If you are traveling most of the time for business or pleasure, then carrying your workaround might be difficult. However, with the recent launches of lightweight laptops, you can travel with them quite easily. The factors that make any laptop travel-friendly are its lightweight, super-long battery life, and ultra-portable design. However, for some, the budget is also a major concern. Having a suitable lightweight and budget-friendly travel laptop can quite be a luxury in itself. It reduces the stress of work and due to its specialized features, lets you enjoy your journey.
Traveling with a laptop is fun! You can easily check your emails on the go, watch a couple of Netflix series on a big screen and play a game of PacMan on a plane or a train. While it all sounds cool, not all laptops are meant for travel.
Besides, any frequent traveler would avoid carrying their more expensive premium products and that is which is when the top best cheap travel laptops become essential. They are cheap, easy to travel with and most importantly wouldn’t make you lose your sleep over it, in case it is lost or gets damaged during a trip. There’s one for every budget and purpose; you just have to pick your choice.
Here are some of the best cheap travel laptops.
See also: Best Cheap Laptops
Best Cheap Travel Laptops 2021
Buying Guide
Going on a trip is a fun experience especially when you could take your laptop along with you for productivity and entertainment. When buying the best travel laptops, a fine balance between battery life and compact design should make those long travels easier.
- Better battery is a must – The most important of all aspects to consider while buying a laptop for travel is to consider the battery life because you will never know when you can gain access to a charging point while you are on the move. It helps during crucial times when you want to use the map or browse the web for local information.
- Compact display size – While gamers and designers would always prefer larger monitors for improved accuracy, being a traveler, you should consider 13-inch or at the most, a 15-inch display so that it is easy to carry it in your backpack.
- Rugged build quality – Be it rain or shine, the product of your choice should be able to withstand extreme weather conditions. Make sure you have a rain cover for your laptop as a heavy downpour could easily affect the internet components. It should be built for rugged usage.
- Low profile design – Consider buying a black or a grey laptop because colorful ones like red, blue, etc. could attract lots of unwanted attention. You wouldn’t want your data or the product stolen in a random airport, right? Flashy lights and colorful designs are some things you should avoid.
- Faster processing power – The multiple cores found in AMD processor or Intel processors can help get the job done quickly. They often contribute to a more balanced battery life and will help you a lot when you are in a hurry to get work done while being on the move. Consider a laptop with higher RAM capacity and storage so that you can save your photos or videos that you capture.
Stylish and cheap
Acer Aspire 1
Take a quick glance at the Acer Aspire 1 and you wouldn’t believe how stylish it looks if you get to know the price tag. The laptop is not only cheap but has a clean all-purpose keyboard making it easy to type to long e-mails when traveling. The old school laptop retains full USB ports and the black, matte finish assures a comfortable grip during usage.
The Acer Aspire 1 has a 14-inch 1080p display powered by an Intel Celeron N3450 processor clocked at 2.2 GHz and 4 GB of RAM with 32 GB of internal storage. It runs Windows 10 Home edition making it the best computer that you could buy without going for an ARM version of the operating system or compromising with a Chromebook. The only drawback could be the storage space which you can possibly fix using an external USB drive.
Why Should You Buy This?
- The powerful processor makes the laptop quick.
- Nice display resolution of 1920 x 108 for its price range.
- The laptop is lightweight and ideal for frequent travelers.
- Uses full-sized USB ports making it easy to connect and has a large display
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Colorful with a reliable keyboard
HP Stream 11 Laptop
HP Stream 11 laptop has been built for one purpose, to make it easy for you to use MS Office, get the full Windows 10 experience and watch videos on the go. It is easy to say that the laptop ideally solves its purpose without creating a dent in your wallet. The affordable device sports a compact 11.6-inch display with a resolution of 1366×768 pixel. One of the top best cheap travel laptops that has a colorful, vibrant design with an exterior finish that feels good to touch.
