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What is the best computer to work where power keeps failing?
Short answer: if your electricity fails often, every day you can't work is money lost. Choose a laptop with long battery life and low power use (a MacBook Air rated around 12 hours, or a Windows laptop rated about 16 hours), and back it up with a small generator or a portable battery you can charge from the outlet, a car or a solar panel.
Not working is losing money
I work with people in countries where the power company cuts electricity for days or weeks and internet is unreliable. Each day you can't work is like throwing money in the trash.
Laptops with long battery life
The MacBook Air (options at $999 or $1199, new or used) is not the fastest, but it gets the job done: Core i7, 8 GB RAM and Apple rates about 12 hours of wireless web. For video editing expect much less.
For Windows, I showed an HP laptop rated about 16 hours 30 minutes, almost two work days. Laptops use very little power: the HP adapter is around 65 W. Each year, search for the best battery-life laptops of that year.
Small generators
If you have a desktop and no money for a new computer, a small generator can keep it running. Examples: one rated 800 W (900 W peak) for about $169, and cheaper ones around $110. They are loud, like a motorcycle; enclosed quieter models cost more. Put it in the yard and run a cable to your computer.
Portable battery and solar
In an apartment where noise is a problem, use a portable power station. The one I showed has 155 Wh and a 100 W inverter. Charge it from the outlet, from your car, or from a solar panel. With a solar panel and sun you can run a low-power laptop the whole day.
Desktop or laptop?
If you already have a desktop and can't buy a new computer, keep using it and add a generator for power. If you are buying, a laptop is the better choice: it has its own battery and uses very little power, so a small portable battery or a solar panel can keep it running much longer than a desktop.
How long will it last?
Battery ratings are for light use like browsing and email. If you use the CPU heavily, for example video editing, battery life will be much shorter. Combined with a portable battery or a generator, you can still work the whole day.
Storage and power
If the laptop you choose has little storage, connect an external hard drive. If you need more power, some models come with an i7. Look at the power consumption: with a low-power laptop the battery, the power station and the solar panel all last longer.
Generator noise
Most small generators are loud, like a motorcycle. If you live in a building, that may be a problem. Models with an enclosure or silence system make less noise but cost more, so for an apartment a portable battery with solar is usually the better option.
Simple plan
1. Choose a laptop with long battery life. 2. Add a portable power station you can charge from the outlet, the car or solar. 3. If you need more power and noise is not a problem, add a small generator in the yard. 4. Each year, check the best battery-life laptops of that year.
Frequently asked questions
What laptop is best with frequent power cuts?
One with long battery life and low power consumption, like a MacBook Air or a Windows laptop rated around 16 hours.
Are small generators a good option?
Yes for desktops, but they are loud; quieter enclosed models cost more.
How can I charge a portable battery without grid power?
From your car or from a solar panel.