The first hurdle in my quest for a lighter load while traveling is my personal computer. Coming it at 4.02 pounds, and having way more power than I need 90% of the time on the road, I think it’s a fine candidate for down-sizing. The problem is… What to replace it with?

Minimal Requirements

The first task on this project is to “get real” about what I actually need while traveling. I’ll break it down by Function, and try and explore some options for each. This is where I could use the most feedback.
How to read the charts below:
  • - or  [ * ] Just stating something
  • [ + ] Positive
  • [ - ] Negative

Browsing the web

Pretty basic, but its a terrible experience, then I don’t want to use it. I could do this with my phone, but its not the greatest experience for more than something quick.
Options
OSX IOS Windows Android
Chrome Mobile Chrome Chrome Chrome
… we don’t need anything else 😉
Ok ok, you twisted my arm… Safari Mobile Safari Explorer / Edge can kiss my grits

Developer Tools in Browser

Since I do Front-end development, I need to be able to troubleshoot/validate things. At minimum I need the DOM Inspector, Console, Resources, and would very much like the Network Panel. Breakpoints and Watches would be very important too.
Options
OSX IOS Windows Android
Built-in to all browsers
  • [+] Simple bookmarklet to launch
  • [-] Missing Network Panel
  • [-] Missing Break Points / Watch
  • [-] Issues reading 3rd party scripts
 Built-in to all browsers
  • Kind of defeats the point since you have to bring a computer along
  • [-] Requires remote service running
  • [-] Missing Break Points / Watch
  • [+] Works on ANY platform
  • [+] Adds in Network

Password Manager

Why is this requirement 3? Because I can’t remember ANYTHING. The prime requirement here is that whatever OS I go with, it plays nice with others. If I get Windows/IOS/Android, I want it to play nice with my Mac, and maybe in the future with a smart watch too (why type when you can use BioMetric).
Options
OSX IOS Windows Android
LastPass
LastPass
  • Honestly a bit weak as far as application integration. Only a few major apps accept it
 LastPass LastPass
1Password
1Password
  • [+] The interesting part here is that they have iWatch support
  • [-] The negative side is that Work uses this, and my paranoia is too strong to let me use the same app, even if it claims to keep them separated
 1Password
  • No Experience here
 1Password
  • No Experience here

Development IDE

I use my IDE – https://atom.io/ – for EVERYTHING, even a scratch pad. It works for Mac and Windows, but they openly said they won’t port to IOS/Android. So if I want to stay with the same editor, I’d have to get OSX or Windows. I’m not completely set on ONLY this editor.
Options
OSX IOS Windows Android
Coda
  • [-] a bit Bloated
  • [+] Pretty (yes, that is important to me)
 Coda
  • [+] GIT Integration
  • [+] Terminal Integrated
  • [+] (S)FTP Integrated
 Notepad++
  • [+] Most of the same plugins as Coda
  • [+] Super light-weight
  • No Experience Here
Atom.io
  • Lightweight and FAST
  • Plugins for just about everything
 Textastic
  • [-] No Plugins?
  • [+] Mac version too
 Atom.io
  • Same as Mac version
AWS Cloud 9
  • This may become a defacto winner, or at least something I start using more
  • [+] Runs across ANY device with web browser access
  • [+] Integration with AWS CodeStar (below) is pretty handy
  • [+] Built-in Terminal, so no need for local

Code Management (ie. GIT)

There is no way I want to manually move files around on Local Storage and Server. I want some automation and versioning for any process. Plus since most mobile devices won’t be able to run local servers, then I’ll need something remote. Also, since I plan to eventually sit at the “home” computer/configuration too, then I can’t just rely on the local server for the travel machine.
This is admitably my Achilles Heal. I’m terrible about following ‘best practice’ and conventions. Maybe why I’m not a “Great” developer. Anyways, a prime requirement is make this as easy as possible. No archaic commands to remember and chain together in James Joyce’ian level procedures.
Services
Github Atlassian/BitBucket AWS CodeStar CircleCI Travis CI
  • [+] Pretty much ubiquitous
  • [±] Not free for private, but not a bank breaker
  • [+] I’ve been using them for years
  • [+] Free
  • [+] Free
  • Continuous Integration
  • [+] Github Hooks
  • Need to explore
Applications
OSX IOS Windows Android
Atom.io
  • [+] Built-in GIT support
 Atom.io
Coda
  • Built-in GIT support
Textastic
  • Built-in GIT support
Working Copy
  • Standalone GUI
  • [+] No command memorization