Under the stylish shell, the HP Stream 11 is powered by an Intel Celeron N3060 clocked at 1.6GHz with 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage space. The new variant comes with a one-year free subscription to Office 365 but you can always buy a used or refurbished version for an even cheaper cost. The laptop is definitely not going to win any benchmark tests but it will adequately allow you to complete your work or relax on a trip with less footprint. The stylish color makes it easier to be carried out especially for younger users who are bored with black laptops that are very business-like.
Why Should You Buy This?
- The vibrant blue color makes it aesthetically very appealing.
- The compact and easy-to-store characteristic makes it convenient to carry around.
- One-year free subscription to Office 365 available with this laptop.
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Top best cheap travel laptop with amazing speakers and build quality
Asus L402WA-EH21 Thin and Light HD Laptop
Get ready to be amazed by the Asus L402WA-EH21, a laptop that has all the essential and newest ports combined with the amazing build quality. The outer shell feels sturdy to hold and you can carry it out without any fear. Just slip it in your backpack and go on a trip! It should work fine and will also make it easy for you to do your tasks on the go. It is also a good device for media consumption as its speakers allow you to watch movies comfortably in a hotel room or in the outdoors.
The Asus laptop features a 14-inch display and runs on AMD E2-6110 1.5 GHz processor, AMD Radeon R2 Graphics with 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage space. The only caveat is that it runs on Windows 10 S and not the full version of the operating system. This shouldn’t deter most users because you can hardly do any video editing work or use powerful software in this travel device. It’s meant for light office work, movies powered by powerful Sonic Master certified speakers and internet browsing which it can handle sufficiently.
Why Should You Buy This?
- The overall build quality of this laptop is just fantastic and will impress even the most demanding buyer
- A huge range of ports including USB Type C and SD card slot to further expand the memory
- Sonic Master speakers that are loud and fun to listen to
- CPU has the perfect balance of performance and battery life.
- Ultra-lightweight and packaged in a nice slim case.
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A perfect office laptop for travelers
Newest Lenovo Ideapad 320
The Lenovo Ideapad 320 is back with a bang as the newest edition of the popular device is back with more ports and features than you could ever ask for. The laptop features a 15.6-inch display with a resolution of 1366×768 pixel. It is powered by Intel Celeron N3350 dual-core processor clocked at 1.10 GHz and it can be pushed up to 2.40 GHz pulling the most power out of this business laptop.
The hardware specs also include 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD storage. The choice of SSD will keep your data safe during travel, unlike traditional HDD that could easily get damaged in transit. The Lenovo Ideapad 320 is a laptop meant for business users with an impressive color choice and apart from all the essential ports, it also retains a DVD writer in 2021 making it the laptop that offers the best of both worlds. This is the top best cheap travel laptop that offers great value for your money.
Why Should You Buy This?
- Lenovo offers a true-business laptop with an impressive design, great choice of ports and SSD storage
- The large 15-inch display makes it easier to work and can also be used for entertainment
- Budget-friendly, at the same time high-quality.
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Rugged laptop with a rubber shell and spill-resistant keyboard
Asus VivoBook W202NA-YS03 Rugged Laptop
Travelling can get messy especially if you spend a lot of time near the beaches or visit crowded areas. The Asus VivoBook rugged laptop has been designed for such travelers as it is safely covered inside a rugged shell with rubber guards in the corners and uses a spill-resistant keyboard. The laptop has been certified to have military-grade durability allowing you to be at peace even if it falls down or occasional spillage caused by a drink or when working near the beachside.
The Asus VivoBook W202NA-YS03 is powered by the Intel Dual-Core Celeron processor clocked at 2.4 GHz. The device has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage space. The 11.6-inch matte finish HD display is adequate for basic computing on the go and the durability further adds to the travel quotient of this laptop. It runs on Windows 10 Home and is a great pick for frequent travelers.
Why Should You Buy This?
- Military-grade ruggedness ensured by an outer rubber covering, rubber handles and a spill-proof keyboard
- The colorful blue shell that makes it appealing to young students and travelers alike
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Solid travel laptop with a DVD Writer
Dell Inspiron 15.6-inch AMD Powered Laptop
The design of the Dell Inspiron 15.6-inch laptop may hardly impress anyone because it is plain black with a large bezel and thick body. There are some advantages to it because it makes it easier to type on the keyboard, carry it around without any durability issues and it also offers a range of ports including an actual DVD writer allowing you to enjoy some old school file transfer methods.
