The iPhone accessories that let me ditch my laptop while traveling

Getting the desktop experience from my tiniest computer.

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[Uqbar]

There is a point here: our powerful mobile device aka smartphone is not as useful as it could be. Hardware limits could be easily overcome through the USB-C (V3 or V4).
But software is far from being helpful. This little computer we call smartphone is limited on purpose by its software, from OS up.

There are a quite small number of devices that could be used also as a desktop, but at a large software cost. The so-called blobs used to manager modems, wifi, touchscreen and the likes are not only closed source, but difficult to integrate into a desktop os so the entire desktop os is a really a VM running inside Android.

 

[meeresfrüchte]

Thanks for sharing this. This is one of those situations where I wish we had voting on articles themselves—I don't really have a specific comment, but I do appreciate the author sharing this quirky set of devices and way of working while on the road. Obviously not for everyone, but I travel a lot and enjoyed the perspective.

 

[Oh look spaces]

Might as well just take an iPad.

 

[Danathar]

There is a point here: our powerful mobile device aka smartphone is not as useful as it could be. Hardware limits could be easily overcome through the USB-C (V3 or V4).
But software is far from being helpful. This little computer we call smartphone is limited on purpose by its software, from OS up.

There are a quite small number of devices that could be used also as a desktop, but at a large software cost. The so-called blobs used to manager modems, wifi, touchscreen and the likes are not only closed source, but difficult to integrate into a desktop os so the entire desktop os is a really a VM running inside Android.

You are absolutely right. Take the modern iPhone for example (especially the latest ones) it could EASILY run MacOS. Why can’t I have dual boot between macOS and IOS? Or have a MacOS mode while IOS is running?

Cynicism tells me it does not happen because it would hurt Mac sales? But I wonder if it really would?

 

[zogus]

A word of warning: Anker 622's kickstand magnet is just barely strong enough to support an iPhone with no force applied to it. If you touch the phone's panel with even the slightest force, the stand will collapse. I bought one intending to use it to browse the phone with both hands free while seated at a table, but I quickly gave up trying to use the stand for anything except the occasional video watching.

It's built solidly, and works just fine as a plain old MagSafe battery, so I wouldn't go so far as to recommend against buying it. Just be aware that the kickstand isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

 

[Spaceman Spliff]

It’s an interesting setup, never considered this type of option. Having for the longest time only owned bigger clunky laptops, I can totally understand not wanting to lug that around. But since I got my MacBook Air, it’s become a no brainer to pack it in most travel situations. (one could do the same with a Chromebook or smaller windows laptop)

Curious if the author has a small laptop and thoughts on the trade-offs between that and the article setup

 

[arcite]

Using iphone as a computer looks painful. However, I find the iPad with keyboard hits a sweetspot. I use a bluetooth belkin brand, connects with the magnet to ipad.

 

[Wandering Monk]

Might as well just take an iPad.

Curious if the author has a small laptop and thoughts on the trade-offs between that and the article setup

In the article, she says that a mechanical keyboard is a “borderline necessity” for her. So I suspect if she brought an iPad or laptop, she’d still be bringing the keyboard (and presumably mouse).

 

[Geebs]

‘Try everything once, except for incest, folk dancing, and using your phone as a laptop replacement’ - Sir Thomas Beecham

 

[Michillaneous]

Assuming this is a real post and not a parody,
Why would anyone carry around all that junk that is almost as large, or larger than a laptop?

Just use a laptop. My phone and laptop use the same charger, because it is 2024.

 

[TheMolesRevenge]

As someone who hates trying to type on a touch-screen, it's an interesting article, and in some ways I'd be curious to see a similar set-up for Android phones. Ultimately though, it still fails to address my biggest problem with using a phone for any serious computing - the screen is just too small.

 

[macduff]

There is a point here: our powerful mobile device aka smartphone is not as useful as it could be. Hardware limits could be easily overcome through the USB-C (V3 or V4).
But software is far from being helpful. This little computer we call smartphone is limited on purpose by its software, from OS up.

There are a quite small number of devices that could be used also as a desktop, but at a large software cost. The so-called blobs used to manager modems, wifi, touchscreen and the likes are not only closed source, but difficult to integrate into a desktop os so the entire desktop os is a really a VM running inside Android.

The hardware is very capable but the OS is intentionally hobbled. Apple, for instance, will never put desktop-class features like true multitasking or better file management in iOS because their business model is to sell you as many different hardware devices as possible.

Yes, your iPhone hardware is very capable as a low end mobile PC. But Apple intentionally maintains that separation of function.

 

[black_box]

I use that MX anywhere mouse (3.5 yrs now) and it's been great. The scroll wheel and generally small size are the biggest features to me. I use my fingertips for most mouse movements and never use the mouse as a hand rest.

