The latest notebooks offer portability without compromising performance, thanks to energy-efficient chips and modern technologies. The main issue is when it comes to using them in a brighter environment, are they conveniently readable? You know what I am talking about if you’re a student, freelancer, or someone who works on the go. It’s pretty hard to attain focus on the laptop’s display in sunlight, where you can see “everything” except its content.
If you’re in a hurry, check out our top choices:
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio (for
) - Apple MacBook Pro 13 (for
)
However, most laptops are usually designed for working inside. Don’t worry; some great soldiers can fight out with the photon military and preserve an ample amount of brightness to ensure decent visibility. So, in this article, we have shared the best laptops for outdoor use in 2023; they offer a dazzling display, and robust performance with portability.
Before landing on the laptop’s list, I want to share some crucial points you must know before choosing a notebook for outdoor use.
Best Laptop for Working Outdoors – Buyer’s Guide
Display
There is a lot to discuss a laptop display. As we are primarily hunting for a computer to use outdoors, the display brightness level seems essential.
About the display brightness, the rule is simple, the higher, the better; it will make reading effortless in a brighter environment. You don’t need to adjust the screen angles to eliminate the annoying reflections.
Usually, standard laptops can produce around 200-300 nits brightness level, which isn’t sufficient outdoors. The best laptop screen for outdoor use must have above 350 nits of brightness; it will help you to work in sunlight. The candelas per square meter (cd/m2) or nits are the same, so don’t get confused; it’s a unit of Luminance.
Along with the brightness level, the screen’s panel finishing is also a significant game-changer for display visibility. Most laptops are available with glossy screens. Undoubtedly, a glossy screen produces vibrant picture quality compared to a matte display, but it isn’t less than a mirror when introduced to sunlight. A matte display accompanies by an anti-glare coating helps to eliminate reflection. An anti-reflective display is considered the best laptop screen for sunlight/daylight.
Build Quality
Unlike using your laptop inside the room, it probably has to face several inappropriate situations, such as inhaling dust particles, hard sunlight, or even chances of getting dropped. Yes, we don’t need any beast-like laptops such as Dell Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme or Panasonic Toughbook; they are impressively durable and waterproof but not viable for us due to their heavy weight and cumbersome body.
The best laptop for outdoor use should be durable enough; the metallic body would be better. You can also consider a protective case to reduce the damage risk. If you’re looking for a dust-proof machine, you can check out our post on laptops with passive cooling.
Portability
It’s pretty apparent if you often hang out with your laptop, you won’t want back pain. You’ll be thankful for a slim and portable notebook while working on the go. In most cases, a laptop’s weight directly correlates with its size; you usually won’t find a travel-friendly companion in a 17-inch notebook category. In most cases, 14-inch or below-size laptops are ideal for carrying and working on the road. However, it doesn’t mean we should go with an 11-inch laptop; its timid display won’t handle our multitasking, isn’t it? It’s a subtle balance of portability and usability.
Battery
It’s pretty challenging to find a portable laptop with a brighter display and especially excellent backup; not impossible, however. A laptop’s battery life mostly depends on three factors: processor, GPU (comprises display), and storage technology. If you’re looking for a more extended backup, you should choose a laptop with an energy-efficient processor with SSD storage. Say no to dedicated GPU if possible. For outdoor use, we can’t compromise on the display brightness.
Here are some general FAQs by our readers.
General FAQs
How can I use my laptop outside?
1. Wear polarized sunglasses.
2. Use an awning or umbrella.
3. Wear a cowboy hat, a baseball cap, or a cap with a brim.
4. Use an anti-glare screen protector for your laptop.
5. You can also use a sunshade.
Can I use my laptop in the sun?
Of course, you can, but you’re advised to avoid direct sunlight because it comprises significant heat and might be potentially bad for laptop health when using a long time.
Is sunlight bad for laptops?
If your laptop is working correctly, I mean there is no heating issue; you can use it in sunlight. On the other hand, if your notebook already has improper cooling and gets hot quickly, you should avoid using it in direct sunlight.
Does UV light damage electronics?
UV light isn’t harmful to gadgets in most cases. The plastic body potentially might degrade in terms of colors or quality when exposed to prolonged UV light. If your laptop has an OLED display, then it could be damaging.
What temperature can a laptop withstand?
