15 Best Laptops for Digital Nomads in 2024: Top Picks for Remote Work
Looking for the BEST laptops for digital nomads?
It’s an important decision. As digital nomads, our laptops are our ultimate tool for staying connected and earning our living. With so many options out there, how do you find the best laptop for digital nomad life?
Well, I’m confident you’ll find it in this guide. Why? Because, this isn’t a generic regurgitation of the same laptop recommendations you keep seeing everywhere. I went straight to the source for the research behind this guide.
Editor’s Choice: Don’t have time to read through this whole list? No problem.
The best overall laptop for digital nomad life is the Macbook Air M1 with a reputation for reliability and versatility.
Prefer a PC? The best PC laptop for digital nomad life is the Dell XPS 15.
Choosing the Best Laptops for Digital Nomads
As a digital nomad myself, who has traveled and worked remotely from many different countries, I of course have my personal laptop recommendation for you.
But even better, I tend to hang out in a lot of digital nomad communities online. This question about the best laptops for digital nomads comes up A LOT, along with many great answers from full-time digital nomads.
And that’s how I’ve compiled this list for you. I’ve mined through recent answers from full-time digital nomads, researched their recommendations for myself and included the best options for travel laptops for remote workers in this guide.
A Quick Comparison of Best Laptops for Digital Nomads
| Laptop | Weight | Screen Size | Battery Life | Read Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macbook Air M1 | 2.8 lbs | 13.3″ | 18 hrs | Reviews |
| ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 | 2.5 lbs | 14″ | 9 hrs | Reviews |
| ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 | 3 lbs | 14″ | 16 hrs | Reviews |
| ThinkPad Z13 | 2.76 lbs | 13.3″ | 18 hrs | Reviews |
| Dell XPS 15 | 4.22 lbs | 15.6″ | 9 hrs | Reviews |
| Asus Zenbook 14x OLED | 3.3 lbs | 14″ | 18 hrs | Reviews |
| HP Elite Book 840 | 3 lbs | 14″ | 17 hrs | Reviews |
| HP Envy | 4 lbs | 15.6″ | 9 hrs | Reviews |
| HP Spectre x360 | 2.78 lbs | 13.5″ | 16 hrs | Reviews |
| LG Gram 17 | 2.95 lbs | 17″ | 20 hrs | Reviews |
| Huawei Matebook X Pro | 3 lbs | 13.9″ | 6 hrs | Reviews |
| Panasonic Toughbooks | 9 lbs | 12″ | 10 hrs | Reviews |
| Microsoft Surface Pro | 1.7 lbs | 12.3″ | 15 hrs | Reviews |
| Samsung Galaxy Book Pro | 2.3 lbs | 15.6″ | 21 hrs | Reviews |
| iPad Pro + Magic Keyboard | 1 lb | 11″ | 10 hrs | Reviews |
15 Best Laptops for Digital Nomads
So, let’s get into it!
1. Macbook Air M1
Apple offers the best reliability in its products and the Macbook Air is tried and true (by yours truly, too) as one of the best laptops for digital nomads.
I’ve traveled extensively with my Macbook Air and found it to be lightweight, sleek and powerful. In its latest iteration, Apple has rolled out the M series — laptops with an M1 or M2 chip.
You can read the detailed technical speak on what the M1 chip is here. Essentially, what it means for the average consumer is more speed, better graphics performance and better battery life.
Another key plus of going with the Macbook Air M1 is that you can find access to an Apple store in many places around the world. On the off-chance you do run into an issue, you’ll have better access to support while traveling.
2. ThinkPad X Series – X1 Carbon Gen 10
ThinkPads are the only laptops certified for use on the International Space Station (they’ve been used on board since 1998). You know the quality is top-notch when NASA uses Lenovo laptops, too.
What makes ThinkPads among the best laptops for digital nomads is their durability. You can take ThinkPads to destinations with high humidity, dust, freezing temperatures and more and trust that your laptop will continue to perform optimally.
The X series ThinkPads are ultralight, secure and powerful. The keyboards are spill-resistant and screens are foldable so you can even sketch or take notes on them more comfortably. This laptop is great for the always-on-the-go multi-tasker.
3. ThinkPad T series (T-14, Gen 3)
The ThinkPad T-14 Gen 3 offers a great screen-to-body ratio, longer than average battery life and prompts healthy habit breaks for remote workers.
This laptop comes with a certified low blue-light display to decrease eye fatigue, and built-in Glance software that reminds you to check your posture and rest your eyes on a regular basis during long stretches of screen time.
4. ThinkPad Z Series
Streamlined quality meets conscious sustainability in the ThinkPad Z series, available in 13 in or 16 in screen.
The ThinkPad Z series laptops are made from recycled materials and packaged in 100% renewable, compostable packaging material. You’ll have the option of recycled aluminum or recycled vegan leather.
5. Dell XPS 15
This laptop comes highly rated and is often compared neck-and-neck with the Macbook. Incredibly sleek in design, fast and long-lasting the Dell XPS 15 even allows for light gaming.
This is an especially great option for video, photography, graphic design or music creators. You can customize the Dell XPS 15 to the recommended settings for its ‘Creator Edition’ for greater usability specifically for creators.
6. Asus Zenbook 14x OLED
Asus has received multiple awards over the years as one of the best laptop brands by experts. The Asus Zenbook 14x OLED is excellent for creatives because of its real-life color accuracy and motion clarity.
OLED displays also reduce blue light by up to 70% making them easier on the eyes than traditional LCD displays. Asus laptops are also strictly tested to be military-grade and designed to stand up to extreme temperatures, crashes and more.
