Important Considerations for a Good Travel Laptop
Are you looking to travel the world and need a good laptop to accompany you? If that’s the case, then you’re reading the right article. Choosing a laptop these days is extremely difficult if you’re into the technical side of things. Even if you have a general understanding of things like hard drives, processors, and RAM, there are far too many hardware combinations and new technologies coming out that your knowledge could be outdated in just a few months.
Everyone wants to get great value out of a laptop purchase; they want it to last a long time and they want it to be as durable as possible. But instead of just going for whatever the top brands are, why not take a more objective approach to choosing your laptop by focusing on the elements that are important for a traveler?
In this post, we’ll be covering those components to help you get a better understanding of what kind of laptop you should be looking for when traveling.
Why would you need a travel laptop?
But first; why do we need a travel laptop? Whether you’re traveling to Thailand or just another city in your country, having a laptop can be a huge benefit if you plan to do any kind of work or like to stay connected with your friends and family members. It’s crucial for anyone that is creating content on the go, and a small laptop is the perfect companion to your smartphone for doing things like photo editing or even watching movies when you’re in your hotel room.
But with that said, not everyone needs a travel laptop and plenty of people can get by with just a smartphone or even a tablet. Here are some of the most common reasons why you’d want a travel laptop:
- To use powerful software like Photoshop and Premiere to create content from the photos and videos you’ve shot.
- For an easier typing experience compared to your phone.
- To consume content such as movies and shows when you have downtime, such as being stuck in a hotel room or having no plans for the day.
- To make it easier to browse the internet on a larger screen.
- For work-related purposes.
Important components of a good travel laptop
Whatever your reasons for needing a good travel laptop, here are the most important factors that you’ll want to consider.
Durability
Durability is extremely important because traveling usually means your laptop is going to get knocked about. Durability tests are all over YouTube and many media outlets cover them, so it’s good to check these tests to see if the laptop can withstand a bit of abuse while in your bag. However, it’s good practice to get a laptop sleeve or a bag with padding to protect it as well.
Battery life
Battery life tests and claims aren’t always accurate, so it’s usually best to look up a review for it. Most modern laptops have an all-day battery assuming you’re not doing anything too intensive like rendering videos or editing photographs all day. However, if you’re buying an older laptop then you may want to check its battery life or how long it’s been used in the past (in the case of refurbished or second-hand laptops) so you have peace of mind knowing it won’t die on you in the first few hours of the day.
Operating system
There are two main operating systems to consider; macOs and Windows. Mac is usually preferred by people who are already a part of the Apple ecosystem, such as using an iPhone or an iPad. You also get access to services like Clean My Mac which can be a convenient way to fix computer issues. However, Windows tends to have better customization for people who know their way around a computer. In terms of traveling, there isn’t a huge difference but some people like taking advantage of Apple-related services like WiFi sharing which can be convenient when you’re using your laptop away from home or your accommodation.
Ports and connectivity
Ports are important because many laptops these days only have a couple of USB ports. This means that you won’t have a lot of connectivity for devices like a camera which you might take with you while traveling. A good solution to this is a USB hub that offers more connectivity, but a lot of people prefer having a laptop with more ports so there’s less to carry around.
Weight
And lastly, don’t forget about the weight of your laptop. More powerful laptops tend to be heavier due to their components, and the power cable is also a bit bulkier as well. Lighter laptops are much easier to carry around in a bag, but if you have a suitcase then it could be fine to get a heavier laptop as well.