The MX keys keyboard (Bluetooth connection only, usb-c only for charging, also 3.5yrs old) has also been generally good, aside from an arrow key I accidentally pulled off. Replacement key was like $10 or $15 shipped and not available from Logi/Logitech. I have this synced to two computers and the push-button toggle works well.

 

[drloser]

It looks bulkier than a Macbook Air, which can easily be slipped into backpacks that have a pocket for it. And above all, much less practical.

 

[Sylro]

When I travelled I used an iPad mini along with a keyboard. It was a surprisingly capable little beast, the much larger screen size than a phone made it super usable.

Tethering to my phone gave it connectivity.

The battery life was insane too, so I was way less concerned about running out of power.

 

[daedalus169]

The MX Anywhere 3 mouse is so good, the magnetic scroll wheel is tremendous. I’m going to try pairing it to my phone right now and see what happens! I desperately wish they made a bigger version of it with that scroll wheel, without going so overboard as the MX Master mouse.

For MacOS power users I highly recommend using SteerMouse as a custom mouse driver. If you have the patience to fiddle with it, it offers much finer customization, the developer is super responsive and nice, and just feels less janky than Logitech’s software.

 

[SportivoA]

Thanks for the list! Getting a slimmer mechanical keyboard and case are on my list, but I generally have had the cargo capacity to throw one of my Keychron K2s in the bag when I want one. However, I'm generally traveling around town and want to be able to enter decent amounts of text and not out on location for stories or meetings. In any case, adding more lesser value hardware than another primary computing device is a great strategy. Who isn't taking their phone with them almost everywhere?

 

[Hopefully Smarter]

Very cool and compact solution

 

[pingsoni]

Interesting setup, but I would be worried about the single point of failure aspect of having only one communication device with me on a trip.

 

[KingKrayola]

The Raspberry Pi 500 story yesterday took me deep into building-a-mini-Cray-out-of-a-bunch-of-raspberry-pis-with-working-cooling hole, and then I realised that my phone was more powerful than a Y-MP by some margin. (I have no background in Electronic Engineering, HPC, grid computing, no idea what I'd use it for but it sounded cool).

Working on a phone is an interesting concept, given that I've run finite element simulations on far less capable hardware. A Thinkpad/Macbook Pro is prob the same mass/size as all this but it's probably a fun thought experiment for those who are interested.

 

[Coriolanus]

I really wish that manufacturers would give better support to supporting a more desktop-like experience off of their phones or devices. Phones have a lot of horsepower behind it and it would be so lovely to have something more akin to my laptop on the go rather than a very primitive screen mirroring deal or squinting at a tiny screen.

Thus far, Samsung's the only people making something like that, but how good would it be if it's more wide spread? In my head, if I can get a phone that can connect to a TV of a monitor with a video out dongle, a tiny folding keyboard, and using the phone display itself as a touchpad, it would be fantastic for working or writing emails in a hotel room, especially if it has some sort of native windows management system like DeX.

 

[uhuznaa]

The hardware is very capable but the OS is intentionally hobbled. Apple, for instance, will never put desktop-class features like true multitasking or better file management in iOS because their business model is to sell you as many different hardware devices as possible.

Yes, your iPhone hardware is very capable as a low end mobile PC. But Apple intentionally maintains that separation of function.

Yeah, Apple is great with integration between their devices, but they want to sell you each of them so make sure that you can't really replace one with the other. Like the iPad not supporting telephony/SMS or the Apple Watch not supporting the iPad. And while the Apple TV is just an iOS device you can't replace it with an iPad or a Macbook even if it's just software.

 

[jaberg]

Curious if the author has a small laptop and thoughts on the trade-offs between that and the article setup

I can’t speak for the author, but I will attest that there are times when I will forgo travel with my MacBook Air in favor of one of my iPads. (I choose between 12.9 and Mini.) There are other times — generally short weekend getaways — when I leave the tablet behind and just use the phone, while carrying a Kindle as a (beach friendly) reader. Not all of us view iOS as a burden to be overcome. While it might be portable, the Air is essentially a “tabletop” device. The iOS gear can serve in-hand or on-desk.

Personally, if I find myself dragging a keyboard along for the phone I’ll probably opt to pack along (at least) the iPad Mini. I have a folio encased Apple Magic Keyboard to pair it with. (Alternatively, I have both Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio for the 12.9.) I do see the appeal of the keyboard/phone combination though. Particularly if it allows me to more comfortably complete one task necessary during an otherwise unencumbered weekend.

My road activities rarely suffer from my decision to leave the Mac behind. If they did, I’d change my behavior.

 

[columbrian]

If you're carrying a 1.1 lb keyboard, why not just buy a 2.7 lb MacBook Air? Does the extra pound and a half really make a difference? Especially when you consider the other random things you're also integrating, like the mouse, and the bag to hold all that stuff.

