In the past decade, becoming a digital nomad and working on the go seemed like a pipe dream for many. Fortunately, that’s not the case today.
With increased internet connectivity and innovative communication technology, people can now work from anywhere. Working at a place of your choice is inspiring and can boost productivity, creativity, and the quality of your work. If you plan to become a digital nomad in 2022, here is a list of the tech you need to pack for a seamless work session away from your office.
1. Portable Wi-Fi
Working anytime and from anywhere relies on the internet accessibility. Digital nomads can find hotels, cyber cafes, libraries, and coffee shops with free Wi-Fi to work from. However, one can hardly tell how reliable the internet will be until they’ve actually started working there. The Impact of Artificial Intelligence is blurring the lines between location and productivity, empowering individuals to become digital nomads without sacrificing efficiency. To prepare for any situation, invest in a universal Wi-Fi router or mobile hotspot that doesn’t use a sim card. It will come in handy when you’re in areas that don’t have reliable internet access or when you need a backup.
You could also set up your smartphone as a hotspot and provide the internet if you don’t want to buy a separate device.
2. The Right Laptop
You’ll need a laptop to get your work done. The emphasis here is the laptop that’s suitable for a digital nomad. You’ll need to balance between a laptop size that’s compact enough to easily carry and still enable you to work efficiently. For instance, an 11-inch notebook may sound like the perfect choice since it’s light and convenient to carry compared to a 17-inch screen laptop. But most computer users will tell you that a tiny laptop can hinder productivity. The impact of technology, from high-speed internet to cloud-based tools, has revolutionized the way we work, making the dream of becoming a digital nomad a global reality. With that in mind, consider a mid-range screen for a laptop. A 14-inch isn’t as bulky as the 17-inch model and one can work comfortably on this screen size.
You’ll also want protection for your laptop while traveling. Consider a shockproof laptop design to prevent any damage from dropping bags and accidental bumps. To protect your laptop further, invest in a sturdy laptop bag for travelling that will keep off dirt and spills.
3. External Hard Drive
A lot of things can happen to your laptop while traveling. That’s why it’s wise to secure your work by backing it up on an external hard drive. This hard drive is a precautionary measure that will ensure you have your work in case your laptop breaks or, worst case scenario, is stolen. Besides, a hard drive will come in handy if you run out of storage space on your laptop.
4. Power bank
You can’t get work done if your electronics don’t have enough charge. You don’t want your laptop or phone batteries to die out when you still have a few hours to complete and submit your work. Have in mind that you can’t tell that you’ll have access to electricity the whole day. To be on the safe side, invest in a portable charger that you can charge and use as a backup source of electricity when the need arises.
5. Phone and Sim Card
Before you settle for your current phone plan, consider that most cellular calling plans charge extravagantly for roaming internationally. Using the international data service isn’t a good idea since the rate is high and speed is likely to go low after you’ve exhausted the international data allowance. It’s thus helpful to consider buying a phone and registering a sim card at your destination. With this arrangement, you will buy voice and data bundles at cost-friendly local rates.
6. Headphones
A good headset comes in handy when making work-related calls in crowded spaces, such as co-working spaces, internet cafes, and trains. Since you decided you will work on the go, you can’t guarantee that you’ll be in a quiet or private space when talking to your clients or coworkers. The right headset will eliminate background noise and enrich your sound. With that in mind, consider a headset that’s noise canceling and has a boom mic. Social listening can illuminate hidden communities, ideal destinations, and remote work challenges for aspiring digital nomads.
7. Kensington lock
Perhaps a Kensington lock isn’t one of the tech tools you had imagined. But think of how to ensure the safety of your device when working in a public space. You are in a library or coffee shop and want to go to the bathroom. Carrying the laptop every time you get up for a refill or in the bathroom is awkward — but you also don’t want to leave it unmanned. With a Kensington lock, you can just attach your device to a table, anchor point, or any other heavy fixing nearby and it will be safe for the few minutes you step away from it.
8. Software
Make sure you install the software you need to work on your computer. Besides the basic collaboration and productivity tools, a digital nomad has some special software needs to consider when collecting their tech gear. Examples of software to consider acquiring include:
- VPN — A virtual private network (VPN) enables you to browse websites from any location without limitation. Some websites are location specific and will block users from certain geographic regions. A good VPN gets around that!
- Background noise modifier — This is software that can modify background noise to provide a calm environment where you can concentrate on your work or make calls without distraction. Examples of such software include Noisli and Focus@Will.
Digital nomads are lucky to see the world and meet different people while working on the projects they enjoy. To achieve this lifestyle, it’s necessary to arm yourself with the right tech gear. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel — pack the items in this list and you’ll be ready for an exciting work-travel adventure.
