When I am on the road, I bring my mouse, keyboard, and foot pedal with me. I typically have additional equipment (such as an additional monitor and a good chair) at a remote office. In addition, I stack my monitor or laptop on books, put my keyboard on my lap, and move furniture around to make my setup more ergonomic. All of these strategies allow me to be productive when in a hotel or in a remote office. On the other hand, I do not use my computer on the train or on the plane; I typically use that time to read, think, or do design work. I find that airplanes are way too cramped to allow me to work comfortably. As well, it is difficult to stay hydrated, eat well, or use a foot pedal on a plane. Trains are better, but typically the trays are too high to be used comfortably—and I prefer not to use the keyboard on my laptop or place my laptop on top of my reproductive organs. In sum, you will miss your setup when you are on the road, but there are things you can do to get by.

If you use your laptop at work and want to be truly mobile, you may not be able to take your devices with you. When you are away from your desk, you may be doing a presentation, taking notes in a meeting, or engaging in some other type of light computer use. In these situations, you may simply not need to bring devices like an external keyboard and mouse with you. When I need to do more intensive computer activities with a team, I sit at a desk with a good setup with my team behind me. If my teammates also need to use their computers at the same time, I use software that allows us to collaborate in real-time like GoToMeeting, LogMeIn, GoToMyPC, and so on.

In addition to logistical problems, people may object to the cost of making changes. First, there can be quite a bit of upfront cost when purchasing new equipment like a mouse, chair, keyboard, foot pedal, keyboard tray, and/or second monitor. Second, finding the right equipment can be time-consuming and error-prone. Third, learning to use a new layout or device can require a substantial investment of time. For all of these changes, the cost is on the front end and the dividends are paid over time. You will need to evaluate and justify which changes make sense for you.

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