Work Abroad Preparation | Working remotely instruction, travel equipment and Check List

Packing Your Mobile Office

Your laptop and its accessories are fragile. Though you may not be prone to dropping or bumping your equipment around, it'll probably happen and then you just might be in deep doo-doo. The lightest option is to find a well padded jacket for your laptop and then cocoon it with the clothes in your backpack/luggage. This option, however, is not all that safe. The other option is to purchase a well-padded shoulder bag and try not to bump into anything hard. This option is even less safe. Purchasing a daypack constructed for laptops (laptop packs) offers better protection. However, the safest way to protect your laptop from bumps drops and shock is within a hard-shell case. Buy a small one (most have telescopic handles and wheels) and pad the inside well with (shock resistant) foam-rubber. This will keep everything in place and very well protected even if you drop your case several feet. Make sure that your case is lockable, with strong latches.

MOBILE OFFICE GEAR CHECK-LIST
CHECK-LIST OF RECOMMENDED/SUGGESTED OFFICE GEAR

VITAL OFFICE EQUIPMENT VLWL=Very low weight load \| MWL=Medium-heavy weight load
	Item	VLWL	MWL
	Laptop/notebook computer (ultra-portable)	x
	(or) Laptop/notebook (standard or desktop-replacement)		x
	Back-up. Card-slot drive (type II PC card HDD)	x
	(or) external HDD or MP3/iPod HDD		x
	Surge protector. in-line variety	x
	(or) UPS back-up power supply and surge protection		x
	Mobile phone. Tri-band (signal will work in almost any country) with Bluetooth built-in.	x
	Bluetooth receiver. For laptop (unless already built-in)	x
	Head-set. For telephony access	x
	Carrying case. Hard-shell is best.		x
	(or) well padded jacket case will do.	x
	Extra laptop battery. (ultra-portable)	x
	(or) extra-battery (standard or desktop-replacement)		x
	Laptop Charger.	x
	Printer. (Like the UPS, this you'll buy this in your host country and not move around very much.)		x
ACCESSORIES, SERVICES & SOFTWEAR Ratings: E=Essential \| S=Semi-essential \| W=Worthy of consideration A=Can easily be purchased abroad (should you decide you want it after all)
	Item	E/S/W	A
	Lan cable. (Looks like a fat telephone line. For use in cyber cafes/stations.	S	A
	Telephone Line. (10' / 3mt long)	E	A
	... MORE [THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST]