LIGHTWEIGHT LAPTOP WITH GOOD BATTERY LIFE
You’ll be more mobile while abroad. You may have to commute to classes, and
you’ll spend tons of time wandering your temporary home. But if you’re
schlepping a 5-pound gaming laptop, travel will seem more like a chore than a
carefree adventure.
A lightweight computer such as the Dell XPS 13 (9380) or the Acer Swift 5 can
save you a lot of pain, especially since you probably won’t need a super-
powerful device to get through your daily social-media scrolling or TV binging
(and essay writing). Buying a cheap Chromebook and leaving your bulky
Alienware stateside may also serve you well. Both the Asus Chromebook Flip
(C302CA-DHM4) and the Acer Chromebook 514 are lightweight with 10-plus-
hour batteries.
Don’t worry about CPU power. There’s plenty of time to play Doom Eternal
when you get home; for now, go out and see the world.
For more details and recommendations, read “The Best Laptops for College
Students” in this issue.
HIGH-QUALITY CAMERA
Yes, the Pixel 3 has a damn good camera, but your smartphone can’t compete
with the real deal. Imagine all the incredible tableaus waiting for you abroad;
don’t you want to remember them in perfect detail?
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Instead, consider a bridge camera, a device for prosumers and professionals
who want an near-SLR quality without the size. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-
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the Lumix’s 25x zoom and 1-inch sensor.
MOBILE HOTSPOT
The pay-per-day Roaming Man U2 Global 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot can alleviate some
of your data woes; its fast, reliable network and long battery life can help you
circumvent dicey public WI-Fi and keep you connected in data-less zones so
you can check Google Maps, refresh your emails, or download the daily
Crossword Puzzle. Just be careful; the Roaming Man’s price adds up over time,
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