Most electronic devices that include semiconductors components work best within 50 to 95 degrees F (10-35 degrees C). Avoid using your laptop outside this range; it might not work that efficiently.
Do laptop anti-glare screen protectors work?
Yes, they not only provide glare-free images but also avoid the screen from dirty fingerprint marks. You won’t have to clean your laptop’s screen each day.
Is Screen Guard required for a laptop?
If you want to avoid your notebook screen from scratches, smudges, or keyboard marking (when the laptop is closed), you should use a screen guard.
What is anti-glare in laptops?
The anti-glare term is used for laptop displays because it eliminates screen reflections and enhances visibility. Many manufacturers are using this technology in laptops and other electronic devices.
QUICK OVERVIEW:
Best outdoor laptops at a glance
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LENOVO THINKPAD T490S PORTABLE |
|
View at Amazon |
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DELL XPS 13 9310 BEST INTEL EVO |
|
View at Amazon |
|
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio BEST IN WINDOWS |
|
View at Amazon |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 2
LIGHTEST |
|
View at Amazon |
| Samsung Galaxy Book2 360
BEST 2-IN-1 |
|
View at Amazon |
|
APPLE MACBOOK PRO 13 BEST IN MAC |
|
View at Amazon |
|
HP Spectre x360 LARGER AND POWERFUL |
|
View at Amazon |
|
LG gram 17Z90Q LARGEST AND LIGHTWEIGHT |
|
View at Amazon |
Best Laptops for Outdoor Use in 2023 – Reviews
1. Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (Portable Laptop for Outdoor Use)
Weight: 2.79 lbs | Processor: i7-8565U @ 4.6GHz | GPU: Integrated | Memory: 16GB | Storage: 1TB PCIe-NVMe SSD | Screen: 14-inch , 1920 x 1080 , 400 nits | Battery Life: 11-hours | OS: Windows 10 Pro
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is my first recommendation for an outdoor laptop. It offers a brighter display, robust performance, and excellent battery life. Additionally, it’s lightweight and portable, making it a perfect travel companion.
This laptop is a bit dated, but it’s still a precious gem for its price. The T490s comprise the Intel Core i7 8th Gen 4.6GHz processor, 16GB memory, and 1TB NVMe SSD storage to ensure a seamless working experience. The performance is undoubtedly excellent, but this laptop isn’t ideal for heavy graphics work due to the lack of a dedicated GPU. Don’t worry; it won’t mind the mild photo editing or gaming.
The best thing which makes this laptop habitable outdoors is its outstanding display. The 14-inch full HD IPS panel can deliver up to 400 nits brightness and is also anti-glare; therefore, you can easily use it in sunlight. Unlike its predecessors, this Thinkpad has quite a modern look and offers a compact body with a narrow bezel.
Lenovo’s business series is well-known for its durability and efficiency, and the Lenovo T490s model isn’t an exception. The keyboard and touchpad quality is also excellent. It’s perfect for writing professionals such as bloggers or freelancers.
The brighter display, robust performance, and lightweight design with incredible battery life are commendable.
The Lenovo Thinkpad T490s has vowed utmost safety; and is equipped with a dTPM 2.0 chip, ThinkShutter, Kensington lock slot, and fingerprint reader.
If you’re looking for a reliable and durable laptop for outdoor use, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s could be a viable option.
PROS
- Great battery life
- Robust performance
- Anti-glare and brighter display
- High-security features
- A durable and reliable machine
- Convenient keyboard
- Thunderbolt 3 available
CONS
- No dedicated GPU
- Lack of ports
- Top-end model is costly
2. Dell XPS 13 9310 (Best Intel Evo Laptop for Outdoor Use)
Weight: 2.8 lbs | Processor: i7-1195G7 @5.0GHz | GPU: Intel Iris Xe | Memory: 16GB | Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD | Screen: 13.4-inch touch , 3840 x 2400 , 500 nits | Battery Life: 8-hours | OS: Windows 11 Home
The Dell XPS 13 9310 offers many more extraordinary features than my previous recommendation, but it’s costly.
It comes with a gorgeous 13.4-inch 4K touch display. The image quality is crisp and pleasing; you can use it for color-sensitive tasks because of its 100% sRGB and 90% DCI P3 color gamut capability.
This panel is backed with around 500 nits brightness and an anti-reflective coating to deal with outdoor situations. The XPS 13’s InfinityEdge display looks tempting and makes the laptop smaller.
