Best Laptops for Traveling Business- Buyer’s Guide

📢 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

In this technology era, you can build a business around your lifestyle – thanks to the internet and digital devices. Whether you’re a travel blogger, writer, photographer, or tour guide, if you’re looking for the best laptops for traveling business, you’re in the right place.

Top Rated Budget Laptops

Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you’re in a hurry, check out our top choice DELL XPS 13 Check price at Amazon.

Unlike choosing the laptops for home or office use, we have to think differently. It’s not just about to look for the robust specification or higher resolution. There are a few things which we should keep in mind before choosing a laptop for backpacking, so let’s find out.

BEST LAPTOPS FOR TRAVELING BUSINESS IN 2022 – BUYER’S GUIDE

Before making any decision about the laptop’s hardware configuration, you should think about which types of traveler are you and what are your requirements? In facts, “the best laptop for traveling business” is a broad query since nowadays there are many different types of traveling business exists.

So, here are some crucial things to consider.

Do you need to get work done on your laptop?

Until you’re not going to use your laptop for online working, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars. There are plenty of affordable laptops out there, which could be good enough for you. On the other hand, if you’ll do writing, editing (videos/photos), and multitasking, then it becomes crucial to think about the performance as well.

Which laptop size would be ideal for you?

If you prefer minimalist things while traveling, then you should think about a portable size such as 13-inch. Also, if you carry any specific size bag, then make sure the laptop should fit into comfortably?

So, what we need to keep in mind before choosing the best laptop for a traveling businessman in 2024?

A whole day battery life

Battery life is an essential feature for productivity while traveling. Along with battery capacity, the battery backup time also depends on many other factors.

For instance: Laptops with dedicated graphics cards consume more battery and produce heat, and it’s not ideal for a dedicated travel laptop.

Moreover, a processor also plays a vital role in battery life. I advise you to choose the Intel “U” product line processor because they are specially designed for ultra-low power consumption while maintaining the performance.

An ultra-high resolution screen also draws lots of battery. Therefore if you’re not into photo editing or other colors sensitive task, then you would be better off with just a standard HD screen.

Sufficient storage capacity

Keep in mind the cloud services aren’t available (or convenient) on-the-go, especially if you’re traveling abroad or when you’re in the plane. Additionally, if you store lots of videos or photos, then it becomes more crucial to think about big storage capacity.

If you have a strict budget then you can go with the HDD laptop, it would be a lot cheaper as compared to the laptop with SSD. On the other hand, if you need a higher speed, then SSD is strictly recommended.

Processing power

As I said above, if you’re not going to work online, then you won’t need to spend more than 1000 dollars, there are plenty of great options can be found below this range. While if you’ll be working with some editing programs or high-resolution videos, then performance is also a very crucial matter.

As you know the processor (CPU) is the most crucial component of any computer machine. Nowadays, the Intel Core i9 is the latest and most powerful processor, and such beast isn’t necessary for us. Even the Intel Core i7 would be a bit overrated if you’re not into critical editing or multitasking.

In most cases, the Intel Core i5 works just fine, and it won’t cost you an awful amount of money. However, if you’ll be even only using social media or surfing the web, the Intel Core i3 processor can work for you.

Dedicated graphics card allow working with 3D designing and high-resolution videos conveniently. Also, it decreases the processor’s load while doing some graphics-intensive task. Keep in mind, higher performance processor and dedicated graphics card draw battery life more quickly.

Computer memory also plays a significant role in performance, but it’s quite cheap nowadays. You can get 8GB memory in almost all mid-range or even in some budget laptops.

Portability

I don’t need to tell you how painful it can be a single extra pound during traveling. It is especially true for on-the-go or minimal traveler. Before choosing the best laptop for travel, make sure the laptop is lightweight and slim that will be convenient to carry. However, usually very compact and lightweight laptops don’t offer powerful performance, but if you want, then you have to pay extra for it.

Before reading the full reviews, now take a quick look at our table for the best traveling laptops of 2024.

