Transforming My iPad into a Touchscreen MacBook for Travel

There's nothing quite like the experience of working remotely from idyllic cafes in other countries.

The Thrill of Remote Work in Foreign Lands

The thrill of showing up in a new country, setting up my workspace on a cozy balcony or in a charming café, and diving into work is unmatched. I particularly enjoy these moments with a coffee, some local food, and the minor technical challenges that arise—encouraging me to make the most out of my equipment.

Currently situated in Spain, I've taken this opportunity to assess my travel gear and workflow. Let me walk you through what has been effective, what hasn't, and the minor hiccups I've encountered.

Advantages of Traveling with My iPad Pro

Opting for a 13-inch iPad Pro over a bigger laptop made traveling the Camino Frances significantly easier, especially when the last stretch amounted to about 75 miles. However, the challenge was to adapt my Mac workflow onto the iPad since I rely heavily on a full operating system.

Accessing MacOS Through the Cloud

I've been leveraging a cloud-based solution that allows me to run MacOS remotely. This service is straightforward to set up and offers customizable options for hardware and software configurations.

This cloud service performs exceptionally—provided the internet connection is reliable. It feels akin to maintaining a garden through a window, requiring precision and patience. While bugs do appear, notably with user interfaces, the experience is mostly seamless.

Unfortunately, relying on my iPhone's hotspot proved suboptimal in Spain due to connectivity issues, despite successful pre-trip tests. Thankfully, local cafés provided ample Wi-Fi solutions.

Ensuring Safety with an Anti-Theft Bag

Carrying an organized tech bag is crucial. It adheres to my grandfather’s wise saying, ‘a place for everything, and everything in its place.’ This organization aids in easily transporting my iPad Pro.

Preparing for Power Shortages

While connectivity is mostly accessible, power isn't as guaranteed. Public workspaces often lack functional outlets, making it essential to pre-charge devices and carry a reliable power bank.

Power banks are invaluable when setting up temporary workspaces in public areas.

Optimizing Connectivity with eSIM and VPN

eSIM technology has simplified global mobile connectivity, foregoing the need for local SIM cards. It’s prudent to test small data packages initially to ensure compatibility.

A VPN is critical when using public Wi-Fi to safeguard against data breaches. I switch between different services depending on my needs, offering reliable protection no matter my location.

Learning from My Mistakes

Mistakes are inevitable, like swapping a reliable charging cable for an unverified longer one, only to discover it was defective. Such experiences encourage me to transition towards USB-C compatibility.

Packing faulty equipment, like a dead power bank connected to my phone, serves as a reminder to verify gear before departure. These minor blunders, while frustrating, aren't deal-breakers.