Privacy & Laptop for Personal Journaling

[Shogi]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for a budget, small laptop, for using Microsoft OneNote.
It's a huge decision for me, due to the price. My priority is it's weight and safety (journaling).
I know MacBooks are the best, but it's a huge cost - and I don't know if it's worth it, for journaling alone. 

I need something lightweight, with a good keyboard. It should still have support for some years, receiving system updates for the security reasons.

Here are the options I found interesting (light and cheap):

1. Laptop Acer Swift SF114-34-C694 14" 

• Brand: Acer
• Model: Swift SF114-34-C694
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home Edition
• Weight: 1.3 kg
• Dimensions: 323 x 15 x 212 mm
• Backlit Keyboard
• Price: Around $360

2. Laptop LENOVO IdeaPad Slim 3 Chrome 14M868 14"

• Brand: Lenovo
• Operating System: Chrome OS
• Weight: 1.3 kg
• Dimensions: 326 x 186 x 222 mm
• Price: Around $240

Does anyone have any experience/advice or recommendations to share in that area? 

Edited February 19 by Shogi

[AION]

You could go for second hand Thinkpad or MacBook Air. Otherwise IdeaPads are good enough for your particular budget. 

Edited February 17 by AION

[SwiftQuill]

Why not a Chromebook? I bought one for 230€. The battery lasts a very long time (8-10h). I don't think it's compatible with OneNote but you can use some other software. Also it's incredibly light. Very practical to travel with and to type with it on your lap.

[Yimpa]

27 minutes ago, SwiftQuill said:

I don't think it's compatible with OneNote but you can use some other software.

The workaround is using the web version, but it has limitations. 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-to-access-microsoft-office-on-a-chromebook-32f14a23-2c1a-4579-b973-d4b1d78561ad

[Michael569]

If safety is your priority you can offset that to the journaling app by subscribing to something like Penzu instead of None Note. Penzu has a high tier security settings. Your personal notes will be encrypted under a 2-step verification process. 

Anyways, most laptops these days are clear from any viruses and infiltrations, it is user behaviour that defines whether it stays that way. Still if you are concerned, invest a little bit in an antivirus like Norton or Eset. 

In terms of which to buy, it doesn't matter that much. Any modern laptop will be able to run One Note. It does help to think a little bit forward and consider whether there are other things you may want to do with it in the future where a cheap laptop might become a limitation. 

I'd outsource that thinking to AI. Give GPT your list of criteria and your budget and ask him to help you decide. 

If cost is a concern, you could consider something with monthly instalments. You may overpay a tiny bit due to interest but over time you'll be able to afford a higher tier laptop. 

[Shogi]

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and recommendations.

@AION I'm curious about idea of the second-hand MacBook Air. Would it be 100% safe to use for private journaling, diary? I've never had a second-hand laptop, it sounds risky in terms of privacy, but maybe it's not?

 @Michael569 Thank you for the Penzu recommendation. I was sure that One Note is super secure for personal notes. I checked the web now and I see some privacy concerns around that app. I do want to be able to have all the thoughts in one common place book, and OneNote seems ideal, due to Wikipedia-like linking feature. But privacy is No.1 priority.

Edited February 19 by Shogi

[UnbornTao]

@Shogi Maybe check out Obsidian.

[Michael569]

@Shogi do you share computer with other people and thats why you are concerned? Or is that concern about getting hacked? 

If it is the earlier than make sure each person has their own Microsoft profile. If the latter, a good antivirus can get that sorted. 

with regards to OneNote, a yearly Office 365 license costs about 100 dollars at the moment, I think. This way you get access to their security features as well, one of which is the secure Office 365 Vault . I think you can probably keep your One Note journals in here (best check won their website. 

Penzu Pro + costs $50 and with it you get state of the art protection + tons of customisation options. Frankly Penzu is a hidden gem of private journals and it even looks beautiful with the tons of ways to change font, layout, even the journal cover if you're into that sort of stuff.

Also as @UnbornTao mentioned, you also have options with the free versions of note taking apps like Obsidian and Notion both of which offer options to password protect folders. 

I mean, in general as long as you don't leave around your laptop opened (not locked) and don't tell others your pass, it is almost impossible for anyone to log into your system. Most laptops get locked after multiple failed attempts.  Don't browse unregulated porn sites and don't torrent too much and you'll be fine

A completely other alternative if you would prefer handwritten journals that are password locked is something like ReMarkable2. There is something that comes out during handwriting that doesn't when key typing, at least for me. Like I can access deeper levels of reflection that I can't when I type. Almost as it if forces the mind to slow down Which is why I went away from digital into handwritten journals on Remarkable 2. But I know that's not for everyone. 

Edited February 19 by Michael569

[Shogi]

I will definitely look into your suggestions. I was hacked once, but now I see that I've become too vigilant in that area, your thoughts have helped a lot. Thank you Micheal569, UnbornTao 

[The Renaissance Man]

@Shogi Any hardware is powerful enough for journaling. If even $240 is too much for you, look into second hand laptops.

I have started to buy most of my expensive stuff second-hand, and it's one of the best life hacks I've found.