QUICK OVERVIEW:

Best travel laptops at a glance

ACER ASPIRE E 15

CHEAPEST OPTION

  • i3-8130U @3.4GHz processor
  • 6 GB memory, 1TB HDD / 256GB PCIe
  • 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080
  • 13.5-hours of battery
  • Windows 10 Home
View at Amazon
LENOVO V330
  • Intel Core i5-7200U @ 3.1Ghz processor
  • 8 GB memory, and 256 GB SSD
View at Amazon
ASUS ZENBOOK 13
  • Intel core i5-8250U @3.4 GHz processor
  • 8GB memory, 256GB SSD storage
View at Amazon

LG GRAM 15

TOP BATTERY LIFE

  • i5 / i7 processor
  • 8/16 GB memory, 128GB – 1TB SSD
  • 15″ full HD display, also available in 13″, 14″ and 17″
  • 19.5-hours battery life
View at Amazon

HP SPECTRE X360

BEST 2-IN-1

  • Intel core i7-8550U
  • 16 GB memory, 512 NVMe SSD
  • 13.3-inch Touch full HD
  • 16-hours 45-min backup
View at Amazon

DELL XPS 13 9380

RICHEST DISPLAY

  • i7-8565U processor
  • 16 GB memory,512GB PCIe SSD
  • 13.3-inch touch3840x2160
View at Amazon

MICROSOFT SURFACE BOOK 2

MOST Powerful

  • Intel core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor
  • Integrated or Nvidia Graphics
  • 8/16 GB memory, 256GB – 1TB NVMe SSD
  • 13.5 or 15-inch PixelSense display
  • 17-hours backup on video playback
View at Amazon
ACER CHROMEBOOK R 13
  • MediaTek MT8173C processor
  • 4 GB memory, 32GB storage
  • 13-inch full HD display
  • Chrome OS
View at Amazon
ASUS C302
  • Intel Core m3 or m5 processor
  • 4Gb memory, 64GB storage
  • 12.5 inch touch 1920 x 1080
  • Chrome OS
View at Amazon

APPLE MACBOOK AIR

LIGHTWEIGHT

  • Intel i5-8210Y @3.6GHz processor
  • 8/16 GB memory, 256G – 1.5TB
  • 13.3-inch Retina display
  • 12 hours backup
  • Mac OS X 10.14.1
View at Amazon

Last update on 2024-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

BEST LAPTOPS FOR DIGITAL NOMADS OR BACKPACKING IN 2022 – REVIEWS

BEST BUDGET WINDOWS LAPTOPS FOR TRAVELING BUSINESS

If you don’t have any special requirements such as high-definition video or photos editing, graphics designing, these budget laptops would be right for you. Although they aren’t portable or powerful as ultrabooks but still, they are just sufficient for browsing or office work, even you can run some popular programs such as Photoshop without any problem.

While if you’re looking for the most portable and powerful laptop for your traveling business, these ultrabooks are the best choice. You can scroll down to see my recommendations.

At the moment, in this section, you can check out our top three budget laptops for backpacking and digital nomads.

1. Acer Aspire E 15 (Most Affordable Laptop for Traveling Business)

Acer Aspire E 15 Laptop, 15.6' Full HD, 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U, GeForce MX150, 8GB RAM Memory, 256GB SSD, E5-576G-5762

Processor:  i5-8250U @3.4GHz | GPU: MX150 2GB | Memory:  8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Screen:  15.6-inches, 1920 x 1080 | OS: Windows 10 Home | Battery: 15-hours

Most of the budget laptop under $500 offers minimalist features, and we can’t expect more from them, but after watching the specification and features of Acer Aspire E 15 laptop, I was much impressed. The E 15 is offering many incredible features at a very aggressive price, let’s find out more about this laptop.

First of all, this laptop is available in different variants; you can get either Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 model as per your requirements. Also, memory can be chosen up to 8GB. The most eye-catching feature of this laptop is SSD storage, which is not yet common in the budget laptops. Although the storage capacity provided is only 256GB, but it’s still enough for all general-purpose tasks.

When it comes to screen quality, the Acer E 15 is offering a 15.6-inch display with full HD resolution; it doesn’t matter which variant you’re going. Another great thing about this laptop is a versatile connectivity option. It’s furnished an HDMI port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB port, LAN and a USB Type-C port. The USB Type-C availability makes it even more futuristic gadget.

Even if you’re going with its Intel Core i3 model, you can do moderate multitasking, video playing or browsing like butter, but when things turn to intense processing such as lots of opened browser tabs or high-graphics processing, then it might not be able to maintain consistent performance. With that out the way, the Core i5 variant model could be a better choice because along with a better processor it’s also offering an entry-level dedicated graphics card.

