The Remote-Work Gear a 20-Year Tech Writer Keeps in His Laptop Bag

After nearly 20 years of writing about technology while working from coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, and home, one PCWorld contributor has settled on a set of mobile gear that keeps him productive anywhere. His current kit centers on a laptop he has used for a few years, supplemented by accessories that solve specific pain points.

The laptop is an HP ProBook 450 G9 with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, 1TB of storage, and a GeForce MX 570A graphics card. He says it handles typical work and even ran World of Warcraft. If it failed, he would consider an MSI Thin 15 with an RTX 4050 for better graphics performance.

A portable monitor is the second most important item. He uses an Arzopa S1 Table model, but since that exact version is no longer available, he points to the Arzopa A1 Gamut as a nearly identical alternative: a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display with a slim profile, built-in kickstand, and USB-C or Mini HDMI connectivity. He says working on a single screen cuts his productivity, so he carries this monitor for remote work and also uses it as a third display at home.

For input, he relies on the Logitech M705 Marathon wireless mouse. It is affordable, has a hyper-fast scroll wheel, and fits his hand well. Logitech claims the mouse can last up to three years on two AA batteries, and his experience matches that.

Power is handled by several Ugreen accessories. A 25,000mAh power bank with 145W output charges his laptop and phone simultaneously through two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. A 160W GaN charger with three USB-C ports and one USB-A port replaces the bulky laptop power brick and fast-charges multiple devices. A separate 240W USB-C cable with a digital power display serves as a future-proofed backup and a second charging cable.

Because the laptop has only one USB-C port, an Anker 7-in-1 USB-C hub is a key addition. It provides passthrough charging and extra ports for a monitor, flash drive, SD/microSD cards, and other peripherals.

For audio, he uses JBL Tune 720BT over-ear headphones, which remain comfortable after years of use. They lack active noise cancellation, but he says his remote work areas are quiet enough that ANC isn't necessary. If he were to upgrade, he'd choose the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort for their excellent noise cancellation.

A Kindle Paperwhite (2021 version) is always in the bag for reading while commuting or waiting. A Samsung SmartTag2 Bluetooth tracker is hidden in a pocket, providing peace of mind against theft; he once used it to locate a forgotten backpack on the subway.

The bag itself is a basic Lenovo backpack similar to his own, with a padded interior, a laptop insert, and a front zippered pocket. He prefers a backpack over a traditional laptop bag for comfort and economy, even though he often carries more than necessary.

The author's choices lean toward affordability and practical upgrades. Many of the items are not the latest models, but they continue to serve his mobile workflow.