best laptop for travel videos

How much RAM do I need for travel blogging? 💻 11 Best Laptops For Travel Bloggers & Vloggers That Are Perfect for All Types of Work

How much RAM do I need for travel blogging? For seamless multitasking and smooth performance, opt for laptops with at least 8GB of RAM, preferably 16GB or higher for demanding tasks like video editing.

Absolutely! Travel blogging and vlogging have truly taken off in our digital era. But let me tell you, as someone who’s been sharing my adventures online, having the right gear is crucial to keep the creativity flowing while on the move.

One piece of gear I can’t live without is a trusty laptop, specially designed for travel bloggers and vloggers like us. It’s our portable office, our editing studio, and our connection to the world while we’re on the road.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to look for in a travel-friendly laptop and share some top recommendations to help you find the perfect one for your blogging or vlogging adventures. Let’s dive in!

✅ Factors to Consider

✅ best features for travel bloggers & vloggers, 1. 13-inch macbook pro with apple m1 chip, 2. dell xps 13 9310 touchscreen laptop, 3. microsoft surface book 2, 4. lenovo yoga 910 ips touch-screen ultrabook, 5. acer chromebook for business and student, 6. acer spin 3 convertible laptop, 7. hp spectre x360 convertible laptop, 8. hp envy x360 touch screen laptop, 9. lenovo ideapad flex 5 14 ips touch screen, 10. microsoft surface pro 8, 11. microsoft surface go 3, q. what size laptop is good for travel, q. do i need a laptop for travel, q. what is the best laptop for blogging, q. what are the essential features of travel laptops, q. how much ram do i need for travel blogging, q. can i edit videos on a travel laptop, q. what is the ideal battery life for travel laptops, q. should i prioritize portability over performance, q. how do i protect my laptop while traveling, 😇 conclusion, 🗨️ which laptop do you think is the best for traveling let us know in the comments below..

🤔 Things To Consider While Buying The Best Laptops For Business Travel [Buying Guide]

When embarking on a journey as a travel blogger or vlogger, your laptop serves as your mobile workstation, enabling you to write, edit photos and videos, and stay connected with your audience. Here are some crucial factors to consider when choosing the perfect travel companion:

• Portability : Opt for lightweight and compact designs that won’t weigh you down during your adventures.
• Battery Life : A long-lasting battery is essential for uninterrupted work sessions, especially in remote locations.
• Performance : Strike a balance between processing power and energy efficiency to handle demanding tasks efficiently.
• Durability : Invest in rugged laptops built to withstand the rigors of travel and adverse environmental conditions.
• Connectivity : Ensure compatibility with various peripherals and robust connectivity options for seamless workflow.
• High-resolution Display : Crisp and vibrant displays are crucial for editing photos and videos with precision.
• Powerful Processor : Opt for multi-core processors capable of handling resource-intensive tasks smoothly.
• Ample Storage : SSD storage offers fast boot times and snappy performance, ideal for storing large media files.
• Graphics Performance : Dedicated graphics cards enhance video editing and multimedia rendering capabilities.
• Enhanced Security : Features like fingerprint sensors and privacy shutters provide peace of mind when working in public spaces.

• [Robust Storage and Smooth Operations]: Experience…
• [Empowered by an Intel Processor]: Powered by the…
• [Immersive 15.6-Inch FHD Display]: Dive into…
• [Pre-installed High-Performance System]: Delivered…

• Purposeful Design: Travel with ease and look great…
• Ready-to-Go Performance: The Aspire 3 is…
• Visibly Stunning: Experience sharp details and…
• Internal Specifications: 8GB LPDDR5 Onboard…

Last update on 2024-05-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

📝List of the Top 11 Travel-Friendly Laptops for Bloggers and Vloggers

After a lot of research and reviewing customer reviews, we have picked the best laptop for travel.

The new M1 chip improves the abilities of the 13 inch MacBook pro . The same compact design enables up to 20 hours of battery life and an active cooling system to keep performance at a high level.

It’s our most portable pro laptop, with such a brilliant Retina display, a FaceTime HD camera, and studio-quality mics.

The Apple M1 chip gives the 13-inch MacBook Pro speed and power beyond belief. with up to 2.8x CPU performance. up to 5x the graphics speed.

Apple’s most advanced neural engine for up to 11x faster machine learning. and up to 20 hours of battery life -the longest of any Mac to date.

It’s Apple’s most popular pro notebook, taken to a whole look. It’s worth the money spent.

• Portability : 6.4 lbs.
• Battery Life : 10-hour battery
• Storage Space : 128 GB SSD
• Processing Power : 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
• Operating System : MacOS X

• Apple-designed M1 chip for a giant leap in CPU,…
• Get more done with up to 20 hours of battery life,…
• 8-core CPU delivers up to 2.8x faster performance…
• 8-core GPU with up to 5x faster graphics for…

Last update on 2024-05-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also Read: Best Men’s Walking Shoes & Sandals For Travel

The FHD+ (1920 x 1200) 500-nit touchscreen display offers pinpoint accuracy for all your computing needs.

See the detail of every pixel in photos without needing to zoom in. Guaranteed Power: With 11th Gen Intel Core mobile processors, it’s now possible to enjoy incredibly immersive entertainment on a remarkably thin and light touchscreen laptop.

This Dell laptop is lightly weighted, which will be best for a traveling person. It weighs only 1.2 kg and its battery can last up to 19 hours. This will be worth the price.

• Portability : 2.7 lbs.
• Battery Life : 7-hour battery
• Processing Power : Intel Core i5-7200U 3MB cache, up to 3.10 GHz, 8G
• Memory : 128GB SSD
• Operating System : Windows 10

• Optical Drive availability : No
• External GPU supported : No
• Backlit Keyboard availability : No
• Product Condition : New

One of the best laptops in this price range is the Microsoft Surface Book 2 1832 (HN4-00033). It has a lightweight body that makes it convenient to transport.

The battery life is good. The device’s excellent under-the-hood setup guarantees that it can manage intensive multitasking. Overall, the Microsoft Surface Book 2 1832 (HN4-00033) will be an excellent option both for personal and business use.

Microsoft Surface Book 2 Features a 7th generation Intel Dual Core processor,13.5 Inch Touchscreen PixelSense Display (3000 x 2000 Resolution)

128GB of storage SSD, 8GB RAM Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated GPU, Up to 17 hours of video playback, SDXC Media Card Slot also it is a Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C (with USB Power Delivery revision 3.0),

2 x Surface Connect ports, 3.5 mm headphone jack and Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing), 5.0 MP front-facing camera with 1080p HD video, 8.0 MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD video, Windows 10 Professional 64-bit Edition.

• Display : 13.5″ (34.29 cm) display, 3000 x 2000 px
• Storage : 128 GB SSD
• Processor : Intel Core i7 (8th Gen).
• RAM: 8 GB of DDR3 RAM

• Microsoft Surface Book 2 Features a 7th generation…
• 128GB of storage SSD, 8GB RAM
• Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated GPU, Up to 17…
• Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1…

The Lenovo yoga 910 is a stylish and powerful laptop that makes a statement about your work and play routines.

While its all-metal unibody design and ultrathin bezel catch your interest, its fast performance, high-definition display, with immersive sound will stimulate your interest.

7th Generation Intel Core i7-7500U Dual-Core Processor 2.7 GHz (max boost speed up to 3.5GHz) 4MB Cache, Intel HD Graphics 620, 14-inch Full HD IPS 10-point multitouch screen, 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution,

Widescreen LED, Convertible 360° flip-and-fold design, Stylus Capable Screen, Windows Ink Capable, Stylus not included, 8 GB DDR4 SDRAM 2133 MHz, 256GB Solid State Drive,

Backlit keyboard, Fingerprint Reader, Thunderbolt port for connecting advanced monitors and external drives, NO Optical Drive, Ultra-fast 802.11 A/C WiFi,

Bluetooth 4.1, 1 USB Type-C port, 1X high-speed USB 3.0, 1x Combo audio jack, JBL Stereo Speakers with Dolby Audio, HD webcam with two microphones.

• Processor : Intel® Core™ i7 processor
• Operating System : Windows 10 Pro
• Memory : 8 GB DDR4
• Storage : 256GB PCIe SSD
• Display : 13.9″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS touchscreen display
• Weight : 3.04 lb (1.38 kg)

• 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7500U Dual-Core…
• 14-inch Full HD IPS 10-point multitouch screen,…
• 8 GB DDR4 SDRAM 2133 MHz, 256GB Solid State Drive,…
• Ultra-fast 802.11 A/C WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1, 1 USB…

If you want a travel laptop but every other laptop is getting out of your budget then this laptop wants to be your travelling partner. Without a doubt, this laptop is worth buying as the most attractive thing is its price than any other laptop.

This will be worth the price, and not just because its price will make you happy, but its features are great too. The Acer Chromebook also features great portability with a comfortably sized keyboard, a touchscreen, and a smaller 11.6-inch display.

4GB LPDDR4 RAM, Plenty of high-bandwidth rams to smoothly run your games as well as multiple programs. 32GB eMMC flash memory,

This ultra-compact memory system is ideal for mobile devices and applications, providing enhanced storage capabilities, and streamlined data.

• Processor : Celeron Dual Core
• Memory : 4 GB DDR4
• Storage : 128GB PCIe SSD
• Display : 11.6 -inch, (1366×768) IPS touchscreen display
• Weight : 1.44 kg

• 【 4GB DDR4 RAM + 32GB eMMC 】 4GB LPDDR4 RAM,…
• 【MediaTek MT8183C Processor】Ultra-low-voltage…
• 【11.6″ HD Screen】11.6” HD ComfyView Display,…
• 【Google Chrome OS】Chrome OS is the speedy,…

Also Read: Best Carry-On Luggage With Laptop Compartment

Acer spin 3 SP314-53N-53SH comes with these high-level specs: 8th GenerationIntel Core i5-8265U Processor 1.6GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.9GHz (6MB Smart Cache),

Windows 10 Home, 14″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display, Multi-Touch Screen, Supporting 10 Finger Touch, Intel HD Graphics 620 and it offers many more features that will never make you regret your decision.

• Processor : Intel® Core™ i5 8th Generation processor
• Operating System : Windows 10 Home
• Memory : ‎8 GB DDR4
• Storage : ‎256 GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Display : ‎14 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS touchscreen display
• Item Weight : 3.80 lbs

• 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8265u Processor (Up…
• 14″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS widescreen…
• 802.11AC Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 5.0
• 1 – USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, 1 – USB 2.0 port, 1 – HDMI…

HP Spectre x360 is gaining popularity nowadays because of its flexibility as you can use this laptop in 4 modes and the most preferred way is tablet mode.

They are also known as convertible laptops or hybrids in the market. it is suitable for travelers, working professionals, and just about anybody who prefers to use one.

The communication capability becomes stronger. It also comes with a fingerprint reader that ensures your data is secure inside.

The keyboard is backlit, providing you with the much-needed typing speed and responsiveness. We found the battery working of the laptop quite exceptional with 10 hours.

• Memory : 16 GB
• Storage : 512 GB SSD
• Display: 13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS touchscreen display

• HP Spectre x360 Convertible Laptop – 13t-aw200,…
• Intel Core i7-1165G7 (up to 4.7 GHz, 12 MB L3…
• Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5 combo…
• 13.3″ diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), touch, IPS,…

In terms of pricing, performance, and specs, the HP Envy x360 15 sits between the lower-end HP Pavilion x360 and the greater HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 laptops, but it isn’t a slouch.

Even if it isn’t the greatest pick for everyone, the HP Envy x360 15 is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops of the year.

HP Envy x360 offers you amazing features: AMD Ryzen 7 5800U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 1 x USB C, 2 x USB-A, 1 x microSD slot.

It has a touch screen, it weighs 1.4 kg, and its battery life is up to 15 hours. With a 13.3″ FHD 1920 x 1080 IPS touchscreen. This will be worth the price.

• Processor : AMD Ryzen 7
• Storage : ‎512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Display : 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS touchscreen display
• Item Weight : 4.42 lbs.

• 15.6″ Full HD multitouch screen The 1920 x 1080…
• AMD Ryzen 4000 Series Mobile Processor
• 8GB system memory for advanced multitasking
• 512 GB Solid State Drive (PCI-e)

This laptop offers a range of impressive features. It’s powered by fast and reliable AMD RyzenTM processors and features a 35.56cm (14) FHD IPS touchscreen. With its 360-degree hinge, you can work efficiently in any mode.

Enjoy long battery life, making this versatile 2-in-1 ideal for work, home, or school. Plus, it includes a physical webcam privacy shutter and fingerprint reader for added privacy and security.

For creative tasks, consider adding an optional digital pen (not included). And with 1 Year Premium Care & 1 Year Accidental Damage Protection, you can rest assured knowing your investment is protected.

• Processor : AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Processor
• Memory : 16GB of DDR4 RAM
• Storage : 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Display : 14 inch FHD (1920×1080) IPS 250nits Glossy Touch Screen
• Item Weight : 3.30 lbs

• 【Authorized WOOV 32GB Micro SD Card】AMD Ryzen…
• 14 inch FHD (1920×1080) IPS 250nits Glossy Touch…
• 16GB DDR4 3200 Memory, 512GB SSD PCIe NVMe Storage

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is the first consumer laptop-to-tablet PC based on the Intel® Evo™ platform for i5 and i7 options with storage of 256GB and above and designed to light up the best of Windows 11.

Laptop, tablet, or portable digital canvas. The Surface Pro 8 is designed to light up the best of Windows 11, enabling you to work, play, and create in ways most natural to you.

Laptop, tablet, or portable digital canvas. You choose – it’s your computer.

• Operating System : Windows 11
• Storage : 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Display : 13 Inches FHD (2880 x 1920) IPS 250nits Glossy Touch Screen
• Item Weight : 1.96 lbs

• The power of a laptop with the flexibility of a…
• Windows 11 brings your closer to what you love….
• The first Surface Pro built on the Intel Evo…
• The best pen experience on Pro with rechargeable…

Also Read: Best Underseat Carry-On Luggage

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is the third-generation model of the Surface Go series of devices, introduced as the successor to the Surface Go 2 by Microsoft at their Surface Event on September 22, 2021.

It was announced by the company alongside Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Pro 8, Surface Duo 2 and a bunch of Surface accessories.

The tablet has the same body, the same set of cameras and speakers, the same ports, and the same dimensions as its predecessor; the main enhancement is a range of more powerful processors. The tablet is powered by the new Windows 11 operating system.

• Processor : Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y
• Memory : 8 GB
• Storage : 128GB
• Display : 10.50-inch (1920×1280) IPS 250nits Glossy Touch Screen
• Item Weight – 1.96 lbs

• The most portable Surface touchscreen 2-in-1….
• Go-anywhere tablet with laptop productivity for…
• All-day battery life. Get up to 11 hours (1) of…
• The new, more intuitive Windows. Work, play, and…

🙋🏻‍♀️ FAQs About Best Laptops For Travel

There are a lot of questions comes to our mind while buying laptop for blogging, some of the commonly asked questions are answered below.

A. For travel, a lightweight and compact laptop with a screen size between 13 to 15 inches is ideal.

A. While not essential, having a laptop for travel allows for convenience in tasks such as blogging, editing photos, and staying connected.

A. The best laptop for blogging should have features like portability, long battery life, and sufficient processing power for content creation tasks.

A. When selecting a laptop for travel, prioritize factors such as portability, battery life, performance, durability, and connectivity.

A. For seamless multitasking and smooth performance, opt for laptops with at least 8GB of RAM, preferably 16GB or higher for demanding tasks like video editing.

A. Yes, many travel laptops offer sufficient processing power and graphics capabilities to handle video editing tasks efficiently, especially those equipped with dedicated GPUs.

A. Ideally, aim for laptops with battery life ranging from 10 to 15 hours to ensure uninterrupted usage during long journeys or remote locations.

A. It depends on your specific requirements and usage scenarios. While portability is crucial for travel, opting for a balance between portability and performance ensures versatility and productivity on the go.

A. Invest in durable laptop sleeves or cases, use TSA-approved locks for added security, and consider insurance coverage for accidental damage or theft.

In conclusion, selecting the best laptop for travel bloggers and vloggers is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your workflow and productivity during your adventures. By considering factors such as portability, performance, durability, and battery life, and exploring our top picks, you can find the perfect companion to accompany you on your journey to capture and share memorable experiences with the world.

Also, don’t forget to book your personalized holiday package with  Fiery Trippers . Let us make your vacation a romantic as well as a dreamy getaway.

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Rahul Siddharth

He is a dedicated travel writer with a wealth of 10 Years + experience that enriches his narratives. He holds a degree in Hospitality and Hotel Administration from IHM Dehradun, which he couples with hands-on expertise in the field. Drawing from his diverse experiences, Rahul's writings offer readers a captivating glimpse into the world of travel. Embark on a journey of exploration and inspiration with Rahul as your guide. Read More

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Home » Gear » best travel laptop

10 BEST Travel Laptops (MUST READ! • 2024)

From the sleek and mighty powerhouses to the budget-friendly gems, our list is tailored for diverse itineraries and preferences. Imagine unwinding in a quaint café with a laptop that boasts a battery life longer than your layover, or editing your travel vlog on a device that handles heavy graphics like a breeze.

I put this guide together with one goal in mind – to help you find the best travel laptop for YOUR travel style. With the help of this epic guide, you’ll easily to be able to know which laptop is best for your needs, style, and budget.

Alllrighty then, do you wanna find out what the best computer for travel is? Well, let’s get to it!

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

Quick answer: The Best Portable Travel Laptops

What type of traveller are you, best overall laptop for travel – macbook air, best laptop for professionals – macbook pro, best midrange travel laptop – dell xps 13″, best value for money laptop – microsoft surface book, best budget travel laptop – lenovo ideapad, best budget 2-1 laptop – microsoft surface pro 7, other great budget laptops for travel, the best overall travel laptop, what specs to consider before buying the best travel laptop, choosing the best travel laptop faqs, how we tested the best travel laptop, faq about the best travel laptop, final thoughts on the best laptops for travel.

• Macbook Air – Best Lightweight Laptop
• 16.2 Inch MacBook Pro – Best Laptop for Professionals
• Dell XPS 13″ – Best Midrange Laptop
• Microsoft Surface Book – Best Value Laptop
• Lenovo Idea Pad – Best Budget Laptop
• Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – Best Travel Tablet
• Jump to –> Travel Laptop Reviews

Macbook Air

• Portability > 2.5 lbs
• Battery Life > 18 hour battery
• Storage Space > 256 – 512GB SSD
• Processing Power > M2 chip
• Operating System > Mac OS Ventura

16.2 Inch Macbook Pro

• Portability > 6.4 lbs
• Battery Life > 22 hour battery
• Storage Space > 512 GB – 1 TB SSD

Dell XPS 13

• Portability > 2.7 lbs
• Battery Life > 7 hour battery
• Storage Space > 128 GB SSD
• Processing Power > Intel Core i5-7200U 3MB cache, up to 3.10 GHz 8G memory 128G SSD
• Operating System > Windows 10

Microsoft Surface Book

• Portability > 3.34 lbs
• Battery Life > 10.5 hour battery
• Processing Power > 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5
• Operating System > Windows 10 Pro

Lenovo Ideapad

• Portability > 5 lbs
• Storage Space > 500 GB Hard Drive
• Processing Power > Intel Pentium 4405U (2M Cache, 2.10 GHz), 2 cores, 4 threads

Microsoft Surface Pro 7

• Portability > 1.7 lbs
• Processing Power > 3 GHz Intel Core i5
• Operating System > Windows 10 Home

My laptop has literally changed my life – not only can I earn money online but I can also stream Game of Thrones wherever I go… and I think we can all agree that that’s pretty damn important.

But what about your needs?

You see, “the best travel laptop” is a pretty broad statement since there are many different types of travelers. The question is – which kind of traveler are YOU?

Here are some extremely important things to consider…

1. Do you need to get work done on your laptop?

If you aren’t planning on using your travel laptop for online work, you don’t necessarily need to splash out on a top of the range laptop.

While it might be tempting to spend $2,000 on the new best laptop, the truth is that only digital nomads and other professionals really need that sort of tech. If you don’t have any work deadlines to meet, it might be better to keep it simple.

2. What will you use your laptop for?

Will you be working on the road (writing, editing, etc.), or mainly surfing the web? Do you need the processing power to run multiple editing programs, or is your prime concern staying connected to social media?

Identifying exactly what you need a laptop for will help you decide on which one is best for your travels.

3. Do you have any size requirements?

Are you traveling with minimal room in your backpack? Are you bringing a bag with certain size requirements?

For instance, some expensive daypacks can’t fit 15-inch laptops, or some laptop sleeves can’t fit larger than a 13 inch. If you buy a special backpack for your laptop , then most of your needs should be met. Either way, make sure to keep these in mind.

4. Are you traveling heavy or light?

The more powerful the laptop, the more it weighs. The difference between a 1.5 lb tablet and a 7 lb professional laptop is HUGE.

Remember that a light traveler is a happy traveler, so if you don’t need a heavier laptop, there’s no reason to cause extra strain on your body.

There are different specs you need to considers when choosing the best laptop for you…

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Two quick things….

• If you are a digital nomad, working professional, or aspiring to work online. Do not pick this travel laptop.
• If you hate Macs or iOS. Do not pick this computer.

Everyone else. This is the best travel laptop. 

If you’re an Apple user, this is Apple’s best Mac laptop for the money and this was the first laptop I took traveling which was adequate for working online. The pros (as with any MacBook) are its integration with apple products, ease-of-use, trackpad and keyboard, design, and reliable performance. It’s also the lightest laptop for travel, so that’s a major win.

I’ve used MacBooks for 7 years now (my first one from 2010 is still alive and kicking!), and I’ve never needed repairs (except to replace an old battery). I can’t say the same for any of the PCs I’ve owned, which is why I think Macs are the best user-friendly laptops if you don’t have a computer background.

If you want a MacBook for browsing, streaming, social, and office, the MacBook Air is fast enough, especially with 2024’s updated processor speed and default memory. But if you want a Retina resolution screen, “Kaby Lake” processors, and more power for editing programs, you’ll have to fork out the money for a MacBook Pro instead.

I recommend you go for as much storage as you can afford if you plan on storing music, images or video because you can’t add storage to Apple computers after purchase. If your laptop is used for browsing and light document work (Excel, Word, etc.) the 256GB SSD should be fine.

• Fast and durable!
• Lightweight (super important)
• Can handle your internet needs and then some
• Not as powerful as other options
• Not good for working professionals

Is the MacBook Air for you?

If you are looking for a light laptop that can handle all of your basic internet needs and then a little bit more – the MacBook Air is my highest recommendation. It’s light and sleek design makes it ideal for travelers, and it comes at a reasonable price.

If you are interested in making money online, you need to invest in a great laptop. The MacBook Pro is my highest recommendation. Its starting price plus lack of ports can be a deal breaker for many, but I still think it is the most versatile, user-friendly laptop out there and mine has allowed me to start and run several businesses from all over the world. I love my MacBook Pro and investing in it was the smartest move I made.

Whether you are freelancing, doing graphic design, blogging or editing photo or video – if you are a traveling professional, it’s hard to beat the MacBook Pro. If you’re in the market for the best lightweight laptop that still has a ton of storage space, the 16.2-inch MacBook is the best choice for you. Weighing less than a 2 kg, this is the best lightweight laptop for travel. Overall, the MacBook Pro is one of the fastest computers on the market. It’s the best traveling laptop for digital nomads, but you have to pay for it.

This is a great choice for bloggers, freelance photographers , etc too. It outperforms the other laptops on this list, but if you’re not set on the Mac OS system, the Dell XPS and Microsoft Surface Book have competing specs for a much more affordable cost.

• Powerful – can handle anything
• Great battery life
• Great for Digital Nomads or professionals
• Unnecessary for normal web users

Is the MacBook Pro for you?

If you can afford a notebook above $1800, or have to bite the bullet because of work, these laptops are going to be fantastic options because they have powerful processors, larger storage space, and better quality build.

High-end laptops are the best laptops for travelling photographers, videographers, laptop bloggers, etc., but not necessary for the average traveller.

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The Dell XPS is best mid-range laptop for travel because of its superb battery life, 7th-generation Core performance and excellent Wi-Fi range. I love that it has more ports than on competing laptops, as well as an SD port. It also has a touch-screen higher-resolution option (for a bit more weight and quite a bit more money).

As for its design, the Dell XPS has a comfortable soft-touch, carbon-fibre deck, infinity display, and rose-colour option. Often the trade off for a thin, best ultralight laptop is shorter battery life and too few ports. The XPS 13, however, gives you nearly 14 hours of battery power, and all the connection options you need while also remaining pretty light and compact for travel.

If you are a PC user, the Dell XPS 13″ is the best travel computer within the $1000 range. Though if you want more memory than 256MB, or an i7 processor, you will have to pay more money. This is a high quality laptop at a great price…

• Incredible value
• Powerful – good for those who  work and travel
• Great alternative if you don’t like Apple products
• Pricey for a PC
• Touch screen option is very expensive

Is the Dell XPS right for you?

For under $1000, you should be able to find a high quality travel laptop for many of the specs that matter most to the average traveler: weight, portability, and reliability. If you are willing to spend a couple hundred more, I would recommend picking up the Dell…

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This is definitely one of the best-value laptops/tablets for travel! You essentially get the portability and ease of use of a tablet with a detachable keyboard. The Microsoft Surface book is lightweight and portable, but you can still run programs like Lightroom and upload your travel photos and videos. The Stylus Pen is a truly innovative and amazing addition as well.

While this isn’t the cheapest laptop in this guide, the Microsoft Surface book is definitely one of the best value laptops on the markets since you are getting a great tablet and computer all-in-one. When it comes to weight, size, features, battery, I think this is the best travel laptop for your money but if you are going pro and embracing the digital nomad lifestyle, I would recommend getting a Macbook instead.

The Microsoft Surface book is a great laptop for photographers and allows you to run Lightroom, Adobe Premier, and other intensive programs.This is the best Windows 10 option for creatives and travellers needing versatility, speed, and power. While technically a powerful laptop, this is also one of the best tablets for travel. It has a battery on the detachable screen and actual computer. When both are charged you can get up to 12 hours battery life.

The 6th generation processor is not as speedy as the 7th generation in the MacBook Pro, but it’s a bit more affordable. The Surface Book also has a leg up on graphics performance in comparison to the MacBook Pro.

• Great value
• Laptop AND a tablet
• Overall pick for best value
• Not powerful enough for professionals/Digital Nomads
• Not as durable

Is the Surface right for you?

People who need discrete graphics, want a powerful computer that is also a 2-1, and Microsoft program integration will find this laptop to be one of the best options out there.

To take full advantage of the separate graphics chip and power, you have to invest more than the starting price and pay for an upgrade, but it’s totally worth it.

The Lenovo is one of the best ultra-lightweight laptops in the budget price range. This Windows OS laptop has 9 hours of battery life, a nice design, and is one of the cheapest light laptops for travel. The performance is good enough for web surfing, editing documents, and viewing movies. The keyboard and touchpad’s quality, however, is less than subpar.

Overall, this is a cheap laptop and a solid choice for the minimal traveller, who wants to stream online and run basic programs. This is definitely not adequate for anybody who needs to work online and certainly the Lenovo cannot handle Lightroom or other photo editing programs.

The team felt this was a great option for those with pretty basic needs looking for something lightweight, affordable and that performs well enough given the tasks expected of it. For those working mostly on word processors and looking to store their travel photos, this is a great option. The standard edition comes with a massive hard drive too making it great for storing and doing some basic processing to travel photos on the road.

• Good for basic surfing and Netflix-ing
• Not durable

Is the Lenovo right for you?

If you are trying to get any work done or be productive, the Lenovo is NOT for you. This is a budget computer that can handle some basic browsing and streaming for the few years it lasts. If that is what you need it for, then this is one of the best budget options!

This is one of the top travel laptops out there because of its versatility and price range compared to the competition. However, the biggest drawback is that the Surface Pro Keyboard  must be bought separately (and costs an extra $120)! The Surface Pro can easily function as an ebook reader, travelling tablet, sketchpad, and video player all-in-one, making it the best tablet for travel, hands down. Plus, I can say from experience that it has awesome resolution and a sharp screen, making it great for watching movies on a plane/bus/train.

Its most stand out features are its touch screen and surface pen stylus. The pen has been tested by comic artists and graphic designers for its accuracy and real-feel! (The pen even learns your handwriting!)

The device doesn’t have as much storage space or processing power as its sister product, the Surface Book, so an external drive is crucial! Though you can upgrade to 256MB or 512MB, it will make the surface pro significantly more expensive.

• Best tablet for travel
• Super light
• Spectacular resolution
• Lacks power/storage
• Not ideal to get serious work done

Is the Surface Pro 7 for you?

The Surface Pro 7 is the best tablet for travel, and with the keyboard one of the most versatile laptops on the market and is definitely worth considering.

What are 2-1 Laptops?  They are travel tablets that can be converted into full laptops. Unlike conventional tablets, they’re made to be used offline and can run computer programs. Moreover, unlike with normal tablets, 2-1 laptops allow you to upload data (music, videos, photos, documents).

Just keep in mind, 2-1 laptops rarely have enough storage space for a lot of videos and photos. A 2-1 tablet/laptop isn’t the best laptop for GoPro users or videographers either since they cannot run intensive video editing programs without sacrificing performance and speed.

1. Samsung Chromebook

The Samsung Chromebook Plus offers a decent design, long battery life, touchscreen, and a hybrid hinge that turns it into a tablet, and is the lightest Chromebook on this list.

Unlike other ChromeBooks, this one is using the sister system, that allows you to download Android apps and use them offline, making it a great Chromebook for travel.

As an alternative to expensive and heavy Macbooks, the team felt the Samsung Chromebook Plus was a really viable option for those not wanting to travel with that kind of laptop but wanting similar performance levels.

2. Acer Chromebook

The Acer Chromebook is one of the better budget lightweight laptops on the market. The laptop has ultra portability, a comfortably sized keyboard, and a touchscreen. The downside is it does feel very “cheap” with a plastic like frame. At 1.1 Kg and 11.6 inches, this is one of the best budget laptops for surfing the internet, and a great option if you’re looking for a small, portable laptop to stream movies on or run other basic tasks with.

Note:  I have listed the starting price for the storage space available. Often you can add more storage space for a higher price.

3. Lenovo Yoga 910

An alternative to the Surface Pro and another one of the best tablets for traveling is another hybrid with cool features like a fingerprint sensor. At 1.4kg (3.09lbs), the Yoga 910 is a heavier than most 2-1s, but also has more storage space to start, an all-metal finish, the latest Kaby Lake processors (i7), and 14in HD display.

It’s reasonably well-priced for a hybrid of this quality, but there is a cheaper, more basic version called the Lenovo Yoga 710 if you’re trying to save some cash. The 910, however, is the best no-compromise option for work and pleasure making it one of the best laptops for travel and digital nomad life.

Tie Between MacBook Pro and Dell XPS 13 for the best travel laptop

MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro is the best laptop for travel for Mac users, who want the fastest, most reliable computer on the market. The MacBook Pro uses Kaby Lake processors (Intel’s seventh generation chips), has a sleek design, retina (2560 x 1600-pixel) display, touch ID, and the best rated audio sound.

The Dell XPS is the best Windows 10-based laptop. It comes with 13.3 HD display, nearly 14 hours of battery power, and all the connection options you while remaining plenty light and compact for travel. This is a great choice if you want to save a bit of cash and avoid Macs…

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

Price is probably the most important factor when choosing the best laptop for traveling.

Unless you are working online, you really don’t need to spend $1000+ to get the best travel laptop. There are several cheap travel laptops and mid-range options that make great laptops for travel.

Remember that high-value items, such as a top of the range laptop, are often harder to claim for on insurance. There are some cheap lightweight laptop options on the market too and overall the price of laptops continues to come down… You get what you pay for though so if you need a laptop for work, I recommend not going for the cheapest laptop option.

2. Portability

Portability is especially essential for the on-the-go, minimal traveler, and an important factor to consider when choosing the best laptop for travel.

You want something lightweight so that your backpack doesn’t end up weighing too much (As we say in the hiking world, ounces add pounds and pounds add pain!). If you haven’t yet picked up a backpack for your trip, check out this post for plenty of backpack inspiration. 

Your laptop’s size is also important (usually correlating with weight) to easily pull your computer in/out of your bag at the TSA security line, etc. The smallest travel laptops and tablets have less storage space and processing power, but they are also cheap and highly portable. If you are going to be on the road a lot, I recommend trying to find a lightweight laptop.

If you have a smaller unit, you can also invest in a smaller laptop bag . So portability not only applies to the laptop itself, but what you’re going to use to carry it.

3. Battery Life

It’s always nice to have a reliable battery life, especially if you are taking your laptop up into the mountains. The best laptops on the market have at least 8 hours of battery life, and some can last for an entire day. If you are spending a lot of time off the grid and still need access to your laptop then consider picking up a portable battery capable of charging a laptop.

Quick travel tip: make sure your wi-fi and blue tooth are turned off (when you’re not using them) to save battery!

4. Storage Space

Most of the top travel laptops (with ample battery life and affordability) lack a large amount of storage space, and if you’re going to store a lot of photos and videos from your travels, it’s important to have ample hard drive space!

I’ve found it’s well worth investing in a cloud drive and/or an external hard drive, especially since photos and videos take up a lot of room. This way you don’t have to sacrifice laptop portability for storage space on the actual laptop.

My first backpacking laptop, a MacBook Air, didn’t have too much storage space so I kept a lot of my photos and videos on Dropbox and stored my movies on a nearly bulletproof portable hard drive .

Typical external drives with 1 terabyte cost around $80 USD, and cloud storage (through Google, Dropbox Microsoft, etc.) average around $10 a month. It’s also important to back up your files in case your travel laptop gets stolen (like my friend Ana’s did in Costa Rica)!

5. Processing Power

If you are running editing programs and high-resolution videos, you should also prioritize the processing power.

The CPU is like the “brain” of your computer. At the moment, Intel Core i7 is the highest performer, but also the most expensive. Intel Core i5 should work for most of the best travel computers, and anything older is fine if you’re just surfing the web.

A separate graphics chip allows gamers, 3D designers, and high-res video editors to run their programs without taking up a ton of RAM and slowing the overall performance of the computer.

An integrated graphics chips (one that shares system memory) is just fine if you don’t have these needs.

If you want a separate graphics chip, keep in mind Apple only puts separate graphics chips in their MacBook Pro 15in computers. The 15 inch MacBooks are more expensive, and in my opinion, anything over 13 inches is too large to be considered one of the best laptops to travel with.

