Note: I partnered with Western Digital to write this article but every word is mine!
There is tonnes of travel gear out there, from heavy–duty bags down to travel bath towels. Without a doubt, these ingenuities can help our adventures become worry–free. But as travel bloggers, we need to invest not only in travel gear, but also in gadgets so that we can share our adventures and sometimes, misadventures with the whole world. But what are the must–have tech gadgets that a travel blogger should invest in? I’ve listed 5 of the most important ones and hopefully it can help you kick off your travel blogging career.
1.Laptop
1.Laptop Are you planning to buy the most expensive and full–spec laptop available in the market? Hold that thought for a while because you might not need it after all. Before getting a laptop, make sure you know what your needs are and then start scouting based on your findings.
Try to ask yourself these questions:
- Which files am I going to deal with? Are these large files, or am I going to use basic office applications and minimal internet browsing?
If you are going to work on large projects, then the fully–loaded laptop would be your best option. However, if someone else is doing the graphics for you and you are just working on texts or word files, then the more affordable ones should be fine as long as there is a decent speed for office applications, and you can access the internet. You might be surprised at how much smaller laptops, notebooks and tablets can handle.
- Should I consider the hybrid ones so I can easily turn my laptop into a tablet? Or is a conventional laptop recommended?
There are some travelers who would choose the hybrid ones because there are other applications which are better when in tablet form. Or in some cases, they enjoy watching movies using their device as they wait for their next flight, bus or train ride. One thing to bear in mind, however, is that the smaller moving parts and hinges you have on a device, the more chances you have for ‘breaking points.’
- How much weight am I willing to add to my already heavy travel bag?
Now, this is an important question for all the travelers out there because most of us, if not all, would like to get the lightweight laptop for obvious reasons. Good thing that some of the best laptops out there is already lightweight. But if you prefer to carry a big chunk of a device, be my guest. A good method would be to pack your bag with the essentials, weigh it to see how much weight you have left and go hunting for a laptop that fits!
Related Article: Tips on How You Can Start and Earn Money from a Travel Blog
For travel bloggers, LaptopVerge recommends the MacBook Air while those on a tight budget that needs something solely for entertainment purposes should go with the Lenovo Chromebook C330.
2. Portable Hard Drive
Most people are now using portable hard drives for a number of reasons. First, you can avoid saving all your files on your laptop or computer and second, it’s easier to transport and access just in case you have to use a different device. For some, they would just resort to cloud services for file storage. While that is a good idea, you have to remember that there are still areas which do not provide decent internet connection. Are you going to stop drafting your posts just because you can’t open your files? I don’t think so. Hence, invest in a good portable hard drive.
I have seen a lot on the market but my absolute favorite would be Western Digital’s My Passport Ultra. This is known to be the ‘ultimate’ portable hard drive. Not only that it can store up to 3 TB, it is also encrypted, which adds security. You can even choose from 5 colors depending on your style. And did you know that it comes with a 3 year warranty? Definitely a plus point!
You know Kach and I love to take photos and videos of our travel adventures right? And sometimes, we want to reminisce about our hilarious moments together. Without the internet, we can’t check our website and social media accounts to view these. That’s why we also try to backup everything using Western Digital’s My Passport Ultra. Now we can re-watch and check our videos and photos anytime, anywhere.
3. Smartphone
If you are always on the run and you still need to connect with your readers, then it is a sin not to have a smartphone. But having one isn’t enough. You better load it with apps that you can use for travel and for updating your followers.
I usually have my camera with me, nevertheless, I am always eager to share my adventures real time. Smartphones can help me with that because you can easily upload it. Of course, we can’t expect the best quality photos and videos taken from your smartphones, but it is still decent enough for the world to see. I recommend the scratch proof and waterproof smartphones. After all, travelers like us need smartphones that can withstand the test of time.
Remember to use an unlocked smartphone, or else you can’t use SIM cards from another country. That’s not a nice thought considering that you can save tons of cash using local SIM cards. So before you jump on that plane, make sure you have unlocked your phone.
4. Portable Charger
Are you still relying on coffee shops for charging your gadgets? Reality check, not all places will have coffee shops or stops that will let you recharge. So the best thing you can do is to bring your own portable charger. It is essential, especially if you are always using your smartphones. Even when you are in a secluded and isolated island, you will still have enough power to make calls – that is, if there is signal!
5. Camera
We are visual creatures. That’s a fact. The better your photos, the more people will be interested to follow you. If your smartphones can’t take the best shots, then invest in a camera that will do the job for you. Editing can only do so much and you shouldn’t solely rely on that. Getting one depends on your preference. Fortunately, there are good cameras that are compact and don’t take a lot of space in your bag. You might want to consider that. But if you are planning to become a travel photographer, then of course, the bulkier ones with all the lenses should do the trick.
I’m sure you can think of other gadgets that travel bloggers need, but for now, the above are the most basic that we highly recommend.
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