Court reporters have to provide thorough, accurate records of court proceedings. This includes trials and depositions. A court reporter needs a sturdy and reliable machine.
Court reporters work in courts and legislatures. But they sometimes work from home. Sometimes they work from other locations as well.
We are putting together this list because we get so many requests from readers who want to get the best laptop for a court reporter.
Why we wrote this Article:
The article describes features that make the best laptops for court reporters. You will know just what to look for after reading this.
The ideal laptop facilitates your work and does not slow you down. You want a robust processer that supports all the commands you will use as you work.
Here is what to look out for in your search for the best laptops for court reporters:
Processor:
The computer processor is also called the CPU. It is the most important integrated circuitry chip within your computer. The processor interprets most commands.
A poor processor will lag or freeze, causing inconvenience. The processor should be an Intel i5 at a minimum, but an i7 is better. With this, you can work as fast or slow as you want to.
RAM:
The RAM of your laptop should be 8GB or higher. Anything lower might be a setback.
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It enables the applications on your device to store information and access it in real-time. RAM allows you to run multiple applications simultaneously without compromising speed.
Hard Drive:
After checking out the RAM and processor, you want to check out the hard drive and its capacity. It will still have some power to affect your work. there are two types of hard drive SSD and HDD. We recommend going with an SSD hard drive.SSD hard drives are ten times faster than HDDs. At a minimum, the hard drive should have 256GB of space. More is better.
A hard drive or hard disk stores your documents, applications, and the entire operating system your laptop runs on.
Ports:
You will need ports for connecting external devices. A USB port will help attach a mouse. And if you have more dated equipment, you will need a serial port.
Add-Ons:
Get some CAT software, PDF reader, anti-virus, and the Microsoft Office suite to go with your laptop.
Best Laptops list for Court Reporter
- MacBook Pro
- HP Envy 13
- Dell XPS 13
- Acer Swift 3
- HP Spectre X360
- Asus Zenbook 14
- Lenovo Flex 5
- Microsoft Surface Book 3
- Acer Aspire 5
1. MacBook Pro
Apple took a big gamble shifting from Intel CPUs to their own Apple Silicon chips. That gamble paid off big time, going by the exceptional performance of the MacBook Pro.
Apple promises MacBook Pro users the best notebook display in the world.
You can have RAM of 8 or 16GB depending on your requirements. It has a battery life of 16 hours and a 2TB hard drive.
Over time, Macs have gotten smaller and smaller. But the new MacBook Pro is slightly heavier than older models. The trade-off is that you get a cooler machine.
MacBook Pros are expensive but arguably well worth the price if you can afford them. Besides exceptional performance, they also have extended battery life.
Hardware ports accommodate Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and SDXC Card.
2. HP Envy 13
The Envy 13 from HP is sleek and small. It is an ideal machine for that Court reporter who needs to multitask and run multiple functions. It has three USB ports – type A and C. It also has 8/16GB RAM and an SSD of 512GB.
Envy 13 is a convertible laptop. It turns into a tablet when you fold the keyboard backward. It has a touch screen for more convenience.
The HP Envy 13 remains one of the best deals you can score for under $1,000. Its performance matches many higher-priced laptops. HP Envy 13 has a long-lasting battery.
We loved the lustrous aluminum design and the display. Much thought went into this laptop.
The HP Envy 13 has so much going for it that you almost forget the plastic touchpad.
3. Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 is incredibly lightweight at just 1.2 kg. It is also thinner than previous models without sacrificing any features. The hinge is also much easier to open.
It has a RAM of 16GB, 512GB of hard drive memory, and it runs on Windows 10 Pro. You can plug in anything else you need using the two USB ports, a headset port, and one SD card slot.
The XPS 13 goes for between $999 and $1,616, depending on the model you go for.
One of its strongest features is the aluminum chassis, stainless steel logo, and Corning glass screen. You will find the keyboard easy to work with and the touchpad even easier to use.
Dell XPS 13 does not have a compact screen. It has a 16:10 display which means more vertical space.
On the downside, the webcam creates blurry pictures. It has no privacy shutter, too. But the performance of the processor more than makes up for it.
