Travel Kit Update, August 2024

Often requested. Many people are asking. It’s the Kyle Boddy Travel Kit. Just a few items this time around, but some good ones.

Portable Monitor (link)

Most of the Chinese knockoff 4k monitors are good enough on Amazon; this one has 1ms latency which is important for videos and gaming if you’re into that. Typically $230ish or so, but sometimes on sale for less.

Mobile Battery (link)

Anker 737 Power Bank – accept no substitutes. Don’t get a Chinese knockoff. This has 24,000 mAh of capacity with 2x USB-C and 1x USB-A and can send up to 140W over USB-C-PD which is what your laptop needs.

Price is usually between $110 and $140 on Amazon.

External Sound DAC (no link, read why)

The SoundblasterX G6 DAC is a USB-powered external amp for your headphones, because your laptop’s mic port is underpowered and sucks. Be sure to plug it straight into the laptop and not a USB hub or you’ll have scratching.

Don’t buy it new, get it on eBay used for $50-60.

Mobile Dock, Thunderbolt 4 (link)

Dell WD22TB4 Thunderbolt 4 delivers maximum USB-C power from the port and offers a good mix of USB-A, DisplayPort, HDMI to drive up to three screens at full resolution and refresh rates (even up to 144hz for multiple at QHD).

Can grab them refurbished on eBay or Amazon, but they’re not bad new at $150 or so.

External Mic (link)

Get an external mic; your laptop one is complete garbage, and iPhone earbuds are stupid looking. Bad audio is the biggest turnoff in a Zoom meeting – people can tolerate bad video, but bad audio makes people ignore you ASAP, and they often won’t even tell you it sucks.

The Blue Snowball iCE Microphone is cheap and gets the job done. Maybe opt for a small form stand as well; can find them on Amazon. $30-40 for the mic, $10 for the short stand.

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