The 5 Best Laptops for Travel
So you're gearing up for that big trip. Whether you'll be wearing swim trunks or a business suit, you may also need to bring a laptop along with you for business or pleasure. In a time where tech is exploding and the demand is there, companies are churning out laptops in record numbers. So how do you swim through all the technical jargon and decide which laptop would work best for your travel needs? That's where we come in. By analyzing many of the market's best options, we've circled back around five laptops that stand out for their cost value, durability, battery life, lightness, and ease of use. Here you'll find options ranging from the buget-minded to the handsomely-paid ex-pat photo editor's best bet.
Apple Macbook Air 13″
Air You Kidding Me?
Yes, we know, choosing an Apple product as our top pick is bound to stir feelings of resentment from some and respect from others. We chose the Macbook Air not out of any sort of brand loyalty – believe us – but rather because it simply is the best overall pick for a traveler who can afford the investment. Its design is in line with the sleek, streamlined aesthetic Apple is famous for, and this is mirrored in the laptop’s user interface, which is intuitive, user-friendly, and forgiving towards those with little tech know-how. Because it fits easily into a backpack, you can throw it in your day pack or slip it into your suitcase without worrying about it being cumbersome. And if you already use Apple products, you’re only doing yourself a favor by getting the Macbook Air; it integrates seamlessly with Apple apps and devices, such as FaceTime, iCloud, AirDrop and more.
Pros:
- Lightning-fast operation
- Also available as a bundle with AppleCare+
- Fantastic battery life
Cons:
- Overpriced
- Doesn’t integrate well with non-Apple apps (like MS Word)
Asus ZenBook 13″
Maintain your Zen on the Go
Let’s get one thing straight: there are many different types of travelers, and each type will have their own set of preferences and priorities for the kind of laptop they buy. If you’re somebody who travels often, but not often enough to constantly need a high-powered computer within reach, the Asus Zenbook is a more-than-reasonable pick. Without having to mortgage the house, you’re getting a core i5 processor, a 512-gig SSD and 8 gigs of RAM, and a full-HD NanoEdge bezel display. Best of all, the thing only weighs 2 & 1/2 pounds – though its aluminum body certainly isn’t frail.
Pros:
- USB-C, HDMI, and MicroSD connectivity
- Also available with core i7
- Fingerprint reader for biometric login
Cons:
- Battery life is lacking
- Internal speakers are too quiet
- Fan is quite loud
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Look Beneath the Surface
It’s not exactly a laptop – or wait … is it? The Surface Pro 4 blurs the lines between a traditional laptop and a tablet, refusing to fit neatly into either category. True, it’s technically marketed as a tablet, but let’s consider the menagerie of laptop-like specs this tablet touts: first, it’s got an Intel Core i5 processor, which is nothing to sneeze at; next, you’ll find a 256-gig solid-state drive and 8 gigs of ram; and finally you’ll find all the same connectivity you’d get with a traditional laptop, like a 3.0 USB port, a headphone line in, and a microSD card reader. So, we ask you, is it really different than a laptop? Well, yes, it is, for three main reasons: 1) it’s much more affordable; 2) it has a front- and back-facing camera; and 3) it’s much more portable and, hence, easy to bring with you while traveling. Want to watch a film with it on the plane? No problem. Its 12.3″ screen won’t take up much space at all. How about watching that new episode of your favorite series as you lay in bed at your hostel? Sure. Fire it up. What we really love about the Surface Pro 4 is that it combines the computing power of a laptop with the versatile portability of a tablet.
Pros:
- Screen size of 12.3″ is perfect for most
- Excellent choice for backpackers
- Quite responsive
Cons:
- Keyboard is not included
- Not the best battery life
HP Chromebook 14″
Toss It in the Travel Sack
Backpackers, this one’s for you. Those who’ve ventured into the grungy hostels, shady train stations, and seedy cafes of the world know that the world isn’t always a safe place. Plain and simple, there are bad actors out there. Every traveler has heard awful stories of fellow backpackers being pickpocketed or robbed. If you really want to have a laptop with you, but you’re worried about bringing an expensive one along, why not spring for HP’s 14″ Chomebook? Sure, you’re not going to be able to treat it the same way you could use a $2,000 iMac, but it’ll get the job done. If worse comes to worst and it’s stolen, you’re not left in a huge pit of debt.
Pros:
- Display is bright and vibrant in color
- Solid state drive makes it quiet while in use
- More-than-decent internal speakers
Cons:
- Tends to get hot quickly
- Keyboard is not backlit
LG Gram 15.6″
Won't Be Edited Out
The LG Gram stands in sharp contrast to our #4 pick, the HP Chromebook. This one is not something you want to bring along with you on a trip where you think it could be stolen – not unless you’re okay with losing a huge chunk of money. This is an option best suited for the professional who also just happens to need to travel a lot. Why? Well, first, consider its weight. Despite its massive 17″ screen, this marvelous beast weighs less than three pounds. Why is the screen so big? you may wonder. Well, typically, having such a large screen would mean you’re dealing with a huge, hulking unit; here, that isn’t the case. Thanks to its lightweight build, it can spare a few extra inches, which makes it perfect for those working with visual arts, such as photo & video editors. Its 2560 x 1600 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio combine with this large screen size to provide the perfect work space – no scrolling required. Take those photos you shot at Machu Picchu, head back to the hotel room, and throw them into your favorite photo editor before you send them off into the world.
Pros:
- Strong processing power can handle a heavy workload
- Great for those who work while traveling
Cons:
- Charges quite slowly
- Mediocre speaker quality
- Costs a lot of money
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there restrictions on what kind of laptop I can bring on a flight?
Quick answer: no, there aren’t restrictions. When you go through security at the airport, you’ll have to put your laptop in a separate bin where security can scan it to be sure it isn’t rigged or otherwise dangerous. You won’t be able to use it at the beginning and tail end of the flight (as the plane takes off and lands), but besides that, you can always bring your laptop with you and even use it mid-flight.
About the Author
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.