If we measure this laptop on the portability scale, actually it doesn’t match with our expectation. However, while considering the lower price, you’re getting already many great features, and we can’t complain. Moreover, it has a good battery life which can stay with you for almost a whole day, which is excellent.

If the portability isn’t a significant concern for you, the Acer Aspire E 15 could be the best budget travel laptop.


Check price at Amazon

PROS

  • Wonderful price
  • 15.6-inch sharp display with full HD resolution
  • Wide range of connectivity ports along with latest USB Type-C
  • Good battery life

CONS

  • A bit heavy

2. Lenovo V330 (Portable Budget Laptop for Travelers)

Lenovo Premium 15.6” FHD (1920x1080) Display Laptop PC, Intel i5-7200U 2.5Ghz Processor, 8GB DDR4, 256GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Bluetooth, DVD-RW, Fingerprint Reader, Windows 10 Pro

Processor:  i5-7200U @ 3.1Ghz | Memory: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Screen:  15.6-inches, 1920 x 1080 | OS: Windows 10 Pro | Battery: 6-hours

In our budget category, Lenovo V 330 is another excellent option which might be a reliable laptop for traveling in 2024. As compared to the Acer E 15, this laptop is quite lightweight and portable. Moreover, it’s offering a clutter-free and professional design along with many security features.

As I said about security, this laptop is offering a fingerprint sensor and privacy camera. Additionally, it’s also supported by Trusted Platform Module firmware (TPM) and Active Date Protection security (APS), which provide a shield on your personal and essential data.

With the Intel Core i5 7th U series processor and 8GB of memory, it can provide a decent performance along with a good battery life. Yes, you’re also getting a 256GB of SSD storage with this device which makes it even faster. Also remember, in case of powerful graphics or intense processing, its performance might be slow down.

Despite having a slim body you won’t face any lack of connectivity options, it’s offering HDMI, 2x USB 3.0, VGA, and LAN ports along with 2 x USB Type-C ports. As usual, most of the Lenovo laptops offer a 180-degree hinge feature, which provides more flexible usability, this laptop is coming with that. Working in late-night, no problem this laptop also has a backlit feature for you.

Along with all excellent features, this laptop also has some obnoxious stuff as well. The major one is the battery life, which is something average. It won’t last more than 6 hours with a single charge on web browsing.

If you’re looking for a portable and lightweight machine, the Lenovo V330 could be the best budget laptop for on-the-go use.


Check price at Amazon

PROS

  • No-frill and clutter-free professional design
  • APS technology make your hard drive secure in inappropriate situations such as accidentally dropping your laptop from hand
  • Backlit keyboard for working in dim lights
  • Compact and slim body for convenient carrying
  • Amazing 15.6-inch full HD display with high brightness and sharpness
  • TPM security chip, fingerprint reader and privacy camera
  • Impressive performance with Intel 7th Gen Core i5 processor and SSD drive

CONS

  • Average battery life

3. ASUS ZenBook 13 (Compact and Robust Laptop for Travel Work)

ASUS ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop, 13.3” Full HD, 8th Gen Intel i5-8250U Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB M.2 SSD, Backlit Kbd, Fingerprint Reader, Windows 10, Grey, UX330UA-AH55

Processor:  i5-8250U @3.4 GHz | GPU: MX150 | Memory:  8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Screen:  13.3-inches, 1920 x 1080 | OS: Windows 10 | Battery: 12-hours

The ASUS ZenBook 13 is slightly pricier than previous laptops, but it deserves. This aluminum armored buddy is offering Intel Core i5-8250 processor along with the 258GB SSD and 8GB of memory, which can deliver stable performance. It allows doing multitasking with the breeze.

The 13.3-inch full HD display can deliver a rich viewing experience; the brightness, sharpness, and color quality are better than the previous laptops. You can use it for some photo retouching or light graphics editing.

The best thing about this laptop is design; it’s offering a very lightweight and slim body with the outer aluminum shell, which is very convenient for traveling and also makes it able to withstand harsh conditions. Despite having a compact form factor, the ASUS ZenBook 13 is offering a high battery, which can juice up this laptop up to 12 hours on web browsing. I believe for this price; this battery life is perfect.

On the right top corner of the touchpad, this laptop is offering a fingerprint sensor that allows faster and secure unlocking. Additionally, its backlit feature comes in handy during a dim light environment.

