How to Pick the Best Travel Laptop

Since everyone travels in their own unique way, writing a definitive guide and declaring which is the best travel laptop on the market would be a near impossible task.

It’s a personal thing, travellers use their laptops in a multitude of different ways and, with new makes and models appearing regularly, it’d be a nightmare to keep the recommends current! Instead, here are a few considerations to help you choose the best travel laptop to suit your needs.

Laptop Make/Model

Consider spending a little more and purchasing a laptop made by a reputable, reliable, globally recognised manufacturer. If the new laptop does then break whilst on your travels, one backed up with worldwide customer service availability will make your life a whole lot easier. In theory (?!), it should be more straightforward to source replacement parts and get the bloody thing repaired.

 

Internet Connectivity

One of the main benefits of travelling with a laptop is the ease of internet access. Look for a laptop that has the capability of accessing the internet in as many different ways as possible, and ensure you have the correct cables and ancillaries for doing so. These days, one of the simplest ways is via a wireless connection. Although most laptops do now come with wireless networking, or WiFi, built in as standard, this capability is a must.

 

Laptop Ports/Interfaces

However many USB ports the laptop has, it’ll never be enough – especially when travelling. The laptop will be the centre of your travel geekery empire , so ensure it can deal with all your peripherals. In addition to USB ports, check for other data interfaces like network ports and modem ports. Some smaller notebooks also now come with 5-in-1 card readers fitted, which are quite a boon. For those with digital cameras, a laptop with a compatible 5-in-1 reader will negate the need for an extra ‘plug in’ card reader or camera-to-laptop cable. It’s just a little less to carry (and lose/break.)

 

DVD/CD ROM Burner

Again, they are pretty much standard on most new models, and they come into their own when you plan to travel with a laptop. A laptop with DVD player is great if you like movies, but even better if you like to keep your data safe. Periodically backing up your drive onto DVD is wise and, for longer trips, burning your digital photos onto CD’s and regularly sending them home will save the heartache of losing them if you’re unlucky enough to get parted from your laptop.

 

Laptop Weight

The lighter the better. A bulky, heavier laptop will test both your baggage limit and your stress levels if it’s literally Kilos heavier than it has to be. When you compare weights, do it together with all the laptop’s ancillaries, such as modem leads, power pack and mouse etc that you envisage taking along on your travels.

 

Laptop Size

Widescreen laptops are becoming more and more popular, however they are pretty bulky compared to the rest (and heavier on the juice.) Since it’s wise to always have the laptop on your person (or very close by) when on the move, a physically smaller model with standard screen also makes life much easier. Be careful not to go too far the other way though, and find something between ‘home cinema’ and ‘pocket calculator’ that suits your needs best. 12” – 14” screens have long been adequate.

 

Durability

A travel laptop must be tougher than Chuck Norris to withstand the punishment it receives on the average trip. Humidity, extreme heat and cold, thumps, bumps and scrapes, it’ll see the lot – and that’s just on the way to the airport. A laptop with a robust plastic casing and a rock-solid screen back will afford some protection, but a metal shell - like the magnesium alloy casing on the Panasonic Toughbooks - is simply awesome.

 

Running Temperature

Although smaller notebooks/laptops generally run hotter than their larger counterparts (the compact nature affords less ‘breathing space’), its’ worth slipping a hand under running shop models to feel it for yourself. Some will run hotter than others, and in tropical climbs in a stuffy room this can become a real issue causing lock ups and worse. If you could almost fry an egg on the laptop in an air-conditioned shop, it may be wise to move swiftly on to the next in line.

 

Batteries

Due to the extra weight, some people swear by leaving their laptop batteries at home and just using mains juice, but if the plan is to use battery power, it must be up to the job. The most common laptop batteries are 6 cell Lithium Ions, but heavier, longer lasting 12 cell batteries are available. For those planning on working from battery for extended periods of time, another option is to purchase a second one. Sourcing these from third party manufacturers works out much cheaper than buying brand name equivalents, but use of these may invalidate your laptop warranty. Read the small print.

 

Warranty

If you buy a new laptop and travel with it regularly, it may be worth seeking out an extended warranty. If choosing to do this, ensure that it’s protected by some form of worldwide cover.