It has an Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor, 16GB of memory, and 512GB PCIe SSD; therefore, it can boot within seconds and delivers faster performance.
Unfortunately, due to the high-end 4K panel and solid performance, you have to compromise with the battery life, which won’t last more than 8 hours.
The XPS 13 could be an excellent choice for carrying around because of its slim and portable design. The vivid and sharper display with 500 nits brightness makes it usable in bright lights.
PROS
- Top-notch 4K touch-enabled display
- Outstanding performance
- Very Lightweight and compact design
- Latest Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Fingerprint sensor available
CONS
- Its full HD variant has a better battery life
- Not ideal for heavy-graphics work
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio (Overall Best Windows Notebook for Outdoors)
Weight: 4.0 lbs | Processor: 7-11370H @4.8 GHz | GPU: RTX 3050 Ti 4GB | Memory: 16 /32 GB | Storage: 512GB – 2TB NVMe SSD | Screen: 14.4-inch touch , 2400 x 1600 , 500 nits | Battery Life: 10.5-hours | OS: Windows 11
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is perfect for outdoor use because it offers almost all the essential features. It checks all the boxes whether we talk about portability, performance, battery life, or display quality.
The best thing about the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is it’s available in several configurations. If you don’t have rigorous requirements, the Intel Core i5-11300H variant with 16GB memory and 512GB SSD storage would be sufficient.
The high-end model offers an Intel Core i7-11370H processor, 32GB memory, 2TB SSD, and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU. The i7 model is ideal for graphics-intensive tasks such as designing, editing, and gaming.
The Surface Studio is available with a 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow display backed with 2400 x 1600 pixels of resolution and approx. 500 nits brightness level. This touch notebook is perfect for outdoor use and delivers vibrant and crisp images.
The surface series is undoubtedly premium and have a higher price. It offers two thunderbolt ports with a Surface Connect port. Accessories such as the Surface Slim pen would cost you additionally, which makes this device more expensive. Also, if you use many peripherals with a laptop at home, you might run out of ports and need to purchase a Thunderbolt /Surface dock.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is one of the most versatile and potent machines for outdoor use. It can provide an effortless computing experience with drawing and note-taking capabilities. If you are willing to invest significant money in your laptop, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio could be a solid option.
PROS
- Astounding 2-in-1 design
- Stunning touchscreen
- Sturdy build
- Impressive battery life
- Available with several configurations
- Ideal for drawing or taking notes
- Latest Thunderbolt 4 port
CONS
- Higher price
- A limited number of ports
4. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga 2 (Lightest 2-in-1 Notebook for Outdoor Use)
Weight: 2.54 lbs | Processor: i7-1165G7 @ 4.7GHz | GPU: Intel Iris Xe | Memory: 16 GB | Storage: Up to 1TB PCIe SSD | Screen: 13.5-inch Touch , 2256 x 1504 , 450 nits | Battery Life: 11.7-hours | OS: Windows 11 pro
Yes! Another ThinkPad for this rundown, but wait, it’s from the Yoga Series; therefore, it can also be used as a tablet. This latest release has many new advanced features; let’s see what those are.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga 2 is a 13.5-inch ultrabook featuring a QHD resolution touchscreen with approx 450 nits higher brightness. The image quality is incredible whether you’re using it in the sunlight or dark. With the touch-enabled panel and convertible design, you can get the most out of it.
The keyboard and touch quality are genetic; whether we talk about sensitivity or key-travel distance, all are perfect. If you type a lot, the Thinkpad keyboard and touchpad are one of the most viable options.
A unique thing about the Yoga model is that it has a particular type of “Rise and Fall” Keyboard, which automatically rises when you fold it into laptop mode. In tablet mode, you won’t face annoying keypresses.
The Thinkpad series is already famous for its durability and reliability, and this one is an excellent example of that. The X1 Titanium Yoga 2 has been tested against 12 military-grade requirements and passed more than 200 quality checks. It doesn’t matter that you will use this buddy for travel, fun, or anything else; it can withstand all situations.
This buddy is packed with an Intel Core i7-1160G7 processor with 16GB memory and 1TBGB SSD storage. The battery life is also excellent; according to the manufacturer, this Thinkpad Yoga can deliver up to 11.7 hours of battery life, which is impressive.
Robust performance, innovative design, longer battery life, solid durability, and brighter display are some feature that makes this laptop entitled to this rundown.