6. Do you prefer Mac, Windows, or Chrome OS?

Most laptops run one of these three operating systems: Windows, Chrome OS, or Mac OS X (for MacBooks only).

Windows notebooks offer the largest range of options for the best travel laptop. The newest window computers offer cool features like touch screens, 2-1 convertible tablets, fingerprint readers, and dual graphics chips.

Mac’s newest operating system, MacOS Sierra, comes with all Apple computers. Once you get the hang of Apple’s programs and trackpad/keyboard short cuts, Mac is the best user-friendly laptop (in my opinion) for the average person who knows nothing about computer engineering or coding.

Macs are expensive, but also reliable, which is important when you are travelling around the world and don’t have time/money to take a computer in for repairs.

Chrome-OS is Google OS’ – simple and secure operating system, usually available on small portable laptops. The drawback? It’s mainly limited to surfing the web, checking email, and navigating social networks, not doing stuff offline. Still, ChromeBooks are the best cheap and light laptops for the minimal traveller.

Conclusion? Most travellers are going to need to prioritise versatility , weight , battery life , and price when picking the best travel laptop. Digital nomads and travellers working remotely are going to need powerful laptops for travel to handle multi-tasking and intensive programs.

Q. What is the best laptop for the money?

In my humble opinion, the best value laptop is definitely the Microsoft Surface Book  – from a specs / weight / price ratio, this laptop outperforms all the others.

Q. What is the best cheap laptop?

The Lenovo Idea Pad  is the best cheap laptop on the market at the moment. It is adequate for streaming movies and casual web browsing but that’s about it… Still, for less than $300, it’s a steal.

Q. What is the lightest travel laptop?

The MacBook Air  is the most compact, thinnest and lightest laptop for traveling on the market… If space and weight is your primary concern, this is the laptop to choose.

Q. What is the best laptop for blogging?

The Macbook Pro  is the best laptop for bloggers and photographers – it can handle whatever you throw at it and edit photos without any problems, even on very advanced, space hungry, software.

Q. What is the smallest travel laptop?

The Macbook Air  takes the gold again for the smallest laptop for traveling…

Q. What is the most durable laptop?

The Macbook Pro  is the toughest laptop in this list and if you put it in a case it can take some knocks… Still, be careful with it.

Q. Should I travel with a laptop or a tablet?

A 2-1 will give you a lot more versatility than just traveling with a laptop or a tablet. If you ARE a fan of tablets, I recommend that you consider getting a 2-1 laptop / tablet combo rather than just a tablet. The Microsoft Surface 7 Pro  is definitely the best 2-1 laptop / tablet on the market.

There is no perfect or exact science when it comes to testing out what the best work travel laptop is. Having been digital nomads for a number of years, we think we’re in a decent position to give our 2 cents on the matter!

So when it came to assessing the best travel computers, we looked at a few different factors like specific performance for certain jobs and tasks, memory, storage, speed, weight and durability too. Of course, when it comes to the best laptop for travel and work, much of what is needed is individual depending on your needs. But we tried to cover most of the common uses as well as generalised purposes for travelling with a laptop.

Finally, we also take into account how an item is priced. Travel computers vary wildly in price and the most expensive isn’t always the best for your needs and your trip. However, we did scrutinise the more expensive laptops and gave the cheaper ones a bit more leeway.

Still have some questions about the best laptops for travel? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What is the overall best travel laptop?

The perfect all-rounder for digital nomads is the Macbook Air . It packs style, efficiency, plenty of battery life and storage space and a solid operating systen in one little rectangle. For even more storage space, we’d suggest upgrading to a Macbook Pro .

What is the most affordable travel laptop?

The Lenovo Ideapad is one of the best budget options for digital nomads. While the value might not be as high as a Macbook, you’ll definitely get some real bang for your buck.

Which is the lightest travel laptop?

The Macbook Air is one of the best lightweight travel laptops on the market, with only 2.5lbs!

Should I get an insurance for my laptop during my travels?

Hell yes! If you’re relying on your laptop, having your electronics insured is one of first steps to travelling without any worries.

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.

There you have it!

Our epic reviews of the most versatile laptops, the most cost-efficient laptops, the best laptop for blogging and digital nomads and, of course, the best budget laptop on the market.

Overall, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the listed choices. I personally tend to lean towards MacBooks because of their reliability and my own personal experiences.

However, some of the newest Microsoft, Lenovo, and Dell laptops have unique, useful features like touch screen, and 2-1 convertibility that give them a leg up as the best traveling laptops.

If you just want the best cheap travel laptop to surf the web and stream online, one of the budget laptops or Chromebooks would be perfect for you.

You will need to upgrade from the ChromeBooks and budget options to one of the travelling tablet 2-1’s or more expensive laptop options if you want to store data but you can get around this by buying a portable hard drive. Personally, I’m a big fan of Macbook Pros but what does the data say? When we compare all the factors, what is the best laptop for traveling?

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30 Comments

Great article and certainly needed. However, I wouldn’t use a Lenovo product, even if you gave it to me for free. They have lots of problems!

Nicely comprised info for travelers. Like you, I once brought a laptop while traveling, only for it to not turn on due to the none air conditioned climate. It worked fine once I got back to the air conditioned USA. Do you have a laptop suggestion for those traveling to poor areas where cool flowing air is not an option? I’ve heard someone say there are ASUS laptops that can take the heat, but I have yet to find an article that states this.

This is a tough question because I feel like most laptops would be susceptible to this problem. You should buy a laptop with a high-quality frame or invest in an industrial-grade laptop.

Hey, thanks for your effort. I love working outside and i am trying to become more independent. After going through your choices real quick, the microsoft surface pro seems to be the most fit for me. Although i would love to be able to use a powerbank or something to charge it. Any suggestions in that regard?

The most important information thats missing for me is, the ability to work outside. Are all of them equal in that regard? Will i be able to work in the sun? Because my current notebook will not let me do that.

Hey Flo! I’m working off a Surface Pro 4 and I love mostly love it…. Mine has a factory error that dates back to 2016, but new ones should be fine. I’m able to work in the sun… if I need to. But working in the sun is both miserable and can cause eye damage. You’re not meant to be focusing on tiny text on a screen while inundated with blazing sunlight!

The best Windows 10 option for creatives and travelers needing versatility, speed, and power. While technically a powerful laptop, this is also one of the best tablets for travel. I will go for it.

I think this is great and you have totally nailed it by making that statement. Right on.

Thanks for the review. I am going to making some tour videos and for that, I will buy a laptop for video editing. I hope MacBook Pro will do that job greatly.

very informative blog, to bring a laptop while traveling actually I am making a plan to go an India for some time before that I definitely will check your mention points like battery life, processing power etc.

I’ve had my MacBook Air for a couple years now and it’s starting to show signs of needing replacement. Kinda nervous about this and what Apple is currently offering. Hopefully, it will hold out for a bit longer to see what else Apple might have in store.

You should really add the “Surface Laptop” to the list, it’s a great little laptop that allows you to choose how much storage you want along with three different processor options

I am looking for a new laptop and your list is helpful. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing this. A lot of people recommended me to buy the MacBook pro definitely expensive but worth every penny especially for us freelancer who like to travel and do work not just outside our home. Anyways, thank you for sharing this list. I love that you also share how informative and being detailed about the pros and cons.

Glad you found our laptop reviews helpful Esther! I’m a Macbook Pro man myself! 🙂

Please stop using the term “Digital Nomad.” It’s cringeworthy… Also, being a “DM” isn’t the only reason to have a high-powered laptop.

If you have heaps of money to spend on a high end laptop purely for leisure then good for you dude but for most people that kind of investment is only worth making if you’re going to be working online, with your laptop, as you travel.

that was wonderful details on the travel laptpops for all the techno freaks. Good post with all the essential details.

The performance of the SurfaceBook 2 is everything you could want form a laptop and thanks to the dual battery the battery life on offer here is impressive from a performance-focused device.

While choosing the laptop for traveling it is most important to consider which specs will optimize the digital experience. Which type of laptop is best for traveling and also how you plan to use your laptop while traveling

I’m definitely a windows user! The surface book 2 is just awesome, I’m gonna buy it soon.

Chromebooks are pretty much the perfect laptop for travelling. I mean not only are they cheap and super light and portable, but you can’t do much on them – which hopefully means you’ll STAY THE HECK OFF OF THEM and actually enjoy your vacation 😉

Comprehensive and detailed. I love that you have included comparison and required specs of the different travel laptops. I’d go for portability, memory, and battery life. Thanks for providing the best choices!

Hii Will Hatton,

I would like to say big thank you for your post. I really love to read it , this is such a very appreciable & informative post for each travelers. Keep posting

Yeah portability is what makes laptops great 🙂

I’ve been looking for a laptop to use for my business when I am away from home. So glad I found your blog. It has great info and I think I’ve narrowed it down to 2 different ones. Price is going to effect my choice, but that’s how it goes.

Hi, I’m going to India this winter but I’m also a student so I do have to be checking my laptop to see if my assignments and homework. I’m a little worried about wifi coverage. When you go to 3rd world countries how do you get reliable wifi? What provider/coverage plan do you use?

You’ll be fine – WiFi can be found in most places these days, which is kind of a shame. I don’t have reliable WiFi when I travel, I just get on with it.

Yes, but what no travel writer thinks to mention is which of these computers, all or none or in between, can connect to Channels 12 (in Canada and the rest of the world) 13 (in Europe and the rest of the World) and 14 in Japan. I’ve bought devices in the past, for world traveling, only to discover that the devices had been needlessly throttled for US customers at the firmware level. In other words, they could only connect on Channels 1-11.

Hi Will, Great detailed post. For me, a travel laptop has to be extra portable and have long-lasting battery. Chromebooks tend to meet those requirements and I always keep one for when I am on the road.

I’m truly impressed with your business finesse while traveling in some really interesting places. Nicely done!

I used to be a MacBook fan, but this last one as well as my latest iPhone has made me look elsewhere. The Dell XPS and the Lenovo Yoga products definitely seems to get great reviews and rock solid performance. I think I’ll be checking them out next. And, of course, your travel on $10 a day…didn’t think that was possible anymore! Thanks for some great reads

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Best Digital Nomad Laptops for Remote Work

Digital nomads lead a unique lifestyle, relying heavily on technology to work and travel at the same time. The most crucial tool for a digital nomad? A laptop.

But not just any laptop will do. It has to be lightweight, durable, reliable, and powerful enough to handle remote work demands.

To help you choose this essential tool, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to the best laptops for digital nomads, considering key factors such as performance, battery life, portability, and connectivity among others.

Top 15 Digital Nomad Laptops for Remote Work & Travel

• Best for Portability and Performance: Apple MacBook Air M2
• Best for Battery Life: LG Gram 17
• Best for Video Conferencing: Dell XPS 15
• Best for 4G/5G Connectivity: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
• Best for Multitasking: Acer Aspire 5
• Best 2-in-1 Travel Laptop: Microsoft Surface Pro 9
• Best for Gaming: Razer Blade Stealth 14
• Best for Design or Photography" Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch
• Best for Programming: Dell XPS 17
• Best for Video Editing: Asus ROG Zephyrus G15
• Best Budget Option: Acer Swift 5
• Best for Data Analysis: HP Spectre x360 16t
• Best for Streaming: Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 2-in-1
• Best for Office and Productivity Work: Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3
• Best for General Web Browsing and Emails: Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5601)

Best 15 Digital Nomad Laptops for Remote Workers

Now that we have identified the key factors for our device selection let's unveil our top picks for the best digital nomad laptops in the market.

1. Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022)

Best laptop for portability and performance.

The Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022) is a top choice for most digital nomad needs. It effortlessly balances portability and performance, making it an ideal laptop for work and leisure. It's not just a laptop; it's a powerhouse that fits in your backpack . It's equipped with Apple's new M2 chip, resulting in a responsive, fast, and efficient laptop that's perfect for remote workers. The superior performance, impressive display, stellar battery life, lightweight build, and sleek design, make it an excellent choice for any remote worker needing a reliable, high-performing machine on the go. The package is incredibly compelling despite a few missing features and a slightly higher starting price.

Specifications

• Display: 13.6-inch, 2560 x 1664 Liquid Retina display
• Processor: Apple M2 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU (configurable to 10-core GPU)
• Memory: 8GB unified memory (configurable to 16GB or 24GB)
• Storage: 256GB SSD (configurable to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) wireless networking and Bluetooth 5.0
• Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD camera
• Battery: Up to 18 hours of Apple TV app movie playback and up to 15 hours of wireless web
• Operating System: macOS
• Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, MagSafe 3 charging port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack
• Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches (304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm)
• Weight: 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg)
• Powerful Apple M2 chip for multitasking and editing tasks
• 18-hour battery life, ideal for on-the-go use
• Vibrant Liquid Retina display for a superior visual experience
• 1080p FaceTime HD camera for clear virtual meetings
• Fast data transfer and charging with Thunderbolt 4 and MagSafe 3
• Thin, compact, and lightweight, great for travel
• Lack of Touch Bar
• No SD card slot or HDMI port for additional connectivity
• Missing Ethernet port and fingerprint reader
• Higher starting price than the previous model
• Heats up and aggressively throttles during heavy workloads

Price Range

• $999: Base model with M1 chip, 8GB of memory, 256GB of storage
• $1,199: Model with M2 chip, 8GB memory option, and 256GB storage option
• $1,499: Model with M2 chip, 8GB of memory, and 512GB storage option

2. LG Gram 17 (2023)

Best travel laptop for battery life.

The LG Gram 17 (2023) is an impressive laptop that successfully merges power and portability. It's a brilliant choice for digital nomads and remote workers who demand more from their devices — be it for productivity, content creation, or entertainment. The remarkable battery life ensures you can work or play for longer, making it a reliable companion for those long travel days. Despite the larger screen, the laptop remains incredibly lightweight, which is a massive win for digital nomads on the go.

• Display: 17-inch IPS LCD WQXGA (2560 x 1600 pixels)
• Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core Processor i7-8565U
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5
• Storage: 512 or 1TB NVMe SSD
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (80EU)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
• Camera: Full HD IR Webcam with Dual Mic (Face recognition)
• Battery: Up to 20 hours and 9 minutes of battery life
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home
• Ports: 2x USB-A, 2x USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, microSD card reader, headphone jack
• Dimensions: 19.5 x 12.3 x 2.4 inches (378.8 x 258.8 x 17.7 mm)
• Weight: 2.76 lbs (1.25 kg)
• Lightweight and portable despite the large screen
• Exceptional battery life of up to 20 hours
• High-resolution IPS LCD display for vibrant visuals
• Powerful Intel Core i7 processor for efficient multitasking
• Ample memory and storage options
• A versatile array of ports for varied connectivity
• Comfortable keyboard and large touchpad for ease of use
• Durable build quality ensures longevity
• No Ethernet port may limit connectivity options in some scenarios
• Speakers could be louder
• Higher starting price compared to some other options
• Magnesium feels less premium than aluminum
• $1,699: Base model with 16GB of memory, 512GB of storage
• $1,799: Top-of-line model with an upgrade to 1TB of storage

3. Dell XPS 15 (2023)

Best travel laptop for video conferencing.

The Dell XPS 15 (2023) sets the bar high for compact yet powerful travel laptops. It's a device that truly packs a punch while staying light on the shoulders. As a digital nomad, the first thing that strikes us is the beautifully crafted InfinityEdge display, which offers an expansive screen area in a compact form factor. The 3.5K resolution guarantees crisp, high-definition visuals, especially if video conferencing, editing content, and catching up on your favorite shows. Finally, the 12th Gen Intel Core processors ensure seamless multitasking, and substantial memory while its good storage options cater to varying remote work needs.

• Display: 15.6-inch OLED 3.5K (3456x2160) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 400-Nit Display
• Processor: 13th Generation Intel Core i7-13700H or Intel Core i9-13900H
• Memory: 16GB, 32 GB, or 64GB DDR5 unified memory
• Storage: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8 TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Graphics: Intel Arc A370M or Nvidia GeForce RTX options: 4050 with 6GB, 4060 with 8GB, 4070 with 8GB
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth
• Camera: 720p HD webcam with privacy shutter with dual-array microphone
• Battery: Up to 15 hours and 2 minutes of battery life
• Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, microSD card reader, headphone jack
• Dimensions: 0.71 x 13.6 x 9.1 inches (18 x 345 x 230 mm)
• Weight: 4.21 lbs (1.86kg) for FHD+ and 4.23 lbs (1.92kg) for OLED
• InfinityEdge display provides immersive visuals in a compact size
• 13th Gen Intel Core processor delivers robust performance
• Memory and storage options to suit varied needs
• Impressive battery life allows for extended use
• Compact and lightweight design for easy portability
• Comfortable keyboard and large touchpad enhance user experience
• No Ethernet port, potentially limiting connectivity options
• More expensive compared to some other options
• Wi-Fi 6 is an outdated technology and should be upgraded
• $1,499: Base model with 16GB of memory, 512GB of storage, and Intel Core i7-12700H processor
• $2,299: Mid-range model with 32GB memory option, 1TB of storage, and Intel Core i7-12700H processor
• $2,949: Top-of-the-line model with 64GB memory option, 2TB of storage, and Intel Core i9-12900HK processor

4. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (2021)

Best travel laptop for 4g/5g connectivity.

As digital nomads who are often on the go, we know the importance of connectivity. And we can confidently say that the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (2022) is one of the best travel laptops with 4G/5G connectivity on the market. It caters brilliantly to the needs of a nomadic lifestyle by ensuring you remain connected no matter where your adventures take you. Its rugged build, MIL-STD 810H certification, and robust 13th Gen Intel Core processors also give it the power and durability to handle any challenge. On the other hand, the range of memory and storage options provides the versatility needed for various tasks while its built-in ThinkShield security features and tested durability make it a dependable workhorse, capable of withstanding the rigors of travel.

• Display: 14 inches WUXGA (1920 x 1200), IPS, Anti-Glare, Touch, 100%sRGB, 400 nits, 60Hz, LED Backlight, Narrow Bezel, Low Blue Light
• Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240P, i5-1250P, i7-1260P, i7-1270P or i7-1280P processor options
• Memory: 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB LPDDR5 unified memory
• Storage: Samsung 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E AX211 2x2 AX vPro & Bluetooth 5.2; Optional : 4G/LTE CAT16 with eSIM & physical nano SIM or WWAN 5G sub6 CAT20 with eSIM & physical nano SIM
• Camera: FHD + IR mobile industry processor interface (MIPI) webcam with Computer Vision & webcam privacy shutter
• Battery: Up to 16 hours of battery life
• Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
• Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, HDMI port, USB-A port, microSD card reader, headphone jack
• Dimensions: 0.60 x 12.43 x 8.76 in. (15.36 x 315.6 x 222.5 mm)
• Weight: Starting at 2.48 lbs (1.12 kg)
• Durable and reliable build perfect for on-the-go usage
• 4G/5G connectivity for uninterrupted access to the internet
• Long battery life for continuous productivity during travels
• Powerful processor for seamless multitasking
• Plenty of memory and storage options to suit diverse needs
• Versatile port selection for easy connectivity
• MIL-STD 810H certification ensures ruggedness and durability
• Starting price might be a barrier for some people
• The design could be improved
• Some problems with the cooling
• $1,299: Base model with 16GB of memory, 256GB of storage, and an Intel Core i5-1335U processor
• $1,499: Mid-tier model with 16GB of memory, 512GB of storage, and an Intel Core i7-1355U processor
• $1,799: Top-of-the-line with 32GB of memory, 1TB of storage, and an Intel Core i7-1365U vPro processor

5. Acer Aspire 5 (2023)

Best travel laptop for multitasking.

The Acer Aspire 5 (2022) is a versatile choice for digital nomads who need to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. Its strength lies in the impressive 12th Gen Intel Core processors and generous memory and storage options, enabling you to handle multiple tasks and applications simultaneously. Although its build quality may not match that of high-end laptops, its powerful processing capabilities and affordable price make it a valuable asset for anyone who requires a reliable, cost-effective laptop that can handle diverse workloads.

• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS LCD display with 250 nits brightness and 45% NTSC color gamut
• Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 options available
• Memory: 4GB, 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB LPDDR5 unified memory
• Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512GB, or 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD and 1TB HDD
• Graphics: GeForce MX550, GeForce RTX 2050, Iris Xe Graphics, Radeon or UHD graphics options
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 AX201 or Wi-Fi 6E AX211
• Camera: 720p HD webcam with privacy shutter
• Battery: Up to 9 hours of battery life
• Ports: Two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, HDMI port, Ethernet port, headphone jack
• Dimensions: 14.3 x 0.71 x 9.9 in. (36.3 x 1.8 x 25.1 cm)
• Weight: 4.4 lbs (1.99 kg)
• Powerful processor and ample memory for multitasking
• Sufficient storage options to handle various data needs
• Long battery life for sustained productivity on the go
• Versatile port selection for diverse connectivity needs
• A comfortable keyboard and large touchpad for efficient input
• Affordable price, offering great value for its capabilities
• Build quality could be improved to enhance durability
• Below-average battery life
• Keyboard could be improved as it feels loose

$379.99: Base model with 4GB of memory, 128GB of storage, and an Intel Core i3 Dual-core processor

• $579.99: Mid-range model with 12GB of memory, 512GB of storage, and an Intel Core i5 Deca-core processor
• $1,029.99: Top-of-the-line model with 16GB of memory, 1TB of storage, and an Intel Core i7 Dodeca-core processor

6. Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022)

Best 2-in-1 travel laptop.

The Surface Pro 9 (2022) is a splendid choice for digital nomads who value flexibility and performance. The device's 2-in-1 nature makes it a versatile tool, capable of adapting to a variety of work environments while its powerful features make it more than capable of handling demanding tasks. It's in fact power-packed with 12th Gen Intel Core processors that deliver exceptional performance, and it's complemented by a stunning PixelSense Flow Display that is simply a joy to use. Despite its lightweight and compact design, it doesn't compromise on battery life, offering up to 11 hours. Additionally, its support for Surface Pen and Surface Dial adds versatility to its use, making it a perfect fit for digital creatives who need to work while traveling.

• Display: 13-inch PixelSense Flow Display with 2880 x 1920 resolution and 267 PPI
• Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U or i7-1255U processor
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth Wireless 5.1 technology; Optional: 4G/LTE/5G and eSim support
• Camera: 10MP rear, 5MP front-facing, Windows Hello
• Battery: Up to 15.5 hours of battery life
• Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4/USB-4 ports, Surface Connect port, Surface Type Cover port
• Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 in. (287 x 209 x 9.3 mm)
• Weight: 31.95 lbs (883 g) without keyboard
• Great processor for high-performance tasks
• PixelSense Flow Display offers excellent visual experience
• Long battery life for all-day productivity
• Compact and lightweight design for easy travel
• Keyboard and touchpad offer comfortable typing and navigation
• Support for Surface Pen and Surface Dial enhances user interaction
• Versatile port selection for diverse connectivity options
• No headphone jack
• High starting price compared to some other options
• Average battery life
• No microSD card slot
• No USB-A port
• Keyboard not included
• $999: Base model with 8GB of memory, 128GB of storage, and 12th Gen Intel Core i5
• $1,399: Mid-range model with 16GB memory, 256GB of storage, and 12th Gen Intel Core i7
• $2,299: Top-of-line model with 32GB memory, 1TB of storage, and 12th Gen Intel Core i7

7. Razer Blade Stealth 14 (2021)

Best travel laptop for gaming.

Razer has consistently delivered top-notch gaming laptops, and the Stealth 14 is no exception. The Razer Blade Stealth 14 (2021) is a dream come true for gaming enthusiasts on the move. It’s a fantastic blend of portability (it's 40% smaller in volume than average 15” gaming laptops) and power, ensuring that your gaming doesn't have to stop, no matter where you are. Its stunning OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate offers a visually impressive gaming experience. At the same time, the long battery life means you can game on for hours without worrying about finding a power outlet. If gaming is your thing and you're looking for a laptop that can effortlessly handle your favorite titles, the compact Razer Blade Stealth 14 is definitely worth considering.

• Display: 14-inch 165Hz QHD (2560 x 1440) OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and 400 nits brightness
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX Processor (8-Cores /16-Threads, 20MB Cache, Up to 4.9 GHz max boost) with NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics
• Memory: 16 GB DDR5-4800MHz (Fixed Onboard)
• Storage: 1TB SSD (M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4)
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (6GB) or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (16GB)
• Connectivity: Qualcomm Wi-Fi 6E, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.3
• Battery: Up to 12 hours of battery life
• Dimensions: 0.6 x 12.5 x 8.6 in. (16.8 x 220 x 319.7 mm)
• Weight: 3.92 lbs (1.78 kg)
• Stunning OLED display for immersive gaming
• Powerful processor for efficient gaming performance
• Plenty of memory and storage options for heavy games
• Long battery life to endure intense gaming sessions
• Compact and lightweight gaming laptop for easy travel
• Comfortable keyboard for precise control
• Large touchpad for easy navigation
• Durable build quality to withstand the rigors of travel
• Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfer
• 165Hz refresh rate for fluid game visuals
• High temperatures and loud fans under demanding loads
• It could have a better battery life
• High starting price compared to other options
• Slightly heavier than other travel laptops
• Speakers are not that loud
• $1,799 : Base model with GeForce RTX 3060 graphics, 1 TB in storage, and 16 GB memory and Full HD 144 Hz Display
• $1,999: Mid-range model with GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics and QHD 165 Hz display
• $2,699: Top-of-the-line model with GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics and QHD 165 Hz display

8. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023)

Best travel laptop for design or photography.

The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) is a stellar pick for design or photography professionals who need a reliable and powerful machine on the go. The Liquid Retina XDR display is a standout feature that brings your creative work to life with its vivid colors and sharp details. Combined with the power of the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip, this laptop can handle any creative task you throw at it. While the price is on the higher side, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) is a worthy investment for those who demand performance, versatility, and quality. It is indeed a mobile creative studio that fits right into your backpack!

• Display: 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with 3456 x 2234 resolution and 1600 nits peak brightness
• Processor: M2 Pro or M2 Max chip
• Memory: 16GB or 32GB unified memory (configurable to 64GB and 96GB only with M2 Max chip)
• Storage: 512GB or 1TB (configurable to 2TB, 4TB or 8TB)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3
• Camera: 1080p HD webcam with TrueDepth camera system
• Battery: Up to 21 hours of battery life
• Operating System: macOS Ventura
• Ports: Three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, HDMI port, SDXC card slot, headphone jack
• Dimensions: 14 x 9.77 x 0.66 in. (355.7 x 248.1 x 16.8 mm)
• Weight: 4.7 lbs (2.15 kg)
• Vibrant Liquid Retina XDR display for precise color
• High-performance M2 Pro/Max chip for demanding tasks
• Multiple memory and storage options
• Impressive battery life for on-the-go productivity
• Versatile port selection for peripherals
• Comfortable keyboard and large touchpad
• Durable build for travel demands
• ProMotion support for smoother screen motion
• Six-speaker setup for immersive audio
• High price tag may discourage some users
• Lack of touchscreen may disappoint creative professionals
• No significant upgrade from 2021 model
• $2,499: Base model with the M2 Pro chip, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage
• $2,699: Mid-range model with the M2 Pro chip, 16GB of memory, and 1TB of storage
• $3,499: Top-of-the-line model with the M2 Max chip and 32GB of memory

9. Dell XPS 17 (2023)

Best travel laptop for programming and coding.

For digital nomads and remote workers who require a robust travel laptop for their programming tasks, the Dell XPS 17 (2023) is a perfect choice. Its exceptional specifications, performance, and compact design make it a dependable workhorse for any coding project. The ample screen size is beneficial for programmers, as it allows for efficient multitasking and better code legibility. This powerful, yet portable workstation delivers top-notch performance without sacrificing portability, making it an ideal solution for those who need to take their codebase with them on the go. Although it may be a bit on the expensive side, the investment is well worth it, considering the time it saves and the increase in productivity it provides.

• Display: 17.3-inch InfinityEdge display with 3.5K (3456 x 2160) resolution and 500 nits brightness
• Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H or i9-12900HK processor
• Memory: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB LPDDR5 unified memory
• Storage: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 with 6GB, 4060 with 8GB, 4070 with 8GB, or 4080 with 12GB
• Connectivity: Wireless Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 1675 (AX211), 2x2, 802.11ax, Bluetooth wireless card
• Battery: Up to 10 hours of battery life
• Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, HDMI port, SDXC card reader, headphone jack
• Dimensions: 14.74 x 9.77 x 0.77 in. (374.45 x 248.05 x 19.5 mm)
• Weight: 5.09 lbs (2.31 kg)
• Large InfinityEdge display ideal for coding tasks.
• Good processor for smooth multitasking
• Many memory and storage options for diverse development needs
• Long-lasting battery for extended coding sessions
• Compact and lightweight design for easy mobility
• Comfortable keyboard ideal for lengthy typing
• Large touchpad for seamless navigation
• Robust build quality for travel endurance
• High price tag, though justified by its premium features and performance
• No touch screen, which could have added another dimension to user interaction
• No OLED screen option
• Absence of USB-A, HDMI, or Ethernet port
• Webcam could be better
• $1,199: for the base model with 8GB of memory, 512 GB of storage, 12th Gen Intel i5, and Intel UHD Graphics
• $1,849: for the mid-tier model with 32GB of memory, 1 TB of storage, 13th Gen Intel i7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, and Touch Screen with InfinityEdge
• $3,369 : for the top-of-the-line model with 64GB of memory, 8 TB of storage, 13th Gen Intel i7, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Graphics, and Touch Screen with InfinityEdge

10. Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 (2022)

Best travel laptop for video editing.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 (2022) is it's a reliable, high-performing machine that checks all the boxes for a professional-grade video editing laptop while still being mobile enough for someone constantly on the move. It has the power and performance to handle all your video editing and animation needs, and its mobility ensures you can bring your projects wherever you go. If video editing or animation is a significant part of your digital nomad lifestyle, investing in this laptop is definitely a smart move.

• Display: 15.6-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) IPS-Type display with 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS Mobile Processor (8-core/16-thread)
• Memory: 8GB or 16GB DDR5 unified memory
• Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or 3070 Ti
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax) (Triple band), Bluetooth 5.3 Wireless Card
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU
• Camera: 720P HD IR Camera for Windows Hello
• Ports: one 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, one HDMI 2.1 TMDS, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one RJ45 LAN port, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort/power delivery, one card reader (microSD) (UHS-II)
• Dimensions: 13.98 x 9.57 x 0.78 in. (35.5 x 24.3 x 1.99 cm)
• Weight: 4.19 lbs (1.90 Kg)
• WQHD display with a 240Hz refresh rate for high-quality imaging
• Powerful AMD Ryzen 9 processor for efficient multitasking
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU for demanding graphics tasks
• Diverse memory and storage options for different workflows
• Long battery life for extended editing sessions
• Versatile port selection for all connectivity needs
• Comfortable keyboard and large touchpad for enhanced user experience
• Durable build to withstand travel
• ROG Intelligent Cooling for heat management
• Noise cancellation feature for audio work
• High price point, although justified by power and features
• It can get pretty hot when overloaded
• The webcam is only 720p and could be improved

11. Acer Swift 5 (2022)

Best travel budget laptop.

If you are a digital nomad considering both performance and budget, we can confidently say the Acer Swift 5 (2022) hits the sweet spot. This travel laptop it's a solid choice for any digital nomad looking for a reliable, budget-friendly laptop without compromising power or performance. In fact, this laptop delivers impressive specs and a solid performance at a price point that won't break the bank, making it the best travel budget laptop in our book. If you're a budget-conscious traveler who needs a dependable workhorse, the Acer Swift 5 (2022) should be at the top of your list.

• Display: 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS LCD display with 300 nits brightness and 45% NTSC color gamut
• Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7 Quad-core or i7-1260P Dodeca-core processors
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR4X or LPDDR5 unified memory
• Storage: 1 TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics shared memory
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
• Battery: Up to 15 hours of battery life
• Ports: Two USB-A ports, one USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4, HDMI port, Ethernet port, headphone jack
• Dimensions: 0.59 x 12.6 x 8.1 in. (1.49 x 32 x 20.6 cm)
• Weight: 2.29 lbs (1.03 kg)
• Vivid, crisp display for an excellent visual experience
• Beautiful design
• Great performance for a budget laptop
• Impressive battery life, up to 15 hours
• Compact and lightweight ideal for travel
• Robust build for durability on the move
• Thunderbolt 4 ports for fast data transfer and multiple connections
• The presence of screen glare could be a problem for some
• Slippery keyboard
• Limited availability outside the US
• Slightly pricier than other budget laptops but justified by performance
• $1,199.99: for the base model with 16GB of memory, 1TB of storage, and an Intel Core i7-1165G7 Quad-core
• $1,399.99: for the higher model with the Intel Core i7-1260P Dodeca-core processor

12. HP Spectre x360 16t (2022)

Best travel laptop for data analysis.

The HP Spectre x360 16t (2022) is a powerful, versatile, and feature-rich laptop that is a dream come true for digital nomads who often deal with data analysis. Whether running complex simulations or simply crunching numbers, this laptop will serve you well on any data elaboration projects. This device delivers top-notch performance while providing the flexibility of a 2-in-1 device, making it the best travel laptop for data analysis in the market.

• Display: 16-inch 3072 x 1920 (16:10) OLED touch display with 400 nits brightness and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut
• Processor: Intel Core i7-12700H or i7-1260P
• Memory: 16 or 32GB LPDDR5 unified memory
• Storage: 512GB, 1TB or 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe or Intel Arc A370M (4 GB)
• Connectivity: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless card
• Camera: 5MP front-facing camera with Windows Hello
• Dimensions: 14.1 x 9.6 x 0.8 in. (35.8 x 24.53 x 1.99 cm)
• Stunning OLED touch display, ideal for data visualization
• Powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with ample memory and storage for complex data models
• Pleasant design
• Comfortable keyboard and large touchpad for efficient data input
• Fingerprint reader and Windows Hello for secure and convenient access
• Thunderbolt 4 ports for fast data transfer with large data sets
• Higher price point, although justified by great performance
• Battery life could be better
• Lack of webcam privacy shutter
• Too large to use as a tablet for long
• $1,649.99: for the base model with 16GB of memory, 512GB of storage, and an Intel Core i7- processor
• $1,999 : for the mid-tier option with 16GB memory, 1TB of storage, and an Intel Core i7- processor
• $2,419: for the top-of-line option with 32GB memory, 2TB of storage, Intel Core i7- processor, and OLED screen

13. Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 2-in-1 (2022)

Best travel laptop for streaming.

