ESSENTIAL ASPECTS TO CONSIDER WHILE SELECTING YOUR NOTEBOOK COMPUTER
When it comes to selecting a notebook for traveling purposes, a few crucial elements to contemplate are:
– Operating System
– Budget
– Mobility (Dimensions and Battery Longevity)
– Storage Capacity
– Processing Capacity (RAM)
It’s vital to evaluate these aspects honestly and determine which are most important to you.
OPERATING SYSTEM
The operating system is the fundamental software that operates your device, managing all hardware and processing requirements, and providing a user-friendly interface for interaction.
Do you have a preferred operating system? Are you a die-hard Apple OS enthusiast, or do you lean towards a PC with Windows?
Are you reliant on Google services like I am, leading you to consider a Chromebook, or are you aiming for the ultimate convenience and considering a tablet?
Your operating system preference should be your initial decision.
If you’re not bound to any particular brand and are flexible, there’s a few things you might consider.
Apple OS: Apple’s OS and their MacBook range are highly efficient and adored by many creatives for their stylish aesthetic, but this comes with a premium price tag.
Windows OS: The Windows platform is incredibly adaptable and has a multitude of excellent laptop manufacturers to choose from, resulting in competitive pricing.
Chrome OS: Chromebooks are increasingly resembling traditional laptops in functionality. Chrome OS is designed around the Chrome browser and doesn’t need extensive processing power, which makes Chromebooks an affordable choice if your main tasks involve writing and researching.
BUDGET
While a Windows-based laptop can equal the high price tag of a MacBook, there are also more budget-friendly options available.
Here are some price considerations based on your chosen operating system:
Premium: MacBook ($800-$2000)
Average: PCs and Tablets ($500-$800)
Economical: Chromebook ($300-$500)
Price could be a deciding factor that encourages users to switch from their preferred operating system to try something different.
MOBILITY
The overall mobility of a laptop is determined by factors such as its weight, battery longevity, and screen dimensions.
If mobility is your top priority, a tablet could be the perfect fit. For instance, consider the latest Samsung tablet that weighs less than a pound.
The lightest devices are typically also the slimmest, so bear in mind that these two aspects of mobility are interconnected.
Modern laptops and tablets usually offer a battery life of over 10 hours, so this isn’t a major concern. You can trust that a current-generation laptop will likely last through a long-haul flight.
Screen size can also be a critical factor. A 15” screen might test the limits of space and your neighbor’s patience, and an 11” screen could feel uncomfortably small.
The ideal balance between fitting on an airplane tray table and not being too small to enjoy a movie is around a 13” screen, which offers plenty of options.
PROCESSING CAPACITY
The processing power and the processor itself are significant, depending on the operating system and software you use.
MacBooks start with 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5 processor, which is sufficient for multitasking large programs and streaming videos. You have the option to upgrade to 16GB of RAM and an i7 processor, but unless you’re running resource-intensive tasks like Adobe Photoshop, professional video editing software, and streaming YouTube and Netflix concurrently, you probably won’t need the upgrade.
A robust PC should have 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5 processor, but some budget-friendly options with 4GB RAM and an i3 processor may struggle to run Windows 10 and its associated software. If you’re doing anything beyond basic word processing and internet browsing, you’ll need at least 8GB of RAM and an i5 processor.
A high-performance Chromebook generally has 4GB RAM and an Intel m3 processor. Although these specs may seem low compared to PCs, Chromebooks can efficiently run Netflix and multiple browser tabs due to the Chrome OS’s optimized design for online operations.
STORAGE CAPACITY
Storage capacity is a significant factor for travelers who take lots of photos and videos or need to manage large files for their blogs.
MacBooks and PCs outperform Chromebooks and most tablets in this aspect.
With storage ranging from 128GB up to over 1TB, MacBooks and PCs can accommodate over 100 hours of HD video, thousands of photos and music files, and hundreds of applications even at the 128GB level.
In contrast, Chromebooks and tablets generally have much less storage, ranging from 32GB to 128GB. You’ll be able to store some videos and photos, but downloading extensive content like all eight seasons of Game of Thrones may not be feasible.
However, there’s a wide variety of external storage options available to store your critical files.
RECOMMENDED OPTIONS
Top-Rated MacBook (Overall Best Choice)
MacBook Air (latest version)
Specifications:
Apple OS on an 8th generation Intel Core i5 Processor
13.3” display
8GB-16GB RAM, 128 GB -1.5 TB SSD Storage
15.6 mm (0.61 in) thick, 2.75 lb.
Battery life up to 12 hours.
Price: $999-$1399
The MacBook Air is an ideal choice for traveling bloggers. It’s powerful enough to run heavy programs and edit videos while being lightweight, portable, and having a robust battery life.
Although it is the priciest among all our top recommendations, if budget is not a constraint, the MacBook Air is an excellent choice.
