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

[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.

[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.