Tariq Ismail

Even though I’m only getting a chance to publish this blog entry after returning from my trip due to the the lack of free wifi Internet availability at airports, I’m sitting here writing this post from my iPad at the panorama lounge in transit at Zurich Airport.

Every time I travel I carry my heavy, overloaded laptop bag with a similar packing list every time: 15″ MacBook, my point and shoot digital camera, an iPod (these days it’s the new iPod touch), my AKG420 head phones, my blackberry torch with an unlimited roaming data plan, and of course of all the relevant cables, chargers, and regional power adaptors. I would also usually carry my Sony HD Handycam.

Now here’s all I really needed on this trip:

1. My new iPod touch – functions great for music, quick access to the web where wifi is available, takes very decent photos and shoots HD video. I had no use for my digital camera, it was just taking up space and weight.

2. My iPad – since I bought my iPad 2, i barely ever use my laptop at home even, (and I have my 27″ core-i7 iMac at the office) and I didn’t touch it once on my trip. It was the perfect travel companion, pre-loaded with a bunch of ebooks and videos and a few key apps (and even a few rarely played games) I had absolutely no use for my laptop. Even though many airports still charge an arm for wifi Internet access, at least I had wifi access at the hotels which was enough to check email, Facebook, twitter, and do a little bit of reading online. Between the Flipboard app and the CNN app (which now let’s u stream CNN’s live broadcast to your iPad) I was set for content when connected.

3. My blackberry torch – if wifi was freely available everywhere as it should be in this day and age I wouldn’t need this either, but the blackberry is still an occupational requirement. Together with Etisalat’s Unlimited Global Roaming Plan, the blackberry connected me to the office when wifi failed me.

With all these portable, easy to carry, and extremely functional mobile devices, the use for our bulky oversized gadgets is severely diminished. Unless you’re an avid photographer or can’t lice without your world of Warcraft fix, I don’t see the point of carrying bulky cameras and laptops around when you travel anymore. I for one have learned the secret to traveling light.