Business

Choosing a laptop for today’s business executive traveller

Christmas is coming and you may want a laptop
Christmas is coming and you may want a laptop Christmas is coming and you may want a laptop

EVERY Christmas over the past number of years laptops, ultrabooks and tablets have been on the business executive's shopping list, either as a gift or a hard-earned treat.

These technology treats are often a last minute panic purchase when available models are scarce and so poor purchasing decisions are often made in order just to have something to use. So what's best for the business traveller to slip into his or her carry-on bags for that business trip?

It’s worth keeping in mind that even business people (outside of the traditional workplace) enjoy a little multi-media entertainment, web access or even the occasional computer game while on the road.

We currently have the ability to take along our multi-media or our web access device with us everywhere we go – in our pocket no less. Granted, the tiny touchscreens have a lot to offer, but can a cute little tablet that only requires two fingers to operate really replace the tried-and-true business laptop?

If you demand more out of your portable computing device than an elegant delivery method of your favourite computer game and social media browsing, then chances are, you want to invest your money in one of the latest laptops.

The first thing you should consider when selecting a laptop for travel is its screen size. To avoid drama at the airport, it’s a safe practice to keep your total laptop size at 16 inches diagonal or less. Be sure to fully charge your laptop before you leave home for the airport, as the airport security can ask you to demonstrate its functionality by turning it on and off.

Before you decide on a brand name, decide on what your needs are and how much you are willing to spend to accomplish your goals. Also consider if the laptop you will be purchasing will end up as your everyday machine or if you are purchasing it solely for travelling purposes.

While we’re on the subject of battery life, often budget laptops get better battery life than more expensive professional and gaming models. All of the extra bells and whistles result in more rapid energy consumption. If your needs are rooted in the realm of e-mail, web browsing, social media and watching a few movies while you’re stuck due to a flight delay, then you may find that a budget laptop will be all the power you’ll ever need.

But suppose you are travelling for work and require a high powered laptop for a 3D modelling project or HD video presentation - you may not get off so cheap. While it’s possible to acquire a laptop that performs as good as your office workstation, you could be looking at spending 3 or even 4 times more for travel-sized performance, in the form of what’s called an “ultrabook”.

Power users should be on the lookout for configurations featuring additional memory, better graphics, increased hard drive storage capacities, and razor-sharp high resolution displays.

Tablets are intuitive and undeniably hip, but they leave something to be desired in the productivity department. Fortunately, several manufacturers have recognised this problem and now offer laptops with break-away displays so you can walk around with and use them like a tablet.

Other companies offer a 360-degree hinge that allows your display to fold down over the keyboard facing outward achieving the same effect. These laptops are great because they give you the comfort of a tablet while on your flight and the productivity of a desktop while you put together a presentation for your business meeting.

Laptops now feature many of the same great functionality you find in your smart phone, such as Bluetooth, built-in wi-fi, HD displays and even 4G wireless network-compatible cards for getting internet access anywhere there is a signal.

One of the most important things you should consider when shopping for a business travel laptop, apart from if it fulfils most if not all the functionality requirements you have hopefully taken the time to list, is how you feel about the machine.

In other words - you need to buy something that feels like it belongs to you and that you want to take it with you – not just because you have to - but because you want to!

:: Trevor Bingham (editorial@ itfuel.com) is business relationship manager at ItFuel in Craigavon. Follow them on Twitter @itfuel.