Can daily access to laptop computers help students become better writers? Are such programs affordable? Evidence from the Inspired Writing program in Littleton Public Schools, Colorado, USA, provides a resounding yes to both questions. The program employs student netbooks, open-source software, cloud computing, and social media to help students in grades 5 through 10 develop their skills and identities as writers, all at a total hardware and software cost of less than $280 per student. Students use these tools to learn about diverse genres and write in them for authentic purposes and audiences.