Are you a fearless road warrior? Did you go on one of the approximately 460 million business trips that the U.S. Travel Association reported were taken in 2012? If so, then you are probably on the lookout for new products and devices to help you keep your sanity as you negotiate airport security lines as well as grueling hours on the road.
Portable Charger
If you have ever played the game "Find a place to charge my phone," then you know how frustrating it is to be in the airport with a dying phone and realize that all of the available outlets are being used by other needy passengers. Or perhaps you have a business trip that will include a long period out of doors where you know you won't have access to an outlet. For those times, you'll want to carry a portable battery charger, like the lipstick-sized
Halo 2,800 mAh available through QVC. This charger, which even comes with a built-in LED flashlight, can provide an extra eight hours of power to an iPhone 5.
Noise-canceling Headphones
Looking fresh and ready for your international meeting often means catching at least a few winks on the plane. Unfortunately, a screaming baby or a noisy snoring neighbor can ruin your ability to get any rest on a plane. That is where a pair of noise-canceling headphones can really come in handy. But don't just get any brand. If you want to show that you are on trend, pick up a pair of
Beats Studio headphones, which cNet included on its list of best noise-canceling headphones.
Laptop
While tablets are all the rage, they are designed for consumers of content, not producers. So if you plan on working a lot on your business trip, make sure to bring along a laptop. If your company doesn't provide one or your personal machine is outdated, it's time to search for a travel-ready laptop. Start your search with
Lenovo laptops. Lenovo acquired the highly regarded IBM line in 2005. In 2012, Lenovo was rated as the number one PC laptop brand by Laptopmag. It was second only to Apple. When searching for a laptop to be used for business travel, weight should be a key factor in your decision. But make sure it also has a big enough screen — typically 13 to 15 inches — so that you can view multiple windows when necessary.
TSA Laptop Carrier
Airport screenings can be such a pain if you are carrying a laptop. If you don't have a TSA-friendly bag, you will be asked to take your laptop out and to place it in a separate bin. Unfortunately, harried or forgetful passengers have been known to leave laptops behind at screening counters. To make the screening process easier, purchase a bag, like the
Samsonite Xenon 2 TSA-Friendly Backpack, that opens flat and will meet the TSA's requirements. With this bag, you won't have to remove your laptop when you enter the screening area.
Trakdot
Anyone who has ever had a bag go missing knows how frustrating it can be. To combat this problem, business travelers often pack everything into carry-on bags. Unfortunately, with many airlines now charging extra for checked luggage, more pleasure travelers are utilizing carry-ons, which means that overhead storage fills up quickly and your bag could end up being checked at the last minute. Consider placing a
Trakdot luggage tracking device on your bag. With Trakdot, you'll be able to locate your bag a lot faster than a clueless airline.
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Paul B
