When you're constantly on the go for work, having a reliable and lightweight laptop is crucial.
With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to find the right one. In this article, we'll go over the key factors to consider when choosing a travel laptop and highlight the top five best laptops for business travel in 2023.
What to look at when choosing a travel laptop
When you're constantly on the go for work, having a reliable and lightweight laptop is crucial. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to find the right one. In this article, we'll go over the key factors to consider when choosing a travel laptop and highlight the top five best laptops for business travel in 2023.
Price:
Your budget is a key consideration when choosing a travel laptop. While higher-end models will generally offer better features and performance, there are still plenty of great options available at a lower price point.
Weight and Size:
A travel laptop should be lightweight and portable, without sacrificing on performance or functionality. Generally, a weight of 3 pounds or less is ideal for a travel laptop.
Battery Life:
A long battery life is essential for a travel laptop, as you never know when you might need to work on the go. Aim for at least 10-12 hours of battery life, or up to 18 hours if you plan on using your laptop extensively during travel.
Storage Space:
Consider how much storage space you need for your work-related files and documents. A solid-state drive (SSD) is preferable to a hard disk drive (HDD), as it offers faster read and write speeds.
RAM:
A minimum of 8GB of RAM is recommended for a travel laptop, and 16GB is ideal if you plan on doing any video editing or other memory-intensive tasks.
Processing Power:
Choose a laptop with a powerful processor that can handle your everyday tasks and work-related applications with ease.
Operating System:
Consider which operating system you prefer to work with, whether it's Windows, Apple, or Chrome OS.
Pros and Cons of Different Operating Systems
Windows:
Offers a wide range of software options, excellent compatibility with business applications, and a customizable interface. However, it can be prone to crashes and updates can sometimes be a hassle.
Apple:
Offers excellent build quality, user-friendly interfaces, and top-notch security features. However, Apple laptops are typically more expensive than their Windows counterparts, and some business software may not be compatible.
Chrome OS:
Offers excellent battery life, a simple and easy-to-use interface, and easy integration with Google applications. However, it may not offer the same level of customization or functionality as Windows or Apple laptops.
How did we pick the 5 Best Laptops for Travel of 2023?
In selecting the 5 Best Laptops for Travel of 2023, we carefully considered various factors to ensure that each laptop on our list would cater to the unique needs of travelers. Our evaluation process included the following criteria:
Portability: We prioritized laptops that are lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry around while traveling. This includes assessing their dimensions and weight.
Battery life: Long-lasting battery life is crucial for travelers who may not always have access to a power source. We selected laptops that offer excellent battery performance to keep users productive on the go.
Durability: Travel can be tough on laptops, so we looked for models with robust build quality and reliable components that can withstand the rigors of constant movement and potential environmental challenges.
Performance: We ensured that the laptops on our list provide ample processing power, RAM, and storage to handle various tasks, from document editing to media consumption and light gaming.
Connectivity: Travelers need reliable connectivity options to stay connected to the internet and transfer files. We focused on laptops that offer strong Wi-Fi capabilities, USB ports, and other essential connections.
Price: As travelers often have budget constraints, we aimed to include laptops that provide excellent value for money, offering a balance between performance, features, and cost.
ASUS Zenbook 13 - Best Overall Travel Laptop
The ASUS Zenbook 13 is an excellent choice for business travelers, offering a lightweight and portable design, a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It also boasts an impressive battery life of up to 18 hours, making it a great choice for long flights or layovers.
Specs:
Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 processor
Display: 13.3 inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) or 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) display
Memory: 8GB or 16GB RAM
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
Battery Life: Up to 15 hours
Weight: 2.5 pounds (1.12 kg)
Ports: 1 x USB 3.1 Type-A, 2 x Thunderbolt 3 USB-C, 1 x HDMI, 1 x microSD card reader
Operating System: Windows 10
Other features: HD webcam, Harman Kardon-certified audio, backlit keyboard, Windows Hello support, and touchpad with NumberPad 2.0 technology.
Pros:
Lightweight and portable design
Powerful processor and ample storage space
Long battery life
Cons:
May not be the most affordable option
Dell XPS 13 - Most Powerful 13 Inch Travel Laptop
The Dell XPS 13 is a high-performance laptop that offers excellent processing power, a 13.4-inch display, and up to 16GB of RAM. It also features a 512GB SSD and a sleek and lightweight design.