File Management

I’ll need something that will make syncing files with my camera bearable. My Nikon D750 has built-in WiFi, but its app is INSANELY clunky, eats battery life, and transfers are worthlessly slow. A physical adapter will be my primary choice here, but having a port that I can tether to and do live shooting will be a HUGE bonus.
I’ll also need something to sync all other files. For development, I think I’ll rely on whatever code management app/service. I’m honestly not sure I need much more than that, but I’ll have a backup.
MAC + IOS
  • AirDrop
    • [+] Native and Free
MAC/Windows + Anything Else
  • ICloud
    • [+] I get __ GB free
    • [+] I pay an extra $1/mo for 5GB extra to share with family
    • [+] [Optionally] Syncs with my family members
    • [+] IOS11+ now has a File Manager
  • Amazon Drive
    • [+] I get it free with my Prime membership
    • [+] Unlimited Photos
    • [-] Limited Video and “Others”
  • Google Drive
    • [+] I get 5GB free
    • [+] I use Google Apps for almost EVERYTHING else I do
  • Dropbox / Box
    • [-] Both pretty expensive for a photographer
  • “Home Grown”
    • I use GoodSync on my Mac, and they have apps for all platforms
    • Great because I don’t need to pay monthly fee besides the storage service I use (AWS S3 right now)

Photo “Editing” / Triage

So if you know me, you know at this point this list isn’t in order of importance, because Photography is a prime requirement. I’ve accepted that I don’t need to do REAL editing/retouching on the iPad, I really just need something to Triage my photos (ie, through out the crap ones) and maybe to very simple Levels adjustments/pre-processing. Lightroom is THE choice here. Not sure I need to consider any others. Might look at Photoshop Lite because I get it with my Adobe CC Photographer package, and maybe Affinity Designer if Adobe sucks… but honestly not motivated to spend money here. I don’t see myself doing a lot of editing mobile, unless the Pen UX rocks.
Another “nice-to-have” would be Gallery management, and Tethered Shooting/Review so if I start doing professional shoots again, then I can use that as the “studio monitor”. Again, besides the physical requirement/preference for tethering, LightRoom is my primary choice. I here PhaseOne is also really great.

General Apps I know pretty much exist across all

  • Facebook
  • Google Docs
  • Some local business editors (word/pages, excel/sheets, etc)

Option 1 – My old 12” MacBook

A lot of people scoff at the 12” MacBook, but it has a great display, is super light weight like a tablet, and has a full featured OS. It only has 1 USB-C port, but I had already invested in a portable hub (and even got one free, yay). Honestly rarely connect anything except for HDMI for my external monitor and my external HDD to grab/backup photos.
Pro’s Con’s
  • NO changes to software/processes I currently use
  • No cost, as long as I give my wife something to replace it since I gave it to her when I upgraded to my MacBook Pro
  • It CAN do photo editing, but it would get kinda sluggish… especially processing a large library in Lightroom
  • It’s hard for me to NOT see it as a computer, and expect it to perform
  • I would need to purchase a desktop for the “heavy” stuff
    … or steal one of the kid’s mac mini’s if I trade THEM for something too.

Option 2 – iPad [Mini/Pro]

Since I already have an iPad Mini, I can save money on experimenting on if an iPad is a feasible replacement. I’ve already started down this road some already, and I think this is the best potential. The only thing I can’t really test is the Apple Pencil experience on a day-to-day, but I know plenty of people who use it, and I’ve tested at the Apple Store, so I’m just going to go with the assumption that if I meet all my other requirements, then this is just “icing on the cake”. If I get my mini functional as a replacement, then I’ll likely invest in the 10.5″ Pro so that I get the better screen real estate, processing, and of course pencil.
Pro’s Con’s
  • Lightest weight option
  • Drawing direct on the screen
  • Cheaper than laptop
  • Cellular connection option
    (though I REALLY doubt I go this route since I always have my phone for quick tethering)
  • Keeps with my current All Mostly-Apple ecosystem
    (I ruined this with getting the Samsung S8 as my work phone)
  • Shape Recognition in Omnigraffle
  • 12MP / ƒ1.8 Camera
  • Pencil
  • No “real” file system
  • No FULL browser support, specifically missing Developer Tools
  • No Mouse (not sure if Pencil makes up for that)
  • I’m coming from a 7.9″ iPad, so I worry it will feel “big”
As an additional note, I wrote half of this post on my iPad Mini in Evernote, but ended up hating all the formatting and some of the limitations in the mobile version, and spend 2x the time cleaning it up again on my desktop inside WordPress. My rants about Evernote to come later. I’ll of course invest some more time to acclimate before I chalk-it-up as not being a viable option.

