It can be hard to strike a good balance, between taking every piece of tech you think you might want and trying to get by with just a smartphone. (Yes, some digital nomads travel that light). Now please don’t roll your eyes when I say “everyone’s needs are different” - they are. That doesn’t mean I can’t shed any light on your situation. I think the solution for most of us lies somewhere in-between the two extremes.

Computer, Tablet, or Smartphone?

One of the first things you will have to contend with is what will be your main working device. While there are many people in this world who can get by with just a smartphone, I can’t. For starters, there are times when I need to both be on a Teams or Zoom meeting and have access to my files. Split-screen on a phone is a little too small, even on the biggest phones.

My minimum recommendation would be a larger tablet with a keyboard. I’m partial to the higher end Samsung Tablets (currently I use a 2 year old S7 plus, and it is fantastic). It offers near-laptop levels of functionality, but is still very light and easy to carry. There are limitations though - some software isn’t available for tablets. For example, it can be difficult to use DyDx through an Android tablet (although I understand there is an iOS app). But for days when you want to grab something thin and light and work from a coffee shop or beachfront restaurant, a good tablet is the way to go.

While many can make do with options one or two, I need a proper laptop. There are just too many things I do which are easier with a full-size laptop. My current model is an Asus, with an OLED screen. The image quality is fantastic, it is a great performer, and everything runs on it. When I am in my home office I have 3 screens - a 42” monitor, a vertically mounted 27” monitor, and the laptop screen. Wherever I am, I can usually plug into a 4K TV and at least run dual screens. For my workflow, this is nearly required.

So what about you? Can you go full-minimalist? Or do you need the whole outfit - laptop, tablet, smartphone? I have set up that way in Starbucks - 3 devices spread across a coffee shop table.

Where Can You Simplify?

There are a few areas where I have learned to pare back my gear. The first is cameras - I carry a GoPro for diving, and my smartphone. Yes, I hear you hardcore photographers, a DSLR or mirrorless can still outperform a smartphone, especially when paired with the right lenses. Some mid-level cameras offer optical zoom capabilities even more than the digitally enhanced 5 camera phones. But for 99.9% of my photography needs, a smartphone and a GoPro have me covered. Life on the road isn’t about having the 0.01% situations covered - some sacrifices have to be made.

Since all my devices are charged with USB-C, I can get by with a couple of chargers - a multi-port device for general charging, and a high output power block for laptop charging. This greatly cuts down on the mess of cables in my carry-on.

The modern nearly-paperless business lifestyle is great. In the rare event I need to print something a USB drive and a local print shop are more than enough. No need for a travel printer.

One Odd Complication

As much as I embrace the digital life, there is one analogue concession I can’t seem to shake - paper notebooks. I have a collection of moleskin notebooks, I am currently using a hardcover store brand notebook. And I have a fountain pen. I can’t explain it, but for some reason there is something different about writing with a pen on paper. For pure free association creative idea generation, nothing beats pen on paper. I have tried digital note taking devices - I returned the Remarkable 2. It was great, fantastically well made, but at least when I had it two years ago the software seemed not quite there. I also had a Kobo Elipsa, and felt the same way. Great device, but not quite there. I currently have a Kobo Sage, and use the stylus from time to time, but the experience is never quite right for note taking. For reading - love my Sage. But I’m not ready to let go of my fountain pen yet.

What about you? What are your essentials? What are your items that common sense says you should leave behind, but you take with you everywhere you go? Let me know in the comments.