The Dell Inspiron 15.6-inch laptop is powered by 7th gen AMD dual-core A6-9220 processor clocked at a cool 2.50 GHz coupled with 4 GB of RAM and 500 GB of storage space. The laptop has a 15.6-inch 720p display and uses AMD Radeon R4 integrated graphics which might allow you to do some casual gaming. It runs Windows 10 Home Edition and is a true business laptop that you could travel with while getting your work done.
Why Should You Buy This?
- Solid build with thick bezels and body that assures it can withstand rough usage
- Great choice of ports, DVD writer to use to transfer data or just watch your old DVD collection during a business trip
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Other models worth buying
Get More At A Less Price
Acer Chromebook
Acer has its specialization in making highly affordable and functional Chromebooks. When it comes to travel laptops, Acer Chromebook serves as the best and the cheapest option. Though the overall built might not excite you, however, when it falls under your budget range with average functionalities, then you could ask for no more.
For instance, Acer Chromebook with 11” offers high portability and the one with 13” has a comfortably-sized keyboard. Here are some more specifications of the same:
- CPU: Intel Celeron N2840 2.16 GHz
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
- Screen: 11.6” HD IPS screen
- Storage: 2 GB DDR3L SDRAM, 16 GB internal storage
- Google Chrome OS, up to 9 hours of battery life
Why Should You Buy This?
- High performance and ultra-durable laptop with decent specs.
- This third-generation Chromebook is one of the slimmest laptops you will find.
- This low price tag, fast and smart laptop gives the best value for money.
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2-in-1 Convertible Range
Microsoft Surface Pro
The best thing about convertible laptops while travelling is that these offer the ease of using them both as a laptop and a tablet as well. Microsoft has launched its latest range of highly functional convertible laptops with its Pro model. With the comfort of using this laptop as both a laptop and a tablet, your journey becomes simpler and fun. Moreover, it also comes with additional features to make your trip more worthwhile.
With its lightweight feature of just a 1.7-pound model, Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is an amazing choice for you. Here are some additional features:
- CPU: Intel 6th Generation Core i5 3 GHz
- Graphics: Intel Integrated Graphics
- Screen: 12.3” with 2736 X 1824 resolution
- Storage: 4 GB DDR3 RAM with 128 GB SSD
- Extremely lightweight at 1.7 lbs with 9 hours of battery life
Why Should You Buy This?
- This convertible 2-in-1 laptop is faster and has accurate fingerprint reading.
- The laptop has a very good battery life of up to 9 hours.
- It’s stylish, good-looking and offers outstanding performance.
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The Best Travel Ultrabook
Dell XPS 13
Ultrabooks are the ready-to-go laptops and are best suited for travelling. Their high performance and high portability offer the highly functional features to the users while travelling. Amongst the best range of the Travel Ultrabooks, Dell XPS 13 is the best pick owing to its unibody design and powerful set of features.
With the latest Windows 10 OS, this ultrabook features some unique specifications to make it to your choice. Here are some:
- CPU: Intel Core i5 5200 U 2.2 GHz processor
- Graphics: Intel HD graphics 5500
- Storage: 8 GB dual-channel DDR3L-RS RAM with 256 GB SSD
- Screen: 13.3” UltraSharp QHD+ with 3200 X 1800 resolution; Infinity Touch Display
- Windows 10 OS, lightweight at 2.8 pounds
Why Should You Buy This?
- This is a high performance and high portability laptop with several features.
- The laptop offers great picture quality and is easy on the eyes.
- The solid build quality makes this laptop a strong and sturdy one.
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The Best in HP Series
HP ENVY 13-ab016nr
This model by HP is the best in its series. Owing to high-performance features combined with budget-friendly features, this laptop is sure to come under your purchase list. With an amazing overall design along with high portability, you can carry this high-end laptop with much ease wherever you travel.
