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How to make a MacBook Air ergonomic?

by @cpury 10yr 10yr | 7 comments

I’ve been working from my Macbook Air for a while now and finally started feeling some wrist pain. Some research suggested the absolute minimum one should get is an external mouse / trackpad to avoid those awkward hand movements to the built-in trackpad.

Now I could just buy a cheap one, or even one of those silly tiny travel mice. However, I’d thought I’d ask the experts first:

What’s the best mouse or trackpad for a digital nomad?

Some features I would like to have:

Smooth scrolling, ideally a trackpad similar to the built-in one
If wireless, it should come with an easy-to-use charging method
As compact and traveler-friendly as possible

Nomads, what is your opinion on this?

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@scottyallen 10yr 10yr

I found a much cheaper, simpler version of the roost. It’s a wire book stand: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006B8HT/. $6 on amazon, and holds my 13" macbook air just fine. I use it with an apple wireless keyboard and wireless trackpad.

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@itinerantdev 10yr 10yr

I plan to get the MX mouse next time I’m home, I’ve heard multiple good things about them. If you want a cheap option I’ve got this one at the moment and it’s fine: http://www.amazon.com/TeckNet-Bluetooth-Wireless-Mouse-BM306/dp/B000Q7V0W4/

The roost looks great (I have a roost 2 ordered and also hoping it arrives while I’m home next) but you can use a book or anything to raise a laptop. I have a tupperware box which I put loads of cables and stuff in and I use that most of the time.

Another thing to mention is the powerball: http://www.amazon.com/NSD-Power-Essential-Gyroscopic-Exerciser/dp/B007GGCLK8/ A few minutes a day with it can make a HUGE difference. Honestly I can’t overstate how much difference it made for me and I’ve seen other people say the same too.

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@panoramica 10yr 10yr

@cpury There are a few products out there that address this but aren’t easily available yet: http://www.therooststand.com/, and another one I’ve forgotten about that may have been cardboard-based.

I find that the desks and chairs in hostels and coffee shops leave a lot to be desired. Quite often it’s really uncomfortable or you’re miles from the table. So I find constant relocation necessary too.

And currently I have fruit cans under my desk to make it less insanely low, but my back still hurts

Cheers,
Dan

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@levelsio 10yr 10yr

If you use a MacBook Air without a laptop stand, you will probably have chronic neck, back and wrist injury in a few years. This is very serious.

Here’s the problem. See that neck position? It’s always pointed 45deg down. That’s not your neck’s natural position. So what happens is your nerves get compressed in your neck and shoulder. Also the nerves that lead up to your wrist and hand. That (and more) gives you the tingle feeling of RSI/CT.

Most cases of persisting RSI have their basis in the nerves that run from the neck, down through the shoulders, and into the wrists and hands.

It’s easily fixable though but you need to be consistent about it.

The top of your screen should be at eye level. Thus, you should get a stand that raises your laptop. This is the one I use http://www.therooststand.com/

An external mouse and keyboard are also important. I have a Logitech MX Performance mouse and an Apple Wireless Keyboard.

Your arms and hands should be flat on the table and not angled up or down ward. Your elbow should be close to a 90 degree angle, although your arm and hands can extend more into the table.

If you don’t, you get chronic issues. I have them. Although they go away when I’m in an ergonomic position.

I think @Casey_Rosengren from Hacker Paradise has chronic issues too because he didn’t pay attention early on to work ergonomically. Most nomads get it because they’re stubborn. Don’t be! It’s your health.

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@cpury 10yr 10yr

Thanks for the very informative post! Makes me want to order the gear right now. I wish the Root Stand were in stock…

However my main question is still about the mouse (I saw you changed the topic title ) . I heard the Evoluent Vertical Mouse is great for your wrists, but it seems too clunky and heavy for traveling. Can you recommend the Logitech MX Performance?

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@levelsio 10yr 10yr

Yes lots!

It’s pretty much the industry standard mouse for power users. The whole MX series has been going back for 15 years I think. And they’ve always had almost the same shape. They’re perfect with very accurate laser sensors.