 

[Boskone]

I used a Nexus 7 back in ye olde days with a similar--though less technologically sophisticated--setup. It worked pretty well, especially compared to the laptops of the period.

But then or now I'd never bother with a phone. These days, especially, if I had room for all of that, I have room for my laptop; aside from screen size, the laptop would be easier to set up.

 

[Ploroxide]

It

If you're carrying a 1.1 lb keyboard, why not just buy a 2.7 lb MacBook Air? Does the extra pound and a half really make a difference?

Yes.

 

[jonah]

I own three Keychron keyboards. They appear as solid value for money, but I have to say, I've been nothing but disappointed in their support and customer service.

I've had over 25 of the "premium" PBT key caps break in the exact same way, and they jerked me around via email for two months until the warranty was up, then said they couldn't help me because the warranty was up.

This despite me spending over $350 on their keyboards and accessories in total.

I would never buy anything from them again. Not ever.

 

[Mr. Vapor]

If only there was a way to repurpose old iMacs to just be a display/kebyoard hub for an iPhone when I'm at home. Running a minimual secure OS that just I/O what the iphone needs.

All that hardware just wasting away.

 

[chiller2u]

I know mechanical keyboard people are gonna do what they are gonna do, but the Logitech Keys-to-go 2 would be the perfect addition to this setup IMHO. A little cramped for typing but less than 1/2 lb and wafer thin. I've also used the Logitech Anywhere mice for years, they are the absolute best (and even let me use my thigh for a mousepad when traveling). And no, I do not work for Logitech.

 

[artvandelayIIII]

The most I've really done is throw a thin Magic Keyboard into my bag, to be able to write on the phone for extended periods of time. At 8 ounces it's not adding much weight or bulk, it's not likely to need charging for weeks, and it can be helpful if you carry something to prop the phone up. I don't know why I'd want to add a mouse, because if I'm doing any multitasking I'm probably just packing a proper laptop at that point.

 

[AndrewZ]

For those of us who had Window phones, the HP Elite X3 made the promise of a phone with a full Windows Office environment, to do exactly this. Sadly, it went south with all other Windows phones. It is an interesting idea, but now that my eyes are a little older, I will stick with my Lenovo Yoga.

 

[artvandelayIIII]

If you're carrying a 1.1 lb keyboard, why not just buy a 2.7 lb MacBook Air? Does the extra pound and a half really make a difference? Especially when you consider the other random things you're also integrating, like the mouse, and the bag to hold all that stuff.

Agree, carrying a mechanical keyboard is bonkers to me when a laptop-style keyboard woudl do the same thing.

As far as packing a MacBook Air, for me it depends on the nature of the trip. I've taken more adventurous trips where I'm throwing my bag into the belly of a bus, or carrying my backpack for a long time between places, and having a $1000+ laptop in the mix would make me uneasy. Trips like that, throwing a lightweight (and more cheaply replacable) keyboard into my bag fills that one gap of being able to actually type on something better than my phone's screen.

 

[saanaito]

I dabble in writing as a hobby and I got it into my head a while back that I needed a keyboard to stick in my purse, for when I hit upon an idea and needed to hash it out right away before it escaped my brain. And I found the Logitech Keys To Go (they also have a newer version), an ultra-slim membrane keyboard that feels mushy to type on but is at least marginally better than hashing out long paragraphs with just my thumbs. And at only 9 inches wide, it just barely slips into one of my bigger purses. … but I almost never remember to bring it with me.

Although, in terms of practicality, I really just want the (foldable) Palm Bluetooth Keyboard with Bluetooth 5.0/BLE. I have the old one, and it even works with my iPhone 13 Pro Max, but getting it to wake up and connect takes some coaxing.

 

[Dean0]

To each their own. For me, if I'm setting up at a table top and packing a Bluetooth keyboard and a mouse, I might as well be packing a cheap (or not cheap) laptop, or tablet with a folio keyboard. I can deal with the less-than-satisfactory keyboard for the convenience of an all-in-one device.

That being said, I could imagine the article setup having benefits for a journalist. Thanks for the write up, it was an interesting read and perspective.

 

[jaberg]

And while the Apple TV is just an iOS device you can't replace it with an iPad or a Macbook even if it's just software.

Huh? Care to clarify because on the surface this is just plain wrong. iPad gives me access to everything available via AppleTV (device) when I travel, including AppleTV+ (service) programming. An HDMI cable connects the iPad to a TV, same as the AppleTV device. It would be nice if I could leverage the phone as a remote, but I’m generally not channel hopping in this situation anyway. If we’re “settling in”, I’ll often carry an Amazon FireStick (and remote) to connect to the room TV “fulltime”.

 

[Ploroxide]

an ultra-slim membrane keyboard that feels mushy to type on

Thanks, but no thanks. For typing out anything of length, you'll want proper form and feedback.

Your wrists and the ligaments in your hands will thank you later.