PROS
- Dazzling QHD display with Anti-reflection
- Innovative Rise and Fall Keyboard with 2-in-1 design
- Outstanding performance
- Compact and highly durable
- Very lightweight
- Utmost security
- Lenovo Precision Pen included
- Impressive backup
CONS
- Lack Dedicated GPU
- Soldered RAM
5. Samsung Galaxy Book 2 360 (Best 2-in-1 Notebook for Outdoor Viewing)
Weight: 3.11 lbs | Processor: i7-1260P @ 4.7GHz | GPU: Intel Iris Xe | Memory: 16 GB | Storage: 512GB PCle SSD | Screen: 13.3-inch touch , 1920 x 1080 , 500 nits | Battery Life: 12-hours | OS: Windows 11 Home
Backed with an enhanced brightness level than its previous model Samsung Galaxy Book 2, is another viable option.
The Samsung Galaxy Book2 offers a 13.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen with full HD resolution. The picture quality is brilliant and perfectly viewable in the brighter sunlight.
This Galaxy Book2 model is powered by the latest Intel i7-1255U processor, which supports up to 4.7GHz clock speed. You can choose up to 16GB memory with 1TB max PCIe SSD storage. This notebook also does not have a dedicated GPU. If you’re into higher graphics work, it might be a disappointment. However, casual gaming or photo/video editing is just fine.
This 360-degree laptop, as its name suggests, supports tablet mode, and you can make the most of it with a touchscreen. The S-pen isn’t included this year with this model, and it’s a bummer.
In the audio department, the Samsung Notebook has an inbuilt dual 5Watt speaker tuned by Dolby Atmos technology and can deliver cinematic-quality sound.
Portable design, brighter display, latest hardware, and impressive battery life are some great features that make it the best convertible laptop for outdoor use.
PROS
- Astonishing AMOLED display
- Good performance with 12the Gen Intel processor
- Handy for carrying
- Convertible 2-in-1 design
- Superb battery life
CONS
- No dedicated GPU
- S-Pen isn’t included this year
6. MacBook Pro 13 (Best Apple Laptop for Outdoor Use)
Weight: 3.0 lbs | Processor: Apple M2 | GPU: integrated | Memory: 8GB | Storage: 256GB PCIe SSD | Screen: 13.3-inch , 2560 x 1600 , 500 nits | Battery Life: 18-hours | OS: macOS
Everyone knows the Apple legendary Retina display, primarily known for its highest color accuracy and brightness. Even if you work in direct sunlight (avoid it, however), it can provide the utmost sharp and vivid picture quality.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is the most viable choice for outdoor use because it’s comparatively lightweight and portable and offers all required configurations.
There is no doubt about the durability and reliability of the MacBook Pro; that’s why most people don’t care about its awful cost. The build is all metal and sculpted so brilliantly that you can’t take your eyes off it.
For connectivity, only two Thunderbolt 4 ports are available, and you’ll need an adapter for connecting an external display or non-type-C devices.
This 2022 MacBook Pro 13 model is supercharged by an M2 chip and configurable for up to 24GB memory and 2TB SSD storage. The performance is next level. Surprisingly, Macbook Pro 13 has taken a giant leap in battery life compared to its Intel predecessors. It can last up to 18 hours, which is just incredible!
Unless you’re a hardcore Windows fan, there is no reason to ignore the Apple MacBook Pro 13 when choosing outdoor laptops.
I know the price is not digestible for everyone, but you have to admit the MacBook Pro is one of the best notebooks for outdoor use, without any doubt.
PROS
- Richest quality Retina display
- Marathon battery life
- Top-notch performance
- Utmost durability
- Paramount security
- Easy to carry
CONS
- Significantly expensive
7. HP Spectre x360 (Large and Powerful Notebook for Sunlight Use)
Weight: 4.45 lbs | Processor: i7-12700H @4.7 GHz | GPU: Intel Iris Xe | Memory: 16 GB | Storage: 1-2 TB PCIe SSD | Screen: 16-inch , 3072 x 1920 , 400 nits | Battery Life: 8-hours | OS: Windows 11 Home
I also said in the buyer’s guide that choosing a 14+ inch laptop is not viable for on-the-go use. However, it’s not the case when we talk about the latest machines. For example, this HP Spectre x360 laptop has a 16-inch display, but its body doesn’t feel that large because of the narrow bezel. It’s an Intel Evo notebook, so it’s equally fantastic in terms of performance and energy efficiency.