We are digital nomads who love to relax while streaming content or connecting with audiences online, so we know what it means to properly enjoy a show on the go or do some high-quality live streaming. If you are like us, the Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 2-in-1 (2023) is the best travel device for streaming you should have your hands on. It has a 14-inch OLED display which is a treat for the eyes, rendering crisp images and vibrant colors for an immersive viewing experience. Whether you're catching up on your favorite Netflix series or hosting a live-streaming session, this display won't disappoint.

• Display: 14 inches WQUXGA (3840 x 2400), OLED, Glare, Touch, 100% DCI-P3, 400 nits, 60Hz, Low Blue Light
• Processor: 12th Generation Intel Core i7-1260P
• Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics eligible
• Memory: Up to 16 GB LPDDR4X 4266MHz
• Storage: 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 802.11AX (2 x 2) and Bluetooth 5.1 or Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2
• Camera : 1080P FHD IR/RGB Hybrid with Privacy Shutter and Dual Microphone
• Battery : Up to 18 hours of FHD video playback or up to 10 hours of UHD video playback; Rapid Charge Boost: 2 hours from a 15-minute charge
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home or Pro
• Ports: USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, headphone/mic combo
• Dimensions: 0.6 x 12.52 x 9.06 in. (15.2 x 318 x 230mm)
• Weight: Starting at 3.09 lbs (1.4 kg)
• Powerful Intel Core i7 processor ensuring robust performance
• Multiple display options, including OLED with Dolby Vision, for high-quality visuals
• Impressive battery life of up to 23 hours, perfect for travel
• Secure and fast storage with up to 1 TB PCIe SSD Gen 4
• Integrated security features like a webcam privacy shutter and facial recognition
• Superior audio with Bowers & Wilkins speakers and Dolby Atmos
• High-speed connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1.
• Compact and lightweight design
• Comes with Precision Pen 2 for enhanced functionality
• Absence of a dedicated graphics card
• Limited to 16GB of memory
• Missing SD card slot or Ethernet port
• High-resolution displays might deplete battery faster
• Potential heating due to slim design
• Lack of a full-sized HDMI port
• Slightly heavier than other 2-in-1 laptops

14. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Detachable Gen 3 (2022)

Best travel laptop for office and productivity work.

If your life revolves around productivity tools and meeting tight deadlines, you will definitely spend some quality time with the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Detachable Gen 3 (2022) . This is a laptop that doesn't just talk the talk but walks the walk when it comes to office and productivity work. It's a stellar choice for productivity-focused digital nomads thanks to its performance, versatility, and portability blend. Just remember, with great power comes a slightly heftier price tag!

• Display: 13.3-inch (2560 x 1600) IPS touchscreen display with 400 nits brightness and 100% sRGB color gamut
• Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U or i5-1250P processor
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 unified memory
• Storage: 256GB or 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Connectivity: Intel WiFi 6E (2 x 2), Bluetooth 5.2; Optional : 4G Sim Fibocom L860-GL-16 CAT16
• Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Camera: 720p or 1080p FHD + IR hybrid with privacy shutter
• Dimensions: 0.71 x 12.04 x 8.56 in. (18.10 x 305.8 x 217.56 mm)
• Weight: Starting at 2.6lbs (1.19kg)
• Powerful Intel Core processors for robust multitasking
• Sufficient memory and storage options for productivity tasks
• Compact and lightweight, ideal for nomadic lifestyle
• Two Thunderbolt 4 ports for fast data transfer
• Touchscreen and detachable design for versatility
• Overall build quality could be better
• Battery life could be improved but recharge pretty quickly
• Possible noise due to fan operation
• $1,249: for the base model with 16 GB memory, 256 GB for storage, 720P HD camera, and Intel i5 processor
• $1,749: for the higher model with 16 GB memory, 1 TB for storage, 1080P FHD camera, and Intel i7 processor

15. Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5601 - 2022)

Best travel laptop for general web browsing and emails.

As a digital nomad who frequently checks emails and surfs the web for everything from travel inspiration to the latest tech news, we find the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5601 - 2022) to be a great partner. This laptop is all about delivering a reliable, smooth, and efficient web browsing and email experience. And it's not just a tool; it's a reliable companion that makes staying connected to the world a seamless and enjoyable experience. So, if you're after a device that offers a balance between performance and functionality, this could be the Chromebook for you.

• Display: 16-inch Touch screen, WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10, Wide view, Glossy display, LED Backlit, 300nits, With stylus support
• Processor: Intel Core i3-1215U, i5-1235U, i5-1245U, i7-1255U and vPro i7-1265U vPro processor options
• Memory: 8 GB or 16GB LPDDR4X unified memory
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics or Intel Iris Xᵉ Graphics
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (Dual band) 2x2, Bluetooth 5.3
• Camera: 1080 FHD webcam with privacy shutter
• Operating System: Chrome OS
• Ports: USB-A port, 2x USDB-C ports, HDMI 2.1 port, microSD card reader, headphone jack, 2x Thunderbolt 4
• Dimensions: 14.10 x 10.30 x 0.75 in. (35.82 x 26.16 x 1.90 cm)
• Weight: 4.74 lbs (2.15 kg)
• Bright, large display for better viewing
• Silky, responsive touchpad for smooth navigation
• Great port variety enhances connectivity
• Stylish design and aesthetic
• Exceptional performance ensures smooth operation
• Good battery life for prolonged use
• Low-profile keyboard may require adaptation
• Inconsistent audio performance
• Build quality could be improved
• Not the lightest Chromebook
• Rough edges on faceplate
• Pricier than other Chromebooks but performance justify the price

What Exactly Makes a Laptop Suitable for Digital Nomads?

We shared with you our top picks for the best digital nomad laptops out there. But before you make your final decision, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when choosing your most important tool as a digital nomad. These are:

• Portability: Having a light, slim laptop makes transportation easier during our travels
• Performance: An efficient laptop is equally important, as lagging systems can be a major productivity killer
• Battery Life: Excellent battery life is also crucial for working on the go
• Display Quality: A high-resolution display with accurate colors is key for visual tasks and for reducing eye strain during long remote work hours
• Durability: A good device build ensures the laptop can withstand a nomadic lifestyle
• Connectivity Options: Adequate connectivity options are vital for staying connected while on the go
• Price Range: Of course, the laptop's price must provide value for all its features to make it worth our money.

Once we get clarity about those factors, it will be clear to you what's the best laptop for your digital nomad needs.

Additional Accessories for Your Remote Work Laptop To Consider

As digital nomads ourselves, we know that the life of a digital nomad demands more than just a laptop. To make your remote working experience even smoother, below are a few essential laptop accessories that can significantly improve your productivity:

Portable Laptop Stand

The Roost Laptop Stand is a portable and adjustable stand that raises your laptop to eye level, promoting better posture and reducing the risk of neck strain and discomfort.

Roost Laptop Stand

Wireless mouse.

The Logitech MX Anywhere 3 is a compact and versatile mouse that can track on virtually any surface. It offers a smooth scroll, precise control, and customizable buttons for optimized productivity. If you're fond of the Apple ecosystem instead, you might consider the Apple Magic Mouse 2 , with its sleek design and Multi-Touch surface, which allows for easy navigation. It pairs automatically with your Mac so that you can make it work immediately.

Logitech MX Anywhere 3

External hard drive.

The Samsung T7 Portable SSD is a great option for additional storage or backups. It offers high-speed data transfer and is compact and durable, making it perfect for travelers.

Samsung T7 Portable SSD

Noise-canceling headphones.

If you often work in noisy environments, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer industry-leading noise cancelation, exceptional sound quality, and a comfortable fit for long use. If you carry with you Apple devices, the Apple AirPods Pro are also a popular choice. They're compact, have excellent noise cancellation, and the transparency mode is great when you need to hear the environment around you.

Sony WH-1000XM4

Compare the best headphones here:.

Portable Power Bank

The Anker PowerCore 20000mAh is a high-capacity power bank that can charge your USB-C-enabled laptop when you don't have access to an outlet. It's compact and perfect for long flights or work sessions at cafes.

Anker PowerCore 20000mAh

Compare the best laptop power banks here:.

Laptop Backpack

The Incase ICON Slim Backpack is a good choice if you usually use an additional laptop backpack for your travels. It's designed for the comfort and protection of your laptop with multiple compartments to hold all your accessories, making it a great choice for digital nomads.

Incase ICON Slim Backpack

Portable monitor.

Finally, if you often work with multiple screens, consider the ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC . It's a slim, lightweight, and portable USB-C monitor that you can easily carry anywhere.

ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC

Compare the best portable monitors here:.

These accessories are not just add-ons, but essential tools that can make your digital nomad lifestyle significantly more comfortable and efficient so consider selecting the ones that best fit your needs.

Other remote work gear you may also be interested in:

So, What's the Best Digital Nomad Laptop for Remote Work?

As a digital nomad and remote worker, it's all about identifying the tool that best aligns with your workflow and lifestyle. Selecting the best remote work laptop depends largely on specific needs, budget , and personal preference. Each one of these laptops has something unique to offer, and while none of them may be the perfect choice for everyone, each is the best in its specific category.

If you're an artist or designer, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022) with its Surface Pen (optional) and powerful GPU could be your best bet. The Acer Swift 5 (2022) balances cost and performance for budget-conscious people who still need a competent device. And if your work involves heavy data analysis, the HP Spectre x360 16t (2022) with its powerful processor and memory options is a strong contender. Streaming enthusiasts might instead enjoy the Lenovo Yoga 9i (2023) , while those heavily involved in office and productivity work might find the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Detachable Gen 3 (2022) a perfect fit. When it comes to general web browsing and email tasks, the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5601 - 2022) excels. Finally, the Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022) is hard to beat for the best overall blend of portability and performance.

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Ready To Choose Your Next Travel Laptop?

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Heymondo Review: Is It a Good Travel Insurance?

How to beat your post-travel depression: your guide to feeling better, how to create a healthy work-life balance while working remotely.

The Best Travel Laptop for Remote Workers and Business Travelers

By Emily Price

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

When it come to travel these days (and especially business travel ), a laptop is an essential addition to your carry-on . But the best travel laptop isn’t always the same device you'd use while at the office. And sure, many laptops might tout that they’re great for taking on the go, but we've learned that not every option is created equal.

To identify the best travel laptop on the market, we spent the past few months working, watching movies, editing photos , and gaming on several different models before narrowing down to our six favorites. In choosing our favorites, we took a few key factors into account:

Weight: When you’re carrying a laptop around with you all day, be it to a coffee shop or in transit to your destination, an extra pound can make a dramatic difference. Almost all of the options on our list weigh in at less than two and a half pounds; some are even lighter.

Battery life: You want a laptop that’s going to be able to make it from point A to point B on a single charge, not one that’s going to run out of battery power halfway through your cross-country flight.

Performance: A light laptop won’t do you any good if you can’t get all your work done on it. We looked for laptops that packed a punch in a tiny package.

Below, the six best travel laptops to buy now, whether you're looking for something that can double as a tablet for easy vacation reading , the lightest option out there, or a laptop that functions just as well as a WFH back-up for when you're stuck at home.

All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best overall: MacBook Air 2020

The MacBook Air has been the gold standard for travelers for a while now, due to its ability to handle complex tasks without added bulk. This year’s Air replaces Apple’s problematic butterfly keyboard with a new Magic Keyboard, and offers faster graphics and double the storage capacity of previous versions. You can purchase models with up to 2TB of internal SD storage, enough to hold over 70 hours of 1080p video. You can also watch up to 12 hours of video on the device on a single charge.

Touch ID makes unlocking the laptop a snap, and the edge-to-edge Retina display offers a resolution of 2560 x 1600, making everything from web pages to videos crisp and easy to read or see. The computer weighs in at 2.8 pounds, which, while once considered light for Macs, is a bit heavier than some of the other options out there. That said, if you use a Mac already, transitioning to the Air will be a relatively seamless experience and that extra pound will likely only come into play if you have to carry the laptop around for long periods of time.

Pros: This full-powered computer with a great keyboard is easy for Mac users to transition to.

Cons: While great for web-based work, the computer gets overloaded if you need to have multiple software programs or a large volume of browser tabs open at once.

Buy now: $1,000, amazon.com

Best for work and entertainment: Lenovo Yoga C940

Lenovo’s Yoga C940 is our favorite for both work and play, thanks to its 4K display and powerful Intel Core i9 that can handle heavy photo and video editing software, on top of basics like word processing.

The keyboard side easily folds back to put the device in tablet mode, perfect for watching a movie on your tray table, and the C940 is available with storage up to 2TB, so you can queue up viewing materials for your entire trip without running out of space. The Yoga’s Dolby Atmos speaker system also makes it a solid choice for watching movies; however, the laptop weighs in at 4.41 pounds, which is almost double the weight of other options on our list.

Pros: The device's pen fits into its side, making it easy to carry around without losing it.

Cons: Travelers having to carry their gear for extended periods of time will notice the laptop’s 4.41-pound weight.

Shannon McMahon

Chris Schalkx

Caitlin Morton

Emily Pennington

Buy now: From $1,050, lenovo.com

Best combination laptop and tablet: LG Gram 2-in-1

LG’s 2-in-1 does double duty as both a laptop and a tablet. The 2.3-pound device folds easily in half, turning the keyboard into a stand for when you want to binge watch or video chat. It's battery life was also among the best we’ve seen, with the computer able to last up to 21 hours on a single charge.

Like some of the other Windows options we tested, the Gram 2-in-1 offers smart pen support. The laptop ships with a AAA-powered LG Stylus Pen that you can use to take handwritten notes on the screen, or mark up drawings and documents. Fingerprint recognition makes signing in as easy as touching the computer’s power button, and the laptop comes with two USB slots, in addition to the USB-C port used for power, so you can connect a few devices to it without using dongles.

Pros: The ability to fold it in half, and multiple USB ports, make this ultraportable device especially convenient.

Cons: The included pen doesn’t have a way to attach to the laptop, so you have to carry it separately. (We recommend a tech organizer like Bellroy's so you don't lose it.)

Buy now: $1,599, amazon.com

Best thin laptop: Samsung Galaxy Book S

Samsung’s Galaxy Book S is both thin and lightweight, at just .46 inches thick and 2.12 heavy, making it a great choice for travelers whose carry-on space is at a premium.

The laptop has a built-in SIM card slot, so you can also use it to connect to mobile networks through your phone plan. With the fingerprint sensor built into the power button, signing in is a breeze (and you can feel good about the added security). Since the device is so thin, it doesn’t offer any full-sized USB ports, just two USB-C ports, which means you’ll need to pack a dongle to attach any additional devices like keyboards or cameras.

The laptop isn’t as high-powered as some of the other options, so it's not the best choice for running a lot of programs at once—but those who mainly work with documents and spreadsheets on the go will have all the power they need.

Pros: The built-in SIM slot allowing access mobile networks on-the-go, and the laptop’s thin design, make it easy to use on the move.

Cons: No built-in traditional USB ports means that using the laptop with other devices is challenging, and while great for things like web browsing and word processing, the laptop lags when trying to handle more complex tasks.

Buy now: From $1,000, samsung.com

Best lightweight laptop: Microsoft Surface Pro X

Technically, this is actually a tablet that works like a laptop—but if you’re looking for something ultra-light, you’re not going to find anything as compact as Microsoft’s 1.7-pound Surface Pro X.

The tablet is 7.33mm thick (just over a quarter of an inch), making it thinner than many cell phones, even with the removable keyboard attached. (Bonus: There's a stylus tucked inside the keyboard.)

The device’s battery lasts up to 13 hours, ensuring you’ll have enough juice to make it through the day. If that battery does wane on long journeys, you can get it back to 80 percent in just an hour thanks to a quick charging feature. LTE support also allows you to stay connected even when WiFi isn’t available, helpful for road trips where you need to stay connected from the passenger seat. One downside: While it’s able to handle things like word processing, email, and spreadsheets with ease, it is a tablet after all. If you need to run more complex software, like for video editing, you might need to opt for a more high-powered machine.

Pros: Fast charging means you’ll always have power when you need it, and the ultra thin profile makes it easy to carry around. (Plus, we love a stylus that stores inside the keyboard like this one.)

Cons: The Surface Pro X tablet can’t run many applications you might use on your regular computer.

Buy now: From $1,000, microsoft.com

Best for those who need big displays: Microsoft Surface Laptop 3

While most people think of the tablet version when they hear “Surface,” Microsoft also makes a pretty solid laptop by the same name. The touchscreen laptop comes in both 13.5” and 15” varieties, the larger being the best for those who need a little extra screen to work with. The laptop’s battery can last up to 11.5 hours on a single charge, and, like the Surface Pro X, it can charge to roughly 80 percent after just an hour of being plugged in, so you could potentially get enough juice to make it through your long-haul flight just by charging up at the gate.

The Smart Pen support allows you to precisely draw on the screen or mark up documents. However, that extra screen space is reflected in the device’s weight: The 13.5” version of the laptop weighs in at 2.84 pounds, while the larger 15” is 3.40 pounds. (Both, it's worth noting, weigh less than the Lenovo Yoga, the heaviest on our list.)

Pros: The 15” version is a powerful machine with a ton of screen in a small package; and while that brilliant screen drains the battery, fast charging ensures you’ll have power when you need it.

Cons: The larger version can be heavy to carry around for longer periods of time, and the laptop is overall bulkier than other options on our list.

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10 best travel laptops – ultimate buyer’s guide

Whether it’s for the daily commute, business trips, holidays or blogging, I know that having the best laptop for travelling can make so much difference. Finding the best travel laptops isn’t like choosing a laptop solely for use at home, however.

As someone who works from all over the world and is constantly on the move, I understand the importance of having a travel laptop that ticks all the boxes.

My guide will help you choose a laptop for travelling, whether for short-haul trips, use on a daily basis or heading off around the world.

For business travel and commuting to holidaymakers and digital nomads, discover 10 of the best travel laptops – based on my own personal experience, plus recommendations from fellow travellers.

In this guide, you’ll also find all the technical details you need (and none that you don’t).  The options to consider come from some serious brands.

Apple, of course, is represented twice in the following list (and is a personal favourite. Other options well worth considering include lightweight yet portable powerhouses from HP, Lenovo, Microsoft and more. 

From a small, light laptop for travelling that won’t break the budget to powerhouses capable of video editing, gaming and much more, here’s the full lowdown on buying the right one from yours truly.

But before listing 10 of the best travel laptops, let’s take a look at what I think you should consider when choosing. 

Author Bio: Jessie Moore

Jessie Moore is a luxury travel expert with years of experience travelling the world to find the best destinations, hotels and adventures.

What to look for in a travel laptop

If you want to find the best lightweight laptop for travel, then this has to be number one.

A travel laptop is by definition something you’re going to carry around. So you need to find one that’s as portable as possible. 

The lightest laptop listed in my guide is a little over 500 grams, while the heaviest is around three times that. So it’s something to look at closely when choosing the best laptop for travelling. 

Screen size

There’s little point in buying the best budget laptop for travel if you cannot see the screen properly when working or playing.

So do bear in mind that the best cheap travel laptop, for example, is more likely to have a smaller screen. 

A hack I’d recommend to get around this – when working at home or in the office – is plugging a compatible laptop into a larger monitor. This is what I do when I’m at home.

Battery life

How you travel may affect the relationship between the best laptop for travel and business and its battery life.

If you always have access to a power socket on the train, for example, then it may not matter so much. But what if you have an aisle seat without this connection? 

The best laptop for travel and work is therefore always going to be one with a good battery life. In fact, this is one of the key reasons why I’m recommending the laptops on this list. 

When choosing the best laptop to take travelling, it’s worth asking yourself this question.

What do I want to use the laptop for? Is it for work or leisure, for starters? But beyond that, what do you do most when sitting in front of your computer? 

The best gaming laptop for travel, for instance, may be completely different to the best laptop for travel vlogging. Or the best lightweight laptop for business travel.

Try to choose a computer with the technical features to fit your intended purpose(s) – that may be watching the latest box set or making your latest YouTube video.  

Whether you want the best laptop for travel blogging, your corporate role or a trip around the world, I’d recommend thinking long term.

Buying a cheap laptop can be a false economy, as it may not last for as long as a more expensive product.

A really good laptop may last you for many years, meaning it actually pays in the long run. 

If you want the best Windows laptop for travel, then good brands include Lenovo, Asus, Microsoft, Acer, Zenbook and HP.

Otherwise, Apple Macbooks come highly recommended. The Pro in particular, if your budget can stretch to it. 

Best travel laptops – quick comparison

Note that prices are based on the best price available at the time of writing. These may fluctuate depending on special offers.

10 best laptops for travellers

1. macbook pro 13 inch.

Best video editing laptop

• Price: £1,349.00
• Battery life: Up to 20 hours
• Weight: 1.4kg
• Screen size: 13-inch
• Features: Up to 24GB memory, play and edit up to 11 streams of 4K and up to 2 streams of 8K ProRes video, touch ID and touch bar
• Good for: Video editing, battery

If you’ve got a bigger budget, then I really think that the 13 inch MacBook Pro is worth splashing out on – this is the laptop that I am currently using.

It’s arguably the best travel laptop for photographers, writers, viewers and workers alike. And it truly leads the field when it comes to making videos.

If you have a YouTube channel or are planning to give it a go, I’d really recommend picking this one. It’s also the leader in terms of battery life, as it can last for up to 20 hours on a single charge.

All without heating up, thanks to the effective cooling system that’s built in. 

This is the most portable model of the Apple Pro range, weighing in at 1.4 kilos. It also has a FaceTime HD camera – ideal for making you feel connected to the loved ones you may have left at home.

M2 chip technology makes it super fast, and you can also stream 4K and 8K ProRes video with ease. 

In fact this laptop is up to six times faster than an Intel laptop, and up to 1.4 times faster than the previous M1 models.

The display is incredibly clear, with realistic colours and crisp images. Plus there are studio-quality microphones perfect for video and podcast producers. 

If you want to find the best laptop of the bunch, this is my favourite and the one I use personally. 

2. Zenbook S UX393

Best touchscreen travel laptop

• Price: From £1,099.00
• Battery life: Up to 14 hours
• Weight: 1.35kg
• Screen size: 13.9-inch
• Features: NanoEdge touchscreen, facial recognition, 10th Generation Intel® Core™ processor
• Good for: Lightweight, battery life, touchscreen

The Zenbook S UX393 can go for up to 14 hours on a single charge, and is an ultra lightweight choice too.

For portability, I think this one scores serious points as it’s super thin. It also weighs in at a little over a kilo, yet is packed with power and useful features.

These include facial recognition protection and an intuitive NanoEdge touchscreen. The Generation Intel® Core™ processor makes this Zenbook a great all-rounder, perfect for multitasking.

For an even longer battery life from the same brand, check out the Zenbook S 13 OLED.

3. Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Best travel tablet hybrid

• Price: From £1,075.00
• Battery life: Up to 15.5 hours or 19 hours with 5G
• Weight: 879g
• Features: Front and rear 1080p camera, rear 4k video, 2 in 1 can add keyboard
• Good for: Lightweight, 2 in 1 

If you want to find the best small laptop for travel that involves business trips, I’d recommend considering the Surface Pro 9 from Microsoft.

At under 880 grams, it’s also one of the lightest models on the market. I love that it can also be used as a tablet, so may save you from carrying two devices around.

High-speed 5G connectivity is an optional extra here too, which is ideal if you want to work without delay while on the go. Do check regarding 5G availability in the area, though, if you’re relying on this.

Unlike laptops from other makes, this Microsoft one comes preloaded with Windows 11. So you can set to work – or play – straight away.  

4. ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop

Best gaming travel laptop

• Price: £1,799.00
• Battery life: Up to 8 hours
• Weight: 1.65kg
• Screen size: 14-inch
• Features: AMD Ryzen™ 9 processors, Nebula Display, fast charging, intelligent cooling, Dolby Atmos® audio
• Good for: Gaming

In my opinion, the ROG Zephyrus G14 is the best on-the-go laptop for any keen gamer. Its powerful AMD Ryzen™ 9 processor ensures reliable speed and a true powerhouse laptop. 

This ROG gaming laptop also features intelligent cooling to avoid overheating, as well as the ROG Nebula Display for excellent graphics.

Care has also been taken when it comes to sound, as this laptop has Dolby Atmos® for crystal clear audio. 

At a weight of 1.65 kilos, it’s not the lightest in this list – but it’s surprisingly compact considering its powerful function. The battery life is up to 8 hours.

Finally, I think it’s wonderfully sleek for a gaming laptop so it hits the aesthetics points too.

5. Microsoft Surface Go 3 

Best lightweight travel laptop

• Price: £369.00
• Battery life: Up to 12 hours
• Weight: 544g
• Screen size: 10.5-inch
• Features: Touchscreen, pen compatibility, lightweight, 1080p HD cameras
• Good for: Ultra-lightweight, on the go, budget

I’d recommend the Microsoft Surface Go3 as an ideal option for those seeking a lightweight laptop for travel. It’s also a very pocket-friendly pick. 

A 10.5 inch touchscreen and a kickstand combine to give you great flexibility here.

Whether you want to watch a film, study, work, play or surf the internet, this incredibly lightweight little machine can help you out. At 544 grams, it’s the lightest one featured in this article. 

Despite the modest weight and price tag, this Microsoft Surface device offers a battery life of up to 12 hours, plus 1080P HD cameras and a high resolution touchscreen.

I love that it’s also pen compatible for those who like to take notes or get creative. 

6. MacBook Air M2 

Best for portability and video quality

• Price: From £1,249
• Battery life: Up to 18 hours
• Weight: 1.24kg
• Screen size: 13.6-inch
• Features: Ultra-thin (1.13cm), play and edit 4K and 8K ProRes videos, made with recycled materials, touch ID, 1080p camera and three-mic array
• Good for: Video-editing, lightweight, video calls

In my opinion, the best travel laptop for video editing is the MacBook Air M2 . For many people (myself included), there’s no going back to other operating systems once they’ve tried a Mac.

Apple products work a little differently to the likes of Windows laptops, yet are very easy to get used to. 

The benefits of the MacBook Air M2 include a battery life of up to 18 hours, advanced audio and visual tech and an ultra-thin build.

This latter feature places this among the most portable laptops on the market. Being made from recycled materials, this is also an eco-conscious choice. 

Video-friendly features of the MacBook Air M2 include a 1080p camera and the ability to edit and play 4K and 8K ProRes videos.

There’s also three microphones for sound recording plus a touch ID for security purposes. 

7. Acer Aspire 5 A515-57 15.6 inch Laptop

Best travel laptop for work

• Price: £699.99
• Battery life: 11 hours
• Weight: 1.8kg
• Screen size: 15.6 inch
• Features: HD camera with dual microphones and AI noise reduction, 4k streaming
• Good for: Working remotely

It’s not always about the best laptop screen size for travel. Sometimes it’s even more important to choose a laptop with a screen of a decent size, so you can see what you’re doing very clearly at all times.

Especially when your eyes are tired at the end of a long day!

The Acer Aspire 5 A515-57 15.6 inch laptop scores highly on visuals, with wide viewing angles, Quad HD resolution and true-to-life colours. It also has a backlit keyboard so you can see better, even in dim lighting. 

A 12th Gen Intel core, 16GB of RAM and pre-installed Windows 11 means you have power at your fingertips when using this laptop.

Features making it particularly work-friendly include the HD webcam and AI noise reduction for those online meetings, plus a raised hinge for more ergonomic posture.

I don’t know about you, but I could definitely do with a better posture when hunched over my laptop!

8. ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 (CM3200) 

Best for work, rest and play  

• Price: From £219.99
• Battery life: Up to 16 hours
• Weight: 1.1kg
• Screen size: 12-inch
• Features: 360° hinge to turn into a tablet
• Good for: Budget, lightweight, 2 in 1

I love that the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 stands out from the crowd because of its innovative design.

It’s called the Flip because you can turn it up the other way, which means that the keyboard is no longer in your way. This is known in the trade as “tent mode”.

If you can’t decide between a laptop and a tablet, this device offers you the best of both. All you need to do is fold back the screen however you like. A 360 degree hinge gives you full flexibility here.

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 is a great all-rounder. You can use it to watch TV or a movie in bed or take it to the boardroom fully powered up, ready to go for up to 16 hours.

It’s fast, lightweight and versatile, and you can also connect it to a monitor if you like using a large screen. 

9. LENOVO IdeaPad Duet 10.1″ 2 in 1 Chromebook

Best budget travel laptop

• Price: From £260.00
• Battery life: Up to 10 hours
• Weight: 920g
• Screen size: 10.1-inch
• Features: 2 in 1 keyboard included, HD touchscreen, 1 year guarantee
• Good for: Lightweight, budget, 2 in 1 

I’d recommend this IdeaPad Duet 10.1 inch 2 in 1 Chromebook as a great bet if you’re on a budget. Because of the modest price tag, I think it also makes the perfect starter laptop for teens.

The battery life on this one is limited to 10 hours, however. Weighing only 920 grams, it’s not asking too much even if you want to carry this one around all day long.

A one year guarantee is provided for peace of mind, and a clever detachable keyboard means you can use it as a tablet. 

As well as being the best laptop size for travel, this IdeaPad Duet 2 in 1 Chromebook weighs just 450 grams when used solely as a tablet. You can also use it for watching full HD videos. 

10. HP ENVY x360 13.3″ 2 in 1 Laptop – Intel® Core™ i5

Best for blogging

• Price: £999.00
• Battery life: Up to 17.5 hours
• Weight: 1.3kg
• Screen size: 13.3-inch
• Features: Full HD touchscreen, includes stylus for note taking
• Good for: Blogging, battery life

If you want to source the best laptop for travel photography, writing and taking notes, the HP ENVY x360 1.3 inch 2 in 1 laptop is a very good bet indeed.

Like the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3, you can flip this one up the other way for viewing the screen via the 360 degree hinge.

This is ideal for online meetings – or winding down with a film at the end of a long, demanding day. 

This laptop comes with a full HD touchscreen. Unlike others, I love that a stylus is also part of the package, so you won’t need to buy one of these separately.

If you appreciate good sound, you’ll also love the fact that this laptop comes with Bang & Olufsen speakers, no less. 

A powerful 12th gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor, an edge-to-edge HD touchscreen and Intel® Iris® Xe integrated graphics are all features to wrte home about.

You can also transfer files without wires via HP QuickDrop, or load up a video by using Intel® WiFi 6E.

There’s even a webcam privacy shutter for when you’d rather not be seen on screen.

Of course this isn’t a comprehensive list of the best travel laptops, but these are my personal pick of the best. To keep your laptop safe while on the move, discover my guide to the best travel laptop bags .

Plus, read my tips on how to become a digital nomad or how to protect yourself online when travelling .

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The Best Laptops for Travel

Need to work or access the internet while you're away? Wherever you are in the world, these laptops should provide everything you need.

Travelers have specific requirements when buying laptops, especially if they are on the go for extended periods. You could be a backpacker on a three-month trip, a digital nomad who doesn’t know what going home is, or a two-week vacationer relaxing by the pool. Whatever type of traveler you are, you will need something slim and lightweight so you can easily transport it. Battery life, RAM, and storage will also be crucial for some, especially traveling professionals.

Here are the best laptops for travel available today.

MacBook Air M2 13-inch

Microsoft surface go 3, hp spectre x360 16-inch 2-in-1, macbook pro m2, microsoft surface pro 9, dell xps 13 9310, lenovo yoga 9i 2-in-1, asus zenbook 14x laptop, our top travel laptop picks for 2023.

Convenience and Power for All Travelers

The MacBook Air with M2 chip is a powerful beast with excellent features for travelers. It has a stunning display and a substantial battery life to back it up. It also boasts a superior webcam to some other MacBooks and is highly portable thanks to its slight weight and thin design.  

• MagSafe charger
• 1080p webcam
• Gorgeous and bright display
• Slim and lightweight
• Excellent battery life
• No ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate

MacBooks offer travelers performance and portability, and the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M2 chips are both excellent yet similar choices. However, there are subtle differences between the two that might help you decide.

Both laptops offer up to 24GB of unified memory, up to 2TB of SSD storage, an 8-core CPU, and a 16-core neural engine. They also offer a 10-core GPU, but with the MacBook Air M2, you can settle for an 8-core GPU at a lower price.

Display-wise, the MacBook Air M2 has a slightly larger 13.6-inch screen, but the laptop weighs a little less than the Pro M2 and is even slimmer. The MacBook Air also has a Liquid Retina display, which is slightly better than the Pro’s Retina display, offering a wider color gamut and better reflection handling. Peak brightness is identical at 500 nits, so watching movies after a hard day's sightseeing is delightful. However, it doesn’t feature Apple’s ProMotion technology for a 120Hz refresh rate.

The MacBook Air M2 has a better 1080p webcam, a plus for travelers and nomads attending online meetings, taking classes, or calling home. Another positive is the reintroduction of the popular MagSafe charger, which effectively frees up one of the Thunderbolt 4 ports that the Pro must use when charging. However, the battery life on the MacBook Air M2 is a bit worse, although still outstanding at 18 hours.

A Budget-Friendly Option for Poolside Emailing

If you don't need high-end power and are looking for something more affordable, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 is an excellent pocket-friendly choice. It's ideal for travelers thanks to its ultra-portable size and build. While you need to purchase a separate keyboard to turn it into a complete laptop, you do get a decent battery life and a display worthy of your attention to enjoy videos.

• Touchscreen
• Fanless design
• Compact and lightweight
• Bright, vibrant display
• Battery drains quickly when watching videos
• Doesn't perform well with demanding workloads

For vacationers that don’t use CPU-intensive apps or play graphic-intensive games, there are more budget-friendly options for you to consider. One of those is the Microsoft Surface Go 3. It’s lightweight, small, and slips into any luggage with ease, handy for any excursions or day trips you make.

However, you should note that this is the tablet only. To turn it into a complete laptop, you will need to purchase a separate compatible Surface Go keyboard . You can also buy other accessories, such as the Surface Pen and Mobile Mouse .

With 8GB of RAM, you can stream movies, browse the internet, send messages, and do other daily tasks with ease. Catching up on documents while sipping pina coladas by the pool is also a breeze. But it’s the webcam and battery life that are especially pleasing. Making calls home or even taking online classes look great. And, with its 11-hour battery life, digital nomads can spend a full day teaching or taking meetings without worry.

On the downside, traveling business professionals may find the screen too small for multitasking. But it is bright, vibrant, detailed, and good enough to watch movies and shows while on the go. The battery does drain more quickly when playing video, lasting for around four hours, so you'll want to keep the charger handy.

