Lately, as my son grew bigger, I found myself trying to find a lighter and smaller replacement for my laptop during these travels. There are times when I have to carry Mason for a prolonged period of time because he is cranky or when the content of my bagpack has to include toys and baby supplies. While not exactly heavy, my ASUS Zenbook still weighs around 1 kg without charger and takes up around 12″ x 7.5″ in my bagpack.

To get something as light as possible that can do 85% of my workload, I decided to use my iPad Mini as laptop replacement.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at NO cost to you. It just helps me pay for my hosting fee

The Bulk of the Workload

Before I can completely use my iPad to replace my laptop however, some changes to my work flow has to be done.

I made a rough plan of the bulk of work done on my laptop and also work that I usually do while I am traveling.

Most of the time if I am only gone for up to 10 days, my planned workload is

• 80% WhatsApp to communicate with my office
• 15% Emails
• 5% Creating files in Google Sheets/ data inputting

Speed of Information

I work in the inter-state public bus transportation industry and a bulk of our daily work is reacting to situations (car accidents or bus breaks down on the street) and the handling of cash flow (we still use cash instead of cashless payment system). So, we create group chats in WhatsApp for various devisions like the Mechanic team, the Accounting team and the Spare Parts Supply team. With WhatsApp, everybody in the group will always be updated to the situation at hand and allow faster reaction time.

Personally, I found myself using WhatsApp Web more than using WhatsApp on my phone whenever I have access to my PC or iPad + Keyboard because replying to messages are so much faster with a keyboard than my phone’s virtual keyboard.

I have also migrated our company’s Excel files to Google Sheets because of the following benefits:

• Easier files creation and data inputting through iOS without any downside to Windows users
• Faster data processing because as soon as data is inputted by my admins, I can see it
• No data loss when there is electricity blackouts (which happens a lot in my city)

Paperless Information

Most of the information that passes through my office is scanned into digital format and emailed to me every day by my office admins. This information ranges from payment slips to daily employees attendance charts.

We are also moving toward digital files for as many as we can to save storage space. By going paperless, I don’t have to lug around files or folders, but instead just access the files through the clouds.

As of my to-do list and project notes, I have been using OneNote, which is accessible through iOS as well.

iPad Mini 5 & Logitech Keyboard K380

In order for my iPad Mini to be a true laptop replacement, I needed a keyboard whether a keyboard case or a separate Bluetooth keyboard. I was on the fence between Logitech K380 and iClever BK-05, but in the end I settled on the Logitech K380 because I could get my hand on one for a cheap price.

The K380 turns out to be perfect because it has a desktop keyboard typing feels, only loses in term of portability compared to the iClever. I have thoroughly enjoyed using the K380 and haven’t had any buyer’s remorse since yet.

Future Improvements

So far, I really like bringing my iPad Mini traveling since it allows me to travel very light and stays on top of my work while I am not in the office. The Mini also double duty as entertainment during long flights or as books when there is no internet.

I know, technically I only need my phone to get my work done since most of my files are in Google Sheets and in WhatsApp, but when you have to look at 6″ all day, an iPad Mini is a welcome size (trust me, I tried). Besides, the Logitech K380 is such a joy to use that I actually look forward to when I have to use it, and it puts me in “Working Mode” whenever I have it in front of me.

Also, some countries like Japan and America has strict baggage policy regarding laptops, and having an iPad Mini allows breezy X-Ray screenings.

In the future, I am looking into changing my iPad Mini to iPad Pro with USB-C which lets me to share cables between the iPad and my phone, plus the bigger screen doesn’t hurt.

Finally I am currently looking into carrying case that I can put my iPad and keyboard for easier packing and carrying.

Logitech Keyboard K780 series is the best keyboard I have ever used in my life (up til’ September 2019) in term of productivity and joy to use. However, its higher-than-average price point and size may be a turn off for some people.

As a business owner trying to expand, I found myself having to do a lot of typing legwork myself, from typing up letters, memo to data entry. Combined with my son being 2 years old now (read: likes pulling at loose cables), I decided to invest in a good wireless keyboard with Num Pad and as full size as possible.

So for this post, I want to review the K780 from my point of view as a small business owner without going into the technical details.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at NO cost to you. It just helps me pay for my hosting fee

The Good

Here is main reasons why the K780 is the best keyboard (without going into technical details) for small business owner.

• Very satisfying to type on due to the silent tactile feels and key travels. One of the most important aspect of a keyboard when you type a lot is how it feels when you type on it. The K780 is heavy, sturdy and stays on the surface when you type. It has good key travels and the tactile feels very satisfying. I found typing to be such a joy on the K780 that I found myself looking online for carrying case just so I can bring it with me when I travel.