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@alemacgo 10yr 10yr

Better than the Apple mouse? Just curious, I’ve never used either extensively.

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Read and participate in 14,117 discussions on Nomads.com

What features would you like to see on Nomad List?

by @levelsio 4yr 4 years ago | 3 comments

Hi everyone,

I would love to hear what you'd like me to build next on Nomad List, or any other product/feature feedback ideas you have.

It's been 6+ years now but I'm in this for the long term and with the boost remote work got last year it's even more exciting to work on Nomad List than ever.

Current roadmap is here: twitter.com/levelsio/status/1363204985488572417?s=20 and pbs.twimg.com/media/EusS9PKXEAUR8xp?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

The next products/features I have planned:

- 🛂 Rebase: visa, residency and immigration services for remote workers

- 🎓Courses: learn the steps how to go remote and travel/relocate

- 🏛 Gov liaison: diplomacy services to the governments to help us lobby for nomads and for them to attract remote workers

Thanks a lot!

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What are the best places right now in the Caribbean/LatAM? (Also cheapest flights/accommodation?)

by @orangutan3 4yr 4 years ago | 1 comment

What are the best places right now in the Caribbean/LatAM? (Also cheapest flights/accommodation?) Asking from the US.

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List of Visa/Residency Information in Table/Spreadsheet format?

by @innovatelife 4yr 4 years ago | 2 comments

As part of signing up for this website I was hoping I would come across a list of Visa and/or Residency requirements by country ideally in a table format to assist with decision making. Does anybody recommend any other websites that might present the information in this format (or Google Spreadsheet)?

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Most Walkable Neighborhood / City In The World ?

by @dannybooboo 4yr 4 years ago | 1 comment

I love living in walkable areas of town. I can always find them. But now I'm wondering where in the world are the most walkable places? I'm imagining walk streets (no cars), zoning allowing both business and residential, parks or beaches ,etc.

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Any nomads in Arizona, US?

in Netherlands by @info132 4yr 4 years ago | 4 comments

Hi guys,

After the Netherlands, the Bay Area, Colorado and being on the van life for 8 months, I am now in Sedona, AZ with a few other digital nomads. We are sharing a home here and are wondering if there are more like minded people in the area.

We do a bunch of hikes and campouts in the northern of Arizona. If you would like to connect with us, please do so :)

Val

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International number & internet?

by @leobassam 4yr 4 years ago | 1 comment

Has anyone figured out a way to get setup with a virtual number and internet connection anywhere you go?

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Are there any tax issues I have to be aware of?

in Germany by @clara 4yr 4 years ago | 0 comments

Hi everybody. I live and work in Germany and want to go to Canary Islands for 6 months to work from there. I'm going to keep my current job, just change the "home" in the home office part of things. Are there any tax issues I have to be aware of? I was reading about becoming a residence after 183 days, thus having to pay taxes there plus my employer having to register there. Does anybody know how it works exactly? Thanks a lot!

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Chiang Mai accommodation

in Chiang Mai , Thailand by @bertieb 4yr 4 years ago | 0 comments

Can anyone recommend a good accommodation website for Chiang Mai?

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Is anyone travelling right now?

by @viktor 4yr 4 years ago | 3 comments

Winter is coming and I’m feeling the ache of travelling after being stuck in the same place since the Pandemic started. Wondering if anyone is travelling right now? If so, where are you currently located and how is the situation where you are?

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Where to buy Sony A7RIII, Macbook Pro ... CHEAPEST :)

by @vesko89 7yr 7 years ago | 1 comment

Ola!
I am starting soon with my Digital Nomad Lifestyle and I need to buy a lot of gear.

Sony A7RIII + Lenses
MacBook Pro
GoPro6
Drone DJI Phantom 4 Pro

This are the most expensive parts.

So in which Country should I buy the stuff? I am living in Germany at the moment and its not really cheap here. Would be great to save some money and see the country. 2 Flys with 1 Punch

Thanks for your time!

