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If you’re tired of dragging 20 different gadgets and cords with you every time you travel, it may be time to consolidate. Here are some tips for making your tech travels a little lighter:

Laptop

The first thing you will need is a powerful but portable laptop with a webcam. The important thing here is that your device is light enough to carry around the airport all day without putting excessive strain on your shoulder or arm. It should also be small enough to pull out in any random place to do work or update your social media profiles. You will also want to make sure that your laptop has extra long battery life and is properly equipped with a well-lit keyboard for typing at night.

An ultrabook is a great choice for this. The best Ultrabooks are well -suited for any kind of travel. They are sleek and easy to carry, and some even have touchscreens, which makes them super convenient for on-the-go web browsing or gaming. Most also come with a solid state drive, which is faster, more energy-efficient, and less crash-prone than a traditional hard drive. They’re also ideal for using on a plane or anywhere else your power options are limited, since the battery can last for up to 8 hours in some cases.

Extra Batteries/Power Strip

There’s nothing like not having a charge on your laptop or phone when necessary, so depending on where in the world you are going, make sure to bring a couple extra options for powering and charging. I would recommend some fully-charged backup batteries for your important devices as well as a power strip so you can plug in multiple devices at once.

Mobile Hotspot

None of these devices are worth much without access to the internet. One of the greatest modern annoyances while traveling is the lack of available or affordable Wi-Fi. If you don’t want to get stuck paying $.15 or more a minute for the slow internet service provided by your hotel, you may want to look into getting your own mobile hotspot. Using one of these will ensure that you always have a reliable connection wherever you go. Many wireless providers offer either standalone or smartphone-dependent hotspots for a monthly fee.

GoPro

If you’re going on an outdoor vacation, you’ll likely want to get a good video recorder. Whether touring the Grand Canyon or basking on beaches of Sydney Australia, having a good camera to capture amazing views and priceless moments can make the experience that much better. I would recommend bringing something similar to a GoPro HD Camcorder.
A camera like this is built to be outdoors and can handle some rugged wear. It’s also equipped with waterproof housing, built in Wi-Fi, HDMI output, and a lot more. Make sure the camera you choose is small enough for carrying around, has great battery life for those quick, but frequent, uses throughout the day, and quality digital image capability.

Appropriate Cargo Cases

In most cases, none of these gadgets can be easily replaced. You likely have photos, apps, sensitive data, and important docs stored on these devices, and it would be a disaster to damage or lose them through carelessness while on a vacation. When I travel, I like to get to my destination, check in or set up camp, and then do a lot of exploring. In order to do so, I prefer to have the option for carrying my gadgets with me at all times.

Having a good carrying case for my gadgets is essential. I like to have a backpack with a special place for my laptop, pockets for my smartphone and hotspot, and an individual case for my camcorder that can be safely carried in the bag. A good, padded carrying case needs to be comfortable, protective, and easy to get in and out of.

We live in a world run by technology, and if you have many opportunities to travel, I believe you will get the most out of your experiences by investing in the proper equipment for all of your adventures. This might mean putting a little more money down in the first place to ensure portability, durability, and overall quality, but in the end, you won’t regret this decision. So, happy travels, pack smart, and please feel free to share your “must have gadgets” for traveling below.

Paul Mansour is enthusiastic about start-ups along with consumer and small business technology. In his spare time he can’t resist taking apart his latest gadget and forgetting how to put it back together.