• Maintain your work momentum by being able to switch devices. The K780 allows you to program the keyboard to switch between 3 connected devices with the press of a button. The groove on top of the keyboard also lets you perch your mobile tablet and phones on the keyboard. I honestly haven’t used this too much but the few occasions I do use it, I found it allow me to maintain my work momentum and flow very conveniently. An example was replying to my company’s group chat in WhatsApp on my phone (my company uses WhatsApp for real time operation updates). I usually use WhatsApp Web, but on that day, I only have internet connection on my phone which made replying on WA Web impossible.
• Customizable key functions. Through Logitech Flow software, you are able to map your keys with specific functions that you use the most and you can even customize it for apps specific.

My Complaints (more like nit-pickings)

While, the K780 is close to being the perfect keyboard for me, I have a few complaints about it and what could be improved to make it a perfect keyboard for me (which may not apply to you)

• Price point is too high. The typing experience on the K780 is top notch and being able to switch devices allow you less interruptions when you are working with more than 1 device. The Flow ecosystem also allows further useful customization to help you be more productive. However, it is up to you whether you put a premium on the typing experience and the software. If you don’t, there are plenty of alternatives that give you the typing experience without the high cost.

• The size takes some getting used to. I would have prefer it if it’s a real full size keyboard since it’s not exactly portable anyway. The K780 is roughly around 75% – 80% size of a full size keyboard and you may need to get used to it.

• Some button functionalities (e.g. print screen) requires a 2 buttons process. Since the K780 is not a full size keyboard, some button functions (in my case mainly print screen because it is used a lot for confirmation) requires a 2 buttons process (fn + Del). The K780 also does not have the 6 packs button above the arrow buttons which takes some getting used to as well. 

Conclusion

All in all, I found the Logitech K780 keyboard to be the best work keyboard I have used, however the price may or may not justify it for you. Personally, I have not gotten a buyer’s remorse ever since I purchased this keyboard because I use my keyboard so much that I will gladly pay the premium to make typing, using Microsoft Excel, etc. a better experience for me. But, if you think the price point is a little high, I do agree that my compliments of the K780 could be had by cheaper keyboards.

Alternatives

1. Logitech K380

Now, if I have convince you to purchase one, I will greatly appreciate it if you purchase through Amazon using my affiliate link. What affiliate link simply means is that at NO cost to you, I get a small commission when you purchase the Logitech K780 through the following link. The commission that I receive will be cut via the seller’s profit and not your buying price.

Amazon: Logitech Keyboard K780

Samsung A-50

Where I am working, people mostly use 2 SIM cards (calling cost between different service companies is expensive) so I use the Samsung A-50.

I mainly use it to call (averaging 45 – 60 mins per work day), WhatsApp (We have company division’s group chats) and Google Sheets to view and occasionally edit data.

I chose this phone because of its battery life and I consistently have 20% remaining charge by 11 pm.

Airpods

Since I am on the phone a lot, my AirPods free my hands to work on something else while I’m on the phone. My wife got it for me for Valentine’s day in 2018 since I am on the phone a lot. I haven’t used a regular earphone unless I’m flying ever since I got it.

Lately, I noticed that the battery isn’t what it used to be and there is no way to change the battery short of buying a new pair, I might just buy a new one since I just love, love, love the convenience it gives me.

Tag Heuer Aquaracer

I got this watch as a birthday gift from my wife because she knows I am into watches, but too thrifty to actually get an expensive one. 90% of the time you meet me, this is the watch on my wrist and probably will be until I pass it down to my son.

There is something about an automatic watch that gives it soul; that and you don’t have to charge it every night (less cable, less bulk).

ASUS ZenBook UX31A

I have been using this laptop for 7 years now and it is still a joy to use every time. I usually have 3 – 5 Excel Spreadsheets open, Google Chrome with around 7 – 10 tabs and sometimes Photoshop at the same time. Even with all these loads, it doesn’t show any lag in performance.

It’s light, portable with one of the best keyboard I have used and still gives me around 6 hours of battery life. Not thinking of changing it anytime soon.

iPad Mini 5 (2019) & Apple Pencil

Perfect for light working, entertainment, reading, browsing and gaming. Whenever I have to meet someone or go to a meeting, I don’t like to bring my laptop unless it’s necessary since a laptop creates a kind of communication wall when you are face to face with somebody.

I bring my Mini everywhere and I can take notes using the Apple Pencil and OneNote. Nothing says “I can get the job done efficiently” like going into a meeting, sit down, and with a press of a button, you are good to go.

Keys

I hate it when my keys jingle as I walk or when it pokes me on my thigh. So, I used a scrap leather, waxed polyester thread, 1″ chicago screw and make this keychain. It holds my gate, house and office keys.

I recently found out that a company called Orbitkey makes a product similar to this and it is getting rave reviews. I am not affiliated or sponsored by them (obviously since I am using my DIY version), but it looks like something that I would have bought if I knew they existed before I made my key organizer.

Wallet

I got this wallet when I was in Bangkok, and it wasn’t until one of my friends pointed it out that I realized my wallet is actually a knockoff of Bottega Veneta man wallet (shows you how much I know about fashion).

I am thinking of making my own leather bifold wallet soon so I guess for now I am stuck with my Bottega Fakeneta