As you know, it’s a slim laptop, but there are plenty of connectivity ports given. The USB Type A, USB Type-C, SD card reader, and mini HDMI ports make your work more comfortable if you want to connect an external display or storage device.

If you don’t have the budget for expensive ultrabooks, the Asus ZenBook 13 is one of the small and lightweight laptops for travel, which can fulfill your requirements.


Check price at Amazon

PROS

  • Durable, portable, and compact design with lightweight aluminum body
  • Brilliant 13.3-inch full HD display offers vibrant visuals
  • A whole day battery life
  • Fingerprint reader with a backlit keyboard
  • Great performanc

CONS

  • The touchpad isn’t very precise and responsive

BEST WINDOWS LAPTOP FOR TRAVELS – MID-RANGE

If you’re a demanding user then you might need to loosen up your pocket for getting a better machine, an ultrabook is the best option in this case. These ultrabooks don’t lack performance and battery life despite having a lightweight and portable design, that’s why they are favorite of photographers, videographers, on-the-go user, high-end users or anyone those who work mostly remotely.

Whether you do intense browsing, image editing, video editing, or rigorous multitasking, an ultrabook is undoubtedly the best choice for you. Nowadays, these ultrabooks are very popular in offices as well.

4. LG Gram (Lightest Travel Laptop with Longest Battery life)

LG gram Laptop - 14' Full HD Display, Intel 8th Gen Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 19.5 Hour Battery Life, Thunderbolt 3- 14Z990-R.AAS7U1 (2019), Dark Silver

Processor:  i5-8250U @3.4GHz | Memory:  8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Screen:  15.6-inches, 1920 x 1080 | OS: Windows 10 Home | Battery: 19.5-hours

Have you heard about LG’s Gram laptop series? This laptop has picked up lots of headlines since its first variant launch. The marathon battery life, feather-like body, and robust performance are some of the vital ingredients of this Gram series. So these features can also be seen in their latest release LG Gram 17.

In this review, I have included the LG Gram 15; it is much viable for traveling and productivity. Although you can also opt for its bigger or smaller variant as per your requirements, it’s also available in 13.3-inch, 15.6-inch, and 17-inch models.

The LG Gram 15 is just weighted 2.3lbs (1.08Kg), which isn’t less than any miracle for a 15-inch laptop, especially with powerful hardware and longer battery life. Yes, according to the MobileMark 2014 standard, it can last up to 21 hours, which is impressive. However, as you know, the backup time varies user to user, but it’s still best in terms of battery.

This model is offering a15.6-inch IPS panel with full HD resolution and thin bezels, which can serve different purposes and looks gorgeous as well.

Under the hood, this travel notebook is powered by the latest Intel Core i5-8265U processor, which accompanies 8gig of memory and 256GB SSD storage. The performance isn’t the best level, but you can do most of the usual tasks such as browsing, editing, or multitasking with ease. Its core i7 model is much powerful, which is also offering higher memory and storage capacity.

The LG Gram is has passed the seven industry-standard tests to provide the military-grade durability, but the body is slightly flexible, and you might face it while typing. On the left side, you’re getting a USB Type-C port along with a USB Type-A (3.1) and HDMI port, while on the left side there are two USB Type-A (3.1) ports are provided with a headphone jack and SD card reader.

If you can spend a bit extra on your business laptop, the LG Gram is the lightest travel laptop that if offering robust performance along with longer battery life.


Check price at Amazon

PROS

  • Lightest and portable body with a slim bezel design
  • Longest battery life
  • Latest USB Type-C port and backlit keyboard
  • Impressive performance with Intel Core processor and SSD Storage
  • Available in different size and hardware configuration (all model are incredibly lightweight and offer excellent battery life

CONS

  • The body is slightly flexible and could be a bit annoying while typing

5. HP Spectre x360 (Convertible and Compact Laptop for Travelers)

HP 2020 Envy x360 2-in-1 13.3' FHD IPS Touchscreen Laptop Intel Evo Platform 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 8GB Memory 512GB SSD Pale Gold - Backlit Keyboard -Fingerprint Reader -Thunderbolt - WiFi 6

Processor:  i7-8550U @4.0GHz | Memory:  16GB | Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD | Screen: 13.3-inch Touch 1920 x 1080 | OS: Windows 10 | Battery: 16-hours

LG Gram series is incredibly lightweight and portable without any doubt, but if you can spend a few more dollars, then you can jump into the convertible laptops series. Convertible laptops are much viable when it comes to productivity; they can also serve the tablet purpose along with a powerful notebook.