A Large 2-in-1 Perfect for Nomads and Backpackers

Digital nomads will love the HP Spectre x360 thanks to its 2-in-1 design, durable build, and excellent webcam with features to make you look your best in Zoom meetings and video conferences. The display is also stunning, making it a good choice for watching your shows and editing your travel snaps and videos. It also has a comfortable stylus pen included for use on the 10-point multitouch screen.  

• Excellent webcam features
• Good audio system
• 10-11 hour battery life with regular usage
• HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-A, and 2x T4 ports
• Fast charging
• On the heavy side at 4.4lbs

The HP Spectre x360 is a 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop that checks most boxes for digital nomads and other long-term travelers. While it may be on the heavier side at 4.4lbs, tough Corning Gorilla Glass protects the 3K IPS multitouch display. This glass also features an excellent anti-reflective coating that preserves the stunning display in bright conditions.

Watching and editing content is a joy, and the 360-degree hinge allows you to find the optimum comfort for the various tasks you might perform as a digital nomad. You can place the device in tent mode to enjoy the stunning display when watching movies or get involved in editing, note-taking, and sketching in tablet mode with the included HP Tilt Pen.

It is powered by a 12th Gen Intel i7-12700H processor, 16GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD storage. It’s powerful enough for most nomads but may not perform as well for those needing to use CPU-intensive apps simultaneously. Additionally, while it is a good choice for most casual gaming, it is not not the best choice for serious gamers.

The 5MP webcam is excellent, and anyone attending video conferences and Zoom meetings will be delighted with the experience. It has features like auto-ISO sensitivity, white balance and brightness sliders, autofocus, a GlamCam panel for lighting correction, and Beauty Mode that will help you look your most dapper on those important work calls.

Mighty Battery Performance

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip is a powerful machine for travelers. It’s slim, lightweight, and has a beautiful display, perfect for editing snaps and videos. It also has an incredible battery performance that ensures you can take the laptop anywhere you like to catch up on work while traveling.

• Bright and detailed display
• Fast and reliable performance
• Slimline and lightweight
• Premium battery performance
• Lacks ports
• Average webcam

In terms of portability and performance, it doesn’t get much better than the MacBook Pro fitted with Apple’s M2 chip. The 13.3-inch display is perfect for travel. And, with it being just a little over half an inch thick, it can slot into your carry-on luggage or backpack quite easily while being barely noticeable at only 3lbs.

The M2 chip has an 8‑core CPU, a 10‑core GPU, and a 16‑core Neural Engine, and you can choose from 8,16, or 24GB of unified memory and up to 2TB of SSD storage. The gorgeous Retina display offers up to 500 nits of peak brightness, so viewing any content is a joy. It’s also one of the best laptops for editing video . The few that are better are heavier, bulkier, and for more expensive machines, including the MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips.

The biggest selling point for travelers is the incredible battery life of up to 20 hours. Digital nomads can work at the beach, and you won’t need to be on the lookout for wall outlets at the cafe.

Unfortunately, the FaceTime camera remains at 720p, which is a strange choice considering the MacBook Air M2 has an upgraded 1080p webcam. It may be a deciding factor if you are an on-the-go educator or just want to look your sharpest during calls back home. Another drawback is that it only has two Thunderbolt 4 ports. Considering you will need one when charging, this may not be enough, and you might want to consider a lightweight docking station.

An Excellent Choice for Professional Video On the Go

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a reliable portable laptop that can be used as a proper tablet when not attached to the removable keyboard. You can also buy a stylus to make the most of the touchscreen. The display is stunning and fun for entertainment purposes. The battery life gets you through an entire day, and it’s lightweight and easily transportable. The excellent webcam is a bonus and helps you look your best during video calls and meetings.

• Robust and lightweight design
• Excellent webcam
• 5G connectivity
• Dual far-field microphones
• 19-hour battery life
• No headphone jack
• Keyboard and stylus sold separately

The Surface Pro 9 sports the excellent Microsoft SQ3 chip. This chip offers outstanding energy efficiency and battery life and is an ideal choice for travelers. It may not be powerful enough for traveling creatives running highly-demanding apps but is a great choice for everyone else. This model has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but there are plenty of other options if you need more power and space.

If video conferencing is essential to your day-to-day, this laptop won’t fail you. It has features that make Zoom meetings, online classes, and webinars look sharp and professional. The gaze correction feature will make your eyes appear to be looking at the camera at all times. Background noise elimination and central framing are other valuable features. On top of looking great, you will also sound great with the dual far-field microphones.

The screen is bright enough for watching movies while indoors. But, at 450 nits peak brightness, viewing by the pool on a sunny day might be tricky in direct sunlight. However, it has a 2K, edge-to-edge, 120Hz display with a 100 percent sRGB color gamut and good contrast.

A Powerful Choice With a Stunning OLED Display

The Dell XPS 13 9310 is a powerful laptop that travelers can enjoy. With its slim, durable construction, and light weight, you can easily slip it into a bag and transport it. However, the powerful processor and stunning display are what make this laptop such a good value. Creatives will enjoy editing their photos and videos, while the OLED display offers superb contrast and color for media watching after long, hot days at the beach or sightseeing.

• Robust and portable
• Stunning OLED display
• Powerful performance
• Good for gaming
• 720p webcam
• OLED display drains the battery quicker

The Dell XPS 13 9310 is small, lightweight, ultra-portable, and very powerful. It features an 11th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD that can handle most tasks you throw at it with little trouble. Running multiple programs together is also a breeze, and the XPS 13 can take on casual gaming and even some demanding titles.

With its 13.4-inch, 3.5K OLED screen, it’s an excellent choice for traveling creatives and is perfect for editing those vacation snaps and videos. The stunning display is also large enough for enjoying movies and shows after a long day. And while the 400-nit peak brightness isn’t as high as some of its rivals, it has an excellent anti-reflective coating that enhances the display in bright conditions. In dimmer environments, the deep blacks and rich colors of the OLED technology ensure any media content looks simply stunning.

It’s also very portable at just over a half-inch thick and weighing just under 2.8lbs. And, while it doesn’t match some of its competition, the battery life is also decent, and a full charge should see you get a whole day away from any wall outlet. Additionally, the touchscreen is a bonus and a good option for scribbling down notes if you are keeping a journal or planning your day.

A 4K OLED Display With Good Audio for Immersive Entertainment

The Lenovo Yoga 9i is the ideal 2-in-1 laptop for taking in media content when you’re on your travels. Long bus journeys or days when you have to wait out poor weather are all the easier on a 4K OLED display with a surprisingly good audio system. It also boasts a powerful processor with ample RAM and storage, making it a good choice for digital nomads.  

• 2-in-1 design
• Stylus included
• Stunning display with great speakers
• Average battery life

The Lenovo Yoga 9i is another slim and lightweight choice for travelers. And, thanks to the 360-degree hinge, you can fold this device seamlessly into tent, tablet, or laptop modes, making it another ideal 2-in-1 option that any intrepid adventurer would love to have. The keyboard is also comfortable with snappy keys, and the included stylus pen is a bonus.

On the Yoga 9i, watching videos and TV shows is an excellent experience because of the 4K resolution on a stunning 14-inch OLED display. Images are natural and vibrant, and the contrast is excellent. This superb display is rounded off with 400 nits of peak brightness.

A Bowers and Wilkins speaker system with a Dolby Atmos soundbar rotates and directs the audio straight to your waiting ears. Additionally, the rare presence of subwoofers means thumping low frequencies in bass-heavy songs and shows.

On top of being an excellent choice for watching media content, it’s also a top performer when it comes to multitasking and handling demanding applications. The Core i7-1360P is a powerful processor, and it also boasts 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. One downfall, however, is the battery life. You’ll get around 10 hours with regular usage, but with anything more intensive, you might need to find a wall outlet.

Enhanced Productivity While On the Go

The ASUS Zenbook 14X is another lightweight option perfect for travelers. With its stunning 2.8K OLED display, media content looks fantastic. Its powerful specs and handy ScreenPad make it a good choice for multitasking, too. Having a primary display and a secondary display to assign less critical applications to is extremely useful for travelers and nomads looking to enhance their productivity on the go.

• 1080p ScreenPad
• Beautiful display with thin bezels
• Good number of ports
• Multitasking is easy
• Middling webcam

If you are searching for a travel laptop with a gorgeous display, you might want to check out the ASUS Zenbook 14X. This laptop has a stunning 14-inch, 2.8K OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate pumping out a peak brightness of 550 nits. On top of that, it has an extensive color gamut. With a DCI-P3 and an sRGB of 100 percent, and an RGB of 99 percent, you can be sure that colors are vivid while blacks are deep and dark. It’s an excellent laptop for watching movies and editing travel photos and videos.

This is a powerful and lightweight laptop that you can transport with ease. It boasts an Intel Core i7-1260P CPU, NVIDIA GeForce MX550 graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD storage. Streaming, surfing, and creating content is seamless, and gamers will also get a decent experience. It doubles as an excellent entertainment source in your downtime or when flying. However, It has below-par battery life, so you might need to be near a power source.

One unique feature this laptop has is its ScreenPad. It’s larger than most trackpads, but it's also a secondary screen. Some may see this as a gimmick, but others may find genuine uses for it. Anyone multitasking will find it particularly helpful. These tasks can include working on the main display while you chat with colleagues or enter data on the ScreenPad.

Another thing to consider, especially for digital nomads, is the average 720p webcam. It works well enough in a brightly lit room. But travelers joining online meetings may want to find something sharper.

Considerations Before Buying a Laptop for Travel

The first thing you should consider is the type of traveler you are. Long-term backpackers and digital nomads will have different requirements than short-term vacationers. For example, they will likely need a good amount of storage for all their photos and videos, and they'll probably seek a model on which to smoothly edit them, too.

Nomads will also need features specific to their profession. Online educators and business professionals need a good webcam. In fact, they might even look for extra video features for web conferencing and Zoom meetings. The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a good choice for this. However, the HP Spectre also has excellent video features as well as ticking many other boxes that digital nomads require, such as good performance, fantastic battery life, touchscreen capabilities, and a beautiful display.

On the other end, short-term vacationers may be looking for a decent, affordable machine for watching media content, emailing, and browsing. The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is an excellent shout, though you’ll need to buy a separate keyboard to make it a complete 2-in-1.

MacBooks generally cover all the needs of the traveler. They are lightweight and slim, easily transportable, have powerful performance, and their displays are excellent. They usually have decent audio, too, which saves you from carrying around a portable speaker. The MacBook Air M2 13-inch is a tremendous overall pick for travelers, and the MacBook Pro M2 is a good option, too, albeit at a higher price.

Apple M2 Convenience and Power for All Travelers

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13 Best Travel Laptops for Digital Nomads

1. MacBook Air

Pros and Cons

2. dell xps 13.

3. Microsoft Surface Go

4. Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 14

5. Acer Spin 3

6. HP Envy X360 13

7. Acer TravelMate P6 (2022)

8. Lenovo Yoga 6

9. Asus ZenBook

10. HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook

11. Dell Latitude 7370

12. Asus Chromebook Flip C302

13. HP Pavilion x360 Convertible Touchscreen Laptop

Travel Laptop: FAQs

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7 BEST travel laptops for digital nomads 2024 (+ SAVINGS TRICKS)

By: Author Mitch Glass

Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2023

A portable laptop for travel is a digital nomad’s best friend.

Most normal travelers can get by without packing a computer, but not digital nomads. (After all, it’s called the “laptop lifestyle” for a reason!)

And not only do you need a laptop, but you need the right kind of laptop.

The best laptops for digital nomads have some unique characteristics (which we’ll get to in a sec), and a budget laptop for working from home may not cut it.

If you buy a crappy non-portable laptop, digital nomad life isn’t gonna be fun.

Since you will be using it on a daily (or almost daily) basis to earn a living while traveling , it’s an investment you’ll want to take seriously.

Let me tell you from experience…it’s no fun having your travel laptop poop out on you in the middle of nowhere, then having to throw down big bucks to get a whatever type of emergency replacement is available (Long story short, Day now works with a Thai keyboard…)

A quality laptop is a must. 

And after nearly 50 hours of research (plus quite a bit of first-hand experience), I’ve narrowed it down the list of best digital nomad laptops to 7 rock-solid options in 2024.

Now, since every digital nomad’s needs are different, the best laptop for you might not be the best laptop for me. 

That’s why in this list, I’ll break up each recommendation based on what type of traveler you are, and what you will use your travel laptop for.

Whether you’re looking for the cheapest possible option, the most ultraportable and lightweight laptop, or the most powerful high-end computer…I’ve got you covered.

We’ll start with what to look for when comparing laptops for digital nomads. Next, we’ll take an in-depth look at each of the top picks. And finally, I’ll share some tips on how to save money when buying your travel laptop and building your digital nomad office setup . 

Let’s dive in!

Important: Even with the absolute best laptop for digital nomads, you’re not going to get far without a reliable internet connection you can take on the go. For that, check out these handy mobile wifi hotspots for digital nomads that you can fit in your pocket. You’ll also want some sturdy anti-theft digital nomad luggage to protect and carry your laptop.

Table of Contents

TL;DR: The Best Travel Laptops for Digital Nomads

Laptop vs. tablet for travel (or both), 1 –  macbook air (best all-around portable laptop for travel and work), 2 – macbook pro (best laptop for photographers and youtubers), 3 – apple ipad pro (best travel tablet for digital nomads), 4 – dell xps 13 (best apple alternative laptop for digital nomads), 5 – acer spin 5 – (best value travel laptop), 6 – lenovo flex 5 14 (best budget travel laptop), 7 – lenovo yoga c940 (best 2-in-1 laptop for travel), how to save money on your travel laptop, recap: what’s the best laptop for travel and work, frequently asked questions.

Macbook Air (M2) – Best portable laptop for MOST digital nomads Macbook Pro 13 (M2 ) – Best laptop for travel professionals who use heavy graphics Ipad Pro – Best travel tablet Dell XPS 13 – Best Apple alternative travel laptop (for Apple-haters) Acer Spin 5 – Best value digital nomad laptop Lenovo Flex 5 14 – Best budget travel laptop Lenovo Yoga C940 – Best 2-in-1 laptop for travel

What to Look for in a Digital Nomad Laptop

Lightweight : Most of the laptops on this list are under 3.5 pounds. You want something compact that won’t weigh your backpack down (and break your back), and ideally something that is usable in tight spaces like airplanes. Your best bet is a 13” screen laptop that weighs less than 3.5 pounds. But keep in mind, the lighter you go, the more sacrifices you’ll have to make in other areas.

Sturdy : As I mentioned, replacing a laptop for remote work while you’re traveling is not fun. You want something that’s not going to snap in half when you’re on some remote tropical island. It’s easy to feel the difference between a quality piece of equipment and a chintzy one.

Accessible Parts and Repair : If your laptop does run into a technical glitch while traveling (and you can’t fix it yourself), having access to repair centers and computer parts is a life-saver. Luckily, most countries have authorized repair and service providers for brands like Apple and Dell.

Fast/Reliable : You are making a living from this machine. If you buy a crappy laptop, work will be miserable. The best laptop for digital nomads will have an i7 chip or better. Apart from the chip, the higher the clock speed (usually stated in GHz or MHz) and number of cores, the better.

Ports: To keep travel laptops portable and lightweight, you might have to sacrifice some ports. If you find a laptop with all the ports you need, consider it a plus. But if there are limited ports, it’s not the end of the world. You’ll get used to carrying around an adaptor. That said, ideally your choice will have at least a USB-C port, as they are the “ports of the future”.

Memory: Memory (or RAM) is the short-term storage in your computer that allows it to access information and run quickly. 8GB should cover most digital nomad needs. But if your digital nomad job involves editing 4k video, 3D modeling, or running tons of apps at once, then 16GB might be a better option. Keep in mind that some laptops have upgradeable memory, while others do not (i.e. you’re stuck with whatever you buy).

Battery Life: Sometimes outlets are few and far between when on the road, so long-lasting batteries are a must. A good travel laptop should have at least 8-hours of battery life. I recommend looking for 3rd-party reviews when researching battery life, as the manufacturers tend to exaggerate.

Brightness: If you dream of working from a hammock out in the sun, you’ll need a bright display. Shoot for a minimum of 400 nits.

Storage: Running out of storage on the road SUCKS. This happens fast if you’re taking lots of videos (especially 4k). 256GB should be enough for normal people. But if you work with a lot of images and videos, you’ll want more. Keep in mind that some storages (like Macbooks) are not expandable. So if you don’t get enough when you buy, you’ll need to end up using external drives (which isn’t the end of the world—this is what Day does).

Note for online teachers: If you work as an online teacher while traveling, check out these best laptops for teaching online as well. Most digital nomad laptops should do the trick, but since online teachers have specific needs, it’s nice to have options.

For the past five years, I’ve traveled with just a laptop. Now that I’m turning into a bit of a slower traveler—setting up shop for several weeks at a time (or more)—I was delightfully surprised when Day bought me this entry-level iPad .

At first I thought I wouldn’t use it much, but it’s turned out to be the best travel gift ever!.

I love using it as an extra monitor so I don’t have to keep switching tabs as I work on a small laptop screen. I realize you can do this cheaper with a lightweight portable external monitor (like the ASUS ZenScreen ). But I have a rule that if something takes up space in my backpack, it better have multiple uses. (Plus I LOVE drawing on it and making graphics for the blog, and it’s way more comfortable to use on planes, trains, and buses).

You definitely don’t need both, but it can make your digital nomad setup more productive. 

Also, if you like the idea of both a laptop and a tablet, but don’t want to carry around two separate devices, I’ve included some awesome 2-in-1 laptop/tablet combo options on this list. That way, you get the best of both worlds!

Recommended articles: How to become a digital nomad (complete blueprint) How to make money living in a van (10 epic van life jobs)

Dimensions (H x W x D): 0.44” x 11.97” x 8.46” (11.2 x 304 x 215mm) Weight: 2.7 lb (1.24 kg) Storage: Up to 2TB SSD (non-upgradeable) RAM: Up to 16 GB (soldered) Processor: 3.49 GHz Apple M2 chip Ports: Thunderbolt 4 USB-C (x2) Battery Life: Up to 18 hours

The new Macbook Air with the Apply M2 chip is a super lightweight laptop for digital nomads that you really can’t go wrong with. It won’t blow you away with high-tech features, but it’ll do everything you need it to (and do it well). 

In the past, it was more for casual users who didn’t work on their computer for a living. But after recent upgrades, it’s now a powerful machine that can handle most tasks.

I say most because if you’re looking to do graphics-intensive work like editing 4k video, you’ll probably want to choose something on this list with a bit more power (but that’s not to say it’s impossible !)

The Macbook Air is one of the lightest and most compact travel laptops on this list, weighing in at just 2.7 pounds (1.24 kg), it won’t take up much space in your carry-on bag (and is comfortable to use on a plane). 

The base model comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage, which is plenty for the average user. And if you think you’ll need more, you can soup it up even further (but at that point, you might be better off just getting the Macbook Pro).

Best of all, the new M2 chip boasts a whopping 18-hour battery life. This is clutch for remote working in places without outlets.

✅ Lightweight, ultraportable laptop with incredible battery ✅ Unlike older models, recent upgrades make it powerful enough for most digital nomads ✅ Apple products are built to last ✅ Super convenient if you already use an iPhone, iPad, etc. ✅ Thousands of Apple service centers worldwide if repairs needed

❌ Not as powerful as Macbook Pro for things like video editing ❌ Limited ports ❌ Doesn’t have some cool feature that other non-apple laptops have in this price range ❌ Can’t do aftermarket upgrades

Who It’s Best For: The Macbook Air is best for digital nomads who like/already use Apple products, don’t need to do a lot of graphic-intensive work, and don’t care about touchscreen or tablet capabilities.

Dimensions (H x W x D): 0.61” x 11.97” x 8.36” (15.6 x 304 x 212mm) Weight: 3.0 lb (1.4 kg) Storage: Up to 2TB SSD (soldered) RAM: Up to 16 GB (non-upgradeable) Processor: 3.49 GHz Apple M2 Chip Ports: Thunderbolt 3 (x2) Battery Life: Up to 20 hours

When it comes to the new Macbook Pro, the latest model comes with the new Apple M1 chip. Compared with the previous M1 chip, the M2 is not only 1.4 faster, but it also takes up less power, so for most digital nomads, this is the best choice.

The Macbook Pro is about the same size as the Air, but at 3.0 pounds, it’s just a teensy bit heavier. That said, the performance packed into those 3.0 pounds is far FAR from teensy.

I’ve been traveling with a Macbook Pro for the past 5 years, and it’d be hard to convince me to use something else. For most people, the Macbook Air might be sufficient. But if you’re going to be editing videos, you’ll want the power of the Pro.

The downside of using a Macbook Pro as your travel laptop is obvious—It’s expensive. And you’ll always have to worry about it getting damaged or stolen on the road. (A Pacsafe gives me a little peace of mind, though).

That said, if you’re going to be using it to make a living, spending long hours behind it—you’ll thank yourself for choosing quality. 

It’s also reassuring to know that these things were built to last (and hold their value). I gave my 2009 Macbook Pro to my brother, and it’s still kicking just fine. A few months ago my wife sold her 2013 Macbook Pro to another traveler for $250, which we used towards her new one. These things last.

Basically, the Macbook Pro is like the Air on steroids. It has much more processing power, a bigger trackpad, louder speakers, a better display, and more customization options. To top it off, it can get up to TWENTY hours of battery life. That is unheard of!

The question is—how important are those things to you?

If they’re important, choose the Pro. You will not be disappointed.

If they don’t matter much, save your money and stick with the Air (or other non-Apple choice on the list, which have some pretty sweet features not found on Macs).

✅ Enough power to crush any task  ✅ Plenty of expandability options ✅ Insane battery life ✅ Similar dimensions as Air (and only slightly heavier) ✅ Last a LONG time (in our experience) ✅ Thousands of Apple service centers worldwide if repairs needed

❌ Expensive (compared to Windows laptops with similar specs) ❌ Can’t do aftermarket upgrades ❌ Lacks some cool features that non-Apple products in this price range have ❌ Touch bar is stupid and annoying

Who It’s Best For: The Macbook Pro is best for those who prefer/already use Apple products, need a lot of power, want something that stands the test of time, and don’t care about touchscreens or tablet options.

Dimensions (H x W x D): 11-inch model (0.23” x 9.74” x 7.02”); 12.9-inch model (0.25” x 11.04” x 8.46”) Weight: 11-inch model (1.04 lb / 0.47 kg); 12.9-inch model (1.42 lb / 0.68 kg) Storage: Up to 2TB RAM: Up to 16 GB (non-upgradeable) Processor: Apple M2 chip Ports: Thunderbolt 3 / USB (x1) Battery Life: Up to 10 hours; up to 9 hours for WiFi + Cellular models

While not an actual laptop, the Apple iPad deserves to be on this list. If you go with the latest iPad Pro and connect it to a magic keyboard, you can do almost the same (and sometimes more ) than most laptops on this list. 

However, there are some drawbacks…

• The keyboard is small, so typing isn’t quite as comfortable as a normal laptop
• Some apps still don’t have cursor support (but that will probably improve)
• Multi-tasking is easier on a laptop (but might be good enough on the iPad)
• There’s only one USB-C port, so connecting multiple devices is complicated
• Editing apps are limited (and some aren’t even available) on the iPad

That said, if none of these are deal-breakers for you, the iPad Pro might be just what you’re looking for.

This is especially true for artists, as drawing on the iPad is AMAZING (and addicting!).

You also have the option of buying a celular-equipped iPad, which lets you use a SIM card to stay connected.

If none of that bothers you and you prioritize saving space, then this might be the option for you.

So, depending on what your needs are, it’s possible you can nix the laptop altogether, do everything you need to do with an iPad, and travel super light.

The other, not-so-light option would be to do what I do and use an entry-level iPad (which is WAY cheaper than the Pro model) in addition to my Macbook. It fits right alongside my Macbook in my laptop case and works as the perfect second monitor for maximum productivity.

✅ Allows you to travel super light ✅ Easy to use in small spaces like airplanes ✅ 5G celular models can stay connected with a data SIM ✅ Touchscreen, drawing, and notetaking is awesome

❌ See bullets in description above

Who It’s Best For : The iPad Pro is best for ultralight and carry-on only travelers who don’t mind the limitations of not having a normal travel laptop. It’s also great for people who love art. 

Dimensions (H x W x D): 0.55” x 11.6” x 7.8” (14 x 296 x 199mm) Weight: Touch: 2.8 lb (1.27 kg); Non-touch: 2.64 lb (1.22 kg) Storage: Up to 1TB SSD RAM: Up to 32GB (soldered) Processor: Up to 12th Gen Intel i7 1250U Ports: Thunderbolt 4 USB-C (x2), (USB-A 3.0 and USB-C headset adaptor also included) Battery Life: 12+ hours

The Dell XPS 13 is one of the best laptops for travelers for those who aren’t tied to Apple.

In fact, some would say it even outshines the Macbook in a few different areas. 

For one, it’s even lighter and more compact than the Macbook Air, making it the most ultraportable travel laptop on this list.

It comes in three different options: a regular clamshell laptop, a touchscreen laptop, or a 2-in-1 laptop.

The XPS 13 also boasts a 12+ hour battery life (some tests even show 15 hours). This is longer than Macbooks with the Intel chip, but can’t quite compete with the Apple M1 chip battery life. That said, how often do you actually need more than 15 hours of battery without charging?

You have the option of choosing between a Full HD screen (1920 x 1200) or 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2400), but with a 13” laptop, all you really need is Full HD (this will also extend your battery even longer).

As far as tech specs go, you can build it out exactly as you need it. Choose from an 12th-gen i5, or i7 processor, beef the RAM up to 32GB, or expand the hard drive up to 1TB—there’s a customization option for every need.

Similar to Macbook laptops, you’re stuck with only a couple USB-C ports. But really, it’s a small price to pay for such a lightweight and portable travel laptop. Plus, unlike Apple, they’re nice enough to include a USB-C to USB-A adaptor in the box.

✅ Compact and powerful ✅ Quality materials and slick looking ✅ Great battery life ✅ Tons of customization options to suit your needs ✅ Can upgrade hard drive later if you need more space

❌ Lack of ports ❌ Adding specs to base model can get pricey ❌ Poor quality webcam

Who It’s Best For : The Dell XPS 13 is the best lightweight laptop for travelers who aren’t tied to Apple’s ecosystem.

Dimensions (H x W x D): 0.67” x 12.3” x 8.6” Weight: 2.9 lb (1.31 kg) Storage: Up to 1TB RAM: Up to 16GB Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P Processor (Up to 4.7GHz) Ports: Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C (x2), USB 3.2 A (x1), SD card reader, HDMI, SD card reader, HDMI Battery Life: Up to 12 hours

If you can’t justify plopping down over a grand for a new digital nomad computer, the Acer Spin 5 might be right up your alley.

And as you’ll see, even at a lower price point, it has some pretty awesome features not found on the more expensive models we’ve covered so far. 

The first of which is that it’s a 2-in-1 laptop. That means you can:

• Use it as a regular “clamshell” laptop
• Fold the screen backward into a screen stand (perfect for movie-watching in tight spaces)
• Fold it completely backwards to use as a tablet

That said, the 2-in-1 option does come with a downside:

The Acer Spin 5 is a bit bulkier and about a pound heavier than some of the other options on this list. But unless you’re traveling carry-on only and counting every ounce, are you really going to tell a one pound difference?

That’s for you (and your budget) to decide.

It’s good to know that the weight is put to good use, though, with the base model boasting some higher specs than other laptops costing several hundred dollars more. Also, with a bigger laptop also comes more space ports (yay!). 

A rechargeable stylus is also included with the Spin 3, so if you like to draw or take digital notes (and don’t want to fork over several hundred dollars for an iPad and Apple Pencil), this is a great alternative.

Overall, this is one of the best budget laptops for remote work.

✅ Impressive value for the price ✅ 2-in-1 flexibility ✅ Extra ports ✅ Good battery life

❌ No USB-C ❌ Heavier and bulkier ❌ Awkward keyboard

Who It’s Best For : The Acer Spin 3 is the best computer for digital nomads looking for the best value for their money. If you can get over the fact that it’s slightly heavier, it’s a great bang for your buck.

Dimensions (H x W x D): 0.7” x 12.32” x 8.85” Weight: 3.42 lb (1.55 kg) Storage: Up to 1TB SSD RAM: Up to 16GB Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (2.00 GHz up to 4.50 GHz) Ports: USB-A (x2), USB-C (x1), HDMI, SD card reader Battery Life: Up to 15 hours

If you’re looking to get a quality travel laptop as cheaply as possible, you can’t go wrong with the Lenovo Flex 5 14.

In many ways it is similar to the Acer Spin 3, though not quite as powerful. You’re not going to want to edit photos and videos on this bad boy, but it’s perfectly fine for most tasks.

With the Flex 5 14, you get the flip-around screen with stylus. So despite it not being the smallest laptop on the list, the tablet mode makes it portable enough for flights and other cramped spaces.

It also boasts a surprising 16GB of RAM, which is more than what you’d expect for a digital nomad laptop at this price point.

And, while chunkier than some of the other ultraslim laptops on this list, at least you’ll enjoy a dongle-free experience as it comes with two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, HDMI port, and SD card reader.

You might consider this a “starter” laptop for digital nomads. But other than being slightly heavier and having a not-so-bright screen, this laptop is perfect for those on a tight budget.

✅ Super affordable ✅ Converts into tablet with stylus ✅ Lots of ports

❌ Not a bright enough screen for extended outdoor use ❌ Heavier and bulkier than more expensive options

Who It’s Best For : The Lenovo Flex 5 14 is the best portable laptop for digital nomads who are on a tight budget, have a little extra space to spare, and don’t plan on spending too much time working outside.

Dimensions (H x W x D): 0.6” x 12.6” x 8.5” Weight: 3 lb (1.4 kg) Storage: 512GB SSD RAM: 12GB Processor: Intel 10th Gen Core i7-1065G7 1.3 GHz Ports: USB-A (x1), Thunderbolt 3 USB-C (x2) Battery Life: Up to 15 hours

So far we’ve covered a couple different 2-in-1 laptops for digital nomads. They’re both great bargains that’ll get the job done. But there’s only so much you can expect at those lower price points.

If you love the idea of a 2-in-1, but want something lighter with top-of-the-line specs, the Lenovo Yoga C940 is exactly what you’re looking for.

Weighing in at 3 pounds, it’s lighter than the other bulkier 2-in-1s on this list. It also boasts a whopping 15 hour battery life (with the FHD screen)—perfect for those travel days where it’s hard to find a place to charge.

And if you want to draw or take notes, the included stylus has a nice handy storage slot in the back.

The Yoga C940 also has one of the most bumping sound systems on this list. It makes the perfect mini entertainment system for netflix binges when you need a break from all that hard digital nomad work.

You’re also covered with both a USB-A and two USB-C ports, so you can ditch those pesky adaptors and save space in your backpack.

Overall, the Lenovo Yoga C940 is a super versatile pick and is a great choice for those looking for the best laptop for travel and work.

✅ You can feel the quality ✅ Powerful enough for pretty much anything ✅ Bumping sound system ✅ Super long battery life ✅ Lighter than other 2-in-1s

❌ Pricey ❌ Still heavier than other ultralight weight models on this list

Who It’s Best For : The Lenovo Yoga C940 is the best laptop for digital nomads who love the 2-in-1 concept, aren’t on a tight budget, and are looking for the best quality.

The best time to buy a travel laptop is when you don’t need a travel laptop. That way, you have the flexibility to shop around for deals.

Here are some top tips for making your money stretch as far as possible:

Compare cost of third-party upgrades. If the laptop you choose is upgradable, it may be cheaper to buy the cheapest base model and upgrade it yourself (vs. buying it with top specs out of the box). You can learn how to do anything with Youtube these days!

Only buy what you need. Just because you see everyone else with their fancy Macbook Pros doesn’t mean you need one too. Remember, the best travel laptop for writers won’t necessarily be the best travel laptop for video editing and other “heavy” jobs. If you’ve got money to blow and want the absolute best (or you do a lot of photo and video editing like we do), then go for it. You won’t be disappointed. But other than that, it’s probably overkill. 

Consider a fast SSD external hard drive. If you’re buying a non-upgradable laptop (like Macs), it may be cheaper to buy a fast SSD external hard drive than buying a laptop with a bigger hard drive. This is what we did when we bought our emergency laptop in Thailand. It’s kind of a pain to have to plug in all the time, but it also adds flexibility to your setup. 

Research the cheapest countries to buy in. Speaking of Thailand, laptop prices vary from country to country (and Thailand is NOT the cheapest…at least for Apple products). If you do buy abroad, remember that you can usually get reimbursed for taxes when you leave the country. This usually only works if you are flying out though. We learned the hard way that you can’t do it at land border crossings.

Buy refurbished. Before buying anything new, check for Amazon Renewed products or the Apple Refurbished pages. You might be able to save a couple hundred dollars and still get a “good as new” digital nomad laptop with a warranty.

Wait for holidays. If you’re able to wait until Black Friday (or at least the next big holiday of the year), you’re bound to find cheaper prices.

Open a rewards credit card. Whenever I’m planning to make a big purchase, I always open a new rewards credit card. For example, if you open the Chase Sapphire Preferred and spend $4000 within the first 3 months, you get a 60,000-point sign-up bonus (at the time of writing). That’s equivalent of $750+ in flights. So if you think about it, it’s kinda like getting a $750 discount on your computer…just in the form of flights. A lot of these credit cards also will double the laptop’s manufacturer warranty, so you won’t have to pay for an extended protection plan.

Even if you find a great deal on a digital nomad laptop, it can still be stressful traveling with expensive equipment. If you’re worried about your equipment, it might be worth buying travel insurance that covers your lost or stolen electronics (make sure to read the conditions though).

The best laptop for travel and work really comes down to your needs, budget, and desired features.

If you are just starting out and don’t have an extra grand (or more) to plop down on one of the top laptops for travel, then a budget option like the Lenovo Flex 5 14 is a great starter option.

But if you are able to free up some budget for a more powerful machine, look into either a Macbook (for Apple lovers who want incredible battery life) or the Dell XPS 13 (for Windows lovers who want one of the smallest, lightest travel laptops on the market).

In the end, the simplest way to determine the best digital nomad laptop for you is to:

Step 1.) List out all the laptops that fall in your budget Step 2.) Circle the laptops that have the “dealbreaker” features you want your computer to have Step 3.) From the laptops you circled, choose the most powerful, highest quality option

As a digital nomad, you won’t regret investing in the best equipment that your budget allows. You’ll be using this machine to earn a living for years to come, and the better the machine you have, the easier (and more enjoyable) the experience will be.

