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1. Lightweight and powerful laptop
I don’t like buying new laptops, so I tend to make one big purchase and get whatever the best thing out there is every 7-8 years. I generally prefer PC’s, but I have a Mac right now and it may be winning me over so here are my top choices for each:
Mac: Apple 2024 MacBook Pro
There are a lot of things to consider when buying a MacBook, but for me, the value for money is the biggest. Right now, I would not buy a 16GB RAM or unified memory computer unless you are willing to upgrade within the next 4 years. When looking at specs alone, across Mac and PC’s I think the best value for money right now is the MacBook Pro (M4 Pro chip) with 24 GB unified memory and 512 GB SSD storage. I am even writing this article on this exact computer right now to prove it.
Lots of digital nomads go for the MacBook Air, but with the Air being only 310 g lighter than the Pro, it wasn’t a big enough determining factor for me. The new MacBook Pro is really slim, can handle things like 4K video editing with no issues, and the battery life consistently lasts longer than I expect it to. I often work 8+ hours from cafe’s and go home with still half my battery left.
PC: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
I love the Microsoft Surface line. My last laptop was the Surface Laptop 2 and I brought that computer all around the world with me for almost 8 years. Again, I recommend taking the upgrade on the RAM as well as having at least 512 GB SSD storage, then the processor is really up to you depending on what you want to use it for. Is this an expensive PC? Yes. But you get what you pay for, and this thing is going to last.
The only thing to beware of with this PC is that the chip is new, so it doesn’t run with all softwares. Make sure you check that any software you need to run can run on the ARM chips before making this purchase!
2. Portable monitor
Now this isn’t a necessity for everyone, but once you have a second monitor, it can be really hard to go back. The Cevaton Screen Extender is a good choice because it attaches right onto your computer, making it easier to use in a variety of places. The only issue with that is that it weighs more than one that just has its own little stand (2.07 kgs), but for the convenience of still being able to fit at little tables the extra weight could be worth it.
But if you want something a little lighter, more budget friendly, check out the Lepow portable monitor. Coming in at only 771 grams, it doesn’t attach right to your screen, but it’s a lot lighter!
3. Water purifying water bottle
Getting access to clean, safe drinking water around the world isn’t always possible without buying bottled water. This drives me a bit crazy always, because we all know that even if you try your best, single use plastics aren’t always recycled. But lately, we have some great new solutions coming out!
There are a lot of options depending on your main concern (will you be drinking out of a river fighting grass and dirt, or potentially contaminated tap water?), but the best, all rounder seems to be GRAYL water bottles. With these, you can essentially drink water from anywhere. It can be hard to trust it at first, but with 350 uses per filter, that’s a lot of water bottles you’re going to be saving.
4. Earplugs
Working in noisy cafes, planes or buses can make it difficult to focus. And if you’re anything like me, sleeping in noisy places is also completely impossible. So bring on the Loop Switch earplugs! One pair, adjustable noise cancellation, and unlimited battery life. How? The noise cancellation is completely mechanical, no charging required—ever!
5. Pocket Wifi
Having your own portable wifi can be a life saver. The amount of times I have been kicked out of a meeting because I hit the one hour limit at McDonalds or Starbucks is at least 5 times too many. You can usually pick these up at either an airport or cellphone store. If you’re coming to Japan, you can even order the Ninja Pocket Wifi online in advance.
Alternatively you can get a data package on your phone and hotspot yourself, but I find the unlimited data packages are more than the unlimited pocket wifi packages. But check out my favourite eSim provider Airalo to check rates on wherever your headed! For me it’s worked everywhere so far except Puerto Vallarta. So if you’re going there, I have no suggestion as everyone I went with had trouble getting a connection all using different methods, but anywhere else and you should be good!
6. Laptop Stand
I didn’t use a laptop stand for a long time, but then I turned 30 😅 Staring down at your laptop screen all day long is killer on the neck, so this has turned into a bit of an essential for me. I use this laptop stand, it’s a good price and works great.
It’s a bit heavy, but the other one that I have that attaches just to the bottom of my laptop as a little flap just isn’t very sturdy and doesn’t lift very high, so I prefer the bigger one. But if weight and space are your biggest priorities, I still recommend the small, flappy laptop stand over having nothing at all!
7. External Hard Drive
This likely depends on what kind of work you do, but if you do any kind of content creation, or if you just want to back all your photos of from your travels on something physical, having an external hard drive can be really handy. Travelling with a laptop also comes with some inherent risks, so best to back everything up if you can!
I use the WD Passport, and it’s compatible with both PC and Mac which is a plus for me since I tend to go back and forth.
8. AeroPress Go
If you’re a coffee person, and you want to bring your coffee around with you, this is a must-have. The AeroPress Go is compact, portable and so easy to use. I’ve been using an AeroPress for 7 years now, and the Go is my current model. Coffee people—you’re welcome!
9. Waterproof laptop case
Getting caught in the rain while commuting is inevitable, even for non-digital nomads. But do not let your expensive laptop pay the price! I went around SE Asia without a waterproof laptop case and to this day I cannot believe I didn’t ruin it. Props to Microsoft, maybe the Surface Laptop is weatherproofed (I don’t think it is, do not take my word on that), but just get yourself a waterproof laptop case and don’t take the risk!
10. Portable charger
Not every cafe has plug-ins! With your own portable charger, you can really work from anywhere. Check out this INIU brand 25000 Milliamp hours portable charger, it’s powerful enough to charge laptops and comes in cute colours, so what more could you need?
11. Laptop privacy filter
A lot of client’s aren’t comfortable with remote working due to the security risk. Having a VPN is a good first step, but having a physical privacy filter is also recommended. These filters make it a lot harder for passers-by to see what’s on your screen, making any risk of sensitive information being seen a lot lower. As a bonus, most of these screens also filter out blue light and are anti-glare, so why not!
12. Traveler's Notebook
I'm a notebook person. And while I do use online tools to organize myself and my time, sometimes, you just need a piece of paper. So I usually keep two notebooks, one for daily to do's and reminders, and another for journalling. Any notebook will do for the daily notebook, but for my journal I like to use a Travelers Notebook.
The TRAVELER'S Notebook is a refillable journal by the company Traveler's Company, a Japanese brand that makes really nice travel notebooks and accessories. The leather cover is handmade in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the paper is made in Japan. Check out their website for the whole story, it's a cool company and the website is bilingual. If you live outside of Japan though, you can't buy from their website but you can buy from Amazon instead!
And that's my list! If you're thinking of working while backpacking, you can also check out my packing list for a 7 Kg carry-on where I go into my favourite lightweight backpacks as well as everything I pack for work-away trips when I'm committed to flying budget. For some every day life as a digital nomad in Japan, also be sure to check out my YouTube channel!
See you in the next one!
Wander on ✨
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