Specs:
Processor: 11th Generation Intel Core i3, i5, or i7
Operating System: Windows 10 Home or Pro
Display: 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) non-touch or UHD+ (3840 x 2400) touch
Graphics: Intel UHD or Iris Xe
Memory: 8GB, 16GB or 32GB LPDDR4x SDRAM at 4267MHz
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Battery Life: Up to 14 hours (FHD+ non-touch) or up to 8 hours (UHD+ touch)
Dimensions: 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.58 inches (295.7 x 198.7 x 14.8 mm)
Weight: Starting at 2.8 pounds (1.27 kg)
Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 4 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, 1 microSD card reader, 1 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
Pros:
High-performance processor
Sleek and lightweight design
Ample storage space
Cons:
More expensive than other options
Dell XPS 15 - Best Travel Laptop for Video Editing
The Dell XPS 15 is an excellent option for video editing on the go. It features a powerful Intel Core i7 or i9 processor and an NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphics card, making it capable of handling demanding video editing software.
The 15.6-inch 4K Ultra HD display offers stunning visuals with vibrant colors and sharp details. Additionally, the XPS 15 has a premium design with a sleek aluminum body and a carbon fiber keyboard deck.
Specs:
Processor: Up to 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11900H
Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti with 4GB GDDR6
Display: 15.6-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) or 15.6-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) touchscreen
Memory: Up to 64GB DDR4-3200MHz
Storage: Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Battery: Up to 9 hours and 12 minutes of battery life
Weight: 4.3 pounds (1.95 kg)
Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1 USB-C 3.2 with power delivery and DisplayPort, SD card reader, headphone jack
Keyboard: Backlit full-size, edge-to-edge keyboard
Audio: Quad-speaker design with Waves NX 3D audio
Operating System: Windows 11
Security: Fingerprint reader
Webcam: HD webcam with Windows Hello support
Pros:
Powerful Intel Core i7 or i9 processor NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphics card 15.6-inch 4K Ultra HD display with stunning visuals Sleek and premium design.
Cons:
Limited battery life compared to other travel laptops Relatively heavy at 4 pounds
MacBook Air M1 - 13 inch - Best Apple travel laptop
The MacBook Air M1 is the best Apple travel laptop, with its ultra-lightweight design and impressive performance. It features Apple's powerful M1 chip, which offers faster processing and better battery life than the previous models. It weighs only 2.8 pounds, making it easy to carry in your bag or backpack.
The MacBook Air M1 has a 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology, providing vivid and accurate colors in any lighting condition.
Specs:
Display: 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch
Processor: Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU, 7-core or 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine
Memory: 8GB or 16GB of unified memory
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD
Operating System: macOS
Battery Life: Up to 15 hours of web browsing, up to 18 hours of video playback
Ports: Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s), and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0
Camera: 720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio: Stereo speakers, Wide stereo sound, Support for Dolby Atmos playback
Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches (30.41 x 21.24 x 1.61 cm)
Weight: 2.8 pounds (1.29 kg)
Pros:
Ultra-lightweight design
Long battery life
Fast and powerful M1 chip
High-quality Retina display
Cons:
Limited ports (only two USB-C ports)
MacBook Pro 13 Inch - Most powerful Apple travel laptop
The MacBook Pro 13 Inch is the most powerful Apple travel laptop, with a quad-core Intel Core i5 or i7 processor that provides exceptional performance for demanding tasks. It features a Retina display with True Tone technology, making it easy to work on in any lighting condition.
The MacBook Pro 13 Inch also has a large trackpad with Force Touch technology, allowing for precise and intuitive control.
Specs:
Processor: 11th-generation quad-core Intel Core i5 or i7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics or Intel Iris Plus Graphics
RAM: 8GB or 16GB
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD
Display: 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology
Resolution: 2560 x 1600 pixels
Operating system: macOS
Battery life: Up to 17 hours
Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack
Touch Bar and Touch ID
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0
Weight: 2.8 pounds (1.29 kg)
Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches (30.41 x 21.24 x 1.61 cm)
Pros:
Powerful quad-core Intel Core i5 or i7 processor
High-quality Retina display with True Tone technology
Large trackpad with Force Touch technology
Long battery life
Cons:
Expensive compared to other laptops
Limited ports (only two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding the best lightweight laptop for business travel requires a balance of price, weight, battery life, storage space, processing power, and personal preferences. The ASUS Zenbook 13 is the best overall travel laptop, offering a perfect balance of performance, portability, and features. The Dell XPS 13 is the most powerful 13-inch travel laptop, while the Dell XPS 15 is the best choice for video editing on the go. The MacBook Air is the best Apple travel laptop, and the MacBook Pro 13 Inch is the most powerful Apple travel laptop.