Traveling with a laptop is safe if you take the proper precautions. Be careful about where you pull it out, always have a place to lock it up, and consider buying travel insurance that covers your laptop. 

The best travel laptop depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you have no operating system preference, the best overall travel laptop for most people is the Dell XPS 13.

Fifteen-inch laptops get a bit bulky when it comes to traveling light. That said, I’ve seen many digital nomads using them. If your work requires extra screen space, you have plenty of room, and you don’t mind the extra weight—go for it!

You can protect your laptop while traveling by only taking it out in safe places, getting it covered by insurance, buying a Pacsafe to keep it secure in your room, and making sure you have a way to protect it from water (e.g. a backpack rain cover)

Bringing too many laptop accessories when traveling can be tricky. So it’s best to stick with the essentials like your charger, external hard drive, or laptop sleeve. If you have enough room, you can always throw in an ergonomic mouse or portable keyboard.

Mitch is your typical nomadic backpacker. Or at least, he was . But after stopping in Colombia to take “one week” of salsa lessons, his life took a sharp left turn. He met a cute Colombian girl in dance class, fell in love, and got married. Over half a decade has passed since he left his career to travel the world as a digital nomad, and he’s never looked back.

Nowadays, he’s the blogger behind Project Untethered — where he runs an awesome email newsletter and Youtube channel teaching adventure-craved wanderlusters how to escape the rat race, earn money from anywhere, and build an “untethered life”.

His advice has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, Yahoo, MSN, Reader’s Digest, Condé Nast Traveler, and more.

Mitch's Travel Recommendations: Travel Planning Resources - Everything you need to plan your trip on one convenient page. Going Cheap Flights Newsletter - Get flight deals from your airport up to 90% off sent straight to your inbox. Safetywing Insurance - This cheap travel insurance has saved me over $15,000 in medical bills. Booking.com - Book accommodation without adding your credit card (in case you need to cancel). Trusted House Sitters - Take care of pets in exchange for free (sometimes luxury) accommodation. Flexjobs - Find remote jobs without having to sift through crappy ones. Skillshare - Free trial to take unlimited classes that teach digital nomad skills. Wise - Send and receive money abroad cheaply (great for freelancers).

Sunday 14th of February 2021

i was just planning to buy a laptop !! I really liked the Acer Spin 3, the design looks so good. Keep it up!

Monday 15th of February 2021

It's definitely a great bang for your buck! Let me know which one you end up going with and how you like it!

Monday 8th of February 2021

Do you think that the MacBook Air is the best laptop for writers? Because I heard their keys are very good for typing for long periods of time. Which makes it seem like a good laptop for writers by default, if that's the case.

Wednesday 10th of February 2021

It's definitely a good choice if you can afford it. In the end, it comes down to your budget. If you have the budget, you won't be disappointed. But if all you're doing is typing in a doc all day, you can certainly survive with something cheaper.

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Best Travel Laptop in 2023: Portable & Powerful

Need a laptop that’s good for travel? Something small and lightweight, but which is still powerful enough that you can perform your everyday tasks on it? Perfect – that’s exactly what I will be talking about in this review!

I will show you 10 excellent laptops for travel, in all different price ranges. From $200 Chromebooks to Mac and Windows laptops that cost well over $1000 – whatever it is that you are looking for, I’m sure you will find something suitable right here!

At A Glance: Our Top Travel Laptops

• best lightweight travel laptop Dell XPS 13 UHD InfinityEdge Jump To Review
• BEST WINDOWS TRAVEL LAPTOP Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Jump To Review
• BEST APPLE TRAVEL LAPTOP Apple MacBook Air 13” Jump To Review
• BEST CHROME OS TRAVEL LAPTOP ASUS C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook Flip 12.5” Touchscreen Jump To Review
• best budget travel laptop Lenovo 11.6" HD IPS Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook Jump To Review

I’ll start you off with some portable Windows laptops, and then I will move on to the MacBooks and Chromebooks. So, scroll down to your preferred operating system to find the best laptop for travelers and digital nomads!

Top Product Overview

Best travel laptops, dell xps 13 uhd infinityedge.

If you’re okay with  Windows 10 Home , then you’ll really like this laptop. This Dell XPS 13 has  a 13.3” 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) display,  which is amazing for any graphic work.

And not to mention that you’ll have an amazing experience watching movies and TV shows on this Dell.

There are  two storage options on the Dell XPS 13– one includes a 512 GB SSD, and the other one includes a 1 TB SSD .  The difference between the two is only $100, so I would definitely recommend you go for the 1 TB device.

Both storage space options feature  16 GB of RAM,  so you will easily be able to multitask on this laptop. The Dell XPS 13 version here features an i7 processor , so you can be sure that it will easily handle any task you throw at it.

But it is not all great with this Dell XPS. This lightweight laptop has a camera at the bottom of the display, which could be an issue if you’re not used to it. It is a really weird angle, so you might want to go for a different laptop if you spend a lot of your time video chatting.

And then there’s the battery life, which varies significantly depending on how you use it. The 4K resolution is quite demanding, so  if you spend a lot of time watching 4K videos, the battery won’t last too long .

However, if most of your day includes web browsing and emails, this could almost get you through the workday on a single charge. Which is pretty great.

Another thing worth mentioning is that the Dell XPS 13 laptop is recycle-friendly. Around 90% of its parts can be reused or recycled, and the packaging trays it comes with are 100% recyclable. It’s not a very important feature, but it’s always a plus in my book when companies care about the environment.

• High resolution touchscreen display
• Very powerful computer
• Recycle friendly
• No HDMI port
• Battery life could be improved

Product Information

• Display: 13.3'' 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) Infinity Edge touch display
• Processor: 4 GHz Intel Core i7
• Dimensions: 7.84” x 11.88” x 0.46”
• Weight: 2.67 lbs

Microsoft Surface Book 2

By now, you should be familiar with the Microsoft Surface computer. The Microsoft Surface Book is the most powerful lightweight laptop out of the bunch, and it’s  an amazing all-in-one machine . What makes it one of the most popular travel lightweight laptops is the (only 3.62 lbs), versatility, functionality, and amazing battery life.

You can easily get  over 10 hours of battery life with normal use in laptop mode, which is pretty good. However, if you want to use it only as a tablet, you will need to keep the charger handy. The battery life is nowhere near as good when you detach the actual batteries from the display –  you could get some 3-4 hours at best.

The detachable display of the Microsoft Surface is amazing for on-the-go, and it is a great option for people who spend most of their time drawing. It allows you to leave the keyboard part of the laptop at home and shed even more weight.

Make no mistake, this is a powerful machine, with some specs only seen in gaming laptops. With16 GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU, and Windows 10 Pro preinstalled, this is capable of handling pretty much any task you can throw at it, including some demanding PC games.

And the one thing that truly pains me is that you will still experience the usual Windows glitches on this. It’s a lightweight laptop made by Microsoft, so you would expect that Apple level of hardware/software compatibility. But, they never cease to surprise us.

The one upside is that the Microsoft Surface Book 2  wonderfully takes advantage of the fact that Windows 10 was designed for both laptops and tablets.

• Very powerful machine
• Detachable display and 360 hinge
• Long battery life in laptop mode
• Battery life in tablet mode is disappointing
• Not as slim and lightweight as other options
• Pretty pricey
• Display: 13.5" 3000 x 2000 PixelSense Display,
• 1.9GHz (Up To 4.2GHz) Intel Quad-Core i7-8650U4 GHz Intel Core i7
• Dimensions: 2.44” x 13.86” x 10.63”
• Weight: 3.62 lbs

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

If you’re a hardcore Windows user, then you have several amazing options – the X1 Carbon is one of those. It’s an amazing travel laptop that just so happens to be very portable, because of its lightweight. At less than 2.5 lbs, this one of the lightest laptops in this entire review.

The X1 Carbon comes with  16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD storage space , and a stunning 14” touchscreen display. Don’t let the small size fool you – this is a very powerful machine that is capable of handling nearly every task.

You get  up to 15 hours of battery life  on the X1 Carbon, depending on how you’re using it. And with Lenovo’s Rapid Charge technology, you can juice up your laptop to 80% battery in just one hour. Which is pretty insane.

One thing I absolutely adore about this laptop is that it has an integrated ThinkShutter – a cover for the webcam . If you’re as paranoid as me and tend to cover up the webcam on all your laptops, you will love this feature.

There are two USB 3.0 ports, two USB C ports and an HDMI port on this thing. And the laptop also has  a fingerprint reader,  which allows you to log in in a matter of seconds.

The X1 Carbon comes with  Windows 10 Pro (64-bit) preinstalled,  so no surprises there. If you’re a business user looking for the perfect Ultrabook, I think this might just be the best laptop out there for you.

• High resolution touchscreen
• Rapid Charge technology
• Fingerprint reader
• Not the best option for gaming
• Heats up easily and the fan is loud
• Display: 14" FHD Touchscreen Display
• Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8650U Processor
• Dimensions: 12.7” x 0.6” x 8.6”
• Weight: 2.49 lbs

Dell Latitude 7370 12.5” FHD

If you want a really good Windows laptop for your life as a digital nomad, but can’t afford a really expensive one, this is a good option. The catch is that  it is a refurbished laptop , but it works and runs like new.

Plus,  the price tag is pretty amazing,  especially when you take a good look at all the specs of this Dell laptop .

It has  16 GBs of RAM and a 256 GB SSD storage space ,  so it will be able to handle anything you throw at it. The high amount of RAM also makes it an excellent option for multitasking , especially if you’re one of those people that always have 20+ tabs open in Chrome.

The laptop comes with Windows 10 Professional preinstalled (64-bit), which is great. The (touchscreen) display is Anti-Glare,  so you should be able to use these even in sunlight.

In addition to that, this laptop also features  a backlit keyboard,  which is awesome.

One downside is the battery life.  It’s nowhere near as great as with most other laptops I’ve shown you. In fact, it’s exactly what you’d expect from an older, used Windows laptop –  some 3 hours on average.

But if that is okay with you, then by all means take a really good look at this laptop.

The price point is really good for the performance you get. Plus, it is small and lightweight, so it’s a really great option for travel. As long as you’re okay using this plugged in most of the time, you will really enjoy the Latitude 7370.

• Great price point
• Backlit keyboard
• Anti-glare touchscreen display
• A refurbished computer
• Battery life is not great (some 3 hours)
• Display: 12.5 Inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare Infinity Edge Display
• Processor: Intel Core m7-6Y75 (Dual Core, up to 3.10 GHz)
• Dimensions: 12” x 8.3” x 0.56”
• Weight: 2.5 lbs

Apple MacBook Air 13”

The MacBook Air is a classic, so you bet it’s going to be at the top of our list. It’s the perfect laptop for those who are always on the go because  it is reliable, lightweight and has a monster M1 chip and battery life.

One of the reasons to get the latest M1 Macbook Air from 2020 and beyond is the new M1 chip from Apple. This chip is a game-changer, and not in the way that Apple or other computer companies usually say. It is fast, powerful and does not suck the life out of the battery. I ran a video compression tool recently that used to take 1 minute per minute of video, and it compressed an hour in 5 minutes!!!

So, if you do any heavy-duty work on your computer like gaming or video editing then this will change your life, seriously! Bonus tip: You can check out Veed – a powerful video editing software that works on your Mac computer, with no software download or plugin required.

The 13 inch Macbook Air also has a Retina display, with a much higher native resolution than the previous model. And Apple has solved that pesky butterfly keyboard issue from a few years ago.

You will have zero issues with a light workload – if it’s mostly replying to emails and writing, you won’t ever hear your computer operating (there is actually no fan), and your battery will last you a long time (18 hours according to Apple, but in reality less).

But if you’re looking for Apple’s best portable laptop, then you’ve found it – the Macbook Air. It  weighs less than 3 lbs, the display is just the right size that you can do anything on it  – from watching Netflix or gaming to editing videos and programming – and the battery can last you a really long time, depending on what you’re using the computer for.

I have had my original Macbook Air 13 inch for nearly 6 years. And sure, the battery does not last like it used to, but it’s still one of the lightest and best machines I have seen amongst other travelers.

• Insane M1 processor
• Top-notch battery life
• Very reliable
• Lightweight and portable
• Not cheap by any means
• Can’t go higher than 16 GB RAM
• Display: 13.3-inch (Retina display)
• Processor: M1 from Apple
• Dimensions: 11.97 x 0.63 x 8.36 inches”
• Weight: 2.8 pounds (1.25 kg)

Apple MacBook Pro 13"

The MacBook Pro was never really considered a portable machine. But that was in the days of yore when it was still a fat, heavy laptop. Nowadays ,  the smallest Pro is as light as the MacBook Air, and it is the perfect option for all of you who need an incredibly powerful travel laptop.

It  weighs only 3.02 lbs , so the difference between it and the Air is almost negligible. Especially when you consider just how much more powerful this machine is; if you consider yourself a Pro user, then this is definitely the travel laptop you should be getting.

There are two versions of the 13” Macbook Pro to consider – the one with the Touch Bar and the one with the regular F keys.

If you are old-fashioned like me,  go for the older Macbook Pro model – not only does it look exactly like a laptop should, but it is also about $400 cheaper.  And if you like trying out new things, go for the Touch Bar version – it is a convenient feature for people that edit a lot of videos or photos.

The Macbook Pro that I am talking about here comes with 8 GB of RAM, and there are two SSD options – 256GB and 512GB storage space . It has four USB-C ports  and  a battery that can last up to 10 hours,  depending on what your workload looks like.

Overall, if you’re looking for an Apple laptop that’s portable but still capable of handling even the most demanding software, the 13” Pro is undoubtedly the right option for you.

• Insanely powerful
• Excellent battery life
• Quite pricey
• Butterfly keyboard issue possible
• Display: 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Retina display
• Processor: 2.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz)
• Dimensions: 11.97” x 8.36” x 0.59”
• Weight: 3.02 lbs

Apple MacBook 12”

Size-wise, this is probably the best macOS laptop you can get. It’s the  smallest Apple laptop that exists these days, since the 11” Macbook Air was discontinued a while ago. It is a pretty powerful laptop, and it will be able to handle most of the tasks that you throw at it.

But what makes the regular MacBook one of the best travel laptops that exist is its portability. Out of all the laptops in this review, this is easily the lightest one, as it weighs in at mere 2.03 lbs (1 lb lighter than the Macbook Pro) .  It will fit into your every backpack and purse, and you will barely feel that it’s there.

Now, there are two types of the MacBook to choose from. There’s the  256 GB SSD model, which comes with an Intel m3 processor, and a 512 GB model that features the Intel i5 processor.  The two CPUs are very different, so you should choose the model based on what you tend to do on your laptop.

Go for the m3 version if you spend most of your time editing videos or gaming – this is the one area where this CPU really outshines the i5. However, the i5 is the better choice in all other areas – it is faster and more efficient.

The MacBook has  a great battery life of up to 10 hours and a stunning Retina display  that really allows you to enjoy videos, even when you’re watching them on a really small display.

• Extremely lightweight and portable
• Powerful laptop
• Very pricey
• Rose Gold option is discontinued (RIP)
• Display: 12-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Retina display
• Processor: 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core m3 with Turbo Boost up to 3.0GHz
• Dimensions: 7.4” x 11.04” x 0.52”
• Weight: 2.03 lbs

ASUS C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook Flip 12.5” Touchscreen

The C302 Chromebook by Asus is a great option if you’re looking for  a portable and affordable laptop . It currently costs less then $450, which is a pretty great price point for a laptop. And it is  very lightweight, at only 2.65 lbs.

The  battery can last you up to 10 hours , which is pretty great. But, you’re only getting  64 GBs of SSD storage space,  and that is quite disappointing. The good news is that this Chromebook  supports a microSD card, and you can add up to 256 GBs to it . Plus, SD cards are usually cheaper than external hard drives, so you will save some money there as well.

The  360 hinge allows you to use this laptop however you want , which is very convenient. You can play Android games on it in tablet mode, and then reply to emails and do some light work in laptop mode.

However , the 4 GBs of RAM are a little bit disappointing.  Especially because most smartphones these days have at least 8 GBs. But it’s a completely different processor, so it should be  enough for a light workload .

Keep in mind that you can’t really run any demanding software on this and that you are limited to apps like Google Docs, Gmail, etc.

Overall, if you’re in need of something affordable and efficient, this laptop is a good option for you. Especially if you like the idea of being able to use it as both a tablet and a laptop.

• Supports microSD card up to 256 GB
• In the pricier range of Chromebooks
• Only 4 GB of RAM
• Display: 12.5” Full-HD touchscreen
• Processor: 2.2 GHz Intel Core m3
• Dimensions: 8.3” x 12” x 0.5”
• Weight: 2.65 lbs

Lenovo 11.6" HD IPS Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook

If you’re on a really tight budget, I suggest you check out this Lenovo Chromebook . It is  one of the most affordable laptops in this review , with a price tag that is under $250. Yes, for a laptop – I don’t think you can even get a smartphone for that amount of money these days!

This laptop is a good option for you if most of the work you do is online and you don’t need a lot of storage space. You can watch movies on Netflix, and do pretty much anything in Chrome. However,  it only has 32 GBs of eMMc storage,  which is just too little these days.

Another thing to consider is that it has  eMMc storage, which is slower, less reliable and efficient than an SSD . But it is also  a lot cheaper,  hence that super attractive price tag on this Chromebook.

You also get  4 GBs of RAM,  which hurts my heart a little bit. But, I consider myself a pretty heavy user – if you’re not,  4 GB should be plenty for light web browsing and work.

The Lenovo laptop features a 360 hinge, which means you can use it both as a laptop and a tablet. And honestly, when you look at its storage specs, it is a pretty decent tablet. If you’re okay with mostly being in touchscreen mode, you will really like this computer.

One issue I have with this laptop is the size of those bezels. It’s 2019 – haven’t we moved on from those thick nasty bezels? They are a bit of an issue, especially considering how small this laptop is – the actual screen is even smaller than that.

• Very affordable
• Only 32 GB of eMMc storage
• Very thick bezels on the display
• Display: 11.6" HD (1366x768) IPS touchscreen display
• Processor: MediaTek MT8173C Quad-Core Base Clock Speed 1.3 GHz (Maximum Boost Speed 2.16
• Dimensions: 11.7" x 0.8" x 8.1"

Samsung Chromebook 3, 11.6"

Samsung’s Chromebook 3 is one of the most affordable laptops in this review. It is small, lightweight, and pretty efficient for people who are comfortable with chromeOS. It does not have a touchscreen, so keep that in mind.

One interesting thing to note is that I am talking about the most expensive Chromebook 3 here – the one with  4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of eMMc storage . There are two options with less storage, which are even cheaper than this one.

Samsung claims you can get up to 11 hours of battery life from a single charge, which sounds a bit optimistic. But you can get  some 9 hours of light use  without any issues, and that is still pretty good.

Another cool thing about this laptop is that it has  a water-resistant keyboard.  So if you’re anything like me and you tend to spill stuff a lot, you will find that pretty convenient. Especially if you’re always eating or drinking something while using your laptop.

This is a great option for people who don’t need a powerful machine. If you’re happy with Google’s apps, Play Store, and the 11.6” anti-reflective display, you will find that this laptop is a good fit for you. Plus, it is so small and lightweight that you can carry it wherever you want, and you will barely feel its weight.

• Small and portable
• Water-resistant keyboard
• No touchscreen display
• 64 GB of storage is maximum option
• Display: 11.6” HD anti-reflective Display
• Processor: 1.6 GHz Intel Celeron N3060 Processor
• Dimensions: 11.37” x 0.7” x 8.04”
• Weight: 2.54 lbs

What To Look For In A Travel Laptop

There are lots of options and specs when it comes to laptops, so it pays to know what you want, more or less, before you start. The following will help you find the perfect laptop, to go in that handy travel backpack along with your travel router !

Size And Weight

Obviously, choosing the best laptop for travelers is going to involve finding one that is lighter and smaller than your favorite 17” machine. Because of that,  I’m only showing you laptops up to 14” in this review.  I know, there are some 15” laptops that are pretty lightweight and portable, but they just didn’t make the cut.

A 13-14” laptop is just  easier to carry around , you can’t argue with that. It will  fit into most backpacks and purses,  and it is almost always going to be lighter than anything larger.

Plus, if you just can’t live without a large display,  you can always get yourself  a portable monitor .

Operating System – Windows, Mac or Chromebook

I will show you three types of laptops here – Windows laptops, Apple laptops and Chromebooks.  And it is important to know what you can expect from each of them.

If you’re already a Windows user, then you’re probably looking for a Windows laptop for travel. You will see several excellent options here, from the best manufacturers .  If you’re considering getting a Windows laptop for the first time, you should know that it is  a full-grade OS , which is capable of pretty much anything.

The same cannot be said for Chromebooks – even though they are perhaps the best travel options because they are cheap and lightweight , they are not capable of much. The  ChromeOS on these laptops is designed around Google’s browser . So, you can’t run any demanding software on these laptops – forget about Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, and even Microsoft Word. Instead, you will need to make due with various online programs – Google Docs, Pixlr or even Microsoft Office Online.

Some of the newer Chromebooks can run many Android apps, so they’ll be great for playing the casual phone game . In general, these are a great option if you want something inexpensive, which you can use to reply to emails, browse the Internet and watch a movie on Netflix.

If you’re an Apple user, then you already know exactly what to expect from macOS.  It’s a full grade operating system with a  remarkably simple and intuitive UI . It is also more reliable and efficient than Windows, in terms of bugs, RAM usage and energy impact.

Price Range

Laptops are not cheap toys, and I think you know that. So, I will try to show you options for different budgets – from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Here’s the thing – if you want a cheap and portable travel laptop and you want it now, go for one of the Chromebooks. They will get the job done if you need something for simple tasks and the occasional movie, and they’re usually in the $300-500 range.

The Apple and Windows laptops are going to be a lot more expensive than that. You will rarely see anything below $1000, with a few exceptions of course.

But if you’re looking for a full-grade OS in a portable and travel-friendly machine, that’s the amount of money you will need to cough up for it.

Best Laptops For Travelers: Our Favorites

Not sure which is the best travel laptop to pick up? Go for one of our favorites – they are the best value for money in each category!

If you want a Windows laptop, I’m recommending the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon . It is an amazing laptop –  slim, lightweight, and incredibly powerful.  It will be able to handle any task you throw at it, so it’s a good option regardless of what you primarily use your laptop for.

It has  a great battery life, a built-in fingerprint reader, and a very inviting keyboard that makes replying to emails an enjoyable task. The Dell XPS 13 is also a popular option, but I prefer the Lenovo.

• Brand Lenovo, Model 20KH002JUS
• Product Type: Ultrabook, Processor Manufacturer: Intel, Processor Type: Core i7, Processor Generation: 8th Gen, Processor Model: i7-8650U, Processor Speed: 1.90 GHz, Processor Core: Quad-core (4 Core), Standard Memory: 16 GB, Memory Technology: LPDDR3, Solid State Drive Capacity: 512 GB, Screen Size: 14", Display Screen Type: LCD,

If you’re looking for an Apple laptop, then the MacBook Air is probably the best option. It is really good value for money. But you’re sacrificing that Retina display, which won’t really be that big of an issue.

This is a  thin and lightweight laptop that you fit into almost any backpack and purse, and that has amazing battery life. The Macbook Pro is obviously way more powerful, but it’s just too heavy for travel.

• 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 Processor
• Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz

And if you are a very light user and just want something cheap and efficient, go with the ASUS C302 Chromebook . It’s one of the best Chromebooks you can buy, and it’s actually a solid laptop.

The 360 hinge allows you to use it as both a laptop and a tablet,  while the backlit keyboard lets you work in the dark. It’s  one of the few Chromebooks that features an SSD,  so you know it will be fast and reliable.

• The flexible 360 Degree hinge and 12.5 inches full HD touchscreen lets you use the C302 in tablet or laptop mode
• Intel Core Processor with 64GB storage and 4GB RAM for fast and efficient performance with a bright backlit illuminated keyboard

Head over to Amazon to see the prices of all of these laptops, and see all of the configurations that are available.

Check out our related posts to get some other gear for that travel laptop you choose!

RELATED POSTS SWISS GEAR 1900 VS. 1923 BEST PORTABLE MONITORS IN 2019

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Notable Mentions

Recent updates, all reviews, the 4 best laptops for video editing - spring 2024 reviews.

Whether you're a professional video editor working for a company or an amateur editing videos for social media, having a laptop with good performance is crucial, as video editing is a demanding task that requires a fair amount of processing power. A powerful laptop will provide a smoother experience when manipulating footage, play high-resolution videos smoothly with fewer frame drops, and render videos in less time. You'll also want to look for a laptop with a sharp, accurate display, preferably one that can reproduce all the colors in the color space in which you work. For the best user experience, you'll also want to consider the quality of the keyboard and touchpad, the port selection, SSD speed, and even the fan noise.

To help you with buying decisions, we've compiled a list of laptops suitable for video editing. This list includes mobile workstations and gaming laptops (yes, gaming laptops are just as good for video editing). However, it won't contain any Chromebooks because most video editing applications don't work on Chrome OS, and Chromebooks usually lack a dedicated GPU.

We've bought and tested over 110 laptops. Below are our recommendations for the best video editing laptops you can buy. You can also see our recommendations for the  best laptops , the  best business laptops , and the best laptops for graphic design .

Best Laptop For Editing Videos

The best laptop for editing videos we've tested is the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023). This top-tier model delivers an exceptional user experience and has ample processing power to handle even the most demanding workloads. Like its M2 predecessor, it's a well-built device with a full-aluminum chassis. Its Mini LED display's high brightness lets you see your work clearly, even in well-lit settings, and it has full coverage of the DCI P3 color space. Plus, its superb factory calibration means you can get straight to work without needing further tweaks. You get a spacious keyboard, an easy-to-use haptic touchpad, and a wide port selection for peripherals and external displays.

Regarding the configuration, we recommend a model with an M3 Pro or Max SoC (the M3 Pro model starts at $1,999 USD). The base M3 chip can get the job done, but it'll quickly hit its limits in highly demanding workloads. Like all MacBooks, the biggest downside is that the RAM and storage aren't user-replaceable, and the upgrades aren't exactly cheap, so the total price of the laptop can get to an eye-watering level. If you want more screen space and don't mind a bulkier, heavier device, get the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3, 2023) . It has better-sounding speakers but costs more.

For Windows users, we recommend the Dell XPS 15 (2023) , a 15.6-inch premium mobile workstation. It's available with Intel 13th Gen H-series CPUs and various NVIDIA discrete GPUs, up to an RTX 4070. Like the MacBook Pro 14, it provides a premium user experience with a nice display, a comfortable keyboard, and a large touchpad. Its port selection is more limited, as it only has three USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports and an SD card reader. Its main advantage over the MacBook Pro is that its RAM and SSD are user-replaceable. By the way, Dell has released new XPS laptops in 14- and 16-inch sizes, with the former replacing the XPS 15, so if you like the 15-inch size, this is a good time to get one before stock runs out. Plus, it's often on sale through Dell  now that the new models are out.

See our review

Best Mid-Range Laptop For Video Editing

Our best mid-range pick is the Dell Alienware m16 R1 (2023), a 16-inch gaming laptop. This model is available with powerful AMD or Intel CPUs and various discrete GPUs, up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, giving you plenty of processing power to complete your tasks quickly. Of the three display options, we recommend the QHD+ panel with DCI P3 coverage, though you can also go with the 100% sRGB panel if you only work in SDR. The displays only get up to 300 cd/m² of brightness, which is fine for most indoor settings but definitely a step down from the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023) 's 1600 cd/m² brightness in HDR.

While the build quality is inferior to the MacBook Pro, this laptop still feels very well-built. It just doesn't feel as premium and isn't as portable. The keyboard has tons of travel and tactility, and the touchpad is small but responsive. You get plenty of ports to connect peripherals and external displays, including two USB-As, two USB-Cs, an HDMI, and a full-size SD card reader. Unfortunately, its battery life is terrible at only 2.5 hours of light use, and the fans get pretty loud under load. This laptop starts at $1,699 USD (MSRP) and is easier to get through  Dell . Last quick FYI: there's a newer Dell Alienware m16 R2 (2024) . It's also a good choice; it just doesn't have as many GPU configurations as it tops out at an RTX 4070. Also, its CPU throttles a bit more, and the laptop gets hotter and louder under load.

Best Budget Laptop For Video Editing

The best budget laptop for video editing we've tested is the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (2023). When configured with a Ryzen 7 7735HS or Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU and paired with an AMD Radeon RX 6700S or Radeon RX 7700S, it has plenty of processing power for intensive video editing tasks. RAM and storage max out at 32GB and 1TB, respectively—you can upgrade or add more later, as both are user-replaceable. As for the display, you can choose between an FHD+ or a QHD+ panel. We recommend the latter, as its increased sharpness will allow you to see finer details more clearly. It also has a higher peak brightness to combat glare and full DCI P3 coverage, whereas the FHD+ display only has 100% sRGB.

This laptop feels very well built for the price. It isn't overly bulky for a 16-inch device, but it's a 16-inch device nonetheless, so you'll need a fairly big bag to carry it. Port selection is great; you get two USB-As, two USB-Cs, an Ethernet, and a true HDMI 2.1 port. Unfortunately, there's no Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 support. Also, this laptop gets hot and loud under load, and there are no biometrics, like a fingerprint sensor or facial recognition camera.

Best Ultraportable For Video Editing

The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is a great option if you prefer an ultraportable for the occasional video editing. It has a sharp, bright display with DCI P3 coverage, and like all Apple products, its factory calibration is superb. Its M2 chip performs well and has media encoders and decoders that further boost performance when editing videos. Plus, it doesn't even have cooling fans, so you'll never have to worry about noise. Port selection is its main weak point; it only has two USB-C ports and can only support one external display. You can get up to 24GB of memory and 2TB of storage; just remember that these components aren't user-replaceable. Also, the base 256GB SSD has slower speeds, which can affect performance when dealing with large footage, so it's worth upgrading to one of the larger-capacity drives.

Apple has released a newer M3-equipped MacBook Air 15. Not much has changed; the upgrades include Wi-Fi 6E (from Wi-Fi 6), a marginally faster M3 SoC, hardware accelerated ray tracing, and support for a second external monitor. The latter has a caveat: you can only use two external displays when the laptop is closed. If you don't need these upgrades, you can probably find a good deal on the older M2 model through a marketplace, third-party seller, or Apple's refurbished section. We'll have a full review of this laptop soon.

• Dell Alienware m18 R2 (2024): The Dell Alienware m18 R2 (2024) is a good alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023) if you don't plan on using an external monitor and want the biggest display possible. It's available with various discrete GPUs and up to an RTX 4090, and unlike the MacBook Pro, its RAM and storage drive are user-replaceable. However, its top-end QHD+ display isn't as sharp or bright as the MacBook Pro's Mini LED screen, and its battery life is terrible. It also gets much hotter and louder under load. See our review
• HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2024): The HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2024) is a good alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023). It's very compact for a laptop with a discrete GPU, and it provides a great user experience overall with its 120Hz 2.8k OLED display, tactile keyboard, and low fan noise. Its build quality is a step down from the MacBook Pro, though, and its battery lasts only six to seven hours of light use. See our review

May 06, 2024: Removed the Dell Alienware m18 (2023) from the Notable Mentions and replaced it with the Dell Alienware m18 R2 (2024) because the newer version supports Thunderbolt 4. Added the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2024) as a Notable Mention.

Apr 08, 2024: Replaced the Lenovo Slim Pro 7 14 (2023) with the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (2023) because the Lenovo is discontinued and hard to find.

Mar 07, 2024: Minor text changes to provide information regarding the new M3 Apple MacBook Airs and to add the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (2023) as an alternative to the Lenovo Slim Pro 7 14 (2023).

Feb 07, 2024: Replaced the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M2, 2023) with the M3 model since the M2 is discontinued. Replaced the ASUS TUF Dash F15 (2022) with the Lenovo Slim Pro 7 14 (2023) because the ASUS is getting hard to find, and the only configurations available have a poor-quality display with a narrow color gamut.

Jan 10, 2024: Replaced the Apple MacBook Air 13 (2023) with the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) because the 15-inch has a larger screen and doesn't throttle as much under load.

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best video editing laptops to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper laptop wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no laptops that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

If you prefer to make your own decision, here's the list of all of our laptop reviews, sorted by price from low to high. Keep in mind that most laptops are available in various configurations, and the table only shows the results of the model we tested, so it's best to see the full review for information about other variants.

Best laptops for video editing in 2024

Here are the best laptops for video editing, covering everything from MacBooks to ultraportables

• Best overall
• Best for travel
• Best Windows option
• Battery life results
• How we test

1. The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best value 4. Best Windows laptop 5. Best Chromebook 6. Best upgradability/repairability 7. Best gaming laptop 8. Battery life chart 9. How we test

The best laptops for video editing are powerful enough to tackle big edit jobs but also light enough to carry all day, with a screen vibrant and accurate enough to allow you to do your best work. Long-lasting battery life is also important if you don't want to lug a charger around alongside the laptop.

The good news is that you now have more options than ever before, thanks to recent advances in CPU development. AMD, Intel and even Apple have met consumer demand for smaller, more powerful laptops with some beefy laptop CPUs.

If you're chiefly interested in doing recreational video editing and plan to stick to 1080p resolution, there are lots of thin and light laptops powerful enough to get the job done. Just make sure you're using the best video editing software for your needs.

However, if you plan to work in 4K and/or editing video files with high bitrates, you'll want a beefy laptop with a performant CPU, speedy hard drive, lots of RAM, and a discrete graphics card. The best gaming laptops often satisfy these requirements, though they tend to eat up battery when working at full capacity.

Read on for our curated list of the best laptops for video editing, which should help make your buying decision a little easier.

Alex Wawro is a lifelong journalist who's spent over a decade covering tech, games and entertainment. He oversees the computing department at Tom's Guide, which includes managing laptop coverage and reviewing many himself every year. 

The quick list

In a hurry? Here's a brief overview of the laptops on this list, along with quick links that let you jump down the page directly to a review of whichever laptop catches your eye.

The best laptop for video editing

Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro is our top recommendation for the best laptop for video editing because it's sleek, long-lasting and powerful. Plus it's optimized for video work and offers a great selection of ports.

Read more below

Best laptop for editing video on the go

While the 16-inch model's larger screen is great for home use, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is lighter and better-suited for video editing on the go since it's basically just as capable. However, you get slightly fewer ports than on the larger model.

Best Windows laptop for video editing

Though not optimized for video editing like MacBook Pros, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 can be configured with a speedy CPU, a good (for a laptop) discrete GPU and plenty of RAM, making it a decent video editing platform for Windows fans.

The best laptops for video editing you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

The best laptop for video editing overall

1. MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max, 2023)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Want a great laptop for editing video on the go? Then you may be looking for the beastly 16-inch MacBook Pro, which sports either M3 Pro or M3 Max chips that deliver shocking amounts of performance. 

This model features the same gorgeous mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display as its predecessors and once you get over the notch, you'll be wowed by its contrast and smoothness, especially with its 120Hz refresh rate.

On top of that, you get the return of the ports that pros demand. That's not just the safety-focused MagSafe 3 charging port, but HDMI-out for connecting to displays and an SD memory reader for connecting memory cards for real-deal cameras. Oh, and don't think MagSafe will take USB-C charging out of the picture: the MacBook Pro's trio of Thunderbolt 4/USB4 ports also draw power. Plus you get a 1080p webcam, a trio of improved microphones and a stellar six-point speaker system.

Read our full MacBook Pro (16-inch) 2023 review .

The best laptop for video editing on the go

2. MacBook Pro 14-inch

The MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 is one of the most powerful portable laptops money can buy, and that’s because of the new M3Pro chip from Apple, which delivers even faster performance than the previous generation. If you need to cut video on the go and don't want to pay extra for the larger 16-inch model, the 14-inch Pro is a great choice.

This laptop turned in class-leading results on multiple tests, including Geekbench, Photoshop, Premiere Pro and video transcoding. Based on our testing, you can blaze through creative work and even play demanding games like Resident Evil Village with pristine graphics and smooth frame rates.

It all looks good too thanks to the 14-inch mini-LED display, and you'll appreciate awesome 6-speaker sound system and comfy keyboard and touchpad. Plus, the 1080p camera is a bit better thanks to a new ISP. The HDMI port now supports up to 8K displays, and you still get an SD card slot.

Read our full MacBook Pro (14-inch) review .

The best Windows laptop for video editing

3. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) is a great gaming laptop that's also pretty portable, delivering a potent blend of performance, portability and power efficiency. 

We've long been fans of the Zephyrus G14 because it has the chops to run most games at solid framerates, the efficiency to be used as a work laptop, and a slim, compact chassis that's more portable than most gaming laptops. While it's not tailor-made for video editing the way the MacBook Pros are, the fact that it can be configured with a speedy CPU, a good (for a laptop) discrete GPU and plenty of RAM makes it a decent video editing platform in a pinch.

The 2022 model we reviewed has a better, brighter screen than its predecessor, with good speakers and an AMD CPU/GPU combo that delivers solid gaming performance. It also sports a built-in webcam, something earlier models lacked.

Read our full Asus ROG Zephryus G14 (2022) review .

Considering an older model? They're still great; read our full Asus ROG Zephryus G14 review from 2020 to see why.

4. MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2)

The 13-inch  MacBook Pro 2022  (from $1,299) was the first M2-powered Apple laptop to hit the market. While the design is a bit dated, it's a solid choice for video editing on the go thanks to the power of M2.

And based on our tests, the  M2 chip  delivers, offering performance that destroys competing Windows laptops. The M2 also beats the  M1 chip  by a significant margin in various benchmarks. Plus, the new MacBook Pro 2022 delivers among the longest battery life we've seen from a modern laptop, surpassing 18 hours of runtime.

However, while this notebook sports a new slice of Apple silicon, the design shows its age. You get the same form factor, same ports, same display and same webcam. Meanwhile, the new  MacBook Air 2022  offers a larger display with thinner bezels, a 1080p webcam and a thinner, lighter design.

Read our full MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) review .

5. MacBook Air M3 13-inch

The MacBook Air is one of the lightest laptops you can buy, and once Apple started putting its own silicon in these slim ultraportables they became some of the fastest and longest-lasting laptops on the market.

The 13-inch MacBook Air M3 is the strongest example yet, delivering remarkably speedy performance and battery-sipping power efficiency in a svelte, attractive design. It doesn't have the graphical muscle, video editing optimizations or expansive port array of the MacBook Pro, but if you just want something to edit home movies with, the latest Air is more than good enough iMovie.

So if you don't need to do a lot of heavy-duty video editing and don't mind the more limited ports available on the Air, it's a capable little low-power video editing platform that's easy to carry on your next family trip.

Read our full MacBook Air 13-inch M3 review .

6. Dell XPS 15

Don’t let its slim and stylish design fool you — the Dell XPS 15 is an absolute workhorse, and if you trick it out it can be a decent machine for video editing on the go. 

Its cutting-edge Intel CPUs deliver plenty of processing power for daily tasks, and if you pay to upgrade it with a beefy GeForce RTX GPU and some extra RAM/storage it should have more than enough oomph to get you through your next video project. Factor in a pair of impressively loud speakers and solid battery life, as well as an absolutely gorgeous OLED screen option, and you start to see why the XPS 15 is such an appealing laptop.

Read our full Dell XPS 15 OLED review .

Battery benchmarks: comparison

If you plan to edit video on the go, you want to have a good sense of how long your laptop can last before having to plug in and charge. 

That's why we run every laptop we review through a series of battery tests to see how long it actually lasts on a full charge, which is one of the key deciding factors for most people when buying a laptop. 

Note that these tests do not reflect real-world use patterns since we have to set every laptop to the same settings in order to do fair comparisons. Thus, while the times listed here are accurate and useful as a comparison point, your own experience with a laptop's battery life will likely vary quite a bit.

This is because when we run our battery test we set the laptop's display to 150 nits of brightness and have it endlessly browse the web via Wi-Fi until it dies. However, when you use your laptop you're likely adjusting brightness on the fly, doing all sorts of different tasks while perhaps listening to music or watching a video at the same time, and generally putting the machine through more of a workout than it gets in our test.

So while I stand by our testing and the battery life results we compare in the chart below, I want to be clear that your own experience will vary! 

How we tested these laptops

How we test the best laptops.

In our never-ending quest to find the best laptops we put every computer we test through a barrage of synthetic and real-world tests to benchmark how well it performs compared to the manufacturer's claims, and compare how good it is relative to the competition.

These tests include, but are not limited to: measuring the average brightness and color quality of each laptop's display using our in-house colorimeter, using a heat gun to measure the heat generated by the laptop after 15 minutes of strenuous work, and using a mix of real-world and synthetic benchmarks to test how well a laptop performs at various day-to-day tasks. We run all laptops through the Geekbench CPU performance benchmark tests as well as various 3DMark tests to measure graphics capabilities. We also run a file transfer test to measure how fast a machine's hard drive is, a video transcoding test to gauge how well a laptop can cut video and a custom battery test that has the machine browse the internet over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

We also run every laptop we test through a basic game test using Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm to gauge how good it is at running games compared to other laptops. We use this old game because it runs on a wide variety of laptops across different prices, sizes and operating systems, so it's great for comparing performance. 

Of course when testing dedicated gaming laptops we run benchmarks for many more demanding and popular games, including Assassin's Creed Valhalla , Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2 . For more information on our testing process, check out our guide to how we test .

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Alex Wawro is a lifelong tech and games enthusiast with more than a decade of experience covering both for outlets like Game Developer, Black Hat, and PC World magazine. A lifelong PC builder, he currently serves as a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering all things computing, from laptops and desktops to keyboards and mice. 

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The Best Laptops for Video and Photo Editing

By Dave Gershgorn

Dave Gershgorn is a writer covering monitors, laptops, and tablets. He is a certified display calibrator through the Imaging Science Foundation.

Videographers and photographers on the move need a laptop that can keep up with quick deadlines and handle any task from color grading to 4K video editing. For professionals who need a laptop that doesn’t compromise on processing power, color accuracy, or battery life, the Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro)  is our undisputed recommendation. But if you prefer Windows, or if you want a laptop that you can repair and upgrade in the future, the Dell XPS 15 9530 is the best option right now due to its processing power and OLED screen. And the more-budget-friendly 15-inch M2 MacBook Air has a superb display for a laptop of its price, as well as a processor that’s easily capable of editing 1080p footage.

Everything we recommend

Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro, 2023)

The fastest editing laptop.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro is faster than any other laptop we’ve tested for photo or video editing, and it has truly impressive battery life, to boot.

Buying Options

Dell XPS 15 9530

A great windows alternative.

The Dell XPS 15 has a vivid 3.5K display and the processing power to edit any kind of footage on the go. It’s also more repairable and upgradable than the MacBook Pro.

Budget pick

Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 15-inch)

Great for working in 1080p.

The MacBook Air is a staple of many modern office desks and home offices, but it’s also a surprisingly capable video-editing laptop, especially for lighter loads and 1080p footage.

Recommended configuration

The Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro) pairs a color-accurate screen with an incredibly fast laptop processor, and it delivered battery life of 15 hours in our testing. The large, 16.2-inch display offers bright images and has great contrast, so you’ll be able to see every detail in your photos or videos. And when it comes to editing, the MacBook Pro crunches through video with the power of a desktop computer. However, the laptop is a bit heavy, at 4.7 pounds, and it lacks a USB-A port, so you may still need to carry a dongle for now.

For people who want a Windows laptop, we recommend the Dell XPS 15 9530 . Among the Windows laptops we tested, it’s the one that makes the fewest compromises, giving you a nearly 4K screen, a speedy processor and graphics card, and a comfortable keyboard. The XPS 15’s RAM and storage are upgradable, too, so you’re not stuck with the same specs if you want to upgrade your system down the line.

The Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 15-inch) is even faster than the previous, M2 model, making it not just a great budget option but also a possible first choice for many photographers and videographers who don’t have intensive processing needs. The M3-based Air is much lighter than our top pick, so if you’re a creative pro who uses minimal editing or computer-generated effects in your work, and you carry around your laptop a lot, the 1.4-pound difference might help save your back. The M3-based Air’s 15.3-inch display has a resolution of 2880×1864 and a brightness of 500 nits, so it’s bright enough for use outdoors. It nearly matches the MacBook Pro in color accuracy, and it charges on a much smaller power brick. Creative professionals tend to gravitate toward the MacBook Pro for obvious reasons, but Apple’s chips are now so good that you may not need to look any further than the MacBook Air.

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, how we picked, how we tested, our pick: apple macbook pro (16-inch, m3 pro), flaws but not dealbreakers, also great: dell xps 15 9530, budget pick: apple macbook air (m3, 2024, 15-inch), what to look forward to, the competition.

Dave Gershgorn has reviewed and covered technology since 2015 at publications such as Popular Science, Quartz, Medium, and now Wirecutter. He has also worked as a freelance photographer, with photos in outlets like The Wall Street Journal , The Journal News, and The Village Voice. Additionally, he was a news assistant in the New York Times photo department, mainly focusing on the Lens blog. He also took all the photos for this guide.

An editing laptop is essential for any videographer, photographer, or other media worker. These machines allow you to bring the power of a desktop computer (or most of it, at least) on-site to shoots, and they let you edit footage in any airport gate you might find yourself in.

For people who need as much power as they can possibly get on the road, we looked for laptops with features such as color-accurate displays, great battery life, the latest processors and graphics cards, and enough ports for you to plug in all your peripherals and SD cards.

If you edit photos or videos, or if you create illustrations that don’t demand ridiculously high resolutions, such as on social media, you don’t have to shell out for either of our top picks. The M2 MacBook Air, our budget pick, is powerful enough to handle any of those tasks (just a little slower) and can save you a bit of money. One of our favorite ultrabooks could also make for a tidy compromise if you prefer Windows and edit video only occasionally, or if you’re just getting started and don’t need a full professional setup.

Office-bound editors are likely to get better performance for the same price by buying or building a desktop PC. Such computers don’t need to manage battery life and can feed components far more power, and they also have more room for fans and heatsinks to keep components cool. And down the road, when your desktop computer ages, you’ll be able to upgrade it for less than it would cost to buy an entire new computer.

We have a high bar for video-editing laptops, since these machines need to contend with some of the most demanding professional workloads. Here’s how we choose which laptops to consider and test.

Performance:

• Processor: Also referred to as the CPU, the processor is the most important component of any editing laptop. Windows users have to choose between a processor from Intel or one from AMD. For Intel, we recommend the latest, 12th or 13th generation of the Core i7 chip. If you’re looking at AMD, seek out processors with the Ryzen 5000 or 6000 designation. And if you’re buying a Mac, choose a system that uses an M3 Pro or M3 Max, as those are Apple’s newest custom-built processors .
• Graphics card: Video editors and those who work in motion graphics should pay special attention to a system’s graphics card, or GPU. Since 2020, creative-software giant Adobe has worked to expand how GPUs can speed up editing tasks in its Premiere video-editing software , making exports up to five times faster than in previous versions of the software . Laptops with Nvidia’s latest RTX line of graphics cards have become cheaper and easier to find, so in our latest round we tested laptops with RTX 4000-series graphics. Even higher-end GPUs tend to ship in gaming laptops that are typically heavier, bulkier, and louder than the ultrabooks we consider for this guide.
• Memory: On both Windows and Mac laptops, we recommend a baseline 16 GB of RAM for photo and video work. However, if your projects contain dozens of gigabytes of video, you should upgrade to 32 GB.
• Storage: Most new laptops use fast NVMe drives, so you’re just shopping for how much storage you need. The smallest drive we recommend is 500 GB, but we suggest that option only if you’re already archiving video projects on external hard drives or a network-attached storage system. A 1 TB drive gives your system a bit more headroom and allows you to store a few more projects at a time.

Displays: For this round of testing, we looked for laptops with 15-inch or larger displays with a 4K resolution (or close to it). For our budget picks, we consider smaller, 13-inch displays as well.

Noise and heat: The more powerful a laptop is, the more heat its components typically generate. Some laptops we’ve tested have become so hot that they’ve literally burned our thighs when we’ve used them on our laps, so we prioritize those that stay cool under pressure. To deal with this heat, many laptops use fans, which in turn makes them noisy. We pay special attention to how loud each laptop gets under a heavy workload, but every Windows laptop we’ve tried generates some kind of fan noise.

Ports: We look for laptops with a variety of ports, but we also confirm that the connections are fast enough to handle huge media files. Thunderbolt 4 is the latest standard for USB-C ports and supports transfer speeds as high as 40 Gbps. We also check for SD card slots that support UHS-II, the modern standard.

Battery: Great battery life on a laptop feels like a superpower, and bad battery life feels like a curse. Many of the Windows laptops we’ve tested prioritize capable components and power-hungry displays at the expense of battery life. In contrast, this is where Apple laptops shine.

Size and weight: Photographers and videographers carry around enough weight in gear. We make sure to consider how heavy these laptops are, and we also check that they fit in a few different backpacks, testing the laptops in bags from Aer, Chrome Industries, Evergoods, Fjällräven, Tom Bihn, and Osprey, as well as a trusty Manfrotto camera backpack.

We run each laptop through a series of benchmarks and functional tests. After we run those benchmarks and functional tests three times, we calculate an average value for the final result. We also use each laptop for a few days to understand each machine’s strengths, shortcomings, and nuances.

To get a baseline understanding of each computer’s processing power, we first run the PCMark 10 and Geekbench 5 benchmarks on each laptop. Then we graduate to functional tests, which include exporting 4K and 1080p video in Adobe Premiere Pro. (For video pros: We export using the H.264 video standard, with two-pass variable bit rate encoding at a 50 Mbps target and maximum.) We also run graphics-intensive games on the laptops while we have them on our laps to get a sense of how much heat they would produce over long periods of time, and we take surface-temperature readings on our top picks with an infrared thermometer.

Our test for photo-editing performance relies on Photoshop’s Image Processor tool to measure how fast the CPU can rip through image transformations and color-space changes. To ensure realistic results, we use a set of 330 images that were taken on a Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera and include both JPEG and Canon RAW files.

We also transcode the movie Night of the Living Dead  using Handbrake’s default Fast 1080p30 preset. This is a small video file, but it gives us another data point to illustrate how each laptop deals with video encoding.

To test the display of each laptop, we use an X-Rite i1Basic Pro and an X-Rite OEM i1 Display colorimeter. With these devices we measure each screen’s color accuracy and contrast, as well as how many colors the screen can display, using customized tests in the Calman Ultimate 2021 color-calibration suite. This software was provided to Wirecutter by Portrait, the company that develops Calman.

Finally, to test battery life, we set each laptop to the same brightness (as measured by a Spyder 5 colorimeter) and run Wirecutter’s standard laptop and pro-tablet battery test. This test employs a custom Chrome extension that simulates web browsing and video playback. However, video editing takes a bit more horsepower than surfing the net, so keep in mind that those numbers are best used to compare the battery life of laptops in this guide against one another, rather than as a measure of how these systems would perform under a heavy workload.

When it comes to editing video on a laptop, there’s no competition for the Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro) , unless you pay thousands more. In our tests, Apple’s latest pro laptop was up to twice as fast as any Windows laptop we evaluated on editing, rendering, and exporting video. The MacBook Pro’s large, color-accurate display and quick processor made it easy for us to precisely tune still images, too.

The MacBook Pro is faster than the competition. The Pro exported a one-minute 4K video in 1 minute 25 seconds on average, in contrast with the Dell XPS 15’s average of 2 minutes 29 seconds. This result is also about 45 seconds faster than what we saw from the previous-generation MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro processor, and it is about two minutes faster than the original M1 Pro chip we tested. We tested two versions of the MacBook Pro, one with the M3 chip and another with the M3 Max, and given their relative performance and how Apple’s chips have performed in the past, we’re confident in recommending the mid-range M3 Pro processor. If price is no option, though, the M3 Max is wildly fast—up to three times faster than the M3 chip in some tasks and benchmarks.

It’s especially fast working with media. When converting a low-resolution movie with a run time of an hour and a half to another format (a process also known as transcoding), the MacBook Pro processed the file in 1 minute 15 seconds, finishing more than a minute faster than any other machine. This is a pretty short test, so we didn’t see as much improvement in this regard, but it’s still nice to see faster performance in comparison with other, non-Apple machines.

The MacBook Pro has an excellent display. It’s sharp, with great contrast, and it was generally pleasant to look at for extended periods of time. The table below shows how the MacBook Pro scored in our color-accuracy tests, including whether the grays it produced were tinted with color, and how true the colors were to real life. As usual, we found Apple’s displays to be stellar. Apple also has a tool to help calibrate the XDR displays on the MacBooks Pro, if you want to ensure the most precise color.

Color accuracy test results

Its screen is bright enough for editing in bright conditions. The MacBook Pro’s 500 nits of brightness means you’ll be able to see the screen clearly in sunny or bright conditions. But unlike previous iterations of the MacBook Pro, this model didn’t allow us to reach 1,000 nits of brightness from the normal screen-brightness controls. On both the 14-inch and 16-inch versions, we could get to only about 500 nits. This restriction reflects the 500-nit standard-definition brightness that Apple lists on its website , but the limitation still makes this laptop’s screen less bright than previous versions. The panel might hit 1,000 nits for HDR content, but we were unable to replicate that in our standard tests.

It has a decent webcam. The MacBook Pro’s webcam produced a sharp picture for video conferencing when we used it in good lighting situations—and even in lower-light situations, when we used only the light from the screen itself, the image quality was acceptable. The camera is housed in a black notch at the top of the display, a design that didn’t interfere much with our day-to-day use of the laptop.

The MacBook Pro runs cool. We also don’t have much to say about the MacBook Pro’s noise and heat, mainly because we didn’t notice much of either. The system stayed cool even during our export tests, making it easy for us to keep it on our laps even when the computer was doing heavy lifting. In this regard, the MacBook Pro had an advantage over every Windows laptop we tested, all of which became warm to the touch and turned on an audible fan when the processor was under a heavy editing load.

The MagSafe port is here to stay. Like the 2021 MacBook Pro, the 2023 models have a MagSafe charging port, an SD card reader, an HDMI port, and three USB-C ports, in addition to retaining the headphone jack. We like that USB-C ports occupy both sides of the laptop, which limits the possibility of a chunky cable blocking valuable port space. All of the USB-C ports on the MacBook Pro are Thunderbolt 4 enabled, which means you can charge your laptop, hook it up to external displays, and transfer data at the fastest speed available on either side of the laptop. However, it has no USB-A ports, and the 14-inch M3 model of the laptop doesn’t have a third USB-C port on the right side. If you’re frequently working with USB-C peripherals, especially ones that are bulky and block other ports, you’ll want to get a version with Pro or Max chips to get the third USB-C port.

The laptop has great battery life. In our battery test, which simulates web browsing and video playback at a standardized brightness across every device, the 16-inch MacBook Pro was again the top performer. It lasted about 15 hours, almost twice as long as the Dell XPS 9530. The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro lasted 13.5 hours in the same test.

It’s not the most portable laptop, but you can still easily travel with it. The MacBook Pro is large, but it still fits inside backpacks with ease. The size has allowed Apple to cram a 16.2-inch display into the machine, as well as a 100-watt-hour battery, the largest allowed on domestic flights in the United States. However, the 14-inch version has a smaller, 70-watt-hour battery, which mostly accounts for its slightly shorter battery life.

It’s essentially impossible to repair or replace components. Apple has soldered the processor, RAM, and storage to the computer’s motherboard. The inability to repair these parts shortens their lifespan.

The camera notch can be annoying. If an application has more than seven or eight menu tabs, the notch can block some of them. Apple has released a simple workaround, allowing you to switch certain apps to display their menu items below the menu bar.

There are no USB-A ports. That means older peripherals won’t work without a dongle. USB-C has been around for a while, however, and although it's a little annoying to fiddle with a dongle, we’ve found that few of our accessories still require the older cable.

It’s pretty heavy. The 16-inch MacBook Pro weighs 4.7 pounds without the charger or any additional accessories. If you’re tucking it into a Pelican case with other gear, that might not be a big deal, but the weight adds up in a backpack or bag. (The laptop actually weighs about the same as a standard brick . If you’re unsure about whether you can tolerate the weight, carrying around a brick in your backpack could be a fun test.) We’re recommending the 16-inch version of the laptop over the 14-inch model because it provides more real estate for video editing. But if weight is a concern for you, consider the smaller laptop.

If you specifically need a Windows laptop for media editing right now, or if you just don’t like Macs, we recommend the Dell XPS 15 9530 . It has a sharp, bright OLED screen, and it allows you to upgrade the RAM and storage. Dell also has published guides on how to replace most of the laptop’s components yourself.

It’s nearly as fast as the MacBook. The XPS 15 performed well on all of our real-world tests. It exported our test 4K video in just under two and a half minutes, more than a minute faster than last year’s models. When working with photos, its performance was above average, and it processed more than 300 images in just under seven minutes.

It’s also user-upgradable and repairable. We tested a version of the XPS 15 with an Intel Core i7-13700H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, and 32 GB of RAM. The replaceable components, such as the memory and storage, become readily accessible once you take off the laptop’s back plate. This kind of repairability, alongside Dell’s published repair guides, is to be applauded for the long-term value it adds to a laptop like this.

The display is fit for professional editing. The XPS 15’s 3.5K display is sharp, and thanks to its OLED technology it has an infinite contrast ratio . OLED displays can individually turn off pixels, rather than just dimming them, so the screen’s deepest blacks are created by a true absence of light. This display is fantastic, but for some reason Dell hides its potential behind a truly bad “Vivid” color profile hidden in the preinstalled MyDell software. Switch the display setting from “Vivid” to “Internet” and the laptop takes the display’s color inaccuracies from obvious to imperceptible to the human eye.

Our tests also confirmed that the XPS 15 can cover the entire sRGB color gamut and 99% of the DCI-P3 gamut, offering the most color-space coverage of any laptop we tested.

It has a great selection of ports, including an SD card reader. The XPS 15 9530 has two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, as well as a third USB-C port on the other side of the laptop that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2. The only other ports are an SD card reader and a headphone jack. If you’ve fully moved to USB-C accessories and peripherals and require only an SD card slot, this laptop has all the ports you need. But if you use niche tools such as colorimeters to calibrate your display, or even if you just have a favorite wired mouse , you still need a dongle for those USB-A attachments.

It’s easy to carry and has quality construction. We like how slim the XPS 15 feels to carry around, and it weighs about 4.2 pounds. The laptop’s keys have a nice, deep travel, and the trackpad is large and sensitive. These features, plus the display’s slim bezel, make the XPS 15 a pleasure to use.

The webcam could be better. The 9530’s camera embedded in its incredibly thin display bezels only has a resolution of 720p, while many laptops have upgraded to a 1080p camera. This isn’t too noticeable in good lighting conditions, but in darker rooms or at night the image is blurry and grainy.

The battery life is underwhelming. The XPS 15 lasted an average of 8 hours, which is shorter than the last-gen model. This is still enough for a day’s work away from an outlet, but keep in mind that under a heavy load the laptop will eat through its battery even quicker.

It runs a little hot. We noticed that the fans on the XPS 15 would start to turn on after a few minutes of stressing the GPU, which is a capable Nvidia GeForce RTX 430750 Ti. When we ran a game with the computer positioned on our laps to tax the computer’s CPU and GPU, we found the bottom of the laptop hotter than the previous generation. It’s not unbearably hot, but could be uncomfortable on your lap for an extended period of time. While we tested a version with the RTX 4070, the RTX 4060 option will give you most of the performance for $600 less.

The Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 15-inch) is a great laptop for editing photos and videos because it has a big screen with fantastic color accuracy, surprisingly nice speakers, and Apple’s capable M3 processor. Many photographers and video editors with simple workflows should consider buying this latest MacBook Air instead of a MacBook Pro to save money, as well as to save weight in their bag. In our testing, we found editing on the M3 Air to be nearly as fast as on our top pick, which is much pricier.

It’s best for lighter workloads. Our top pick, the 16-inch MacBook Pro, is better for video and photo editors in many ways, since it runs significantly faster, has a higher-resolution screen, and offers far more ports. On the other hand, the MacBook Air is 1.4 pounds lighter, which might be a bonus for some people who need to carry a lighter backpack. It also edits 4K video nearly as quickly as our Windows pick does, taking 2 minutes 51 seconds on average in our tests, compared with the Dell XPS 15’s 2 minutes 29 seconds. For students, 1080p video editors, and photographers, the MacBook Air is up to the task. If you’re editing hundreds of gigabytes of 4K footage, however, choose the MacBook Pro.

It has a professionally accurate display. The 15-inch M3 MacBook Air also has a fantastic screen for media work, with a 2880×1864 resolution and 500 nits of brightness. It’s nearly as color-accurate as the MacBook Pro, though it covers only about 80% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and lacks the HDR capabilities of the XDR display.

Be sure to get extra RAM. The budget configuration we recommend prioritizes 16 GB of RAM over Apple’s very expensive storage, which costs $200 to add 256 GB. You’re likely to be using high-speed external solid-state drives for storage anyway, so we recommend using the laptop’s internal storage for applications and documents and storing everything else on your external working drives.

If you’d like to read more about the 15-inch MacBook Air, check out our guide to the best MacBooks .

Acer, Asus, Lenovo, Samsung and other manufacturers are releasing an onslaught of new Windows laptops powered by Intel’s new Core Ultra chips, which have a new Neural Processing Unit (or NPU) that handles AI processing tasks like image recognition and audio processing. We’ll adapt our tests to measure the efficacy of this new technology in the coming months. We got to see a few of the new laptops in action at CES.

The Acer Swift X 14 has Intel’s new Core Ultra processors and up to a RTX 4070 graphics card. It also has a 2.8K OLED display, and though it’s a little smaller than we’d like, it’s priced at $1,400, so we’ll need to test it out to see if it can be our new budget pick. It will be available in February, according to Acer.

Dell has relaunched its XPS line , which we recommended for years in the past, and will now be making the $1,300 XPS 13, $1,700 XPS 14, and $1,900 XPS 16. The laptops will be released in Q1 2024, and they’ll have the new Intel Core Ultra chips and up to the Nvidia RTX 4050. We’re hoping the new design keeps most of what we already like about the XPS laptops.

The MSI Creator 16 AI Studio can be configured with the latest and fastest components, including Intel’s new Core Ultra line and Nvidia’s RTX 4090. It also has a 4K OLED screen with 120 Hz refresh rate. But this makes it very expensive, starting from $3,000 and topping out at $4,000, based on the configuration. We’re also looking forward to seeing how hot this laptop gets and how long it lasts on a charge–all of these powerful components typically need a lot of energy.

Lenovo’s Yoga Pro 9i and Samsung’s Galaxy Book 4 Ultra are also strong contenders with many of the same specs as the competition: They also have the Intel Core Ultra series processors, up to Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics cards, plus similar high-resolution displays. The Yoga Pro 9i will be available starting in April and start at $1,700, and Samsung hasn’t released availability for the Galaxy Book 4 Ultra outside of Korea.

Apple MacBook Air (M2, 13-inch) : This laptop is great for many people, but not for photo or video editors. The smaller screen is too cramped for comfortable editing, and we found that the 13-inch version of the M2 MacBook Air got uncomfortably hot during long editing tasks.

Apple MacBook Pro (M3, 14-inch) : Compared with Apple’s other laptops, its entry-level MacBook Pro (M3) is too expensive, even to be a budget pick. Creative professionals who buy a MacBook Pro with the M3 chip will be underwhelmed by its performance compared with Apple’s M3 Pro chip. And typical consumers don’t need the main reason to upgrade: the XDR display with 120 Hz ProMotion. In terms of displays, Apple’s MacBook Air displays already offer 500 nits of brightness (compared with 600 nits on the MacBook Pro), they’re about as color accurate, and most people won’t notice a lack of HDR support. The M3 MacBook Pro is also about a pound heavier than our budget pick, the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 : The $2,000 Surface Laptop Studio 2’s main differentiator is its hinged screen, which allows for the bottom of the touchscreen display to pop away from the laptop and tent over the keyboard and trackpad in two different orientations. Whether this is useful is completely based on preference, but we couldn’t find any obvious or universal benefits for photo or video editors. The screen is also just a bit too heavy for the laptop’s hinge, when you pick up the laptop when it's open, the screen flops back under its own weight. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is powerful and quiet, but the Dell XPS 15 we recommend is better in most ways. The Dell can be configured with a higher-resolution and more accurate display, it exported our 4K videos about 30 seconds faster than the Surface Laptop Studio 2, and it’s far more repairable. It’s also about $1,000 cheaper.

Acer Swift X : We like the power and battery life of the Acer Swift X, but we can’t recommend it due to its 1080p screen. If you need a small and powerful laptop with the Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics but use only external monitors for your editing work, you might want to consider the Swift X. Note that the charging jack is flimsy, and we question how long it would last before breaking.

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE : In testing the Predator Triton 300 SE, we found that it was hotter and louder than the competition, with worse editing performance. Its screen also has a lower resolution than that of our similarly priced budget pick, the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air. It’s a great budget gaming laptop , but it’s not the best choice for media editors.

Dell Latitude , Precision , and Alienware lines: Dell laptops outside the XPS line generally don’t meet our minimum specifications for media-editing machines, especially when it comes to display resolution. Most of the laptops that Dell offers don’t have resolutions higher than 1440p, which is low when you’re spending $2,000 or more for an editing laptop.

Razer Blade : We considered Razer’s line of gaming laptops, which offer high-end components and a sleek design. But when we tried configuring one for media-editing tasks, certain upgrades such as a 4K display brought the total to more than $1,000 beyond the price of our top pick.

The latest version of this article was edited by Arthur Gies and Caitlin McGarry.

Meet your guide

Dave Gershgorn

Dave Gershgorn is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He’s been covering consumer and enterprise technology since 2015, and he just can’t stop buying computers. If this weren’t his job, it would likely be a problem.

Further reading

The Best Laptops

by Kimber Streams and Dave Gershgorn

From budget-friendly options to thin-and-light ultrabooks to powerful gaming laptops, we’ve spent hundreds of hours finding the best laptops for most people.

The Best Laptops for College Students

by Kimber Streams

Of all the laptops we recommend, these offer the best balance of performance and a low price—and that makes them our favorite laptops for college students.

Wirecutter Picks to Help Boost Productivity When Working From Home

by Wirecutter Staff

Streamline your home-office setup, get your desk organized, and find new ways to focus (noise-cancelling headphones for the win) with these picks.

How to Shop for a Used Laptop or Desktop PC

by Kimber Streams and Andrew Cunningham

Major stores and manufacturers sell refurbished, refreshed, and used laptops and desktops that sometimes perform as well as new ones, but for much lower prices.

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Best Travel Laptops For Video Editing

Video editing while traveling presents unique challenges that demand a powerful, yet portable solution. The perfect travel laptop for video editing combines high-performance specs with durable, travel-friendly design features. This article explores the critical factors to consider when choosing a laptop for video editing on the go, helping you make an informed decision that balances power, functionality, and portability.

Challenges of Video Editing While Traveling

Limited Power Supply: Access to power sources can be sporadic when traveling. Video editing is power-intensive, and a good travel laptop must have a long-lasting battery.

Environmental Factors: Travel often involves working in less-than-ideal conditions such as poor lighting or cramped spaces. A suitable laptop should offer a bright, high-resolution display and a compact form factor without sacrificing usability.

Need for High Performance in Compact Designs: Combining the processing power required for video editing with a design light enough for travel is challenging. The best laptops manage this without overheating or slowing down under heavy loads.

What to Look for in a Great Video Editing Laptop

Processor Power: Look for the latest generation CPUs capable of handling complex video editing tasks quickly.

RAM and Storage: Aim for at least 16GB of RAM. Solid State Drives (SSDs) offer faster data access speeds and are more reliable than HDDs, which is crucial for accessing large video files.

Graphics Card: A dedicated graphics card with substantial VRAM is vital for rendering videos efficiently.

Display Quality: The screen should be at least Full HD with good color accuracy, particularly if you work with color grading.

Battery Life: Opt for laptops that offer more than just a few hours of battery life under heavy use to avoid being tethered to a power outlet.

Compromises and Must-Haves

What Can Be Compromised:

• Size and weight can be adjusted slightly for better performance.
• If necessary, external storage can supplement smaller SSD sizes.

What Should Not Be Compromised:

• CPU and GPU capabilities should never be skimped on if serious video editing is a priority.
• Screen quality must remain high to ensure precise editing work.

Balancing Performance with Portability: The key is finding a laptop that doesn’t sacrifice performance for form factor, maintaining a balance that suits your specific editing and travel needs.

Additional Considerations

Cooling Systems: Effective cooling is crucial to prevent throttling under heavy loads.

Port Options and Connectivity: Adequate USB, Thunderbolt, and display ports will define how well a laptop integrates into your existing workflow.