4. Acer Swift 3
If you are looking for a reasonably priced ultra-book, this is it. It is portable and good at running multiple functions. It comes with 8GB ram and 512 GB storage. Three USB ports and an HDMI port make it easy to connect to peripheral devices. The processor is Intel i5.
It is more portable than other alternatives. The 2021 Acer Swift 3 has a 14-inch screen. It is larger. The wider display is nice for some people but might be distracting if you liked the smaller screen. But the long battery life certainly helps.
Acer Swift 3 sells for an affordable price, starting from $699. Every model has a non-touch display. It has an i5 Intel Core CPU.
5. HP Spectre X360
One of the defining features of the HP Spectre X360 is its extraordinary battery life. At 22 hours, this laptop keeps going for nearly a full day.
The compact size and battery life of the HP Spectre X360 make it ideal for long working hours and traveling.
Depending on the option you pick, you might have a RAM of 8 or 16GB and storage of 256 or 512 GB.
The Spectre x360 is one of the most elegant consumer laptops on the market. It has a long-lasting battery and sterling performance to match the stylish looks.
HP Spectre x360 is one of the best convertible laptops around with a powerful processor. HP Spectre x360 is masterfully designed and comes in silver, black, and blue. Even the black Spectre x360 looks unique. It is designed to appear thinner because of the beveled edges. It is a work of art.
It comes with an MPP2.0 pen that sticks to the side magnetically.
6. Asus Zenbook 14
The Asus Zenbook 14 is a versatile laptop. It is perfect for court reporters who need to perform several functions to create accurate transcriptions. The battery runs for 9 hours. It is fitted with powerful speakers, too.
This lightweight, portable machine has a Core i7 processor, 16 GB RAM, and 1TB SSD memory. The Asus Zenbook comes in Icicle Silver and Royal Blue.
The Asus Zenbook 14 has three USBs, 1 HDMI port, an audio jack, and a Micro SD card reader.
Asus Zenbook 14 is compact with long battery life and sufficient Thunderbolt ports. At $799 and $899, it is reasonably priced. With a battery that runs all day long, the Asus Zenbook 14 would be perfect.
Except that new 11th generation chips are just getting into the market. This makes their CPU soon-to-be dated.
Asus will be introducing the Zenbook 14 (UX425EA), which will come fitted with the new CPU.
7. Lenovo Flex 5
Lenovo has discontinued the Lenovo Flex 5, but you can order one from retailers that still have them in stock. It has fantastic video and immersive audio. It is really good for video chat, making it ideal for any job that involves video calls. It is also great for entertainment when you are off work.
Lenovo Flex 5 comes fitted with a fingerprint reader. It is a convertible and has an all-day battery ideal for commuting. You can order the Lenovo Active Pen with it. At 1.6kg, this machine is very light. 16 GB RAM and 512GB SSD.
Users can choose between 14 and 15 inches, as well as between an AMD or Intel CPU. The AMD CPU performs better, though it is not necessarily a deal-breaker.
8. Microsoft Surface Book 3
The pricey Surface Book 3 from Microsoft offers so much versatility. It is more than the standard laptop/tablet with 360-degree rotation. You can rotate the keyboard away from the screen and use it as a tablet. You can also detach the keyboard altogether.
The 15-inch version of the Microsoft Surface Book 3 comes with an intel i7, 32GB RAM, 2TB. It weighs 4.2 pounds with the keyboard and 1.8 without it.
It comes with 3 USB ports, a headphone jack, and a card reader.
Nothing shows how far laptops have evolved like the Surface Book 3, which has helped keep Surface Books popular. It compares well with the MacBook Pro with unmatched style.
Microsoft Surface Book 3 is portable, with a better display. And the keyboard is even better than the Magic Keyboard from Apple.
The downside is that users have cheaper portable laptops with better specs. The price does not quite justify it. You might be better off waiting for the Surface Laptop Studio to come out.
