As former U.S President Harry Truman prepared to leave office, he famously said: “If I’d have known how much packing I’d need to do , I’d have run again .” While this was in a different age, the moral of the quote stays true: Packing for any kind of trip is a hassle. Nobody wants to pack, almost nobody likes to pack, and if you are good at packing, hopefully you are getting some compensation for your rare skill.

Technology has come around and evolved to the point where we aren’t most worried about which pair of pants or shoes to bring with us, but rather if we should bring our tablet or camera. So let’s go ahead and take a look at what devices are crucial for any modern traveler :

1. Smartphone

Smartphones have developed as a critical tool for the traveler, no matter where they might find themselves. Whether it is to connect to the airport WIFI to check for delays, or to snap a few quick pictures, a smartphone is definitely a helpful tool. Anywhere in the world you may be going, it is not going to hurt to bring one along.

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Pros: Compact, replaces multiple other devices (camera, clock, music player, etc.), WIFI connectivity, apps, emergency phone calls & GPS.

Cons: Can be somewhat limited because of battery life, may not be your best bet for doing business on the go, easy potential to lose/get stolen.

Short or Long Term Travel?: Short or long term, a smartphone’ll be there to guide you through any problems you may encounter on your journeys. Much like how people today can’t leave home without it, you really should have one handy.

I tend to carry around my iPhone 5S wherever I go. It works anywhere in the world and has a multitude of apps that help make my travels easy and fun.

2. Tablet

Much like the smartphone has exploded in popularity over the past few years, tablets’ are now an everyday device that has made everyone’s life just a little bit easier. Tablets offer what a smartphone does, with a bigger screen and increased capabilities. Long gone are the days of dragging a 20-pound laptop bag around with you; tablets’re here, & they are here to stay.

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Pros: Easier to carry around than a laptop, usually longer battery life than a phone, many apps to make your travels easier (maps, GPS, airport check-in, etc..)

Cons: Most tablets will not fit in your pocket, so they aren’t as “mobile” as a smartphone, using a tablet as a camera can be a little awkward due to size.

Short or Long Term Travel?: A tablet will take care of any quick emails or smaller things, but if you are going somewhere for the long term, a laptop might be a better solution.

My iPad Air 2 has been an excellent travel companion on flights & bus rides. Whether it’s watching my favorite shows & movies or reading e-books, it rarely disappoints.

3. Laptop

The “veteran” of this list, the laptop computer has certainly seen better times. Due to the increasing popularity of tablets and smartphones, laptops have indeed lost some of their flair with folks . While people may not be using them as much as they once did, they are still crucial for business and long-term travelers alike.

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Pros: Ability to work on the road, bigger screen, durable and versatile.

Cons: Not as lightweight as a tablet or phone, battery life can be an issue, price tag for a high-end build can be relatively steep.

Short or Long Term Travel?: Whether or not to bring a laptop on your next journey comes down to where and what you will be doing. For instance, touring the Cambodian jungle might be a good place for a smartphone or tablet, but maybe not a laptop.

My general rule of thumb is that I only take my laptop with me if I know I need to do work related things on the road.

President Truman’s words still hold true to this day, in an age where long-distance traveling is more of a routine than ever before. Of course there is a multitude of other devices and gadgets that you can take with you on your next getaway, but the aforementioned devices on this list should be able to replace the majority of their functions, no matter where your next adventures might take you.

Author Bio

This article has been written by Thomas Ujj, who is an expat/traveler & IT enthusiast with a fervor for security & privacy. When he don’t have plan for next trip, that time he enjoys to take some time to practice his Italian cooking along with religiously watching Italian football team “AS Roma”. Unfortunately , cooking & watching football games doesn’t always equal paychecks, therefore he writes for SmartDNS.com

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