Durability and Build Quality: A robust build is essential for withstanding the rigors of travel.

Table of Contents

Review of Top Travel Laptops for Video Editing

In this section, we’ll delve into the specifics of each recommended laptop, detailing their specifications, advantages, and disadvantages for travel and video editing. The goal is to highlight what makes each unique and determine an overall winner for the best travel laptop for video editors.

Apple 2024 MacBook Air with M3 Chip : Our Top Choice for a High-Performance, Ultra-Portable Laptop

Why We Love It:

The Apple 2024 MacBook Air , equipped with the new M3 chip, exemplifies cutting-edge technology and design, making it our top choice for a travel-friendly, high-performance laptop. This MacBook Air features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display that offers stunning visuals with support for 1 billion colors, making it ideal for high-definition video editing and content creation. The integration of the Apple M3 chip with an 8-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU ensures swift and efficient processing for even the most demanding tasks.

• Advanced Processor: The Apple M3 chip provides a significant performance boost, ideal for multitasking and intensive applications like video editing.
• Stunning Display: The Liquid Retina display delivers vibrant colors and incredible clarity, enhancing the user experience for both professional and personal use.
• Exceptional Portability: Weighing just 2.7 pounds and measuring only 0.44 inches in thickness, it’s exceptionally lightweight and easy to carry.
• Long Battery Life: Offers up to 18 hours of battery life, allowing for extended work sessions without the need for constant recharging.
• Robust Build and Security Features: Includes a backlit keyboard, Touch ID for secure authentication, and a sleek design in the new ‘Midnight’ color.
• Integrated Graphics: While the up to 10-core GPU is powerful, it’s still integrated, which may not satisfy all professional graphics requirements compared to dedicated GPUs.
• Price: As with most Apple products, the MacBook Air is priced at a premium, potentially placing it out of reach for budget-conscious consumers.
• Limited Port Selection: The inclusion of only two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports may require users to invest in additional adapters for connectivity.

The Apple 2024 MacBook Air with the M3 chip is an outstanding laptop that combines performance, portability, and a top-tier display into one sleek package. It’s our top choice for professionals and creatives who need a reliable, high-performing machine for video editing, graphic design, and more while on the go. Despite its higher price point and some limitations in graphics and connectivity, the benefits of its design, battery life, and overall user experience make it a standout option in the ultra-portable laptop market.

Dell XPS 15 7590

The Dell XPS 15 7590 is a robust choice for travel video editors, offering a powerful combination of performance, portability, and impressive display quality. It features a 15.6-inch 4K UHD InfinityEdge touch display that is both anti-reflective and color accurate (100% Adobe RGB), making it ideal for high-resolution video editing on the go. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card with 4GB GDDR5 provides substantial power for handling most video editing software needs without lag.

• High-Resolution Display: The 4K UHD screen is perfect for precise video editing, providing vibrant colors and sharp details.
• Powerful Processor: Equipped with a 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H processor, it handles multitasking and demanding video editing tasks efficiently.
• Ample Storage and Fast Memory: Comes with a 1TB PCIe SSD and 16GB DDR4 RAM, offering plenty of storage and quick access to your files and programs.
• Portability: Weighing just 5.5 pounds and measuring 0.67 inches in thickness, it is relatively easy to carry around, making it a good option for editors on the move.
• Connectivity Options: Includes multiple ports such as Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, and an SD card reader, enhancing its versatility.
• Battery Life: While it has a 6-cell 97Whr battery, intensive tasks like video editing can drain the battery quickly, which might be a concern for travel without frequent charging opportunities.
• Price: At around $1,574.36, it is on the pricier side, which might not fit everyone’s budget.
• Heat Management: Under heavy load, such as during long editing sessions, the laptop can get notably warm, potentially affecting performance and comfort.

The Dell XPS 15 7590 stands out as an excellent laptop for travel video editing due to its high-quality display, strong performance capabilities, and portable design. While it does come with a high price tag and some potential issues with battery life and heat, the overall benefits make it a compelling choice for professionals who need a reliable editing workstation on the go. Its drawbacks are common in powerful laptops but do not overwhelmingly detract from its significant advantages for video editing tasks.

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is highly regarded among travel laptops for video editing, thanks to its compact size, exceptional performance, and specialized features. With a 14-inch 144Hz Full HD IPS display that offers PANTONE validation and 100% sRGB color accuracy, it delivers vivid visuals essential for precise video editing. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor and equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, it manages demanding editing software and graphics-intensive tasks seamlessly.

• Performance: The 8-core Ryzen 9 processor and NVIDIA RTX 3060 make it powerful enough to handle complex video editing tasks without a hitch.
• Display Quality: The high refresh rate and color accuracy of the display ensure smooth playback and true-to-life colors, which are crucial for editing.
• Portability: Weighing just 3.64 lbs and measuring 0.7 inches thin, it’s incredibly lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for editors on the move.
• Advanced Sound: Equipped with Dolby Atmos and Smart AMP Technology, it offers superior audio, enhancing the editing experience.
• Fast Memory and Storage: Comes with 16GB of DDR4-3200 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, providing ample speed and storage for large video files and multitasking.
• Battery Life: While portable, its battery life may drain quickly under heavy use, which is a common trade-off in powerful laptops.
• Screen Size: Some users might find the 14-inch screen size smaller than preferable for detailed video editing tasks.
• Heat Management: Like many high-performance laptops, it can become warm under intensive operations, potentially affecting comfort and performance over long sessions.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is an excellent travel laptop for video editors who need a powerful, portable, and professional-grade editing tool. It strikes a balance between performance and mobility, with a focus on high-quality visuals and audio. Despite some limitations like battery life and heat management, its benefits significantly outweigh these drawbacks, making it a top choice for video editors who often work on the go.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 stands out as a unique convertible laptop designed for professionals who require versatility and power. It features a 14.4-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 2400 x 1600, providing sharp, vibrant visuals ideal for video editing. The floating slider design allows for easy transition between laptop, tablet, and studio modes, catering to different work styles. Powered by the Intel Core i7-13700H processor from the 13th generation, it is well-suited for intensive tasks such as video editing, graphic design, and more.

• Versatile Design: The innovative floating slider design enables multiple usage modes, making it adaptable for various editing environments.
• Powerful Processor: The 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor ensures robust performance, particularly with its 14 cores, capable of handling demanding applications.
• High-Quality Display: The high-resolution touchscreen is not only ideal for detailed video work but also supports intuitive touch interactions, enhancing workflow.
• Lightweight and Portable: Weighing just under 3 pounds, it is one of the lightest in its class, making it exceptionally portable for travel.
• Memory and Storage: Equipped with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD, it offers ample space and speed for video editing projects.
• Integrated Graphics: Unlike some competitors with dedicated graphics, it uses integrated Intel HD Graphics 520, which may not handle highly intensive graphics tasks as effectively.
• Limited Storage: With only 512 GB of storage, some users might find it insufficient for storing large video files and may need external storage solutions.
• Price: Priced at around $1,529, it is a significant investment, although it offers value through its unique features and performance.

Conclusion:

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a top-tier choice for video editors seeking a portable, versatile laptop with a strong focus on touch interaction and high performance. Its unique convertible design and powerful internals make it particularly suitable for creative professionals who value flexibility in their workflow. While the integrated graphics and storage capacity could be limitations for some, these are manageable with the right setup and external accessories. Overall, it is a compelling option for those who need a mobile workstation that adapours to various needs and settings.

HP Spectre X360 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop

The HP Spectre X360 is an exceptional 2-in-1 laptop that excels in versatility and performance, making it a fantastic choice for video editors who need flexibility and power in their workflow. It features a stunning 16-inch 3K+ touchscreen display with anti-reflection Corning Gorilla Glass, providing both durability and superb visual clarity. The Intel Core i7-12700H processor, part of the Intel Evo platform, offers efficient multitasking capabilities and robust processing power, essential for handling demanding video editing tasks.

• Powerful Performance: The 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, combined with Intel Iris Xe Graphics, delivers excellent speed and responsiveness for video editing software.
• Large High-Resolution Display: The 3K+ touchscreen is perfect for detailed editing, providing crisp visuals and vibrant colors, with the convenience of touch input.
• Ample Storage and RAM: Comes with a massive 2TB SSD for extensive storage of video projects and 16GB of RAM for smooth multitasking.
• Extended Battery Life: Offers an impressive average battery life of up to 17 hours, which is ideal for long editing sessions or travel.
• Connectivity and Accessories: Includes multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1, and comes with an HP Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen, enhancing its versatility for creative tasks.
• Weight: At 4.45 pounds, it’s slightly heavier than some ultraportables, which might be a consideration for those who prioritize ultra-lightweight devices.
• Integrated Graphics: While the Intel Iris Xe Graphics are capable, they might not meet the demands of extremely graphics-intensive tasks compared to dedicated GPUs.
• Price: Priced at $1,329.99, it’s relatively affordable for its feature set but still represents a significant investment.

The HP Spectre X360 is a top choice for video editors looking for a blend of performance, versatility, and portability. Its robust processing capabilities, stunning display, and useful features like the tilt pen and extensive connectivity make it highly suitable for professional video editing. While it has a few drawbacks such as weight and reliance on integrated graphics, its pros heavily outweigh the cons, offering great value for those needing a powerful and adaptable editing tool.

Choosing the right travel laptop for video editing is about balancing the heavy demands of video editing software with the realities of mobile use. By prioritizing critical features and understanding potential compromises, you can select a laptop that will be a reliable partner in your creative endeavors, wherever they may take you.

Frequently Asked Questions on Travel Laptops for Video Editing

What is the best processor for a travel laptop used for video editing.

Answer: For video editing, you’ll want a laptop with a powerful processor. Intel Core i7 or i9, or AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 series are ideal choices. Apple’s M1 Pro or M1 Max chips are also excellent for video editing, especially if you’re using software optimized for macOS like Final Cut Pro.

How much RAM do I need for effective video editing while traveling?

Answer: For smooth operation, especially with high-resolution video files, aim for at least 16GB of RAM. If you work with 4K or higher resolution videos, or if you handle complex projects with many effects and layers, 32GB or more is advisable.

Is a dedicated graphics card necessary for a travel video editing laptop?

Answer: Yes, a dedicated graphics card (GPU) is crucial for video editing as it accelerates rendering and playback. Look for laptops with NVIDIA GeForce RTX or GTX series cards, or AMD Radeon series. Apple laptops with M1 Pro or M1 Max also have powerful integrated GPUs suitable for video editing.

What display qualities should I look for in a travel laptop for video editing?

Answer: A high-resolution display (at least Full HD, preferably 4K) with good color accuracy is essential. Look for features like a high color gamut (Adobe RGB, sRGB) and HDR support, which help in precise color grading.

How important is battery life for a travel laptop used in video editing?

Answer: Very important. Video editing can drain a battery quickly, so look for laptops that offer a long battery life of at least 8 hours. However, actual battery performance can vary based on the workload, so also consider carrying a portable charger or power bank.

What should I consider in terms of laptop weight and size for travel?

Answer: Balance is key. While you want something light and portable, it shouldn’t sacrifice necessary performance features. Laptops around 4 pounds are generally a good compromise between power and portability.

Can I use an external hard drive if my laptop doesn’t have enough storage?

Answer: Absolutely. While having a larger internal SSD is preferable for speed, external SSDs are a viable solution for expanding storage without sacrificing much in performance, especially with USB-C or Thunderbolt connections.

Do I need special ports on a travel laptop for video editing?

Answer: Yes, having multiple USB-C or Thunderbolt ports is beneficial for connecting external drives and additional displays. HDMI or DisplayPort are also useful for outputting video to external monitors for more precise editing.

Is cooling performance a concern for travel laptops used in video editing?

Answer: Yes, video editing can put significant stress on a laptop’s CPU and GPU, causing them to heat up. A laptop with good thermal management prevents throttling and maintains consistent performance, especially important when editing for long periods.

Should I choose a Windows laptop or a MacBook for travel video editing?

Answer: This largely depends on your preference and specific software needs. MacBooks with Apple silicon are highly efficient and powerful for applications like Final Cut Pro. Windows laptops offer more variety and are generally preferred if you rely on Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. Consider which software you are more comfortable with and whether specific features are tied to one platform.

These FAQs aim to cover the breadth of concerns that a video editor might have when choosing a laptop for travel, providing you with informed answers that guide your purchasing decisions.

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The quick list 1. Best overall 2. Best on a budget 3. Best for 4K 4. Best portable 5. Best mid-range 6. Best for gaming 7. Best mobile workstation 8. Best for beginners

The best video editing laptops help you stay creative in the home, office, studio, and wherever inspiration strikes. We tested out top models from Apple , HP , Dell , and more to see which are the best portable choices for video editors. 

Our team of reviewers have tested a range of creativity-focused machines from the best laptops for photo editing to graphic design. So, when it comes to video editing laptops , we know what to look out for and what to avoid. When it comes to editing videos on laptop, results will vary. Most laptops lack the color-accurate screens and aren't build for the sort of high-performance required to run the best video editing software . 

If you don't want to disrupt the workflow on your latest project, a dedicated laptop for video editing is essential. Bare minimum specs for a video editing laptop should be an Intel i5 or equivalent AMD Ryzen, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD. If you can get more, do it. A 1080p display will be fine for small online videos, but a 4K with 100% DCI-P3 color space is best for most video projects, so your last cut matches your final export. But where do you start?

During our test and review process, we benchmarked performance, compared speed, specs, design, dimensions, and checkied display color coverage across a range of professional and budget video editing laptops. 

Building an editing bay? We tested out the best video editing PCs and best monitors for video editing for picture-perfect edits.

The quick list

Best overall

An incredibly powerful laptop with an impressive screen and a battery life that beats all others, this is the best laptop to get for video editing.

Read more below

Best on a budget

Though a 2-in-1, this is an affordable yet powerful and versatile alternative to the MacBook Air if you prefer a Windows laptop for video editing.

Best for 4K

One of the slickest and sleekest 17-inch laptops around, it also boast a stunner of a 500-nit 4K display and a battery life to last you all day.

Best portable

If you want a powerful laptop that feels like air in your pack, this aptly-named thin and light laptop is the way to go. It's fairly affordable as well.

Best mid-range 

With its gorgeous 16-inch 4K OLED screen and powerful specs, this affordable Windows option is a solid one for content creation.

Best for gaming

Elegant, lightweight, and with a fantastic 1440p screen, this powerful thin and light laptop remains a compelling choice despite its steep price tag.

Load the next products...

Best mobile workstation

If you prefer to stay tethered to your desk, this is mobile workstation won't compromise on power and and video editing performance. 

Best for beginners

If you're just starting your video editing journey, the older M1-powered Apple MacBook Air is a great companion. A powerful performer that's not as expensive as other MacBook laptops.  

Recent updates

While our rankings have remained largely the same in this update, we've switched out older versions of the Apple MacBook Pro, Dell XPS 17, and Razer Blade 14 and included our reviews for the latest models. We've also added a new category - 'best video editing laptop for beginners', which is the powerful but affordable (and slightly older) MacBook Air M1. 

Best video editing laptop overall 2024

1. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Max

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Apple MacBook Pro M3 Max is our best video editing laptop overall, thanks to a fast performance and a vivid screen wrapped in a highly portable aluminum chassis. 

Popular across the creative community, MacBook Pros have long been our top choice for best video editing laptops - and the latest M3-powered models are, frankly, in a class of their own. If you want absolute performance here, opt for the M3 Max CPU - it works hard and plays hard. 

That's because, in a sense, we found the 14in MacBook Pro M3 Max to effectively be a Mac gaming rig. It's fast, powerful, never skips a beat - performance was flawless during our time with the machine. Capable of playing triple-A games without issue, it's more than capable of running high-end video editing software. During our tests, we ran 4K 30fps video and 4K 24fps ProRes HDR content in Final Cut Pro, and found it extremely easy to edit the footage. Better still, the laptop still has - for now at least - a 3.5mm audio jack, making it ideal for video content creators. 

The classic Apple aesthetic remains, solidly built and beautiful from every angle. We've picked the 14in model here for its overall portability and power for the price. A 16in version is available if you need a larger screen for your video projects (sadly, Apple has discontinued the 13in in the M3 line-up). The only real downside, beyond the fans getting noisy under heavier workloads, is the  high price. Like most Apple products, the MacBook Pro 14-in M3 Max is an investment for video editors.

Read our full Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Max (2023) review

• ^ Back to top

Best budget laptop for video editing

2. HP Envy x360

If you're looking for the best laptop for video editing on a budget, the HP Envy x360 is a good choice. When you edit video while on the go a "convertible laptop" or 2-in-1 laptop can be handy to boost your creative process. You can use it as a tablet for previewing your source material or exploring transitions with the touch screen, then the next minute load up your complex non-linear video editor and use it with the keyboard. 

After testing out the HP Envy, we can confidently state that its 15.6-inch, full HD 1080P WLED display looks gorgeous and is more than adequate for video editing on the go. If need be, you can connect it to an external monitor or large screen TV via its HDMI or DisplayPort via USB-C. While this isn't a 4K 17-inch screen laptop replacement, what you lose by not having an extra-large display and 4K resolution you make up for when it comes to battery life.

Packed inside is an eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 5700U with Vega graphics, a speedy CPU that makes up for the lack of a discrete GPU. In our tests, the Ryzen 7 5500U racked up impressive benchmark scores. It held its own against the more expensive 2-in-1's running an Intel Core i7-1165G7. The Envy x360 15 also made short work of our Blender benchmarks, rendering in less than half the time of the ThinkBook 14s Yoga. Based on that, the Envy x360 15 is a good option for creatives working to a budget.

For an alternative budget laptop, we'd recommend looking for an M1 MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. You can pick up models with the older chipset at cheaper prices now and they're still creative powerhouses for video editing.  

Read our full HP Envy x360 review

Best 4K video editing laptop

3. Dell XPS 17 (9730)

Big and bold, with a vibrant display, discrete GPU, and outstanding performance, the XPS 17 is a top contender for best video editing laptop overall - especially if you prefer using Windows. But what really sets this apart is that glorious 4K UHD+ display for impressive detail. 

With a 16:10 aspect ratio, the IPS panel boasts some impressive specs for editors looking for a laptop with color accuracy. There's the 0.24 Delta-E, and color spaces are well-represented with 188.8% sRGB and 133.7% DCI-P3. It's a sleek machine, chassis beautifully designed in machined aluminum and keyboard surrounded by a carbon fiber that will be very comfortable during those long editing projects.

It's not perfect. The XPS 17 is large, heavy (5.37 lbs / 2.44 kg), and the battery life isn't the best - we clocked it at just over nine hours. So, it's not one you want to lug around too often, And for the premium price, we expect more than the mediocre 720p webcam. It is brighter than a lot of laptops for video editing, but at around 500nits, it's not by much. With the right content, the MacBook Pro can hit 1600nits. 

But when even the base configuration (FHD non-touch screen, Intel i7, 16GB RAM) will give you enough power for basic projects, it's difficult not to be impressed with the laptop's performance for video editing.

Read our full Dell XPS 17 review  

Best laptop for video editing on the go

4. Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Plenty of the best laptops for video editing are extremely portable - but at 2.7 lb / 1.24kg, the MacBook Air offers a potent mix of portability and performance that others, like the HP Spectre x360, can't quite match. 

But then, this is a laptop that's been designed for on-the-go video editors, photographers, and designers. It's sleek, slim, beautiful to look at - and small enough to slide into your bag and carry with you just about everywhere. There will be trade-offs for such a compact laptop. Chiefly, the screen size, which is just 13.6in with a resolution of 2560x1664. If you need a broad canvas to edit video, this laptop isn't for you. 

If that's not a concern, the performance of the MacBook Air M2 is a delight. In our own tests, we edited 4K movies with ease, and the laptop remained almost entirely silent throughout operation. However, we will say, that for professional-grade video editing work, we'd recommend opting for one of the upgraded models over the base configuration, which will bump up the price. If you’re on a budget but don't want to skimp on performance, the older MacBook Air M1 is still a great video editing laptop for the price.  

Read our full Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022) review  

Best mid-range video editing laptop

5. HP Envy 16

Looking for a mid-range Windows laptop for video editing? Designed for video editing, photo editing, even game development, the HP Envy 16 is suitably powerful for the price. 

The laptop's performance for creative tasks proved excellent in our tests. We ran Premiere Pro and Photoshop , and had no issues with either, even with high-resolution media and multiple layers. So long as you're not planning on doing heavy triple-A gaming on the side, you'll have no problems running creative software on the machine. 

The display can make or break a video editing laptop - and there's no complaints here. The Envy 16 features a 16:10 4K panel that boasts 100% sRGB, 100% Adobe RGB, and a low Delta E for color accuracy.  No DCI-P3, which is typically used in video editing, but it shouldn't affect most general workflows. 

We did find that the battery life wasn't great - in our benchmark test, it lasted almost 6.5 hours, and it'll be less if you're editing a lot of complex videos. And it's not the coolest or quietest video editing laptop we've tried. But for an all-rounder with that's not quite budget and not quite premium, we found the HP Envy 16 ideal. 

Read our full HP Envy 16 review  

Best laptop for video editing and gaming

6. Razer Blade 14

A lot of gaming laptops are good for video editing, since they're focused on high performance and graphic fidelity. And the Razer Blade 14 is our pick of the bunch of you want to a machine for work and play. 

It's a thin, lightweight, speedy laptop that packs a lot more power than you might expect. In our tests, it easily, and surprisingly, came close to matching the performances of the more powerful Legion 7i Pro and ROG Zephyrus M16. When it comes to creative tasks, the Blade 14 scored well across our 25GB File Copy, Handbrake, and CrossMark tests. So, you'll have no issues running Premiere Pro here. 

That's not the only reason we like this laptop for video editing. The 16:10 screen, though a compact 14 inches, is a sharp QHD+, with a detailed resolution 2560x1600. Better still, it boasts 100% DCI-P3 color space coverage, which is essential for many video projects. Elsewhere, we were impressed with the audio quality of the dual speakers (and yes, there's a 3.5mm audio jack for wired headphones).  

Battery life isn't particularly good, and although it's slated to last 10 hours, we could only squeeze about 8 hours out of it. And that's for basic use like emails, web browsing, office apps. Expect around four hours if you're editing footage, playing games, or streaming movies. There's otherwise plenty to love about this laptop. 

Read our full Razer Blade 14 review  

Best mobile workstation for video editing

7. Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Mobile Workstation

Lenovo’s ThinkPad P17 Mobile Workstation may not be the best choice if you just want to grab your laptop and work in the coffee shop for a couple of hours. But if you need to setup and get some serious creative work done, this mobile workstation easily handles everything from video editing to 3D modeling.

Strong, sturdy, and a powerhouse under the hood, it’s not the fastest on the block, but it is fast enough. Our Lenovo ThinkPad P16 featured an i9 2.30GHz CPU, an Nvidia RTX A5500 GPU, and 64GB RAM that can be swapped out - more than enough for video projects. The 16-inch multi-touch display shows a resolution of 3840x2400. 2TB of storage should easily see most editors through the next project. 

During our PCMark testing, the P16 scored 7651 on the extended test, meaning that compared to other portable workstations, it stacks up well -  not the absolute fastest, but close. The focus here is on raw under-the-hood power. Little wonder we ranked this as one of the best laptops for video editing, photo editing, and just about any other creative task you need to power through. 

Read our full Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Mobile Workstation review

Best video editing laptop for beginners

8. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

It may be several years old now, but the MacBook Air M1 remains one of the best laptop for video editing. This is a good pick if you're looking for an entry-level machine. It might not be as powerful as Apple's newer M2-powered machine, but as an older model, it's now cheaper than the current Apple line-up.

Performance, in our tests, were excellent, coming close to matching the benchmark test results of the better-specced MacBook Pro M1 (another great video editing laptop option). Although Apple says the MacBook Air M1 can handle up to 4K video editing, we actually tried editing videos in 8K using Final Cut Pro. Happily, the laptop did a fantastic job here. 

As you'd expect with Apple devices, the screen is a vibrant delight, with a crisp 2560x1600 resolution and True Tone technology to match the ambient light of your surroundings. It's not the brightest (just 400nits), but acceptable if you're just starting out. And we especially appreciated the video editor-friendly 100% DCI-P3 color coverage.

Bonus points, too, for that extra-long battery life and near-silent operation thanks to its fanless design. We do have concerns about how the laptop handles excessive heat without the fan, with the potential to throttle performance of resource-intensive video editing software, although we can't say we experienced any issues during our review process, and it likely won't be a concern if you're a beginner.  

Read our full Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) review

How to choose the best video editing laptop for you

When choosing which video editing laptop is best, there are several factors to take into account. As we said before, it's not simply a case that the most expensive, most powerful will be right for post-production. In general, those in the creative industries prefer Apple devices - which is why the Apple MacBook Pro 16" is highly rated - but you'll find plenty of top Windows laptops for video editing. Check your preferred software to see what operating systems are supported. 

Most video editing software depends on the CPU - it keeps the engine driving as the speeds top video editors are most comfortable. so opt for the best CPU in your budget. 

Video editing apps are also heavyweight in terms of memory usage, so look for laptops with the best RAM . To work with heavyweight video editors like Adobe Premiere Pro you will need 16GB of RAM to plod away comfortably, although technically it can run with just 8GB. 

A fast GPU will also help once you get past simple chopping up footage and start adding transitions, overlays and other fancy effects. Finding the best GPU used to be less important, but it's becoming more popular especially for creatives working with specific video editors, the best VFX software , and best 3D modeling software .

The operating system should have a rather large solid state disk so both it and applications load and run quickly with plenty of scratch space. Ultimately though, it will be the resolution of your video production which will steer you towards your final system requirements, with screen size being one of the most important.  

In general, if your video production is full HD or 1080p, any laptop will be adequate. However, once you move to 2K or higher, you will prefer a "higher than Full HD" screen resolution on your system, we're talking QHD and UHD for working with 2K and 4K video, respectively. For professionals, it's recommended to look for color accurate panels. These screens produce a superior color accuracy, so the images on the display perfectly match the final export - whether it's for the big screen or the small screen.

Other good factors to consider are choosing a device that is expandable (so that you can add more memory or an additional SSD if necessary), one that comes with next business day warranty (or at least offers it as an option) and a device that features ample connectivity as users are likely to transfer files via any of the best cloud storage services or through external storage like the best portable SSDs . 

Best video editing laptop: FAQs

What specs does my video editing laptop need.

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Is Mac or PC better for video editing?

Generally, Macs and MacBooks are considered the best laptops for video editing. Popular across the creative industry - and a mainstay of many an editing bay - MacBooks boast incredible screen technology, color accuracy, and blisteringly fast performance speeds. All of which make most of the laptop line-up - from MacBook Air to the MacBook Pro - suitable for editing videos. 

But that's not to say you can't use a Windows laptop for video editing, but with so many more on the market, you'll want to double-check the specs to ensure it can handle resource-hogging video editing software, and has a color-accurate screen. 

Can any laptop be used for video editing?

Not all laptops can be used to edit videos - has to be the right laptop with the right specs. 

We reached out to Michel Yavercovski, Senior Director of Product Management for Corel video products, to get his expert opinions about choosing a creative computer.

"There are a few key things to look for when buying a video editing laptop and, of course, when you’re talking about video, the better the hardware, the smoother and more responsive your editing experience will be. Whether you’re talking about our Pinnacle Studio or VideoStudio products, both have been designed to take full benefit of your hardware to make video editing as fast and efficient as possible," said Michel.

"First, you’ll want to look for a system with a powerful multicore processor -- the Intel Core i7 product line is a good choice to get started with -- and our software has been optimized to take advantage of multithreading so you can get the most out of these impressive chips. A powerful processor will also give you a seamless experience when working with today’s popular formats and creative features like multi-camera and 360° video support. 4K video can create huge file sizes, so you’ll also want to make sure the device has a large and fast SSD storage drive that can read and write large video files without any hang-ups."

"Video editing takes up a lot of memory, so shop for a system that has between 16GB and 32GB of RAM to keep things running smoothly. And, of course, a 64-bit version of Windows 10 is a must. " 

Graphics card

"Then, when considering graphics cards, look for the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX or GTX series as well as Intel Iris or HD Graphics for overall faster processing and editing. Most advanced graphics cards will also have HEVC support, enabling the use of this advanced video format in your productions."

"Since you’ll be working primarily on one screen when you’re on the go, make sure the laptop's built-in monitor produces crisp images and has accurate color rendering. It’s also ideal to have a system that will support multiple screens for when you’re back in your main work space."

"Lastly, I always advise users to either plug in their laptops or adjust the power settings for high performance since many notebooks default to power-saving features when they’re running on battery which can impact performance. You may have to accept a shorter battery life, but it will ensure faster processing for a great editing experience."

Are Chromebooks good laptops for video editing?

No. Even the best Chromebooks aren't a good choice for editing videos. These portable lack large storage facilities and the specs required to run video editor software - most software requires a good CPU, GPU, and RAM to run flawlessly. However, you may have some luck using the best video makers to create simple content in your browser on a Chromebook. The best video editing apps are a good alternative to video editing on Chromebooks. These accessible apps run on Android, iPhone, and iPad devices, offering surprisingly powerful tools for cutting content easily. 

How can I speed up my video editing?

Hugely experienced edit trainer and colourist, Darren Mostyn, guides us through some essential steps to accelerate editing routines in a bid to make your workflow even more efficient.

I have been editing for over 25 years and thought I would share some of my best tips on how to speed up your editing skills. Most of this advice applies to any editing application. Even a 1% or 2% increase in speed could improve your productivity by over half an hour a week. That’s time you can take off and enjoy or add to the workload and increase your income. Having worked in broadcast sport and live events editing for around a decade, I had to edit super-fast to turn highlights of live action around in some crazy tight deadlines.

Before we get in to the steps, here’s something to keep in mind. Editing quickly is not necessarily why we are employed. But by being quick at the mechanical process of editing also leaves more time for the ‘real’ job – crafting the story, supporting the performances, controlling the pace and engaging the audience, and so on.

• Learn your keyboard shortcuts. My first piece of advice is to know your keyboard shortcuts inside out. Any menu that you use more than twice a day will likely have a keyboard shortcut or can be mapped to a keyboard. Just take the time to find the shortcut and practise using it. You may find this slows you down to start with, but it will increase your speed over time. Force yourself to use the shortcuts.  Combine that with using a dedicated colour coded keyboard available for most NLEs by third party keyboard manufacturers. DaVinci Resolve users like myself can use a dedicated keyboard called the Speed Editor (ed: Other popular video editing apps are likely to have bespoke consoles as well). Don’t forget that you can change shortcuts if you need to – I spent many years alternating between Avid, Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere , so now when I edit I have a set of shortcuts that are a hybrid. How flexible you can be will depend on your NLE. 
• Get training. Invest in some quality training. Whilst this may seem like an expensive outlay, the return on investment can be rewarding. Spending hours looking at YouTube channels hoping that the information is correct can be a potential waste of your time. A structured course will give you more confidence in playing with new techniques – you may find you have been working in a certain way for years only to discover there is a much easier and quicker approach available. 
• Time management. Your mind will be far more productive if you take breaks. It is believed that 2-3 hours of concentrated work, followed by a short break, is far more effective than 4 or 5 hours straight editing. Get all the emails and social media checks done in the break, but actually take a break from your screen too. Go for a walk or something active, then carry on working for a few more hours - it is good for your body not to be sat in a chair for hours on end. You’ll come back with higher levels of concentration. Be comfortable – this applies to everything. Nothing slows you down more than a bad back or an aching wrist. Invest in a good ergonomic chair or even a standing desk and make sure your monitors are at the right height.
• Cheap media is a false economy Use faster hard drives and quality card readers if you are responsible for transferring data. Cheap hard drives and card readers will slow down your transfer speeds considerably. I invested in a decent USB hub after years of using cheap ones and the transfer times are lightning quick. If you can get your data onto SSD drives, you will save so much time over regular drives. Editing and rendering times will also benefit from faster hard drives. You can consider making proxy files from your footage to help with workflow bottlenecks you may encounter on slower machines.If we are making proxies for use in an Avid workflow, we use DaVinci Resolve to generate them as it is quicker.
• Use a decent computer. Learn your NLE’s proxy workflow if your computer is struggling. Two monitors or an Ultrawide monitor will help you organise your edit and a third monitor for previewing full screen is ideal. Nothing is more frustrating than being slowed down by the hardware. (ed: The jury is still out on screen resolution)
• Freshen up your human interface. A Wacom digitizing tablet and pen will not only speed up your editing but also reduce fatigue in your wrist. I have not used a mouse since discovering Wacom tablets around 20 years ago. I have a small portable size tablet that I can take on the road with me if I am working away from the studio. I currently use an Intuos 3, which is old now, but they are built so well that it still works like new. The fact that I can keep the pen in my hand at all times makes it faster for me to work. Once you have set them up correctly for your comfort and assigned shortcuts to the keys, you will never need a mouse again. If you have to draw any masks or audio levels, it is far easier to use the pen. It takes a bit of getting used to and will slow you down at the start, but you will soon gain speed.

How we test the best video editing laptops

We test a range of hardware, including the best video editing Macs and best business laptops to suit a range of budgets and workflows. 

When testing the best laptops for video editing, we took into account the recommended hardware requirements from popular non-linear video editors and published benchmarks like Puget Systems’ Premiere Pro benchmark. We also use a range of apps, from the best video editing software for beginners to the best Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives , for a well-rounded view of what each machine is capable of when it comes to performance. 

Given the above requirements and information, we selected laptops with 16GB of RAM or more -32GB preferred- with 1TB or more of fast internal SSD storage and the latest-generation CPUs from AMD, Intel and Apple. We had to make an exception in the rugged category as an Intel i7 is the fastest at the time of writing. 

As a result, a laptop chosen from this list will be as suitable for the task at hand a year down the line as it is today. Offerings from Apple, Dell, Lenovo, HP, and Razer all offer some of the best laptops for video editing. For broader options, our testing process also evaluated performance one of the best 2-in-1 laptops , the best mobile workstations - performance powerhouses built for resource-intensive tasks. We also considered several of the best gaming laptops . Since modern games are resource-intensive in terms of CPU, RAM and GPU, these are exceptionally well-suited as video editing laptops. 

Learn more about our extensive review process in our guide How we test, review, and rate business laptops on TechRadar Pro .

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Désiré has been musing and writing about technology during a career spanning four decades. He dabbled in website builders and web hosting when DHTML and frames were in vogue and started narrating about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium.

