored in network services rather than directly on the laptop. Your files are stored on the internet in services like Google Drive or iCloud.
The Chrome OS operating system requires less RAM than Windows. It's also more secure than Windows and less likely to be hacked. If the laptop is stolen, your files are safely stored in the cloud so you won't lose them.
Excel files can be used on a Chromebook using Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel Online. However, if you must run other Windows applications you should choose a Windows-based laptop instead.
Its ultra-thin body is extremely light and can be carried anywhere easily. The backlit keyboard is great when you are working in a room without much lighting. The display is average, but the anti-glare display is a nice feature for avoiding reflections on the screen and avoiding eye fatigue.
If you are open to something a little different, a Chromebook is a great combination of portability, low price and security. We highly recommend it.
8. HP 15 Laptop
Specs:
This laptop is a budget-friendly version of the other HP laptop on our list. Even with the low cost, this laptop has the essential features you need for doing office or schoolwork. Its Intel i3 is good enough to provide great productivity for word processing and other business software.
The full-sized keyboard has a good feel and includes a numeric keypad for data entry. The 8GB of RAM will be sufficient for most word processing and spreadsheet tasks. The huge 1TB hard drive will be welcome if you have large quantities of files that you need store locally.
Be sure to remove all the "junkware" (demonstration applications and so on) that is included with this laptop. This will increase the speed significantly.
For uses like word processing and Excel sheet editing this laptop a decent choice since the price is low and it is powerful enough to do the job. This laptop does not heat up and has impressive battery life. It is a bit on the heavy side but has a very sturdy body that prevents any kind of damage from falls and bumps.
At such a low cost, it is impressive that HP can provide so much with such great quality, so overall this laptop provides great value for money and can be a really good entry-level laptop.
9. ACER ASPIRE 5
Specs:
Since word processing and Excel do not demand a lot of features you should consider the core functionality of the laptop. This model of the Acer Aspire series is a bit more basic but has a very affordable price.
It provides all the basic requirements which include a latest and powerful processor, a good RAM to provide adequate speed, enough storage to store files. The keyboard has a nice feel to it and it even has a numeric keypad.
This laptop meets all the above-mentioned requirements and can be a great piece to work on. It is comfortable, lightweight and stylish. Its 15.6-inch screen has great resolution and is protected with blue filter making it safe for one's eyes.
The battery life is good enough that you can work all day without needing a recharge. Its battery life is good at 8 hours. This is better than most laptops in this class.
It is cheap, powerful and productive and is a very intelligent buy. Since it comes with a great one year warranty one can feel protected as well. This laptop is a perfect and ideal choice for someone who needs a laptop just for word processing and using the Excel software.
10. Dell i3542-6003BK Touch Screen Laptop
Specs:
This laptop is a great choice for people who need to work more and store less. It has a powerful Intel Core processor that ensures great speed and smooth working of the laptop even for long hours.
Its excellent battery life lasts for around 8 hours when put to maximum use. Its 15.6-inch LED screen is backlit and is also equipped with the touch screen facility which makes using the laptop much more convenient.
The backlit screen enables the user to work in dark as well. Its 4 GB RAM can be expandable up to 8 GB by the user. It also supports great connectivity that ensures that there are no obstacles while doing work either on the internet or on some specific software.
This laptop is the perfect choice for all those IT employers, accountants, bloggers, writers, freelancers, etc. out there who are glued to their laptop for the entire day. It provides comfort and power and comes at an extremely affordable price.
Conclusion
These 10 best laptops for word processing and excel are just a few of many excellent laptops available in the market.
Word processing and Excel software require only a few basic features like good processor, RAM, and storage that can be found on quite a lot of laptops but choosing one amongst such many laptops can be no less than a huge confusion.
This list contains all types of laptops for different users and suits everyone according to their needs. Hope this list helped you get an idea of the type of laptop you might want to invest your money in.
