I have traveled full time or have lived abroad for the past 15 years. Over the course of my life in one job or another as my writing and mentoring career developed. I invited editors from the deck of a cabin on a Caribbean island and met a deadline while at the airport. I’ve featured clients via video while at coffee shops, friends’ homes, and temporary rentals around the world.
I love the freedom I have to make choices in my life. Now, it seems many of us will move away from the traditional office establish and create a different vision of our work life.
This guide will help you decide what to keep in your backpack so you can travel light while living and working wherever you want.
Basic knowledge of gears
The equipment you need will obviously vary, depending on the job you do. But the following list allows you to perform basic office functions as well as create multimedia content, organize meetings and seminars, and collaborate with clients.
This home office setup guide covers most of what you want, but obviously, larger gear won’t fit in a backpack.
Choose your laptop
To decide which laptop is right for your needs, make a to-do list. Then, choose one that balances processing power with the cost and weight of the device.
I use a 14 inch MacBook Pro. I need something more powerful than the Macbook Air, plus I want additional ports. The small display saves about 1 pound in weight, which isn’t much, but it adds up when you put your device in your pack.
Check out these laptops under $700 and good negotiations.
To keep your laptop charged and connected to your accessories, bring multiport hub, and don’t forget all the essentials charger and cable. And don’t forget any devices and accessories you might need to do the things you normally do: headphones if you need noise blocking and activity, microphones if you’re recording, etc. Just remember to shop smart . You will have to carry all those devices with you wherever you go.
Internet connection
A solid internet connection is crucial to working on the road. Luckily, it’s easy to find a connection wherever you go. Don’t underestimate the popularity of free Wi-Fi! It is usually available at cafes, restaurants and especially if you are a guest of a hotel. Once you’re a customer, most businesses should have no problem connecting you.
When there is no Internet or the Internet is bad
I held a writing retreat at a mountaintop yoga resort in Costa Rica. It is very beautiful and full of monkeys, but no internet. To solve this problem, I bought a local SIM card internet access included anywhere in the country.
Yes three sizes SIM card fits any phone. You will need a small pin to open the part of the phone that contains the chip. A small paperclip works well, and you should store a paper clip in a safe space in your pack.
Make your phone stand out
Whether through a local chip or through your own service, it’s simple to access your phone’s settings and hot spot setting. You also have the option to create a password to maintain your privacy and protect your precious data.
When you can’t connect
For those difficult to access the internet, back up your work on Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox or other apps cloud storage option and make sure it’s available even when you’re offline. It’s a great choice for working on flights or when you’re in transit. These cloud services also automatically sync your offline work when you reconnect.
One bag to carry it all
Your backpack needs to be light, durable and comfortable to carry. You’ll want pockets of different sizes, including small, easy-to-reach pockets for small items that can easily get lost or things you need quick access to like IDs, keys, cards. transit, etc.
I carry SwissGear’s Wenger Ibex 17-inch Laptop Backpack. I like the “quick pocket” at the top to keep things I need frequently, like my cell phone and keys. The reinforced rope handle at the top makes it easy to grab and run on a flight or bus.
For more options, check out WIRED’s 2021 review of Best backpack for work.
How your smartphone fits
Almost everything you do with your computer, you can do with your smartphone. Load it with the apps you use regularly to access your data, edit documents, manage social networks, or run meetings.
Take photos and record videos on your smartphone has great quality. You will not need to purchase additional equipment unless you are a professional photographer or videographer. Expand your phone’s capabilities with add-ons and accessories like this.
By the way, you will need an unlocked phone when using a SIM from a service other than your carrier. Most US phone carriers charge a fee to unlock your phone if you buy it through them. Or you can always buy an unlocked phone and use whatever service you want.
