Working on the move seems like a fantasy, the kind of thing you see in a movie and know wouldn’t work in real life. However, digital nomads prove us wrong. They are full-time employees and freelancers who work from cafes around the world. Sometimes, you see them getting out their laptop on a beach in Greece. Other times, you spot them in working hubs in Bangkok. For sure, next week, they’ll work from a park in Austria or at a dinner in Nevada. How can they recreate an entire workspace, and an efficient one for that matter, with the few items in their backpacks? The laptop is key. So, here are the best laptops to consider and how to choose one when you aspire to a digital nomad lifestyle.
Main Laptop Features to Look for
To transform being on the move with your entire digital workspace into a sustainable lifestyle, you need to pay attention to more than processing power, RAM, SSD capacity, and graphic card performance. Put the following features on your checklist for when you next purchase a laptop:
- Display size: As you can’t bring a monitor with you, you must rely on the laptop’s display. Therefore, it should be large enough to allow you to do your work (particularly for creative visual jobs, such as photography, videography, graphic design, illustration, etc.). At the same time, the larger the display is, the heavier the laptop becomes.
- Weight: You need a lightweight laptop; there’s no way around it. Therefore, compromise the display size as much as possible to reduce the laptop’s weight. For most jobs, a 14-inch or 15-inch laptop is just enough.
- Physical dimensions: A compact laptop is not only easier to carry around but also simpler to install on a café table or balance on your knees in a park. In addition, small laptops are more discrete and less likely to catch the attention of people around you. If you work with sensitive data, you probably don’t want people to be able to read them over your shoulder.
- Battery life: You’ll be able to recharge your laptop in some locations; you won’t be able to recharge it in others. As a digital nomad, battery management is part of your everyday tasks. Invest in a laptop with a long battery life and fast recharging.
- Ergonomics: It may seem the last thing on your list when buying a laptop, but it is not something to overlook when working as a digital nomad. You won’t have the luxury of an external keyboard or even an external mouse. The laptop’s keyboard and touchpad are all you have. If they are uncomfortable, hurt your back or hands, or waste your time in search of shortcuts, maybe look for another laptop. It also helps you have the keyboard layout for the language you use the most.
Top Five Laptops for the Digital Nomad
With that in mind, we chose five laptops that provide exquisite technical specifications but also feature the best portability and usability on the move. Whatever your job is, these laptops will see it done impeccably while you enjoy the perfect view of the Japanese Alps or the Mediterranean Sea.
Apple MacBook Pro 14.2″
The MacBook Pro 14.2″ is a powerful little laptop, ideal for digital nomads. The 14.2″ display may seem small. However, Apple’s Liquid Retina XDR technology does its job extremely well regardless of lighting conditions. Plus, it doesn’t hurt your eyes. In addition, the MacBook Pro 14.2″ provides the processing power of Apple’s M4 Max Chip, 36GB RAM, and 2TB SSD. It’s fast and efficient and integrates smoothly with the Apple ecosystem. For example, whenever you have an internet connection, you can back up your data in the cloud. It works equally fast with Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365, MathWorks MATLAB, and other work environments. This powerhouse is ideal for the digital nomad working in the creative field.
But what’s most impressive is its portability. Up to 18 hours of battery life for uninterrupted use and a MagSafe charging port, ultra slim design (12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61″ (31.26 x 22.12 x 1.55cm)), and the weight you’ve been looking for (3.6 lbs. (1.62kg)). In addition, it comes with lots of preinstalled apps, features all the ports anyone might need (including an SDXC card slot and a headphone jack), and has a 1080p FaceTime HD camera and a studio-quality three-mic array for your work video calls.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 14IMH9
If you are a Windows systems fan, consider the IdeaPad Slim 7. The laptop comes with Windows 11 Pro and features an Intel Core Ultra 7-155H 1.4GHz processor, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD. It has a 14″ WUXGA display and an Integrated Intel Arc Graphics for bright and crisp visuals.
In terms of the on-the-move workflow, you will appreciate the Human Presence Detection, which automatically wakes up, logs in, dims the display, or locks the computer based on human detection. You’ll also enjoy the mechanical camera switch, which lets you adjust the camera’s position when on a video call.