It’s a cozy notebook for working late at night or working outdoors. This 16-inch 3K touchscreen notebook comes with a Corning Gorilla Glass NBT, anti-reflecting coating, Low Blue Light, and 400 nits of screen brightness. The larger display allows seamless multitasking and enhances productivity.
The EliteBook is available with the Intel i7-12700H processor, which has up to 4.7GHz clock speed with Turbo Boost technology. Moreover, It offers 16GB onboard memory with up to 2TB PCIe SSD storage.
Aesthetically, HP EliteBook looks captivating; the aluminum body with smooth round edges provides a clean design. The metal body entrusts extreme durability with being remarkably lightweight.
The EliteBook comes with a micro-edge; to ensure an immersive viewing. You can take this buddy everywhere without any fatigue.
It has similar pricing to the XPS 13 9310 (recommended above) but offers a bigger display. The XPS 13 might be a better choice if your priority is portability. However, the weight of Spectre x360 isn’t too high; it’s also a considerable choice that comes with an enormous display treat.
PROS
- Beautiful larger display
- Evo notebook with reasonable weight
- Impressive performance
- Good battery life
- Premium quality sound, webcam, and microphone
CONS
- Very expensive
- No dedicated GPU
8. LG gram 17Z90Q (Largest and Lightweight Notebook for Daylight Use)
Weight: 2.98 lbs | Processor: i7-1260P @ 4.7GHz | GPU: Intel Iris Xe | Memory: 16 GB | Storage: Up to 1TB PCIe SSD | Screen: 17-inch , 2560 x 1600 , 350 nits | Battery Life: 11-hours | OS: Windows 11 Home
The LG gram 17Z90Q is a gigantic notebook on this list, but it’s surprisingly lightweight, which makes it an ideal candidate for on-the-go use.
The performance of this machine is also excellent because it’s packed with 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P. The “P” series chip is perfect for this machine because it falls between Intel “U” and the “H” series processors. It’s an outstanding balance between performance and power efficiency. The 16GB DDR5 memory and 1TB NVMe Gen 4 storage ensure a seamless working experience. Mind you; this machine isn’t made for heavy graphics as it lacks a dedicated GPU.
This slim notebook offers a 17-inch display with WQXGA resolution, anti-glare coating, and around 350 nits of brightness. Honestly, it’s not the brightest laptop on this list, but you can conveniently use it outdoors.
It offers two mighty Thunderbolt 4 ports and an HDMI, so you can easily hook multiple monitors and other accessories.
It’s a premium range notebook and expensive, but considering its design and features, it’s worth it. Especially when we talk about portability and size, it’s commendable.
PROS
- Stupendous display
- Balanced performance
- Good battery life
- Thunderbolt 4
- Very compact and lightweight
CONS
- Not for heavy graphics work
Best Laptop for Outdoor Viewing in 2023
Not all laptops are designed with brighter displays, so only a handful of good options are available for outdoor use. Besides excellent screen quality, you must consider durability and portability, which are crucial if you consistently work on the road.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 2 might be a good choice if you need the lightest laptop. While LG Gram 17 offers the most extensive display without being heavy on the back.
Microsoft Surace Laptop Studio can be a perfect choice if you need a laptop with a dedicated GPU. Dell XPS 13 offers the most amazing 4K touch display with excellent performance. HP Spectre x360 also offers a fantastic 3K touch display with uncompromised performance, but its battery life isn’t auspicious.
MacBook Pro 13 offers brilliant performance and display quality with a marathon battery life. In Windows machines, Samsung Galaxy Book2 leads, but its performance is just moderate.
These were some best laptops for outdoor use in 2023 that I found so far during my research, and hopefully, it has been helpful to you. If you have any questions or suggestion, please comments below. Thanks for reading, have a great day. 🙂
I am into stock photography and travel often. From a month I was looking to replace my old laptop and was very confused about which one would be good for me. Thank you for this well-written guide, it’s helped me.
Andrew S.
Thank you for delivering up-to-date information. Nowadays, most blogs are filled with garbage and just want users’ clicks to earn money. It genuinely helped me. Thanks a lot. Noah J.
Hi, Noah; thank you very much for your beautiful comment. It means a lot to us! Have a great day, cheers!