Here's what you need to look for first in a travel-friendly notebook computer:
- Durability.
- Flexibility in accessing the Internet.
- Long battery life.
- Weight and size.
- Warranty and Service
In A Nutshell
Travel Laptop Tips for a Nomadic Lifestyle
There’s nothing like a good road trip. If your idea of hitting the road means getting away from it all and disconnecting, this isn’t the article for you. But, if you are a road warrior, a “Nu Nomad” who takes keeping connected seriously, this article will outline what you need to look for in a laptop that is built for your nomadic lifestyle and can be a long term friend for all of your travels.
The first thing that anyone will think of when it comes to laptops intended for road life is durability. All of your precious data will need a sturdy housing to stay safe, no matter where the wind takes you. Features like a metal casing and sturdy design are obviously a bonus when it comes to the general rigors most will expect their machine to endure. It is obvious to anyone who has picked up a laptop that they can tend to be rather fragile machines when you start talking in the context of spilled energy drinks and contact with pavement. If such things are a concern to you, there are a number of manufacturers that make laptops intended for the most brutal of usage. One outstanding example of this market is the Panasonic Toughbook. This line of laptops is basically the epitome of durable and this can clearly be seen at a glance. Starting with their “Business Rugged” series and extending to their “Fully Rugged” series, these machines are designed to handle much more than most laptops. The “Fully Rugged” model line is used by many Police, Fire & Rescue as well as Military organizations and can be customized to be dust proof, water proof and shock proof. A few other manufacturers that have similar models include Motorola, Toshiba and Itronix. You will most likely have a harder time finding these types of laptops though since they are rarely stocked in store and they are most often sold to organizations and not individuals.
It can be safe to assume however that the more durable the machine is, the more you are going to be paying for the protection and not performance. Many “business class” durable machines can be very balanced in regards to performance and durability but you shouldn’t expect it is going to enjoy having hot coffee spilled on it. The downside to the ultra rugged laptops of course is that you might find yourself paying upwards of $3000 and only getting the performance of lesser ultra portables, but, If you have any plans of playing Frisbee with your laptop, these are the machines that are going to take the abuse you are planning on dishing out.
Obvious requirements for most people would be things such as Wi-Fi connectivity that includes the latest standards so you can connect to whatever network, no matter where you are. Bluetooth is a bonus that will allow you to connect a whole host of additional devices such as wireless headsets for VoIP calls. One of the newer players to the wireless game is the 3G wireless network card which, wireless network connectivity permitting, can offer high-speed internet in most areas that you have cell signal. 5 – in – 1 memory card readers can be a nice option when you do a lot of work with memory cards from your mp3 player, camera, PDA or phone.
Another must have for most is a reasonable function time on battery power. Manufacturers often will offer a battery upgrade at the time of purchase. This could simply mean the buying of a second battery that can be replaced after the first one dies. It is important to note though that to charge a battery, it must be in the laptop and therefore you may find it very inconvenient constantly juggling batteries every day. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you go with a higher capacity battery to achieve the operation time you are aiming for. Most laptops come standard with a 6-cell Lithium Ion battery, the 12-cell batteries will offer you much longer run times but you should note that they will increase the final weight of the machine so this should be taken into consideration as well. You may also find it more economical to look into third party manufacturers that sell batteries at a fraction of the cost of the brand name equivalents (keep in mind that third party batteries may void your warranty so check the fine print before installing).
You will also want to make sure that whatever laptop you are looking at is light enough for you to carry wherever you need without feeling like you are lugging a lead brick around. At the same time, as this is most likely the primary machine you will be working on, you will need to make sure it handles all of the programs and processes you plan on running. With 17” “multimedia” laptops popping up across the market, it can be tempting to buy something that can fit more content onto the screen as well as make your entertainment viewing experience much more enjoyable. Weigh your needs out carefully though as many have found that after buying such a large machine, it was just too big to be reasonably mobile for them. 15” models can be much more realistic for most and for those that don’t have much room to devote to their “roadmate”, there are many very manageable 12” to 14” models.
It is sad to say that many laptops are not designed to withstand rough handling the way you might expect. Aside from getting the actual machine in your hand and feeling the quality of the screen connection pivot and the general feel of the chassis, your only option will be to contain it in some way that will provide cushioning of some sort. The obvious option would be the classic laptop bag but there are a host of options on the market. For the roadie that likes to keep more than just their laptop in tow, backpack cases leave lots of extra room. If you already have a bag or case to put it in and just want some extra padding insurance, neoprene sleeves are available which aren’t bulky but still offer enough protection to keep your investment safe.
Warranties can be both a blessing and a curse and can range all over the map in regards to coverage, both what they will cover and where. Always read the fine print before purchasing a warranty and especially if you plan to do a lot of international traveling with your laptop. Countries will often times be limited as well as who they will approve to service it. The very best warranties are often offered by third party companies and allow you to take your laptop to a local, certified repair center in the country you are in at the time. Many though will call their warranty “international” simply because it covers problems that pop up abroad but you will still have to bring the machine back to its country of origin to have it serviced. It is of course logical to suggest then that you look at manufacturers that are very globally oriented or at least have some vestage in the countries you find yourself in regularly. All things considered of course, you may find that additional warranties just aren’t worth the high cost and difficulty collecting on. Again, weigh carefully your needs in regard to repair services as many countries will offer you repair services out of pocket for a fraction of the cost of the warranty.
Another aspect to consider is Customer Service availability. As many manufacturers are globally based, you may have a few local options for technical support depending on which country you are in but this is often times limited to just a handful. This may mean you will find yourself calling long distance back to the States to get the support you need. Look into what international technical support is offered by whatever manufacturer you are considering before you make your purchase.
Using these basic criteria as a guide, you will find yourself headed in the right direction, being able to weed out the powerful, heavy desktop replacements and light, less durable models. The biggest thing to remember is that everyone has different needs and what might work for your buddy might not work for you. So remember to take into consideration all the factors before deciding on your oh so important road partner.
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For in formation on some of the better, more mobile options available, visit our Notebook Reviews page or take a look at www.bestlaptopsreviews.com and click on the article entitled Best Ultraportable Laptops. For current deals on notebook computers, please visit NuNo Computer Store page.