The IdeaPad Slim 7 is indeed slim (12.28 x 8.7 x 0.59″ (31.2 x 22.1 x 1.49cm)) and lightweight. It only adds 3.15 lbs. (1.43kg) to your backpack weight. To save battery (a 65Whr one), the laptop offers Ultra Power Smart Power modes, letting you switch between prioritizing power consumption, performance, and heat sink fan speed. If you are a digital nomad with limited weight capacity, this slim notebook is for you.
MSI CreatorPro 16 AI Studio
The MSI CreatorPro 16 AI Studio is a slightly larger laptop with a 16-inch 4K Ultra HD+ 120Hz MiniLED display designed for gaming and stunning visuals. To enhance the visual experience even more, it features NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12GB GPU and NVIDIA Studio tools. In terms of the standard features of a computer, the MSI CreatorPro 16 AI Studio offers an Intel Core Ultra 9-185H 2.3GHz processor, 64GB RAM, and 1TB SSD.
What makes this laptop suitable for digital nomads is the 99Whr battery that provides a long battery life and fast-charging technology. It is also slim and compact (14.01 x 10.22 x 0.79″ (35.58 x 25.95 x 2cm)), relatively lightweight for its 16-inch display (4.39 lbs. (1.99kg)), and packed with all the ports you may need (card reader, HDMI, USB, audio port, etc.). And if you worry about its robustness, the fingerprint-resistant Magnesium-Aluminum alloy construction will end your worries.
The MSI CreatorPro 16 AI Studio comes with a pre-installed Windows 11 Pro operating system.
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra
Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H 2.3GHz processor and featuring 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra is a 16-inch laptop with an efficient NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8GB graphics card and AI capabilities. It allows you to access contacts, manage tasks, and send messages with chat commands. And because the display is a glossy touchscreen with antireflective coating, your digital workspace becomes even more compact and ergonomic.
In addition, the laptop comes with a fingerprint reader for maximum security, a variety of ports for enhanced connectivity, seamless integration with other Galaxy devices, and a Windows 11 Home operating system.
The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra has a 76Whr Lithium-ion battery. Its physical dimensions, 13.99 x 9.86 x 0.65″ (35.54 x 25.04 x 1.65cm), and weight, 4.1 lbs. (1.9kg), allow digital nomads to move quickly and effortlessly and work from any location.
Apple MacBook Air 15.3″
The MacBook Air 15.3″ is slightly less powerful than the MacBook Pro but has its advantages, nonetheless. To begin with, the Liquid Retina display is one inch larger. But even though overall the laptop must be larger than its sibling, 13.40 x 9.35 x 0.45″ (34.04 x 23.76 x 1.15cm), it manages to be even lighter, 3.3 lbs. (1.51kg). This is the right machine for the Mac-using digital nomad who needs to keep it lightweight.
In terms of performance, the MacBook Air 15.3″ has Apple’s M3 Chip, 24GB RAM, and 2TB SSD. It comes with pre-installed apps and integrates with the Apple ecosystem, and, like the MacBook Pro, features a 1080p FaceTime HD camera and three-mic array.
The battery lasts up to 18 hours of uninterrupted work and charges via a MagSafe 3 port. The sleek design will impress you for sure. Silent, thanks to its fanless operation, and sustainable, thanks to its 100% recycled aluminum enclosure, the laptop doesn’t disappoint on any level.
Bonus Tip: A Few Accessories for a Comfortable Digital Workspace
The laptop is the focal point of a digital nomad’s workflow, but there are a few accessories that can make your work on the move even better. Consider bringing a pair of headphones or the comfortable and discrete Bose QuietComfort earbuds. What you want is excellent noise-canceling functionality, customizable features, and a pleasant and stable fit for your ears.
You may also want a battery pack to recharge your laptop and phone when no power sources are in sight. For example, the Onsite 150W 25600mAh USB-C PD Battery Pack is a reliable solution, able to recharge a MacBook Pro once or your phone five times. A device recharge may take up to 60 minutes, and the battery itself recharges in 2 hours.
Last but not least, take care of your laptop. Invest in a high-quality sleeve and/or laptop backpack with pockets for accessories.
Conclusion
Laptops have become much more than small computers able to send emails, and that’s just about it. They have the processing power of a desktop unit, the display quality of an eBook reader, and the graphic and audio performance a digital creator needs. Furthermore, they have a sleek design, are slim and lightweight, and have exquisite ergonomics for long hours of work. For digital nomads, these characteristics are essential. But at a closer look, they are essential for everyone. Choose a laptop that improves your workflow and helps you enjoy not only the end product but the work itself.
