IT pros are never off-grid. You might be on the trans-Siberian Express; the office will still expect you to MacGyver an internet connection to find out why the instant messaging system is frozen again, or finalize cloud adoption strategy, or any of the million other things IT pros are needed for. Fortunately, most of what you need to stay productive while you’re on the move actually fits inside your laptop. With Wi-Fi more easily accessible and most smartphones being able to connect through 3G or 4G, apps have eclipsed the bagful of gimmicks that used to be required to work outside the office.
Still, there are some gadgets that are so useful (or so cool!) that any IT pro caught without them, isn’t fully equipped.
1: PowerBag Instant Messenger Laptop Bag
In addition to an Apple adapter, the PowerBag also comes with USB, micro-USB, and mini-USB adapters. That means there isn’t a device you can’t charge! With the PowerBag, you have the ability to charge several devices simultaneously while moving around, massively extending battery life. Working against the little bars, turning the screen brightness down to eke out a few more precious minutes, hitting send on the last vital email and silently praying it goes out before the screen goes blank… sound familiar? Not anymore.
2: Grid-It
Cocoon’s Grid-It system is so simple it’s brilliant. When you see it, you think: I could have thought of that! (Too late. Cocoon is getting it patented as I write.) The system works like this: a grid of elastic straps holds objects firmly against a background board. Because the straps are all different thicknesses, it’s easy to store cables, phones, chargers; external drives… all the stuff that makes your laptop bag look like it was packed in the dark by a hoarder. Now, they will be secured and organized.
3: LogiTech Professional Presenter
The LogiTech Presenter is like a cross between a TV remote control and the laser pen everyone used to carry around before presentation software got serious. It lets you scroll through your presentation, and vibrates in your hand at prearranged timed periods to let you know it’s time to move on. Its green laser will show up on anything, and the thumb-friendly controls mean you can give your attention to your audience.
When you’re traveling, you can get a lot done on your smartphone. As long as you can do it before the tiny battery runs out of course. We all know the equation: (Internet + apps + screen = battery death). But if you don’t mind bulking your phone up slightly, you can stay untethered from hotel room to shining hotel room. The Mophie also solves the other major problem with relying on smartphones, lack of storage space. This case gives you a 128-gig SSD drive and more than double your usual battery life! For extra unnecessarily rugged urban adventurer cool, they make a shockproof, waterproof version too.
5: Bose® QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Earphones
The hardest thing about working on the go is being surrounded by people who aren’t there to work. Instead, they’re around to listen to music, chatter, argue, play cards, watch YouTube videos of a guy falling off a log and generally drive you out of your mind with distraction. On the principle that it’s easier to wear slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth, it’s also easier to wear earplugs than whatever you were beginning to consider doing. It’s also less likely to lead to federal charges. These headphones let you listen to music or other audio while keeping the outside world at a distance so you can work. Or watch Youtube.