whwiden

I use an 11 inch Lenovo Yoga 710 for travel. It works well, and is small and light. Mine is the least powerful version, on which I run Linux. If I were running Windows, I would consider a more powerful version. I paid $350 for mine. Plus, I have a USB port that converts one port to 3, plus ethernet--and a card reader. My entry level version runs Darktable and Gimp fine. On a long photo trip, I would also take an external storage disk--on a short trip, I just use the internal disk drive.

Key for me, in order, was small size to fit in my camera bag, price (not wanting expensive computer for travel), security when I use wifi at hotspots and hotels (Linux).

I have been tempted by the small 12 inch Macbook. Similarly by the Microsoft surface pro.

Bri Loc: NZ

I faced the same problem two years ago.
The 15" laptop was too big and heavy. With camera lens laptop my 7kg cabin allowance was blown.
Tried a ipad but too many hassels as Apple wanted all the control and there was no USB.
My solution was a MS Surface Pro. May be Microsoft but I can eat a rat if its life or death.
I am delighted with the choice. Every day I copy the SD card onto the Surface Pro as a backup.
Run Affinity as the editor but do not use it much, prefer the desktop when I get home.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Microsoft's Surface Pro 2 is very nice, but it is also not cheap!

whwiden

I should have added that this computer is a 2 in 1 so I can use it like a tablet. The Macbook did not have this feature or touchscreen. The Microsoft product does, as I recall. I like being able to read a book during travel or at night, and this works well with Kindle.

CaptainEd

One detail that can be easy to miss is the generation of the processor. For example, the performance of a 7th gen Core i7 can be had with an 8th generation Core i5. 8th generation Core i7's outperform the 7th generation impressively. 8th gen i5's can be had for less than 8th gen i7's without a big performance hit, and still outperform 7th gen i7s admirably. Here's an article that lays things out: https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/kaby-lake-refresh-8th-gen-vs-7th-gen

There is some confusion in current offerings as they often specify i7 without making the generation obvious. Dig a little deeper and look at the actual processor, and the model number will tell you....i7-7xxx is 7th gen, i7-8xxx is 8th gen.

Yea, I guess that's getting into the weeds a bit for a thread ranging from Chrome Books and iPads to high end gaming machines, but since the OP stated he wants to do everything on the road that he does at home, it seems worth mentioning.

bmike101 Loc: Gainesville, Florida

Buy the cheapest computer you can find and put Linux on it. The photo editing apps are GIMP and Darktable.

mej49 Loc: California

I purchased an i7 surface pro a couple of years ago and have been very happy with it. When I travel it goes into my photo backpack along with my BT GPS so I can see where I am when off roading.
The key board and pen is a real plus.
I run LR and PS on it.
And it has been very reliable.

BebuLamar

Which computer do you have?

jjanovy Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

In my opinion, mainshipper's post below is right on target. I do a lot of traveling and take my Dell XPS 13" (I think that's right), and depending on whether I'm driving or flying, an identical, but older, version I bought from a friend as a backup. Take an external hard drive. Small screens are better for flying because of the weight, and you can always enlarge text enough to read. What you really want is a device to copy, save, and back up photographs until you get home. Stay away from the new Macs for travel. Get something with a bunch of USB ports for easy backup of all kinds of stuff, and take along some high GB flash drives, too.

Edia Loc: Central New Jersey

A 17" labtop is not what I call "Portable". You can move it around but it is heavy. I put my Dell insperon 13 in my camera backpack and take it everywhere. With an i7 processor, it runs all my PP software and weighs 3.3 lbs. For serious PP, I rely on my desktop at home with a Samsung 24" monitor.

10MPlayer Loc: California

I use a Dell xps15. It's a 15" screen with 4k monitor, a 1TB solid state HD, lots of RAM. I guess I like it best because it's thin and lightweight. I plug it into my 26" Samsung 4K desktop monitor when I want to process images for printing. It works out pretty good. I had a few problems with it at first but Dell is great with customer support.

toxdoc42

I was just in Costco, they have a great deal on a new Surface Pro, $200 the usual price, bundled with the keyboard/battery etc. I love mine and only complaint is the storage of only 128 gigs.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Why does it seem like every serious photographer/professional photographer uses an Apple/iMAC for their work? High resolution screen regardless of size, lots of RAM, fast chipset, large storage capacity, and WiFi capable seems to be the minimum requirements. I want a portable device that will mount nicely on a tripod and allow me to focus my camera remotely and view photos as I take them. This would include photo stacking process in the field. PLEASE SANTA!

Rdhalste

A Laptop is a real computer and can do "almost" anything a desktop can do while a netbook is, at least to me, like an over size smartphone display and much easier to read than the phone.
OTOH I never liked the small keyboards laptops had "back then". I retired in 97 so laptops were smaller and MUCH heavier than today's. I still want a full size keyboard.
Even though I retired as a computer systems project manager for a large, multinational corporation, I opted for a desktop as I found the laptops too heavy and bulky for airline travel. Besides, reading (book or computer screen), travel motion and I do not agree.

I prefer computers that run Windows. Both Apple and many computers that run Windows will do a good job. As I build my own, my choice is made for me by the respective companies.

There are many brands, some are thin and quite light. Battery capacity may, or may no be a concern. If you travel out-of-country, make sure you have a battery charger that will handle the voltages.
Memory is important. More is better to a point. 16 GB of fast memory is sufficient. I would get one with a Solid State Hard Drive (SSD) of at least 500 GB, or more, and light weight.

Speed and multi core CPUs could, or might be a concern. Faster is better. If you want to run a number of programs at the same time, multiple core CPUs would probably be a better choice although I think many, if not most of the better laptops now come with fairly fast, multi core CPUs.

I do tend to view computers a bit different than most as that was my primary field. You don't find many my age with a 4 year degree in CS

greyskeeter

I have been looking the gnarbox, I already have a tablet and a portable HD. Haven’t made the leap yet.