A Digital Nomad’s Guide to Buying the Best Laptop for Travel

Remote work is growing in popularity. In fact, more than 4.7 million people work remotely in the United States.

When you’re not tied to an office space, you’re able to work from anywhere as long as you have a computer and an internet connection.

If you’re thinking about taking the leap and becoming a digital nomad, you’ll need to invest in the best laptop for travel that you can find. If you’ve never had to pick a computer with travel in mind, the process can feel overwhelming.

Here are a few key things to consider when you’re looking for the best laptop for a traveling professional.

Set a Firm Budget

Before you can start looking for the best laptop for travel and work, you need to think about how much you can realistically afford. Think about the amount of savings you have in place and consider how much of those savings you’re willing to use on your laptop.

If you plan on using a credit card or financing the purchase of your new laptop, make sure you have an idea of what you can afford to borrow. You need to be able to make the minimum monthly payments without putting your lifestyle at risk.

Remember that your laptop is what will allow you to work while you travel. Investing more into it will help you get a higher quality machine that will make your work easier. When it comes to technology, you really do get what you pay for.

Pay Attention to the Weight

If you’re traveling frequently, you need a laptop that you can carry with you easily. This means you need to pay attention to the weight of the computer when you’re browsing different options.

Think about how much weight you’re comfortable carrying in a carry-on bag or backpack. The heavier your laptop is, the more noticeable it will be when you’re trekking from the airport to the hotel and vice versa.

Lighter laptops often cost more, but they’ll cause you less fatigue on those busy travel days. Remember, the size of the screen doesn’t always mean that the computer will be heavier than other options on the market. Instead, it’s the components inside the computer that make it heavier and bulkier.

Cheaper machines often use heavier components, so be mindful when making your choice.

Consider the Battery Life

One of the biggest problems with traveling often is that you’re not always near an outlet to charge your computer. And once your computer’s battery dies, you won’t be able to get work done.

Almost every laptop model out there has a different battery in place. Those batteries all have different charge capacities. This is the amount of energy that the battery can hold and the length of time the system can run between charges.

For most travelers, larger battery capacities will always be better. You want to choose a laptop that you can use for hours on the go without worrying about losing your work.

Read the specs for each battery and choose the one that offers you the longest run time possible.

Think About Your Business’s Growth

Unless you plan on replacing your laptop every year, you need to shop with the future in mind. Look for a computer that will work for your needs for several years.

This might mean choosing a newer model with the most advanced operating system or picking a laptop that has a larger hard drive in place.

Whatever the case is, you need to make sure the computer you buy will last long enough that you get your money’s worth out of its performance. If you choose a computer that fits your current needs without paying attention to the way you might use the computer in the future, you risk the laptop becoming obsolete before its time.

Choose the Right Operating System

Before you can really narrow down your choices, you need to think about the type of operating system you need. Think about the types of programs you use and the types of computers you’ve worked with in the past.

If all you need your laptop to do is run a word processor and connect to the internet, a simple netbook or Chromebook® will be more than enough. However, if you need to run complicated programs or plan to do serious design work, a Windows® system or Mac® system will be a better choice.

If you’re not sure which type you’d prefer, think about the types of laptops you see others in your industry using. The chances are good that they’re using that specific laptop for a reason: it does everything they need it to do.

Following their advice is a great way to make sure you get a computer that can do everything you want it to.

Understand That Screen Size Matters

When you’re working out of an office, you have the ability to set up a separate monitor to make your tasks easier to manage. The bigger the monitor is, the easier it is to multitask and get things done.

When you’re relying on a laptop and traveling, you’re limited to the screen that’s attached to the computer itself. This means you’ll need to think about how much screen you really need.

In general, larger screens will make it easier to take on detailed work and graphic design tasks. Smaller screens give you more limited space, but help you keep your laptop’s footprint to a minimum. This can make it easier to use your laptop on the go.

Think about your preferences and choose the screen size that will make you feel the most comfortable while you’re working.

Don’t Neglect Style

When it comes to laptops, function is always more important than form. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention to the style of laptops that you like. Remember, you’ll be looking at your laptop every time you’re working.

Think about the colors you like and look at brands that have laptops in those colors. If you prefer plastic cases to aluminum, explore the options that fit your style.

You need to feel comfortable with your laptop and if you don’t like the way it looks, you won’t enjoy using it to take care of your work while you’re on the go.

Weigh the Benefits of a 2-in-1

Think about the types of projects you tend to work on while you’re traveling. Do you only work on documents when you’re heading to a new destination or do you have to lug around a separate tablet to tackle intensive graphic design tasks?

If you do, you may want to look into a 2-in-1 laptop. These computers function as a traditional laptop but also allow you to turn them into a tablet by folding the screen down.

For regular tablet users, a 2-in-1 laptop is the best work laptop for travel. It cuts down on the number of gadgets you have to bring with you and gives you access to everything you need in one single machine.

Look for Deals

Believe it or not, laptops go on sale all the time. This makes it easier for you to take advantage of certain laptop savings that you otherwise might miss out on.

The best place to start is online. Most larger retailers advertise their sales on their website. Use these sales to guide your shopping. If retailers are posting specials, there’s a good chance that the brands themselves will be posting discounts too.

In many instances, you can end up saving more by buying a computer directly from the manufacturer.

Read up on Reviews

Before you commit to buying any laptop, you’ll want to do your research. Read up on the reviews both for the model you’re considering and the brand itself.

Pay attention to any repeat concerns or issues other owners experienced. If the complaints outweigh the positive reviews, you may want to look for a different computer.

It’s also worth noting any complaints people experience about the brand. If other buyers had problems with the warranty or getting the system repaired, you’ll likely have the same issues.

You’ll want to choose a computer that many other buyers like using and one that seems to stand up to the demands of regular travel.

Choosing the Best Laptop for Travel Is Simple

Finding the best laptop for travel is essential if you’re planning on living a digital nomad lifestyle. Once you find one you love, you’ll be able to grow your business and keep up with all of your work with ease.

Just remember that choosing the right laptop is only one step in finding the right tools to run your business from the road. Think about your business’s needs and review the way the gadgets you have in place are working for you. If anything stops being useful or feels outdated, replace it as soon as you can.

Looking for more tips to help you find new and innovative ways to use technology more effectively? Check out our latest posts for more.