I got back from Washington, D.C. on Friday and now I’m packing for Seattle, Washington on Thursday. I love going places, meeting people, and doing things. But there is a challenge I struggle with every trip: What gadgets to I need for this trip?
D.C. was a road trip, so I was able to pack an entire bag of electronics alone. I took them all and wanted for nothing. I always had the right tool for the job and never had to “make do” with an alternate device. The trip to Seattle is by air. Now I have to balance my preference for a light bag and minimal packing with my spoiled reading and writing habits.
Of course, I take my iPhone. While admitting it does cause some embarrassment, my life just doesn’t function without my iPhone. Sad but true.
The next thing to consider is which e-reading device(s) do I need? My kindle is lightest but my nook has a textbook on it that I may want to reference during this business trip. Hmmm… better take my iPad then. My iPad has an app for both my amazon account and my Barnes & Noble account. Though I much prefer reading in e-ink, the iPad will give me universal access to my books and it’s only a couple of days.
Now it’s time to consider my writing device. Can I make do with just the iPad if I bring my bluetooth keyboard or do I need my MacBook Pro? The MacBook is absolutely more comfortable and powerful, but the iPad is so light and portable. I can put my presentation slides on either device and while it’s a short trip in days, it’s a long trip in transit time. It would be nice to use all that airport and layover time writing. While the iPad is amazingly versatile, there is nothing like the MacBook for composition. Besides, my favorite writing software is on it.
Still, It’s a short trip and if I work on my blog posts instead of my novel draft, the iPad will work just fine.
Ok <gulp> this is it. I’m going light. Nothing but my iPhone in my pocket and my iPad in my purse. (My bluetooth keyboard will come too.) Let’s see if that little iPad can do all the work for a few days. My business presentation slides, my reference book, my WanderLit reading, my personal writing, maybe even some help navigating Seattle.
What are your favorite on-the-go reading and writing devices? What electronics can you never leave home without?