7. HP Elite Book 840
If you’re looking for an ultralight, super fast machine consider the HP Elite Book Series. A durable option from a reliable brand, great for your everyday laptop needs.
8. HP Envy
The HP Envy is a more affordable option for a great laptop. It’s designed with speed that allows for seamless multi-tasking, fast charging and comes with built in HP QuickDrop to make file sharing a breeze.
9. HP Spectre 360 2-in-1
For powerful performance and a flexible, 360 design go with the HP Spectre 360. Of the HP laptops, it’s considered the best one.
You can feel even better about this purchase knowing it’s sustainably crafted using ocean-bound plastics and recycled aluminum.
Reviews say this is a must-buy, and a great deal for the price for this highly versatile laptop. You can use it as both a laptop or as a tablet when folded over.
Compared with the Dell XPS, mentioned above, the HP is better if your needs consist mostly of conducting general work tasks.
10. LG Gram 17
Want a bigger screen without adding too much weight? The LG Gram 17 delivers. Great for retouching photos, video editing or extensive copywriting with the support of battery power that lasts up to 20 hours.
The LG Gram 17 also offers a stellar audio experience, great for for anyone working in the music or audio field.
11. Huawei Matebook X Pro
This laptop offers an ultra-slim design, built in cooling fans, professional-grade color accuracy, intuitive touch screen and softer keypad for quieter typing among its features.
It also has an above-average built in sound system for a great entertainment experience. For added security, the Huawei Matebook Pro also has facial recognition technology.
12. Panasonic Toughbooks
For the ultimate durability, check out Panasonic toughbooks. This is one of the best laptops for van life digital nomads because it is built to take a beating and offers a longer than average battery life (between 19-38 hours depending on how you customize it).
Only designated resellers like this one can sell Panasonic Toughbooks so you won’t find them at your typical retail stores like Best Buy. However, you can find refurbished options on Amazon.
13. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Incredibly lightweight and portable, collapsible, definitely easy to travel with. I’ve had a Microsoft Surface Pro in the past and I understand why it’s considered one of the best laptops for digital nomads.
For me personally, I learned that the 2-in-1 tablet with detachable keyboard is not for me. Still, it was more convenient for air travel and if you’re a fan of the sleeker tablet style then this is a solid choice for you.
14. Samsung Galaxy Book Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Book pro is ultra-thin, lightening fast and has a great battery life. Working outdoors a lot? The screen adjusts to super bright so you can work more comfortably even in brightly lit areas under the sun.
You can easily balance your work and home life tasks with this machine. Have a lot of video calls? Look and sound your best with this laptop’s built in features.
This is a reasonably priced and versatile option making it one of the best laptops for digital nomads overall.
15. iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard
If you prefer a tablet with detachable keyboard that’s an Apple product then go with the iPad Pro combined with the magic keyboard, over the Microsoft Surface Pro.
The design of the magic keyboard allows for more flexibility in how you attach your iPad, making it perhaps more comfortable and convenient to work with than the Surface Pro option.
Key Considerations for Choosing the Best Laptops for Digital Nomads
There are several key factors to take into account for determining the best laptops for digital nomads. At a high level, these are:
Is it digital-nomad approved?
While your needs as a digital nomad are uniquely yours, it’s always helpful to have a solid starting point.
Every laptop outlined on this list has been recommended by someone who has had firsthand experience using it as a digital nomad themself.
How lightweight or compact is it?
What we love about the digital nomad lifestyle is that we get to work from anywhere in the world, and we tend to move around more than the average remote worker!
So, having a laptop that is lightweight and compact enough so it doesn’t weigh us down too heavily is key.
Does it have enough power?
As digital nomads, we want lightweight without sacrificing power. Laptops for digital nomads need to be powerful enough to bear our workload efficiently.
Factor in the type of work you’ll be using your laptop for to help you determine how much power you’ll need it to have, and review the specs accordingly before buying.
Read up on the basics of CPUs, processor, RAM and storage space to get a better sense of what you should be looking for based on your unique work needs.
Is it within your budget?
There are laptops out there to fit every budget these days. Are you looking for something affordable or are you comfortable with a higher price point?
Personally, as someone who spends a ton of time in front of her laptop, this is an area where I’m willing to allocate more of my budget.
One solid purchase that will last me several plus years and allow me to confidently tackle my work is worth it, in my book.
How versatile is it?
It’s important to have a sense of your daily work needs when determining the best laptop for you, for multiple reasons.
Do you only need access to email, Zoom and word docs? The right laptop for you then will be different from someone who will be creating and editing videos or graphics.
If you’re unsure how your professional journey will unfold, opt for a more versatile laptop that will be able to meet your needs in the long run by adapting with you.
Does it have a solid battery life?
If you want to be able to work from the beach, a pretty rooftop, a quaint coffee shop or anywhere else it’s helpful to not always be bound to a wall outlet for electricity.
The laptops included in this guide all offer a solid battery life to allow you to work remotely for big chunks of time without needing a charge.
Important Accessories for Travel Laptops
- Asus Zenscreen Portable Monitor
- Triple Screen Portable Monitor
- Waterproof Laptop Sleeve
- Laptop Privacy Screen Filter
- Anti-Blue Light Screen Protector
- Adjustable Laptop Stand
Conclusion: 15 Best Laptops for Digital Nomads
There you have it, the best travel laptops for digital nomads according to actual digital nomads. If you’re looking for the best travel laptops for remote work I hope you’ve found it in this guide, whether you’re traveling as a hobby or as a working lifestyle.
Now, go off and enjoy your nomadic lifestyle!
