Okay, let’s be honest – we’ve all scrolled through r/digitalnomad, drooling over those insanely organized and aesthetically pleasing workspace setups. But let’s face it, a lot of those immaculate setups are from nomads who’ve found a semi-permanent spot. What about those of us who are constantly on the move, hopping between trains, planes, and automobiles?
Fear not, fellow road warriors! We’ve dug through the subreddit to find some seriously inspiring setups from nomads who, like us, prioritize portability and efficiency without sacrificing productivity or style.
1 – From FlounderBubbly5119
Setup:
Tripod NEEWER Mini: https://amzn.eu/d/jdeXQtv
Monitor Clamp: https://amzn.eu/d/0zJJBYi
Monitor UPERFECT 2K 16inch: https://amzn.eu/d/ef3sKRa
Laptop Stand Roost V3: https://www.therooststand.com/products/roost-v3-roost-laptop-stand
Comment:
“The monitor is great btw! I can power it via USB-C cable and just with my Macbook! No external power supply needed here so it’s really convenient and PORTABLE!”
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2 – From arbitraryusername10
Setup:
monitor: cocopar portable monitor 15.6 inch 1080p, very lightweight, can run entirely off a powered usbc display cable
monitor stand: nebula tripod, pretty sturdy and portable option, but any solid travel camera tripod should be fine here
monitor mounting: camvate vesa monitor mounting plate, this small part was honestly the key to whole setup, handles the vesa (monitor) -> 1/4-20 (tripod) connection
laptop stand: roost v3, you know it, you love it
keyboard: nuphy air 75, good travel mechanical keyboard, there is a newer version out now
laptop: zephyrus g14, not really part of the post, but it is the most portable laptop I could find with a dedicated graphics card
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3 – From xX_MissMiau_Xx
Setup:
The Gear: Laptop: Thinkpad p14s gen2, 32GB Ram*, 2TB SSD*, Quadro T500, Intel® Core™ 17-1185G7
Keyboard: Nuphy Air75 v2, Cowberry switches and the Shine-through nSA PC Keycaps.
Monitor: EVICIV 18,5″, 100Hz FHD 1080P IPS
Mouse: Logitech MX Masters 3S Laptop stand: Babacom, 9-steps (amazon)
Monitor stand: Sirui AM-35K
Magnet: 043mm for up to 15 kg
Metal Plates: 040mm
Personal Runner: NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX 8GB
Comment:
“To have a more natural sitting position, I got a stand for both the portable monitor and for the laptop. The laptop, has the handy benefit of being able to open 180°. The monitor has a vesa mount at the back, but l opted for a small camera stand, on which I added a magnet. On the back of the monitor I then added some metal plates, so that the monitor can be easily attached and detached and not need extra space for a vesa mount, or have the extra work to unscrew the mount every time. Here I have to add that the magnet strength that I got is just enough for holding the < 1kg monitor, thus I am thinking about getting a stronger magnet. For programming the monitor with its 18.5” and full HD is sufficient, but of course if you have the money, to pay almost double the price, then 4k would be nicer. The brightness is also completely sufficient if you connect the Monitor directly to power. There is an option to only power it with the usb-c of the laptop, but I would not recommend it.
The keyboard I really love, it is mechanical, programmable, sounds and feels really nice and is with its case perfect for taking with you without taking much space.
l also added a small runner to my setup, to be less dependent on internet, so that I can test and run most of my code locally. I also prefer such a runner instead of running everything in a docker on my laptop, due to not needing a much bulkier laptop. Here I have to add that, I had one laying around for some other project, which I now repurposed.
Lastly the mouse, nothing to say, it is good and I think most of you will know it.”
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4 – From DotNetDevDude
Setup:
“I have a Nexstand for my laptop, Logitech Pebble 2 Mouse & Keyboard, a 15.6 Asus Zenscreen, and my monitor stand is actually a selfie stick that doubles as a tripod. I know there are cheaper options than the Asus Zenscreen – I went with it partly because it was widely available, but also because it has a standard 3/4 thread for mounting on a tripod. I didn’t see many other great options for portable stands for external monitors. The carry case that the Zenscreen also doubles as a stand, but I prefer the tripod.
Now, for the seat. I’m travelling through Asia. Sometimes I’m only in 1 place for a few days or a week, others a month or two. I wanted something that I could bring with me, and not have to rely on sourcing a decent quality chair at each location. So I bought this: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0CCK4PCSN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Comment:
“To have a more natural sitting position, I got a stand for both the portable monitor and for the laptop. The laptop, has the handy benefit of being able to open 180°. The monitor has a vesa mount at the back, but l opted for a small camera stand, on which I added a magnet. On the back of the monitor I then added some metal plates, so that the monitor can be easily attached and detached and not need extra space for a vesa mount, or have the extra work to unscrew the mount every time. Here I have to add that the magnet strength that I got is just enough for holding the < 1kg monitor, thus I am thinking about getting a stronger magnet. For programming the monitor with its 18.5” and full HD is sufficient, but of course if you have the money, to pay almost double the price, then 4k would be nicer. The brightness is also completely sufficient if you connect the Monitor directly to power. There is an option to only power it with the usb-c of the laptop, but I would not recommend it.
The keyboard I really love, it is mechanical, programmable, sounds and feels really nice and is with its case perfect for taking with you without taking much space.
l also added a small runner to my setup, to be less dependent on internet, so that I can test and run most of my code locally. I also prefer such a runner instead of running everything in a docker on my laptop, due to not needing a much bulkier laptop. Here I have to add that, I had one laying around for some other project, which I now repurposed.
Lastly the mouse, nothing to say, it is good and I think most of you will know it.”