The HP Spectre is one of the most popular 2-in-1 laptops nowadays, which is available in two variants. The 13.3-inch model is packed with full HD resolution, while the 15.6-inch model is offering UHD display with 4GB of Nvidia graphics card. Unless you’re into photo/video editing or 3D designing, the 13.3-inch model is just right for you.

However, both laptops are offering Intel Core i7 processor, but the larger model has somewhat better processing capability due to higher clock rate.

The battery life of the smaller (13.3-inch) model is about 8-10 hours, which is just standard. On the other hand, the 15.6-inch model draws much battery life due to higher resolution display and dedicated GPU; therefore, you can assume about 4 hours of deduction.

Aesthetically, this svelte-looking convertible laptop is crafted with a full metal unibody design, which not only provides an elegant look but also makes it highly durable.

In terms of connectivity, both models are equipped with 2x Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) ports, HDMI, audio combo jack, while the 15.6-inch variant has an additional USB Type-A port.

Overall, the HP Spectre could be the best convertible 2-in-1 laptop for traveling in 2024, which is offering a stunning design, good battery life, and fantastic performance.


Check price at Amazon

PROS

  • Robust performance with the powerful Intel Core i7 processor and NVMe based SSD storage
  • Enhanced memory size
  • Reliable build quality with the metal unibody design
  • Most versatile latest Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • Good battery life

CONS

  • The 13.3-inch model isn’t offering dedicated GPU

6. Dell XPS 13 (Premium Notebook with 4K Display)

Dell New 2019 XPS 13 9380 Core i7-8565U 16GB 512GB PCie SSD 4K 3840x2160 Touch Screen (Win 10 Pro)

Processor: i7-8565U @4.6GHz | Memory:  16GB | Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD | Screen: 13.3-inches touch, 3840×2160 | OS: Windows 10 Pro

We are talking about travel laptops and how can we forget Dell’s most popular XPS series, which is undoubtedly the most crucial clan member of portable and general purpose laptops. Dell XPS 13 is one of the most popular notebooks from Dell, which is incredibly portable and offering robust performance.

In terms of display quality, you’re getting a 13.3″ QHD IPS panel with anti-glare technology, which is so sharper and vivid, that you can even do color-sensitive tasks without any hesitation. On the other hands, it consumes much battery life. In the 13.3-inch screen, there is a full HD variant also available, which is quite cheaper but it doesn’t support touch feature.

From the design aspect, this laptop looks marvelous. Precise sculpted thin bezel not only provides an immersive viewing but also make it more beautiful and portable.

Whether you’ll be working with multiple application simultaneously or has opened dozens of chrome tabs, it won’t let you see any sign of lagging or freezing. All credit goes to the Intel Core i7 multicore processor and PCIe based SSD storage and yes large memory. Yes, PCIe SSD technology is dramatically faster than standard SATA SSD.

There is always a dark side of everything in this world, and this laptop isn’t an exception. It doesn’t come with dedicated graphics memory, which could be a deal breaker for intense users or gamers. However, amateur video or photo editing isn’t a big deal for it. If you’re looking for powerful graphics capability, you should check out the Dell XPS 15.

As compared to the XPS 15, the 13.3-inch model has something lack of connectivity, you’re only getting 1x USB Type-C port, and 2x ThunderBolt 3 ports along with headphone jack. It’s not bad though, you can connect almost any display or storage device, but you’ll need some adapters for doing it. While the XPS 15 is offering a full-size HDMI and USB Type-A ports.

Overall, Dell XPS 13 is one of the best laptops for traveling, which is offering a vibrant display, blazing performance, along with stunning portable design. However, if you need something extravagant for graphics work, you would better off with Dell XPS 15.