Here are some additional specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i5 -7200 U processor dual-core 2.5 GHz
- Graphics: Intel HD 620
- Storage: 8 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM with 256 GB PCIe-based SSD
- Screen: 13.3” diagonal full HD with 1920 X 1080 resolution
- Windows 10 OS, up to 14 hours of battery life
Why Should You Buy This?
- This is a budget-friendly laptop with top-notch features, amazing design and portability.
- The thin and light laptop has an excellent sound system with booming audio.
- Its fast, responsive performance enhances intuitive interactions with your PC.
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Budget-Friendly Travel Design
ASUS ZenBook UX330UA –AH54
ASUS too has entered the laptop industry for manufacturing travel-friendly laptops offering high portability and great performance at the same time. With an amazing 12 hours of battery life, it can be a great choice for the travellers to serve the purpose of both, work as well as entertainment.
Some unique features like fingerprint sensor, Harman Kardon speakers, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, and so more makes it a perfect option to buy. Here are some additional features:
- CPU: Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5 GHz processor
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 Integrated
- Screen: 13.3” wide-view Full HD with 1920 X 1080 resolution
- Storage: 8 GB DDR3 RAM with 256 GB SSD
- Pre-installed Windows 10 OS, lightweight at 2.6 lbs, 12 hours of battery life
Why Should You Buy This?
- The built-in fingerprint reader with one-touch login is a cool feature available on this laptop.
- The ZenBook has a powerful processor and long battery life.
- The small and light body is best suited for people who travel a lot.
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Ultra Looks with High Performance
Samsung NP900X3L –K06US
This model comes as an extremely stylish one with the slim and compact body -a perfect choice for those who travel frequently. The laptop by Samsung comes equipped with high-performance features along with a lightweight design, amazing display, and comfortable keyboard. To top it all, these features fall under your budget quite easily.
The laptop comes powered with reliable specifications. Some of these are:
- CPU: 6th generation Intel Core i5 2.3 GHz processor
- Graphics: Intel HD Integrated graphics
- Screen: 13.3” Full HD LED display with 1920 X 1080 resolution
- Storage: 8 GB DDR3 RAM with 256 GB SSD
- Lightweight at 1.9 lbs; up to 10 hours of battery life
Why Should You Buy This?
- It’s a lightweight laptop that has an amazing display and a comfortable keyboard.
- The ultraportable notebook weighs less than 1.9 pounds and perfectly fits travelers who would like to carry it for their trips.
- SideSync software is used to easily connect with other Samsung devices.
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See also: Top best laptops for programming of 2021
FAQs
Are cheap travel laptops reliable?
Of course, they are! If you are not buying a rugged product, make sure you take care of it by using a thick backpack and avoid bumps along your route because these laptops often use HDD and not SSD.
How can I safeguard my data on my laptop?
Make use of the fingerprint lock found in most modern laptops. You can also consider using SSD which can withstand rugged usage and lots of movement which is a very common scenario for every traveler.
How can I improve the battery life of my laptop?
If you are unclear as to when you will have access to a charging port, consider using your laptop with half the brightness so that it lasts much longer than it would usually do. You can also use it in airplane mode for increased battery and always carry a battery pack for times of emergency.
What if my laptop gets damaged due to water?
Most warranty policies will not cover water damage. You will most probably have to buy a new one if the internal components are completely damaged. However, you can consider replacing a specific part in the warranty center which should save you money.
Why are cheap laptops best for travel?
The chances of your product getting damaged or wet is much higher while being on the move for several days. Consider leaving your expensive products at home and go for a cheap laptop so that in case if it gets broken, you can replace it easily without spending a fortune.
What is the most important feature to look for?
The compact and lightweight design of a laptop will always be a deciding factor. When your backpack is already full, you can’t stuff in a heavy device because you still need to carry your phone, speakers and other accessories for a fun travel experience.
Conclusion
Are you a student or someone with a low budget and looking for a laptop to carry on your trips? You might be overwhelmed with the choices available in the market. Listed above are some of the best and cheapest laptops out there with decent specs. If you are looking for some of the cheap travel laptops, then make your best choice from the list above!
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