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5 – From Space_tots
Setup:
An Osprey pack (40+15 from 5-6years ago with the daypack inside) and an old Dakine 23l from college. Run my setup fully off a raspi hooked up to my (shared) home on the west coast. Employer has no idea where I am in the world. A good zoom background and not letting on does wonders. This setup works almost too well.
Gli.net axt1800 with a WireGuard vpn tunnel setup to connect to my home network.
MBP 16” m1 work computer
Cheapest 15.6” monitor on Amazon I could find on prime day with good reviews (kyy ~$150 after tax)
Anker nebula stand, magnetic tripod mount, and magnetic plates attached to monitor.
Mx master 3 for Mac and magic keyboard
One of those cheap wrist pads things that glide with the mouse (worth for ~5bucks)
An MBA M2 for personal use (wholly worth springing for over the chunky MBP M1 14”, the 16” is stupid on its own).
And two travel sleeves from Inateck (cheap good option does the job, trust)
Comment:
“Spent the last two weeks falling asleep to lightning and howler monkeys in the trees right outside my Airbnb. Have surfed when the weather let up, and have enjoyed wine in a hammock after work regardless. Get after it doubters”
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6 – From labohem
Setup:
usb right angle vertical: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B1X38VYG
usb right angle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B8X6H96S
monitor clamps x2: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QS9B8B9
monitor stands x2: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LGGXH1J
laptop stand: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094FGGDKK
usb-c monitor x2: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09XQL6BNK
Comment:
“I am not a digital nomad but my partner and I work full remote in tech and occasionally travel. This is the setup I made and I have been pretty happy with it. Total cost is ~$300 after tax and shipping (no kb/mouse included in that).
It is 8lbs 2.4oz without the laptop so a bit hefty but not terrible, especially considering the monitor sizing. It is height and angle adjustable. I use it with 2 usb-c ports but it can be used with any combination of hdmi/usb-c. You just need external usb power if using hdmi.”
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7 – From walnut_d
Setup:
Monitors: I actually have two of these monitors – here’s a link to my setup. The placement in the car is a bit awkward. I’ve experimented with both the Scosche MagicMount XL Clamp (which they unfortunately don’t make anymore) and this Amazon tablet holder. Neither one is perfect – I wish the Scosche was longer and the Amazon one was shorter. I built my own thing with this website and it was okay, but not as good as Scosche or Amazon.
Internet Connection: I’m tethering from my phone. That white USB-C is connected to my phone so it’s a hard-wired tether I suppose.
Glare: Yes glare is an issue, especially because my car has an all glass roof! Here’s my current solution: I have blackout curtains in the car (because this is also my house) so I set them up in a way that’ll block the glare. I have carabiners on the curtain and I have suction cups on the glass roof. I’ve got one making a partition between the front and back like you’d expect. This’ll block glare from the back. More often I have glare from the side, where I can use the same curtain or my second curtain to clip onto the sun visor and stuff in the window. This blocks the glare from the side. The combination of two blackout curtains and the fact that it’s a car and I can angle it in any direction solves the glare problem. However today it was overcast and I was parked under a tree 🙂
Car chair: Biggest issues with this car setup is the chair, it’s just not the right position to be working 8 hours straight. It’s kind of slouchy. The steering wheel desk is just this plastic flimsy thing and I hate that – it wobbles and I need to put some wrist weight on it. It’s definitely stable, but weak. I would try out some other steering wheel desks on Amazon, but I wish there was a nice high quality one that was firm and maybe even rested on the door on the left and the center console on the right. For now tho it seems something like that would have to be custom built and I’m looking for something easier than that.
Comment:
“Working from the beach (in a practical way)”
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8 – From exploristofficial
Setup:
Tripod: best bang for your buck
Top tray for MacBook Pro 13: Neewer Laptop Tray
Center tray for MX Keys Mini + iPad Pro 11″ + Bose QC Earbuds 2: Mr.Power Microphone Stand Rack Tray
Mouse tray for MX Master 3: Neewer Clamp-On Rack Tray Holder
Comment:
“Finished my “anywhere” standing desk setup today by getting trays for my camera tripod! Now I’ll have a dedicated work space, no matter my accommodations.”
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9 – From sergiosala
Setup:
Tripod: best bang for your buck
Top tray for MacBook Pro 13: Neewer Laptop Tray
Center tray for MX Keys Mini + iPad Pro 11″ + Bose QC Earbuds 2: Mr.Power Microphone Stand Rack Tray
Mouse tray for MX Master 3: Neewer Clamp-On Rack Tray Holder
Comment:
“It’s the tripod Sirui 3T-35 + Square Jellyfish Table Tripod Mount. The tripod is actually made for cameras, but I love how compact it goes, can handle enough weight and can expand up to 10” in therefore it goes high enough to be at the same eye-level with the Macbook. Then the tripod mount is the smallest I’ve found that can also goes compact and can take any iPad from 10 to 12.9 (not sure about the largest iPad but seems doable).
I published a video today explaining the setup and how to use the iPad as secondary display, but here’s the picture:”
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10 – From beautimoose
Setup:
Laptop stand: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089Y4C3HK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00
2nd monitor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Q5L245X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00
Monitor stand: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09T6TG2FK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00
This one took forever and tons of trial and error to figure out. Everything else was either too bulky or too thin/flimsy and low-profile to be usable. This stand is absolutely perfect.
Keyboard: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JA6HG88/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00
Comment:
“Sharing because I searched forever for something like this when I was first starting out and no setups I saw quite hit the mark. Feeling like I finally have it dialed in and have the perfect balance of compact/minimalist and comfortable/usable/durable. Everything folds up super tiny and fits in my backpack with plenty room to spare”
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