Check price at Amazon

PROS

  • Vibrant and sharper UHD display with excellent color accuracy
  • Gorgeous thin-bezel design ensure immersive working experience
  • Equipped with the latest USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • Fingerprint sensor and the backlit keyboard is available

CONS

  • Not ideal for intense graphics work, the XPS 15 is the right choice in this case
  • Price is slightly higher

7. Microsoft Surface Book 2 (Most Portable and Powerful)

Processor: i7-8650U @4.2 GHz  | GPU: GTX 1060 6GB | Memory:  16GB | Storage: 256GB – 1TB NVMe | Screen: 15-inches touch, 3260×2160 | OS: Windows 10 Pro | Battery: 17-hours

The Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is the most expensive ultrabook in this rundown; if you’re looking for a portable powerhouse, it might be a good one for you. Due to powerful graphics processing, mobile design, and longer battery life, nowadays a large number of professionals such as mechanical engineer (3D modeling), photographers, and graphic designers are using Surface Book 2.

The Surface Book isn’t just a convertible 2-in-1 laptop; it’s offering a detachable keyboard design which makes it even more convenient for on-the-go working. Along with solid graphics processing the Surface Book is equipped with an outstanding PixelSense display with QHD resolution; therefore, you can do some color sensitive tasks without any hesitation.

Despite having that sharper display panel and robust hardware, this laptop is offering 15 hours of battery life on video playback, and it’s undoubtedly appreciable. However, the price of this Surface Book 2 is slightly disappointing, even its basic version which is coming without a dedicated GPU can cost over a thousand bucks.

The design is commendable without a single doubt; it allows you to work as you want. It doesn’t matter whether you’re going to watch some videos, playing games or doing some rigorous productivity work, this buddy is master key of all of your need. The fully aluminum unibody armored construction not only make it sturdy but also gives an elegant look.

In this nearly perfect laptop, there are some drawbacks as well. First and foremost, it is just offering a USB Type-C port without a Thunderbolt’s soul, which limits its applications. However, you’re getting 2x Surface Connect ports, which support power delivery, video output, and data in and out (with the USB 3 speed).

Even after paying that much money, you have to pay for Surface Pen additionally, which is something disappointing. But if you need a powerful mobile workstation, the Surface Book 2 would be my top recommendation for the best laptop for traveling.


Check price at Amazon

PROS

  • The most color-accurate display with QHD resolution and top-notch brightness
  • Highly durable metal unibody with the compact design
  • 15 hours of battery life on video playback
  • Dedicated graphics card with latest Intel Core processor
  • Detachable keyboard design provides a flexible usage experience

CONS

  • Very pricey, even the basic version will cost you more than a thousand dollars

BEST CHROMEBOOKS FOR TRAVELING (BUDGET)

If you know precisely, what are your requirements, then a Chrome book could be an incredibly tempting option.

However, a Chromebook doesn’t offer powerful features as a Microsoft Windows, but you can do some usual stuff such as basic photo editing, internet browsing, movies watching without any problem. Even some latest Chromebook support the Play Store; that means you can take advantage of Android apps as well. Some professional level software such as Adobe Photoshop or video editing won’t work with Chrome OS. Also, instead of Microsoft Office, you’ll need to use the Google Docs and Sheets apps, you can use the Microsoft Office Online for Chrome though.

Usually, Chromebooks come with the limited storage capacity; you can’t store your GBs of data into them. However, if you’re looking for a simple and portable laptop for online work or entertainment, A Chromebook could be a smart and budget choice.

8. Acer Chromebook R 13 (Inexpensive Chromebook for Traveling Use)

Acer Chromebook R 13 Convertible, 13.3-inch Full HD Touch, MediaTek MT8173C, 4GB LPDDR3, 32GB, Chrome, CB5-312T-K5X4

Processor:  MediaTek MT8173C | GPU: Imagination PowerVR GX6250 | Memory:  4GB | Storage: 32GB SSD | Screen:  13-inches, 1920 x 1080 | OS: Chrome OS | Battery: 12-hours

Acer is well-known for delivering the most cost-efficient products, for instance, the Acer Aspire E 15 laptops that I have listed above. This company has also launched many Chromebooks over the year, but the R 11 and R 13 were the most successful among them, who has glittered this brand name even further.

The Acer Chromebook R 13 is offering a 13.3-inch full HD screen with touch support, which is just average in terms of brightness and color quality. Obviously, due to a low price under 400$, you can’t compare it with the Microsoft Surface Book display. Additionally, whether we talk about the trackpad or webcam, the quality is just average.

Chromebooks are seriously good when it comes to internet browsing or streaming videos; therefore, it can handle dozens of browser tab along with playing some video or music simultaneously.

The R13 model is powered by the MediaTek 8173C processor, 4GB memory and 32GB storage, which isn’t surprising for a cheap Chromebook.