Before making a decision, consider whether you need your laptop for work-related purposes, what else you will use it for, how light and portable you need it to be, and what your budget constraints are. These factors will help you determine which laptop is right for you. If you are a digital nomad who works remotely and travels frequently, a lightweight laptop with good battery life, fast performance, and ample storage space will be a great choice.
Overall, the five best lightweight laptops for business travel in 2023 offer an excellent combination of portability, performance, and features. With the right laptop, you can stay productive and connected while on the go, whether you're working from a coffee shop, a hotel room, or an airplane.
Consider the factors that matter most to you and choose the laptop that fits your needs, budget, and personal preferences. With any of the five laptops on this list, you'll have a reliable and efficient tool to help you get the job done, no matter where your travels take you.
FAQ
What are the most important features to consider when buying a travel laptop? When buying a travel laptop, the most important features to consider are battery life, weight, processing power, and storage space. Lightweight laptops with long battery life are ideal for business travel, while laptops with powerful processors and ample storage space are best for video editing and other demanding tasks.
What is the best travel laptop for video editing? The Dell XPS 15 is the best travel laptop for video editing, with a powerful processor, dedicated graphics card, and ample storage space. Its lightweight design and long battery life make it ideal for business travel as well.
Which lightweight laptops have the longest battery life for business travel? The HP Spectre x360 and the Dell XPS 13 are two lightweight laptops with the longest battery life for business travel, each offering up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.
What is the difference between Windows, Apple, and Chrome operating systems for travel laptops? The main difference between Windows, Apple, and Chrome operating systems for travel laptops is the user interface and software compatibility. Windows is the most widely used operating system and offers the most software compatibility, while Apple's MacOS is known for its streamlined user interface and built-in software. Chrome OS is designed specifically for lightweight laptops and is known for its fast boot times and simple user interface.
Which is the best overall travel laptop for 2023? The ASUS Zenbook 13 is the best overall travel laptop for 2023, with a lightweight design, powerful processor, long battery life, and ample storage space. It also features a durable build quality and a variety of ports, making it a great choice for business travel and everyday tasks alike.
What are the Pros and cons of the ASUS Zenbook 13 as a travel laptop? The ASUS Zenbook 13 is a great choice for a travel laptop due to its lightweight design, long battery life, and excellent processing power. Its compact size and weight make it easy to carry with you on the go, and its 18-hour battery life means you can use it all day without needing to recharge. Additionally, its powerful Intel Core i7 processor makes it a great option for digital nomads or business travelers who need to get work done on the go. One drawback of the ASUS Zenbook 13 is its price, which may be out of reach for some buyers.
Is the Dell XPS 13 the most powerful 13-inch travel laptop? The Dell XPS 13 is one of the most powerful 13-inch travel laptops on the market. It has an 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and up to 16GB of RAM, making it a great choice for demanding tasks such as video editing or graphic design. Its lightweight design and long battery life also make it a good option for digital nomads or business travelers. However, while it is powerful, it may not be the most powerful 13-inch travel laptop, as there are other laptops with similar specs on the market.
What are the pros and cons of the Dell XPS 15 for video editing? The Dell XPS 15 is a great option for video editing due to its powerful 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and up to 64GB of RAM. Its dedicated NVIDIA GeForce graphics card also makes it a good choice for graphic design work. Additionally, its 4K touchscreen display provides a high level of detail and color accuracy for editing tasks. However, its size and weight may make it less ideal for frequent travel, and its battery life may not last as long as some other travel laptops.
What are the key features of the MacBook Air for travel? The MacBook Air is a great travel laptop due to its lightweight design, long battery life, and powerful Apple M1 chip. Its battery life lasts up to 18 hours, making it a good option for long flights or workdays. It also has a high-quality Retina display with True Tone technology, making it easy to work on in any lighting condition. Additionally, its keyboard and trackpad are comfortable to use for extended periods of time.
What are the pros and cons of the MacBook Air M1 as a travel laptop? The