Option 3 – Surface Pro [4+]

I have been toying with this option for some time. I did borrow my boss’s Surface Pro 2, and was able to actually do my day job almost 100%. Switching back to Windows – after Mac for 10+ years – indeed proved to be challenging… and even though I adapted, I never ACCEPTED. The Surface Pro 2 was notorious for poor battery life, and I most definitely experienced that, and some insane heat. Most reviews say the 4 +’s are better, but not Great. If I want to explore this option I need to either take a leap of faith and/or buy one REALLY cheap on Craigslist/EBay, or purchase new from the Microsoft Store and return within return window. This is where I wish I still had my Super Elite status with Best Buy and had 30 day return window.
Pro’s Con’s
  • An ‘in-between’ option on the weight/size factor
  • USB PORTS!!!!
  • SD CARD PORT!!!
  • Thunderbolt port
    (Though this is also an annoyance since I’ve invested in USB-C options now)
  • FULLY Functional Computer
    (aka, I wouldn’t need to buy a desktop… or so I hope)
  • Cost: $1,099.00 is just a bit above the iPad Pro
  • Stylus
    • It is more expensive that an iPad Pro… but not terribly much
    • It’s Windows
    • Intel Core i7, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM == $2,199.00 … so basically the same as Macbook Pro
    • 8MP / ƒ2.0 Camera

Option 4 – Keep MacBook Pro

This is the “Just deal with it you big baby” option. By far the cheapest, and smallest impact to workflow. I have to keep a level of practicality throughout this whole journey. At a point there may not be “better” solutions for some of my requirements, and it might be that I just need to consolidate/optimize in other area’s of my carry.
Pro’s Con’s
  • FREE
  • Workflow already works
  • No Pencil/Stylus, so no drawing
  • Already Heavy
  • Stuck with keeping a bulky bag

Lets Compare them All

To create some kind of scoring system, I’ll color code it, and a Dark[er] Green will be +2, a Light[er] Green will be +1, Clear is +0, and Red[ish] is -1. We’ll think of it as assigned as a Positive/Negative deviation from other options. Winner is not necessarily my choice… ha.
Hardware Options
Macbook 15″ Macbook iPad Surface
Cost $0 $0 $799.00 $1,099.00
Size

Depth: 0.59 inch (1.49 cm)
Width: 8.36 inches (21.24 cm)
Height: 11.97 inches (30.41 cm)

Depth: 0.14–0.52 inch (0.35–1.31 cm)
Width: 7.74 inches (19.65 cm)
Heigh: 11.04 inches (28.05 cm)

Depth: 0.24 inch (6.1 mm)
Width: 6.8 inches (174.1 mm)
Height: 9.8 inches (250.6 mm)

 Depth: 0.33 (8.5 mm)
Width: 7.93 (201.42 mm)
Height: 11.50 (292.10 mm)
Weight 3.02 pounds (1.37 kg)3 2.03 pounds (0.92 kg)2 1.03 pounds (469 grams) 1.70 lbs (770 g)
Storage 512 GB 256 GB 256 GB 256 GB
SD Card Via Adapter Via Adapter NONE microSDXC
USB-C Ports 4 1 0 0
USB 3.0 0 0 0 1
Mini DisplayPort 0 0 0 1
HDMI 0 0 0 0
Graphics Card

Radeon Pro 460 4 GB
Intel HD Graphics 530 1536 MB

 Intel HD Graphics 615 ? Intel HD Graphics 620
Resolution 2560-by-1600 2304-by-1440 2224-by-1668 2736 x 1824
RAM 16 GB 8 GB 4 GB 8 GB
Processor Quad i7 Dual i5 A10x Dual i5
Bluetooth 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.1
Touch Display – – √ √
Pen / Stylus – – √ √
Pen Battery – – Not Replaceable 1 x AAA
External Battery Capable √ √ √ √
Repairability 1/10 1/10 2/10 1/10
Local Virtual Machine Capable Capable NOT Capable Capable
CLI [/ VM] √ √ X Limited CLI / VM
3rd Party Power √ √ √ √
Samsung Compatability Weak Weak None Strong
iPhone Compatability Stong Strong Strong Moderate
Color Score 6 3 2 5
I’m going to stop now, because as I’ve gone through this very slow, and sporadic, process, I’ve decided I might put more focus in building/buying a desktop and being super happy with that, and then dealing with less requirement on the “travel computer”… which means even though iPad comes in lowest, it likely could be the choice… or at least SOME tablet with great drawing support.

Some References

Places where I’ve gathered information/ideas, and some I have dialogues with during this research phase.