The key to working effectively on the road is twofold: portability and consolidation. A smartphone can combine your phone (duh), GPS system, laptop and organizer in one sleek model. HP’s Business Messenger isn’t the only smartphone on the market, but it’s one of the best.
This is all about safety. Many jurisdictions have (or are considering) banned handheld cell phones while driving. The latest models are lightweight, comfortable to use , and even look kind of snazzy. They can work up to 10 metres away from your designated mobile phone. Hands-free or not, please use caution when talking while driving.
What’s even smaller than a laptop? A netbook. Still relatively new to the North American market, netbooks (also called subnotebooks) are basically smaller, lighter laptops with fewer bells and whistles. A lot of manufacturers make them now, but Asus is the undisputed leader in design and affordability.
Ask any MOMeo worth her salt where her “other” desk is, and you’ll get an embarrassed smile. It’s the mess on the passenger seat of her car. No need to be ashamed any longer – the car desk is here to help. Store your laptop, notebooks, pens, your phone – you name it – all in this masterpiece of ergonomics. Even better –those handles mean you can take it with you.
This is another twofer: two useful tools in one. First, it’s a heat dissipater. Laptops generate heat, which you know if you’ve ever tried to work with one actually on your lap. The CoolPad increases the space between the laptop and work surface, giving excess heat somewhere to escape. Plus, it’s fitted with no-slip rubber pads to keep the laptop in place – even on the slipperiest airplane tray.
Some people joke “I live and work in my car.” For some, it’s almost 100% serious. If you log a lot of hours in your car, mounting your laptop in your car might be an attractive solution. Most police services now do the same for their officers, and for exactly the same reason – they spend a lot of time working out of their cars.
How many hours have you wasted searching in vain for accessible wireless networks? Forget Road Rage – Offline Rage is a true modern-day plague. The Wi-Fi detective does your dirty work for you. The SSID, signal strength, network type, network mode, operating channel and number of access points are detected. No longer do you need to fire up your laptop to search for available wireless networks.
Now this is multi-use luggage. It’s wheeled. It’s expandable. It’s compact enough to fit in the most ungenerous of overhead compartments. It’s modular. It’s even pretty good-looking.
If you ever take little ones on business trips – look no further. Trunki makes luggage they can ride – you heard me – thus ending “Mom, I’m bored” complaints in the waiting lounge. Designed for family vacations, children can pack, sit-on and ride their own luggage, whilst parents can keep them in tow. Trunki’s light weight and durable design is hand luggage approved, with generous space inside for toys, games, books and spare clothes.
MOMeo Magazine Managing Editor was always supposed to be a journalist. It just took him a long time to realize that. Maclean worked as a marina harbour master, corporate security advisor, and in the Prime Minister’s Office under Jean Chretien before deciding to lose the tie and go back to school.
Since then, when not writing for and editing MOMeo Magazine, Maclean’s work has appeared in local, national and international publications, including the National Post, Financial Post, and the Globe and Mail. He is a feature columnist for The Calgary Herald, and recently relocated to beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, with his wife Melissa. Maclean enjoys SCUBA diving and follows the Calgary Stampeders football team a little too seriously.