Out of the box, this Chromebook is offering a 360-degree rotatable design; therefore, you can also use it in tablet mode or watch video conveniently while traveling in tent mode comfortably. This latest Chromebook does support the Play Store, and you can also dive in millions of incredible Android application and games.

The Acer R 13 is offering the latest USB Type-C port, which makes it easily chargeable with the portable power banks, also provides the faster data transfer speed.

The salient difference between the Acer Chromebook R 11 and R 13 is the display size and quality. Moreover, R 13 is offering around 2 hours of extra battery life.

If you need a bigger full HD screen with a somewhat big keyboard, the Acer Chromebook R13 is an excellent choice. On the other hand, Acer R11 is even portable with some compromises HD display and lower battery life.


Check price at Amazon

PROS

  • Meager price
  • Good battery life
  • Acceptable display quality
  • The 360-degree design provides a flexible user experience
  • HDMI, USB Type-C and USB Type-A port are available

CONS

  • Limited performance, not ideal for heavy use
  • Lower storage capacity

9. ASUS C302 (Best Convertible Chromebook at Budget)

ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 2-In-1 Laptop- 12.5” Full HD Touchscreen, Intel Core M3, 4GB RAM, 64GB Flash Storage, All-Metal Body, USB Type C, Corning Gorilla Glass, Chrome OS- C302CA-DHM4 Silver

Processor:  Intel Core M3 |  Memory: 4GB | Storage: 64GB SSD | Screen:  12.5-inches, 1920 x 1080 | OS: Chrome OS | Battery: 10-hours

In contrast to other Chromebook, Asus has focused on the quality, ASUS C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook is the surreal evidence of that. This convertible laptop is offering a 12.5-inch full HD touchscreen, which let you use it in the tablet or laptop mode. The display is excellent in terms of color quality and brightness, at least worth the price.

In the performance department, this Chromebook is offering an Intel Core M3 or M5 processor which accompanies 4GB memory and 64GB flash storage.

Unlike other cheap Chromebook, you’re getting a full aluminum body which gives a premium feel. On the other hand, it has somewhat limited connectivity options; you’re just getting 2x USB Type-C port with headphone jack and microSD card. However, the USB Type-C port provides a faster data transfer speed and also let you charge your device with portable power banks, which is excellent.

On the web surfing, this Chromebook can last up to 9 hours, that’s perfect for traveling or on-the-go use.

This Asus C302 is somewhat costly than other Chromebooks. Also, it doesn’t have USB Type-A ports, and you’ll need an adapter for connecting your usual accessories.


Check price at Amazon

PROS

  • Stunning display quality with full HD resolution and touch support
  • The durable and stylish aluminum armored body
  • Good battery life
  • Latest USB Type-C ports

CONS

  • Slightly costly than other Chromebooks
  • There is no USB Type A or HDMI ports

BEST APPLE TRAVEL LAPTOP

10. Apple MacBook Air (Best on-the-go Laptop with High Reliability)

Apple MacBook Air (13-Inch Retina Display, 1.6GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, 256GB) - Space Gray

Processor:  i5-8210Y @3.60GHz | Memory:  8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Screen: 13.3-inches, Retina 2560 x 1600 | OS: Mac OS X | Battery: 10-hours

Whenever we talk about light laptops, then somewhere MacBook Air comes in our mind. This series would have been obsolete so far if Apple did not update it, but Apple has finally launched the latest MacBook Air this year, which is undoubtedly the best choice over MacBook Pro for traveling purposes.

This newest MacBook is lighter, faster and offers a longer battery life; even it’s got Apple’s most popular Retina display. That’s why most of the digital nomads prefer Apple MacBook Air. However, it is a tad underpowered for this price as compared to Windows laptops. Mind you; if you are working with the processor-hungry tasks, you’ll be better off with the MacBook Pro.

Nonetheless, the MacBook Air is probably the best small and lightweight laptop for travel in 2024, which is delivering premium features.


Check price at Amazon

PROS

  • Most color-accurate and brighter Retina display
  • Durable and gorgeous design with the aluminum metal unibody
  • Thinner and light weighted, easy for traveling
  • 2x most versatile ThunderBolt 3 ports
  • Improved battery life, performance, security and sound quality than the previous model

CONS

  • Somewhat higher price

Best laptops for travel in 2024