I can’t travel without my laptop due to remote work, and I recently carried it with me on an overseas family visit. Lugging it around in airports and on long walks soon became a chore, and I was left questioning my decision after my back was sweaty and sore from the overwhelming bulk and weight. I wondered if I actually needed the portable monitor, external SSD, and all the other items I was carrying, or if I could have compromised and left certain things behind to make the trip more manageable.
Things changed when I finally reached my destination. Carrying a bag full of hardware and PC accessories was exhausting, but it eventually paid off, as I could easily set up my home office and continue working or playing the games I enjoy in comfort. I realized that these five items make my laptop bag heavy, but I can’t do without them.
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5
A 17-inch laptop
Capabilities matter
When leaving home, I had the choice of taking my bulky Asus TUF Gaming A17 gaming laptop, weighing around 5.53 lbs, or a more compact and lightweight HP 15S at around 3.5 lbs. Both are fairly new and capable of handling most tasks, but I chose the Asus despite its considerably larger size and weight, and the backache it would bring.
It was a difficult decision because I needed to choose between comfort and practicality, or holiday gaming fun. In the end, it came down to gaming performance, and I was willing to make a sacrifice for some holiday fun in my free time. I didn’t regret my decision for a second because I got to play games with my brother for the first time in years, and the bonding experience was priceless.
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4
Portable monitor
Maximum productivity anywhere
I work much faster and more efficiently with a multi-display setup, and I can’t go back to using a single monitor . This system maximizes my productivity because I can type on one display while viewing information on the other without wasting time switching between windows. It’s become so essential to my workflow that I ensure I have a second screen wherever I go.
That’s why I added a 15.6-inch Asus Zenscreen Go portable monitor to my bag. This portable monitor enables me to stay productive while waiting for connecting flights, and I enjoy my work because I feel at home with two screens. It’s not the lightest portable monitor at 1.9 lbs, but the extra weight of the built-in battery is worth it, because it can operate without requiring a power source.
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3
Stands
Stability and comfort
I hate craning my neck to look down at my laptop, and I find it more comfortable to work or play with the display at eye level. This is why I carry a folding laptop stand with me on my travels. The compact stand can support a large laptop and folds into the size of a candy bar when I’m on the go. Its compact form doesn’t take up much space, but its metal construction isn’t exactly lightweight and contributes to my bag’s heft.
My portable monitor has a flimsy origami stand, which protects the display but doesn’t offer the best stability. I work more efficiently with both screens at eye level, so I also carry a foldable monitor stand in my bag. The stand is made from aluminum and adds even more weight to my bag despite folding flat for an easy fit. However, I still think it’s worth it because I can have my two displays side by side at eye level, allowing me to work quickly and more efficiently.
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2
External drive
On-the-go entertainment
I’m often in the bush or other areas without Wi-Fi when traveling and carry an external SSD to keep myself entertained. My external drive is packed with movies and music, so I can unwind and enjoy on fishing trips or if the weather is too bad to go outside. I also find it handy to carry an external drive because I can store the photos and videos from my travels in a single location and easily share them with family and friends.
The 2TB external SSD I carry in my bag offers the perfect storage capacity and decent read and write speeds for copying data. Its minimal weight pales in comparison to the devices in my laptop bag, but everything adds up, and it makes a difference in the big picture.
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1
Game controller
Might as well go all-out
By this stage, my bag was already heavy, and I thought I might as well go all out and take everything I needed. I also wanted to have the best possible playing experience with my brother, so I took my GameSir Super Nova controller for the racing and fighting games I planned to play.
The controller comes with a relatively compact wireless charging stand, and I took it with me to conveniently top up the battery between sessions. These two devices weigh just 1.37 lbs, but they contribute to the already packed hardware in my bag.
What other hardware do I carry in my heavy bag?
These are some of the main things I carry in my bag. There’s also a laptop charging brick, a gaming mouse, and the DisplayPort cable to attach the portable monitor. I understand this is overkill and wouldn’t carry all these items when I’m out and about on short day trips. I only pack my laptop bag like this when I’m away for longer periods, because I need all my equipment to work and play as I would at home.
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