Best wishes Vesko

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Should I travel with a MacBook Pro 13" or 15"?

by @ileitch 7yr 7 years ago | 12 comments

Hey!

I’m wondering how many developers travel with a MBP 13" vs 15"? I currently use a late-2012 13" for iOS development, but I’m pondering the 15" because Xcode is so resource hungry. On the downside, it is rather heavy…

Do you travel with a 15"? Do you wish you’d opted for the 13" instead?

Cheers

P.S I’m asking developers specifically as system spec is more crucial than, say, for a copywriter.

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Portable external laptop battery for MacBook Pro?

by @pezmc 9yr 9 years ago | 4 comments

Hi all,

I’ve been doing some research on external batteries for the MacBook having seen a HyperJuice in someone’s desk shot. There was also a thread on this about a year ago: What’s the best portable battery charger for a MacBook?

My findings so far are that it’s very important which laptop you have. A MacBook ‘New’ (USB-C) seems to have the most options, followed by a MacBook Air which has a low power requirement, the MacBook Pro 13" which has a medium power requirement and the MacBook Pro 15" which has a very high power requirement and very limited options.

I’ve found the below, have any of you used/tried them? Do you know of any alternatives? Personally I’m looking for something that works well with the MacBook Pro 15" but share anything as others may find it useful!

HyperJuice - comes in sizes 60/100/150/222WH - requires a modification to your MacBook charger as they can’t use the patented MagSafe2 adapter.
BatteryBox - 60 Wh - uses a custom compatible charger that works with the Air/Pro/MacBook
ChugPlug - 65 Wh - MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13" only, small battery capacity
Xiaomi power bank - ~80 Wh - MacBook USB-C only

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Best Macbook Air apps for digital nomads?

by @zosiaswidlicka 9yr 9 years ago | 8 comments

I just got my first ever Macbook and I am curious to find out which apps you find the most useful when working and travelling. They can be directly related to work (I’m a writer, mostly), or for travelling, planning, organising or pure fun times.

So far I’ve got Skype and Chrome, hoping you can inspire me with some more interesting tools!

Cheers

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MacBook pro Fan broke, where to go in Bangkok?

in Bangkok , Thailand by @djar 9yr 9 years ago | 0 comments

I am really a lucky guy.

On my way to Koh Lanta, i dropped my MacBook from about 10cm. Enought to brake the fan, which is now making starnge noises. Good start to my first nomad experience.

I think i have to fly back to BKK to get this fixed. Any recommandations? There is no official apple store in Thailand i think.

Can anybody recommand a good store that performes on site repair? Price is secondary, as this is my primary working tool.

Thanks
David

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Where should I buy a MacBook in South America?

by @pfaff90 10yr 10 years ago | 14 comments

Dear SA-experienced nomads

my MB Air got stolen in Sucre, Bolivia. It sucks working on slow PCs in dark internet caves with 10 year old gamers around. And there is no chance to get a good laptop in Sucre.

Next stop would be Buenos Aires, but Argentina seems really expensive to buy Apple Products. On the way to Buenos Aires I could cross Chile (Santiago or Calama), Paraguay (Asuncion), Uruguay (Montevideo) or an other city in Bolivia (SC or CB). Which country should I go?

Thanks for the help!

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Can I ship my MacBook to Thailand without it getting stolen?

in Thailand by @asaf142 10yr 10 years ago | 2 comments

I plan to be in India for the next 3 - 4 months and then move to Thailand to work.
I plan to keep my MacBook at home till then.

Can I trust the mail in Thailand with it?
Is it safer to take it with me to India? (I really prefer not to…)

To be more specific, by Thailand I mean Chiang Mai or Phuket

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What's the best portable battery charger for a MacBook?

by @george 10yr 10 years ago | 4 comments

I have a personal hotspot and love working outside but I’m limited to how much battery my MacBook has. Has anyone used/or is currently using external battery for their MacBook?

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Will you get the new Macbook?

by @freedomsurfer 10yr 10 years ago | 15 comments

I will for sure! I’ve never seen a laptop as adapted to our lifestyle as this one.

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