Comments on: My portable office

By: Joel

Joel — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:19:56 +0000

Wow and i thought that i was carrying a lot around with my Laptop, power supply, and mobile broadband modem, and was really picky on whether i should get a mouse or not.

I tend to spend quite a lot of time working in coffee shops and other places, so i did end up deciding for a mouse, as i often really miss the proper mouse when working with excel and such. Luckily my laptop has bluetooth, so have gone for a dongle less option.

By: Lorelle

Lorelle — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:14:44 +0000

I love the Logitech MX Revolution mouse, too, and have been using it or its predecessors for several years. I use the Bluetooth model with the USB adapter (new laptop lacks Bluetooth – narrow thinking HP!) which terrifies me because I am so careful about where I put it for fear I will lose it. Trying to figure out how to glue a keyring to the sucker and chain it to my laptop some how. It’s proprietary, so expensive to replace and hard to replace.

What I have to have in my portable office includes a MonsterPower 4 outlet extension cord that turns any electrical outlet into four more ways to plug into electricity.

I also used to carry the funky Pringle’s can WIFI antenna called the “Canntenna” by Wireless Gardens. Now I have a Hawkins H-Gain USB Wireless G Dish Adapter that I haul around. It’s awkward to pack safely, but when heading out to unknown WIFI access areas and cell-phone-less zones, it’s been a lifesaver.

Buying a new laptop this past spring lightened my load by 15 pounds between the laptop and the power brick. Next year I hope to lighten it even more as the world becomes more Internet friendly. Every year my traveling office gets smaller and lighter.

Just praying for a future with no more black snakes in the jungle under my feet. Promise me wireless power is coming sooner rather than later? Please!

By: Mark Jaquith

Mark Jaquith — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:54:08 +0000

I use the Logitech MX Revolution because of the bigger size (more comfortable) and all the extra buttons, which I have wired to Exposé and "Show Desktop" and Cmd-W, among other things. I adore it. I actually have a second one still in original packaging, in case Logitech decides to stop making it. I use the wireless Apple keyboard, because I have too many wires as it is, and I don't really need a numeric keypad. My backpack is the Brenthaven Pro 15/17 which comfortably fits my 17" MacBook Pro. I don't really work out of home unless I'm traveling, so I don't have a stand or a second power supply, but I've considered them. I'm actually looking to downgrade my portable for a lighter/smaller travel-only machine, since most of my work is done at home.

By: Andy Skelton

Andy Skelton — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:04:45 +0000

I only used the stand at Epoch one time. It was at the bar. I was able to work for hours without interruption. At Irie Bean I’ve never unpacked more than the laptop. So it depends on the setting. Epoch is big enough that you can wall yourself in; at Irie Bean I’ve never been able to ignore an interesting conversation.

By: adam

adam — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:29:21 +0000

Wow, I can’t imagine unpacking all that in a coffeeshop. Maybe Epoch’s more geek-oriented than Irie Bean. I just have my laptop and my lefty laser mouse, in a regular timbuk2 laptop bag.

An elevator stand would be an excellent addition to my study, methinks.