I wrote about My Workstation last year, and thought it will be fun to post the “mobile” version of my desktop today. While I do the bulk of my writing on my home office workstation, I do have multiple breaks throughout the day when I lecture. As such, I try to maximize my time by doing some of my work at the “Hot Desking” facilities offered on-campus.
I took the above picture earlier this year; you can click on it for a higher resolution version.
- Sony Z VPCZ116GG (Dual SSD in RAID0 configuration)
- Apple iPad (1st Gen)
- Audio Technica ATH-ANC7 noise-cancelling headphone (Can be folded flat)
- BlackBerry Torch 9800 tethered via USB to laptop
- Logitech Anywhere MX mouse
- Kensington Air/Wall Ultra Compact Power Adapter (With built-in USB power port) [Review]
Not shown:
Software installed to support the setup:
- SOTI Pocket Controller-Pro for BlackBerry
- DisplayLink iPad host driver [Mention]
- Connectify for Windows Wi-Fi hotspot software [Review]
My Apple iPad is running the DisplayLink App to serve as an additional monitor using its 1024×768 screen. Because the DisplayLink software only works over Wi-Fi, I have to create a Wi-Fi access point using Connectify so that the iPad can join on the same network; connecting the iPad to the school wireless network won’t work due to security configuration. The built-in USB power port on the Kensington power adapter is used to keep the iPad fully charged.
iTunes, Digsby IM and SOTI Pocket Controller-Pro can be relegated to the secondary display to free up the laptop’s 13.1-inch screen. I really like Pocket Controller-Pro as it allows me to reply to BlackBerry PIN and WhatsApp messages using a full-sized keyboard. Finally, the Logitech Anywhere MX is in my opinion the best wireless mouse around. And I’ve tried quite a few of them in my time, including the Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000, the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse and even the Razer Lachesis gaming mouse – though the last is a corded mouse. And yes, I think Logitech’s Darkfield laser tracks better than Microsoft’s BlueTrack.
Everything you see in the above picture (sans the bottle of distilled water) is packed into my (14-inch) Case Logic laptop bag. And no, I’ve never weighted the bag before…
Comments? Suggestions?