9. Acer Aspire 5
The Acer Aspire 5 meets every requirement. It has four USB ports which are plenty. It also has an HDMI port. It also has a webcam and touchpad for navigation. 1TB storage is more than adequate. The 8GB ram is sufficient. It weighs 2.2kg and has a battery life of up to 7 hours.
Acer Aspire 5 is a good buy. It delivers on value for money, even though it looks dated.
The 10th Gen Intel Core processor and M.2 SSD make it a reliable and powerful laptop. Consider the 48Wh battery, 8GB RAM, and 1080p IPS panel and you will be sold.
FAQs
Does Size Matter?
Size does matter. While you can upgrade ROM and RAM, you can’t alter your laptop size after buying it. Most laptops are 11.6 inches long and they can go up to 17.3 inches for the biggest screens.
Smaller laptops are more portable. They are more likely to fit in your luggage and be easy to carry from one place to another. Smaller machines are probably lighter or thinner. People who travel a lot or commute with their laptops should go for smaller machines.
But size is not the only thing that matters. You want at least a 5 Intel Core CPU. And if you want to work with a larger display, you will have to work with a larger machine. Ultrabooks are generally light and swift but not so powerful. Notebooks like the Dell XPS 13 and HP Envy x360 try to offer both.
Convertibles like the HP Envy 13 and Microsoft Surface Pro allow users to fold away the keyboard or remove it, thus converting it to a tablet. Some allow you to either remove the keyboard or fold it away. Acer Swift 3 is ultraportable. Asus Zenbook 14 is an ultrabook.
The machines on this list are generally lightweight, making them ideal for court reporters that commute.
What is the Right Keyboard for me?
If you spend a lot of time typing, you want to make sure you are working with a keyboard you like. One of the best ways to do this is to try it out first before making a purchase.
Go for comfort overall. Some keyboards have so many keys that they end up squeezing the number pads. This can create a bad user experience for you when reaching for the delete keys at the upper right corner of the escape key.
A backlit keyboard helps you see the keys even when the lighting is poor. Depending on where you work, you might need one with a backlit keyboard – like the Acer Swift 13. Such features often consume energy meaning that batteries don’t last as long. There is always a trade-off. Choose what is important to you as an individual. read more here.
How does Screen Quality Affect my Experience?
You will be looking at your screen for hours a day. The screen needs to be easy and comfortable to use. Touchscreens can make navigation easier. Touch screens are more glossy and may emit an uncomfortable glare that can be distracting. Your eyes should be as comfortable as possible for your eyes.
Can I Upgrade my Laptop later?
Some manufacturers allow users to upgrade certain features: like going from 8GB to 16GB RAM. Upgrades might be unavailable or too expensive. Ask questions about this if you think you might need an upgrade soon. Users mostly upgrade RAM and hard drive. Almost all laptop has these upgrade options.
Conclusions
No laptop is ideal for everyone. We want you to choose a machine that meets your unique needs and budget.
Acer Aspire 5 The long battery life and fast processor make it easy for users to put in a full day’s work even while on the go. The absence of noise also makes it ideal for people who are highly sensitive to noise. It won’t work for people who eat at work or work from home where children can touch it and leave a smudge.
If you have a little more money to spend, you want to consider the MacBook Pro. It has longer battery life and a fantastic keyboard.
The Lenovo Flex 5 is a versatile machine with exceptional audiovisual capabilities. It is light, portable, and ideal for commuting. But the display did not impress us.
Users will enjoy the exceptional keyboard and trackpad as well as exceptional performance from the Asus Zenbook 14.
HP Spectre 360 This is not the machine for people who love using touchpads or the Ctrl key.
It has a stunning design and a long-lasting battery that more than makes up for it. It is also relatively low priced.
HP Envy 13 If you want an affordable, portable machine that switches between laptop and tablet, this is the machine for you. The reflective screens might be harsh on your eyes.
Dell XPS 13 is perfect when you love thin and light machines that run for 8-14 hours on battery power. It is also relatively high-priced. The webcam is mediocre, too.
You can work with poor lighting with the Acer Swift 13’s backlit keyboard. It has a sensitive and precise touchpad. Some users might not appreciate the shiny display.
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