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'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

The best laptop deals right now: Apple, Lenovo, HP, and more

We use laptops for everything from editing video in 4K to answering emails. But, eventually, it becomes time to retire our old machines and upgrade -- a prospect that can be daunting when prices are high. From portable gaming devices to laptops suitable for your home office and remote work setups, we've rounded up deals on some of the best laptops out there so you can find a laptop that you or a family member will love -- while saving some significant cash. 

Also:  The best laptops you can buy

If you see something that looks like a great deal, we recommend adding it to your cart ASAP. Prices tend to change quickly and stocks may vanish quickly if popular models are on sale. 

Best laptop deals 

• Apple MacBook Air 15-inch, M2 chip, 512GB : $1199 (save $300)
• ASUS Vivobook 15.6-inch FHD laptop : $250 (save $80)
• Microsoft Surface laptop 5 : $800 (save $500)
• Dell Inspiron 16 laptop : $450 (save $250)
• Acer Aspire Vero 15.6-inch Full HD laptop : $400 (save $230)
• Lenovo Yoga 6 13-inch hybrid tablet : $530 (save $330)
• HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 laptop : $1100 (save $350)
• ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 gaming laptop : $1699 (save $300)

Apple MacBook Air

• Current price: $1199
• Original price: $1499

Best Buy often offers discounts on the Apple MacBook range, and one deal we particularly like the look of is for an Apple MacBook Air. If you need a light, portable laptop for travel and work purposes, the $300 discount is attractive. This model has a 15-inch display suitable for all of your work and entertainment needs, an Apple M2 chip, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD storage.

HP Envy laptop

• Current price: $810
• Original price: $1280

You can also enjoy a $420 discount on the HP Envy, an excellent option if you want a Windows-based device suitable as a steady workhorse. This laptop offers users a 17.3-inch Full HD display and is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor. 16GB of RAM is included (upgradable to 32GB) alongside 512GB SSD storage. 

Samsung Galaxy Book3

• Current price: $1,000
• Original price: $1,350

This excellent Samsung Galaxy Book3 deal is worth considering. $1,00 is not too much to spend on a robust, future-proof laptop, and if you need a reliable model, there is a substantial $350 discount. The Samsung Galaxy Book3 is a 2-in-1 model sporting a 15.6-inch Full HD AMOLED touchscreen, an Intel i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD storage. 

HP Stream 14-inch laptop

• Current price: $199
• Original price: $229

Walmart's deal on the HP Stream laptop is worth considering if you need a budget-friendly machine suitable for travel and portability. I particularly like this laptop for its easy parental controls, having set one up recently for a friend who wanted to give their 12-year-old their first laptop in a safe manner.

The HP Stream is a 14-inch Windows 11 laptop with an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB eMMC storage. Sure, it's not the most specification-heavy, but at only $199, this laptop is a steal. 

Lenovo V15 Series laptop

• Current price: $400
• Original price: $480

Another deal we like the look of is $80 off a Lenovo V15 Series laptop. This new model comes with 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD storage, a 15.6-inch Full HD display, an Intel Pentium 4 processor, a variety of connectivity ports, and Windows 11 Home. 

Alternative laptop deals 

Amazon laptop deals, asus chromebook flip c434 2-in-1 laptop deal for $365 (save $140), asus vivobook 15.6-inch fhd laptop deal for $250 (save $80), asus rog strix scar 15 gaming laptop deal for $1699 (save $300), acer nitro 17 gaming laptop deal for $1295 (save $105), walmart laptop deals, asus vivobook 16-inch laptop deal for $499 (save $200), acer nitro 5 gaming laptop deal for $899 (save $100), lenovo ideapad duet 5 chromebook deal for $329 (save $40), asus zenbook 14-inch oled laptop deal for $577 (save $112), best buy laptop deals, hp 14-inch chromebook deal for $159 (save $140), microsoft surface laptop 5 deal for $800 (save $500), acer aspire vero 15.6-inch full hd laptop deal for $400 (save $230), lenovo slim pro 7 laptop deal for $900 (save $300), apple macbook deals, apple macbook air, 13-inch, m2, 256gb deal for $849 (save $250), apple macbook air, 13-inch, m3 chip, 256gb deal for $999 (save $100), apple macbook air, 15-inch, m2 chip, 1tb deal for $1499 (save $400), apple macbook pro, 14-inch, m3 chip, 512gb deal for $1449 (save $150), apple macbook pro, 16-inch, m3 pro, 512gb deal for $2349 (save $150), apple macbook air, 2023, 13.3-inch (refurb) deal for $380 (save $620), how did we choose these laptop deals.

We searched for laptop deals at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, and also at the websites of leading manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple, Acer, and Asus. We also used various price trackers to ensure that a claimed deal wasn't spurious.

We have concentrated on quality products from leading vendors, as discounts on these laptops are likely to be most sought-after by potential buyers.

When compiling the list of the best deals, we considered the following:

• Price : Naturally, the price point of our recommended laptops has to include a worthwhile discount. While some discounts are small in relation to an overall price tag - for example, $30 off a $150 device - and other discounts are in the hundreds of dollars, we wanted to ensure that in any case, it's value for money.
• Features : We included a range of laptops with features sure to appeal to you, including different screen sizes, processors, memory options, and storage. Furthermore, these laptops include varying levels of security, parental lock options, and display resolutions.
• Use cases : At ZDNET, we also took into account different use cases. You might be in the market for a budget-friendly, basic laptop for a child, for example, or you may need a future-proof laptop suitable for work. Or, it might be a gaming device you're after. So, we have compiled a set of recommendations based on different purposes. 

What specifications do I need to look for in a laptop?

The right specs depend on your needs and how you intend to use your new laptop -- whether for gaming, studies, video calling, or simply daily internet surfing. We break it down for you below:

• Processing power/CPU:  The processor is the computer's brain and handles the basic programming tasks. Gamers will want a higher processor that can even boost to a higher GHz threshold for AAA games like Death Stranding and Halo Infinite. Higher processor outputs will also apply to content creators who need a laptop to handle editing video software, but if you're using your laptop for general work or just surfing the internet, you can opt for a lower processor. 
• Graphics card/GPU:  Again, gamers and content creators will want a higher graphics card to reflect the beautiful imagery for their gaming. I personally recommend that gamers opt for at least an RTX 3060 at the moment. However, again, internet surfers and workers shouldn't worry too much about the graphics if you're focusing on building out Word documents.
• Storage : For those that focus on lighter laptop use, 256GB of SSD storage will be plenty of space for your laptop. However, if you need more storage for high-resolution photos, videos, or more, you'll want to opt for 512GB of storage or even 1TB.
• RAM : In conjunction with the CPU, RAM is used to help the computer multi-task and is vital to running programs. ZDNET expert Adrian Kingsley-Hughes breaks down RAM needs here , but at minimum, especially for working, you should opt for around 8GB, and gamers will potentially want more.

Do I need a gaming laptop or a "regular" laptop?

Again, it depends on your needs. Those who aren't  gamers can opt for a regular laptop with high specs, but content creators or those who work with heavy editing software should opt for a designer's laptop or a gaming laptop. Not because, of course, you want to have the best gaming specs on the side, but because those laptops come with powerful CPUs, GPUs, and high RAM to handle the heavy requirements that software needs.

How much should I pay for a good laptop?

When you're considering your budget for a new laptop, you have to consider what you want to use the device for. 

If you're a gamer who needs a high-spec laptop with a decent graphics card, top-of-the-range display and high refresh rate, you should expect to pay more than $500 - $600 -- and potentially beyond $1,000. However, if you need a laptop for basic tasks, studying, and streaming, you can easily get away with a basic laptop for a few hundred dollars. 

What are the best deals right now?

ZDNET experts split out the latest and greatest deals for you below.

Best deals by retailer

• The best Amazon deals
• The best Apple deals
• The best AT&T deals
• The best Verizon deals

Best deals by category

• The best VPN deals
• The best laptop deals
• The best robot vacuum deals
• The best phone deals
• The best iPhone deals
• The best TV deals
• The best deals under $30

ZDNET Recommends

The best laptops for college you can buy: expert tested, the best cheap laptops for $500 or less: expert tested, the best laptops you can buy in 2024: expert tested.

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.

11 Best Stylish Backpacks That Will Fit Your Laptop

You can’t show up to work looking like a freshman.

The Classic Laptop Backpack

Herschel pop quiz backpack.

Best Overall Laptop Backpack

Arc'teryx granville 16 backpack.

Our Favorite Travel Backpack

Tumi bradner backpack.

Best Luxury Laptop Backpack

Brunello cucinelli full-grain leather backpack.

Best Leather Laptop Bag

Lucchese cosimo backpack.

Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack

Most stylish laptop backpack

Topo designs rover pack classic.

The Waterproof Laptop Backpack

Rains waterproof backpack.

Most versatile laptop backpack

Dagne dover dakota neoprene backpack.

Best travel laptop backpack

Lo & sons the hanover 2.

We've talked about travel backpacks , briefcases , and other laptop bags before, but today we're tackling the work backpack—the one that fits your machine (typically laptops from 13-16 inches) as well as whatever else you bring on a day to the office. And while backpacks seem easy to parse, there are a lot of options. Like, a fucking ton. And a lot of them ... they're really bad, bags that adults should not be seen carrying. So to help you, the backpack-loving man who doesn't want to look like a college freshman, we've rounded up the 11 best laptop backpacks that we've tested.

Herschel is the real deal for just about any type of backpack. Whether it's the Classic , the Heritage , or the cult-favorite Little America , they all make great laptop backpacks with padded, fleece-lined sleeves. But we recommend the Pop Quiz. Not only because we like how it looks, but also because we like how it works—easy-peasy and tough. A reliable first home for your laptop, shall we say.

A lot of guys want their work bag to double as a something-else bag. I mean, that's why the whole backpack thing started in the first place. You go two straps instead of one because it's more convenient for other uses.

And if your other uses are outdoor in nature, or if you just want a durable bag, the Arc'teryx Granville is your pack. It's sleek enough for the city; it'll work for finance private-equity bros and creative directors all the same. But it's also tough enough to be a day-hike pack or a gap-year carry-on. And at 16L, it's the perfect size for all applications.

We've written at length about this backpack , but know this: It's the best travel backpack. Funny enough, that makes it a great laptop bag as well. It looks cool, has premium touches, and is functional.

The nylon body can take a beating, and it's easy to clean when you need to. The leather handle and leather trim all around the backpack make it feel high-end. The interior pockets and quick-access compartments make getting everything a breeze when you're slogging through TSA. All around, it's a great bag.

I had to do this at least once. First let me say that if you're going to go for a designer backpack, skip the louder options. You're a civilian walking down the street, not a millionaire walking down the NFL tunnel. Go leather, go understated, go with Brunello Cucinelli. It looks great, and that pebble leather is so insanely soft. If you're worried about putting your laptop in there loose, get a laptop sleeve to protect it, simple as.

If you're a businessman in Dallas, a tech bro in Austin, or a C-suite boss working from your Jackson Hole cabin, you need to buy Lucchese. Jokes aside, Lucchese—which is more known as one of our favorite cowboy-boot brands —has quietly been building out an incredible suite of men's bags and travel gear . Though a lot of the brand's production happens in the U.S., the Cosimo collection is made in Italy, and the quality easily rivals that of bigger-name Italian brands.

The back pocket on this bag easily fits a laptop, and the leather is heavy enough to keep your tech safe. That means you've got the entire large pocket to store whatever it is you store in there, making this functionally one of the most spacious bags on this list.

Everlane's ReNew Transit is the jack-of-all-trades. At a volume of 27 liters, it's palatial and makes for a great travel backpack . But it probably looks too refined to be associated with such a rugged bunch. In fact, its life belongs in the city, in some office in a soaring skyscraper or the roaring underground metro world. And it packs like a beast, with catchall zip pockets, interior slip pockets, and two water-bottle holders—like we said, jack-of-all-trades.

$99 at Bespoke Post $99 At Rei

Topo Designs makes modest (price-wise, at least) backpacks that are still always the star among stars, courtesy of its retro, playful color-blocked aesthetic. The Rover Pack is timeless, rugged, and pocketed for the delight of your laptop and other essentials. Take it to the campground, where you'll use it as a rucksack. Or bop around town with it like a solidly cool guy in a solidly cool backpack. Your call.

Shop Mini Version

Rains' waterproof backpack caught my eye a few years ago—first on my friend and second when I saw some stranger carrying it in MoMA. Each time, I asked, What is that backpack with a remarkable silhouette ? It's Rains' signature, as I found out later on. Smooth and clean, easy to open and stack—it's got one main compartment and a few inner and outer pockets, that's it—this durable, waterproof backpack is about that no-fuss everyday life.

Dagne Dover's signature Dakota will do the organizing for you, with a dedicated spot for every necessity, in and out; just prepare the bits and bobs. It'll then guard them with a water-resistant, quick-drying outer, keeping them safe and sound where you can effortlessly access them. As for where it'll suit best, judging by its look: office, gym, downtown, subway, bar, Guatemala ... just about everywhere on this planet.

Lo & Sons The Hanover 2

When you're out in the woods or on the trailhead, do you really need to be lugging around a 16" gizmo on your back? Hell no. Get a MacBook Air or something nicely around 13" and load it into the Hanover 2, whose removable padded insert will protect it from the overflowing curveballs of everything else you'll put inside for your excursion.

Troubadour Pioneer Backpack

When you pack heavy with a laptop inside, get a heavy-duty backpack to match. Troubadour's pioneer is an absolute monster: big, tough as nails, and ridiculously useful, with pockets on top of pockets, compartment next to compartment. If you've seen far too many laptop backpacks crap out when the occasion calls for “more is more,” never again will you be disappointed with the Pioneer. It's got a shtick for everything you can possibly put in there, shoes included.

What to Look for in Laptop Backpacks

• Capacity: Certainly it's not just a laptop that your backpack will store—no one's life is that simple. Hence you should consider the capacity or volume of a laptop backpack—how much and what kind of stuff it can hold besides the laptop matter just as much.
• Organization: As defined by pockets and compartments, the organization inside a laptop backpack makes or breaks what you'll carry it as and to: If it's got a shoe compartment, you can carry it as a gym bag to Equinox; with water-bottle pockets, it makes for a outdoor-friendly carryall; and if it has a luggage sleeve, bring it to your next flight so you can work on your laptop in the air. And don't forget the many small pockets that you'll find for quick access of stuff—any organization that'll save you from digging through your bag ever again.
• Laptop Sleeves: It's what makes a laptop backpack a ... laptop backpack. Inside the sleeve, padded for better protection or not, is where you'll nicely slip your laptop in and out. The size of the sleeve thus is the game changer here. If you have a 14-inch MacBook Pro, for instance, your sleeve should house at least that much. (Of course, sometimes a sleeve is more of a separate compartment itself, which is more than welcome.)

How We Picked the Best Laptop Bags

We tried a bunch of them. We wore the backpacks to the office, to the coffee shop, and around town. We traveled with them, and we stress-tested them. The backpacks that stood up to all that while looking good are the backpacks you see here today. Those are the best laptop backpacks on the market.

Why Trust Esquire?

Because we have your best interest in mind. Not only are we style nerds; we're tech freaks. It's not good enough for something to look good. It's got to perform just as well. A laptop bag has got to protect your gadgets and fit your personal style. That's why we had to test these and give you our honest opinions.

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The Best USB Hubs for Connecting All Your Gadgets

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An Inexpensive Media Transfer Hub Anker 5-in-1 USB-C Hub Read more

Best Hub If You Need External Storage Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter Read more

Your laptop never has enough ports—especially if it's the Macbook Air this guide was written on. You can carry around an array of dongles to plug everything in, or you can nab one of these USB hubs. Hubs expand the number and kind of ports available from one device so you can cut down on the clutter. After testing dozens over the years, these are the best USB hubs I've found for different needs.

Hunting for more home-office gizmos and gadgets? Check out our other guides, including the Ultimate Work-From-Home Gear , the Best Office Chairs , the Best USB Flash Drives , and the Best Portable External Storage Drives .

Update May 2024: Added the Monoprice 5-in-1 USB-C Hub, Satechi USB-C Multiport 8K Hub, and Ugreen Revodok Pro 211 Docking Station.

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Do You Need a Hub or a Docking Station?

USB hubs are small, portable devices you can plug directly into a port on your laptop to get extra USB ports, SD card readers, headphone jacks, and other extra connections. However, if you plan on regularly connecting your laptop to a full-blown workstation—with a keyboard, mouse, monitors, the whole shebang—then you might want to consider a docking station instead.

USB docking stations are larger, more expensive, and are designed to spend most of their time on your desk. They typically have a power supply to charge other devices and offer multiple monitor outputs, plus Ethernet connections. If you frequently use your laptop at a desk, we'll have a new guide soon on the best docking stations, so stay tuned.

Best Overall

Satechi makes some of the nicest accessories I've held, and this hub is no exception. It's built from the same aluminum as the rest of Satechi's gear with a short, braided cable leading to a USB-C connector. It's designed to feel at home next to a Macbook Pro or Surface Laptop and nails that vibe.

This hub has several USB-C ports and conveniently labels them by their maximum speed. In my testing, I consistently got speeds of 850 to 900 megabytes per second on its fastest USB-C ports, and there's a fourth that can reach over 400 MB/s. Even if you're like me and regularly need to transfer hundreds of gigabytes of 6K footage, it can handle those hefty tasks in minutes. It also has an HDMI port that supports up to 8K video at 30 frames per second (fps), though this is overkill. The real benefit of this capable port is that it's capable of 4K video at up to 120 fps or 1080p at up to a whopping 240 fps. I test gaming laptops , and this is one of the few hubs that can keep up with the frame-rate demands for powerful games when I connect them to an external monitor .

The downside is that it lacks USB-A ports. It's quite future-facing in that way, and there are enough USB-C accessories and peripherals these days that it might not be an issue, but we have more options below if the older USB-A port is a must-have.

Connects via USB-C. Ports include:

• 3 USB-C (10 Gbps)
• 1 USB-C (5 Gbps)
• 1 USB-C PD (85-watt pass-through charging)
• 1 HDMI (8K at 30 Hz or 4K at 120 Hz)
• 1 Ethernet (1 Gigabit)
• 1 SD Card slot (UHS-II)

Best Budget Hub

If all you need is a couple of extra USB ports, specifically USB-A, this Monoprice 5-in-1 model does the trick for a super low price. It connects via USB-C and adds three USB-A ports to your machine, each of which reached about 400 MB/s in my testing. That was more than enough for most typical work tasks, and even worked for moving around video files. You can use the USB-C port on the end to pass-through charge your laptop—the hub supports up to 100 watts, which is plenty to keep the most power-hungry laptops charged (with the right wall adapter).

It's one of the cheapest hubs I've tested, and if you're traveling with it, you might want to keep it in a padded pocket. The plastic case feels smooth and lightweight in a way that borders on flimsy.

• 3 USB-A 3.0 (5 Gbps)
• 1 USB-C PD (100-watt pass-through charging)
• 1 HDMI (4K at 30 Hz)

An Inexpensive Media Transfer Hub

This Anker USB hub is the one I carry in my camera bag everywhere. It plugs into the USB-C port on your laptop and provides every connection you'd need to offload photos or videos from camera gear.

In my testing, the USB 3.0 ports reached transfer speeds over 400 MB/s, which isn't quite as fast as some USB hubs on this list, but it's solid for a sub-$50 device. Similarly, the SD card reader reached speeds of 80 MB/s for reading and writing, which isn't the fastest SD cards can get , but adequate for moving files back and forth.

• 2 USB-A (5 Gbps)
• 1 SD card slot
• 1 microSD card slot

Best Hub If You Need External Storage

Wouldn’t it be nice if the USB hub you carry around had some storage of its own? This one from Satechi can (sort of) do that with its M.2 solid state drive enclosure. Open the panel on the back and you can slot in an internal SSD card and access it whenever you plug the hub into your computer. It's incredibly handy and I wish more USB hubs and docks had it. Just know that the M.2 SATA SSD is not included. One-terabyte drives like this one from Western Digital or this one from Samsung will do the job.

The SSD can reach up to 5 Gbps, but the USB-A 3.1 ports are even faster. In my testing, they reached speeds of 880 MB/s (or roughly 7Gbps). Put it all together and you could plug in several storage options and move all your data around incredibly fast. To top it all off, it has the same aluminum chassis as Satechi's other accessories, giving it a premium feel.

• 2 USB-A (10 Gbps)
• 1 HDMI (4K at 60 Hz)
• 1 M.2 SSD enclosure (5 Gbps)

Gabrielle Caplan

Adrienne So

Medea Giordano

Best Docking Station Hybrid

Most laptop docking stations are bulky gadgets that often require a power source, but this one from Ugreen straddles the line between dock and hub. It has a small, braided cable running to a relatively large aluminum block. It's a bit hefty but still compact, and it packs a lot of extra power. It has three USB ports (one USB-C and two USB-A) that each reached up to 900 MB/s of data-transfer speeds in my testing. That was enough to move large amounts of 4K video footage in minutes.

The hub also has enough ports to connect to a full, multimonitor desktop setup, not to mention other peripherals like a keyboard and mouse, even some headphones. It's the best option before upgrading to a full docking station.

• 1 USB-A (5 Gbps)
• 1 USB-C (10 Gbps)
• 2 HDMI (One 8K at 30 Hz or two 4K at 60 Hz)
• 1 Ethernet (Gigabit)
• 1 SD/TF card reader
• 1 3.5mm audio out

All Those Confusing USB Terms, Explained

The goal of USB was to make one port that could do it all. The reality is … a lot more complicated than that. There are various generations of USB, with different capabilities and speeds, plus ports that look similar but do other things. There are a few key terms you should know when shopping for a USB hub:

• USB 2.X/USB 3.X/USB 4: Every USB device is built to some version of the USB specification, mainly characterized by how much data they can transfer and how much power they can deliver (or at least, those are the main things you need to care about). While most of these devices are inter-operable as long as they use the same port, the entire chain will conform to the slowest part of the chain. Say you plug a USB 3.2 SSD into a USB 3.2 port on your computer, but use a USB 3.0 cable —data will only transfer at USB 3.0 speeds. Make sure every link in your chain is rated for the speed you need.
• USB Power Delivery (or USB-PD): If your laptop, tablet, or other device doesn't have enough USB ports, you might be forced to choose between charging or plugging in accessories. USB-PD ports let you bridge this gap by plugging a charger into the hub to supply power to the laptop (and anything else connected to the hub that needs it. You'll see this referred to as “pass-through charging" though it's not an official specification. You'll want to make sure the wattage this USB-C port supports can handle what your laptop needs. A MacBook Pro typically needs 96 watts during intense workloads (though you can still charge them at lower wattage), so you'd need a 100-watt USB-C port on the hub.
• USB-C and USB-A: These terms refer to the physical shape of the connectors and ports on devices. USB-C is common and looks like a small, elongated oval. It's also reversible, so you can't plug it in the wrong way. USB-A is the older, rectangular port you've seen for years. There are a lot more types of USB connectors , but these are the two you're most likely to see in most hubs.

What Is Going On With These USB Generations?

It would be nice if you could plug a USB 3.2 device into a USB 3.2 port using a USB 3.2 cable and trust that it all works. Unfortunately, it's way more complicated than that.

When USB 3.0 came out in 2008 it had a max speed of around 5 Gbps. However, when USB 3.1 came out in 2013 with a max speed of 10 Gbps, the 5-Gbps version was renamed to USB 3.1 Gen 1, while the new, faster spec was USB 3.1 Gen 2 . Confused yet? Well, it gets worse. When USB 3.2 came out in 2019, the 5-Gbps USB was rebranded again to “USB 3.2 Gen 1,” the 10-Gbps version became “USB 3.2 Gen 2,” and the new 20-Gbps spec became—you guessed it—USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. … Wait, what? The “2x2” refers to running two 10 Gbps lanes of data simultaneously and … you don't need to know all of this. Many hub manufacturers have given up on names, labels, and symbols. They've just started printing the maximum speed next to ports directly.

What this means for you is that if you're using older storage devices or accessories, you may want to look up the specific generation of USB if speed matters to you. A device marketed as “USB 3.0” several years ago, and a device marketed as “USB 3.2” today could potentially have identical transfer speeds if the manufacturer is less than forthcoming with generation names or transfer speed ratings.

OK, So What's Thunderbolt?

Thunderbolt is an Intel-owned standard made in collaboration with Apple that uses the same USB-C connector as typical USB devices. However, there are certain extra requirements that have to be met before a device can earn the Thunderbolt label.

• Higher transfer speeds. Thunderbolt ports are designed to transfer massive amounts of data compared to the USB-C ports they often sit beside. Thunderbolt 3 and 4, for example, reach speeds up to 40 Gbps while the new Thunderbolt 5 reaches a ludicrous 80 Gbps (or up to 120 Gbps when used for unidirectional connections like outputs to displays).
• Display output support. Thunderbolt ports are designed to make it easier to connect external displays. Most Thunderbolt ports can at least support up to one 4K display, with more modern versions like Thunderbolt 4 supporting multiple 4K displays. Thunderbolt 5 is set to expand this even further with support for multiple 8K displays, or several 4K displays at super high refresh rates .
• Compatibility with USB: While Thunderbolt is its own specification, it's still cross-compatible with USB ports. However, any connections will default to the slowest link in the chain. The good news is, as long as your device has a USB-C connection, you can plug it into a Thunderbolt port and it will work fine. Just, maybe a little slower.

Make Sure Your Cables Are Up to Spec Too

Getting a hub that's capable of massive data transfer speeds won't matter much if any cables you use aren't capable of those same speeds. This is an easy thing to overlook because most cables don't have labels that tell you what speeds they support. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to ensure you're using the right cable:

• Use the cable that came with your device. The simplest way to ensure that a cable is capable of getting the speeds you need is to use the one that comes with any device you have. For example, if you have an external SSD, there's a good chance that the USB cable that came with it will support the fastest speed the SSD can.
• Check the box or listing for specs. Some manufacturers will list the version (and generation) of the USB cable on the box or online listing where you got the cable, or the device it came with. Some manufacturers will only list the type of USB connector or only mention the version (like “USB 3.2”) without mentioning the generation (like “Gen 2x2”) making it difficult to deduce the actual speed.
• Look for speeds, rather than the USB version. Since USB specs can be confusing, many manufacturers have resorted to listing speeds directly. Many cables, including those in our Best USB-C Cables guide will list their maximum speeds directly, skipping all the confusing jargon.

Nena Farrell

Ryan Waniata

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Dell vs. HP: Which laptop brand is best for your needs?

W hen it comes to computer brands, few names are as well-known and respected as Dell and HP. Both companies have been churning out popular laptops for decades, with their catalogs now filled with iconic lineups like the Dell XPS 15 and HP Pavilion . Both HP and Dell have a lot to offer — and because they sell so many products vying for the same niche, it can be difficult to determine which one is best for your lifestyle.

Whether you’re looking for a premium gaming laptop or something budget-friendly for a job or small business, you’ll find that both Dell and HP have a product that fit your needs. The two catalogs feature products with a variety of processors, graphics cards, and price tags, though there are some key differences you should know about the brands before making a purchase.

Here’s a look at Dell vs. HP to help you decide which is best.

Laptop brands are defined by their flagships, so for HP in 2024, that’s its Elite Dragonfly Notebook G4 for business users and the Spectre x360 13.5 for consumers. The Dragonfly range of laptops are all exceedingly lightweight (the Elite Dragonfly G4 is just 2.2 pounds) with a solid magnesium alloy build and a display with a mix of thick and thin bezels. But you’ll also get a laptop that packs in a lot of interesting features in an ultra-portable package, such as a webcam cover, a dedicated keyboard button for the microphone, a high-resolution 5MP webcam, comfortably-sized keycaps, and a port selection that includes Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.0.

The Spectre x360 line also has its own unique contributions to HP’s laptop design innovations. Looking at the HP Spectre x360 13.5 , you’ll notice that the laptop is outfitted with features such as an easy-to-open yet firm dual-zone hinge, a display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, an infrared camera, and an OLED display.

But the Spectre x360 13.5 also shares features with the Dragonfly series, including a fingerprint reader, a spacious keyboard and touchpad, and dedicated buttons and shutter features to turn off microphones and cover webcams. Those 2-in-1 designs are also light and portable, facilitating their use as a tablet when needed.

Dell’s best-known laptops are the XPS line of laptops and its gaming laptop offerings, like its Alienware brand. With the XPS, you can generally expect to see a sleek and streamlined aluminum chassis, ultra-thin bezels on all four sides of its display, a backlit keyboard, a port selection that includes Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a 16:10 aspect ratio display. The XPS 13 Plus adds more advanced features than we’ve seen on XPS laptops before, including an edge-to-edge keyboard, LED function keys, and a hidden haptic touchpad. The XPS 13 9315 , on the other hand, is now positioned as a budget laptop to undercut Apple’s MacBook Air . The XPS 13 Plus and XPS 13 9315 are the smallest XPS laptops. If you want to upsize, you’ll get excellent laptops in the XPS 15 and XPS 17 .

Dell’s Alienware brand offers specialized, heavy-duty gaming laptops and comes with its own distinctive features to optimize your gaming experience. Features such as Nvidia G-SYNC technology, dual fan design for better cooling, a customizable lighting system called AlienFX, a wide variety of ports (including Thunderbolt 4, a headset jack, and HDMI 2.1), a magnesium alloy chassis, programmable keyboards (for gaming shortcuts), and eye tracking tools.

Both brands have laptops that top some of our best-of lists, with Dell outperforming HP in certain categories and HP outshining Dell in others. In this sense, picking the right laptop for yourself really does come down to how you plan to use it.

There are all sorts of ways you might choose to use your new laptop, but let’s take a look at a few of the most common uses for them, namely: for business and work, for school, for content creation (like video editing), or gaming.

With HP, you have four great business laptop options, including the HP Elite Dragonfly , HP ZBook Studio , and the HP Envy x360. With Dell, the XPS range is a fantastic alternative, but there isn’t the same breadth of choice.

The HP Elite Dragonfly has been listed as the “best business laptop” in our Best Laptops list , a distinction that it currently doesn’t hold. Nevertheless, it’s perfect for remote workers and those who travel frequently for business. This laptop features a sleek, lightweight design, a high-res display, a privacy screen to help keep what you’re working on away from prying eyes, a quiet keyboard, a stylus, and an office-ready port selection that includes USB-A, HDMI, USB-C 3.1, and Thunderbolt 4.

If you need a beast of a workstation that can power through tasks like video editing and 3D modeling, then look no further than the HP ZBook Studio . If you still want the robustness of a Windows PC but still prefer the lightweight and easier-to-use Chrome OS, HP’s premier Chromebook offering, the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook , might be your best bet. And rounding out our HP business laptop picks is the HP Envy x360, which is best for those who need a 2-in-1 business laptop at a budget-friendly price. With a 13th-gen processor and 16GB of RAM, you’re not exactly sacrificing power and speed for a cheaper business laptop. You’re actually getting the best of both worlds.

If you’re still keen on getting a Dell for your work setup, there are some excellent choices in the Latitude lineup. These machines span a range from 14- and 15.6-inch clamshell laptops to convertible 2-in-1s, all of which are packed full of the features business users need. If you want a more mainstream choice, then we do have one recommendation: the Dell XPS 13 Plus. It’s not a true “business laptop,” but it is a fantastic all-purpose laptop that’s perfect for those who need portability above all else. Plus, because it’s designed for general use, it can easily be the laptop that enhances your productivity and helps you relax when the work day is done. (Especially when you have a display that features Dolby Vision.)

Like business, school laptops can be varied, depending on the type of work you want to do on them. Both HP and Dell have excellent laptops for all sorts of ages and abilities.

For college students , our favorite Dell laptop is the G15 Gaming Laptop. It’s an affordable and powerful machine that can handle homework without a problem while keeping a student entertained during downtime. For around $1,000, the college student in your life will get a laptop with a 45-watt 12th generation Intel Core processor, plenty of RAM and storage, up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, and a wide variety of ports. The Dell Inspiron 14 is another option, and while it isn’t the most powerful laptop, it does have everything you need for school assignments, browsing the internet, and streaming your favorite shows and movies.

For high school students , HP has a great option with its Chromebook 14. It’s an exceedingly affordable, lightweight, and easy-to-use laptop thanks to the simplicity of Chrome OS. If your high school student doesn’t require any non-Chrome OS and non-Android apps to complete their assignments, access their online classes, or collaborate with their peers, then the HP Chromebook 14 is a solid option. For just $300, your high schooler will get a laptop with a 14-inch non-touch HD display, an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of eMMC storage, an HP Wide Vision HD webcam, and Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5 connectivity.

Video Editing

Video editing is an intensive task, so the Dell XPS 17 is our top pick overall because it pairs a huge display with high-end hardware. This laptop has a jumbo-sized display at 17 inches and features 45-watt 13th-generation Intel Core processors, 16GB of RAM (it can be upgraded up to 64GB), a roomy 512GB of SSD storage (which can also be upgraded to 8TB), and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 video card. It also sports a fingerprint reader, four Thunderbolt 4 ports, a full-size SD card reader, and Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity.

When we reviewed the XPS 17 , we were particularly impressed with its “incredible” performance, its “nearly perfect screen,” and its “spacious and responsive touchpad.” We even went so far as to say that the XPS 17 competes with Apple’s MacBook Pro.

If you still need a powerful laptop for video editing but would rather stick with HP, a comparable pick would be the HP Envy 15. The Envy 15 is great for those who need strong performance at a lower price point. When reviewing the HP Envy 16 , our review unit was configured with a 13th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, 1TBGB of SSD storage, 16GB of RAM, a WQXGA IPS display, and an RTX 4060. Overall, this laptop received a glowing review from us as we praised its performance, its build quality, and its excellent keyboard and touchpad. The main drawbacks we saw were that it was on the heavy side and that its battery life was below average.

Our current list of the Best Gaming Laptops includes the HP Victus 16, a solid 1080p gaming machine for less than $1,500. The machine offers fast components and a solid build quality, making it a good budget gaming choice.

The Dell G15  gaming laptop may not be the best gaming laptop you can buy (that honor goes to the Lenovo Legion Pro 5), but it’s a solid entry-level option for beginner gamers and gamers on a budget. What it lacks in style, it makes up for in value. The Dell G15 gaming laptop has an Intel Core processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and up to an RTX 4060 GPU, with a starting price of $730.

If you have a bigger budget to work with, Dell’s Alienware x14 R2 is worth a look. It features an Intel Core i7-13620H CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, a 14-inch WQXGA display running at up to 165Hz, and an RTX 4060 graphics card. It’s a relatively portable gaming laptop in every sense of the word, including its actual weight: a little over 4 pounds. Think of it as a highly mobile replacement for a desktop setup.