6.6 Electronics: Lightweight and Pragmatism#
Mobile Phones: Lessons in Overheating and Roaming#
Thinking back to my trip this past July, my iPhone 16 Pro experienced abnormal overheating. This not only caused inconvenience in usage but also severely dampened my enthusiasm for taking photos. The cause remained unclear—it could have been a system bug or an issue triggered by the wireless charger. After several system updates over the past few months, and my decision to abandon wireless charging in favor of a traditional wired power bank, the iPhone’s performance finally returned to normal for this trip.
Since I had this “failed” experience, I took full defensive measures this time and brought a Xiaomi foldable phone as a backup.
This backup device was loaded with my “secondary SIM card.” In the China-Hong Kong-Macau region, it can “share” the monthly data plan of my primary number; I had always mistakenly assumed that the roaming package could also be shared. As a result, the moment I arrived in Japan and turned on the Xiaomi, my tech instincts sensed something was wrong. Shortly after, I received an SMS notification about daily roaming charges and hurriedly switched it to Airplane Mode.
In the end, I carried two phones with me every day when going out, but because the iPhone performed admirably, the Xiaomi foldable spent almost the entire trip in “hibernation.”
Decluttering Photography Gear#
Recalling my travels from over a decade ago, photography equipment often occupied more than a quarter of my suitcase: DSLR cameras, tripods, intervalometers for time-lapses, multiple phones, and cameras with various specs—it was like a mobile armory.
As I’ve grown older, both my physical stamina and mindset have changed. That game of heavy equipment no longer suits me. Today, I pursue “minimalism”; ideally, a single phone should solve all recording needs, saving more energy for my eyes to simply experience the moment.
The Entertainment Specialist: Chromebook#
Flying with a budget airline means no inflight entertainment system. With no screens, no movies, and no internet, a long flight requires bringing your own offline entertainment. I am a paid Netflix subscriber, so downloading movies is the best solution. However, Netflix restricts downloads to mobile phones and tablets; the browser versions on MacBook or Windows laptops do not support this feature (due to DRM restrictions).
This sparked a dilemma of “what device to bring”:
- Phone/Small Tablet: My wife finds the screen on my Google Pixel Tablet (11-inch) too small.
- Large Tablet: In July, I specifically bought a cheap 15-inch tablet. The screen was big enough, but the device was heavy, so I gave it to a friend after returning to Hong Kong.
- The Best Choice (Chromebook): This time, I found a better option—the Google Pixelbook Go. It features a 13-inch screen and weighs only about 1 kg. Most importantly, as a Chromebook, it can run Android Apps, meaning I can legally install the Netflix app and download movies!
Balancing Productivity and Entertainment#
I also brought my MacBook this time, mainly because the Chromebook has two weaknesses that make me uneasy:
- Chinese Input: Although it supports Chinese, the input method experience is far less smooth than on a Mac. Typing a hundred words or so is passable, but writing a serious article would be torture.
- Development Tools: If I needed to handle code or more professional work during the trip, the Chromebook’s capabilities are ultimately limited.
That said, bringing two computers adds a significant burden with the extra power supplies and peripherals. Summarizing this experience, for my next trip, I might be bold enough to hit the road with just the Pixelbook.
Hotel Audio-Visuals#
It is worth noting that most televisions in Japanese hotels do not support wireless casting, but almost all have HDMI ports. I carry a USB-C to HDMI adapter with me, so I can connect the Pixelbook to the large TV in the hotel and continue watching Netflix on the big screen.
Speaking of Netflix, one must also be mindful of “Geo-blocking.” This not only affects online streaming but can also impact downloaded content. If you connect to Japanese Wi-Fi and the system detects that the show has no copyright license in Japan, your downloaded files might become invalid. Therefore, having a VPN ready to tunnel back to Hong Kong is the final insurance policy to ensure uninterrupted viewing.
Power Adapters: The Evolution from Multi-Port to GaN#
In the era of USB-A, I absolutely loved those multi-port Travel Chargers. With just one AC outlet, you could split it into four USB-A ports, handling the whole family’s devices at once—extremely convenient!
But entering the era of USB-C and PD (Power Delivery) fast charging, the situation has become much more complex. Although there is no shortage of multi-port PD chargers on the market, one must pay close attention to their “power allocation” specifications. Many products that boast high power output will see the output of each port significantly “shrink” once multiple devices are connected simultaneously.
For example, if charging high-power consumption products like laptops (such as my Pixelbook or MacBook), the moment you plug in a phone to charge as well, the power supply to the computer might instantly drop to insufficient levels, causing charging to become excruciatingly slow or even “refused” altogether. If you don’t know how to read the specs, you often end up fooling yourself—plugging in the cable but getting no charge.
The “Divide and Conquer” Strategy#
Nowadays, there are many GaN (Gallium Nitride) chargers on the market that are extremely compact yet offer high power. However, my preferred strategy is no longer “one big brick for the whole family,” but rather to “divide and conquer.”
Instead of carrying one heavy, multi-port brick, it is better to carry several compact, single-port GaN chargers. This is not only flexible for hotel use but also makes it easy to top up power in tight spaces like Shinkansen seats or coffee shops.
If you are worried about the lack of wall sockets in hotels, my secret weapon is a “mini power strip” bought from a 100-yen shop in Japan. It is extremely small but can expand one wall socket into three or more, which is very practical and takes up no luggage space. Note that these are typically only available in Japan!
Power Banks: The Game of Weight vs. Capacity#
As for portable chargers (commonly known as “power banks”), they are almost indispensable for modern travel. Especially when heavily using Google Maps for navigation and constantly taking photos and videos, even the most high-end phone struggles to last a whole day.
When choosing a power bank, the priority is PD output performance. Taking the iPhone as an example, it supports fast charging of about 20W-27W, so choosing a PD output of 22.5W or above is sufficient.
Next is the balance between “capacity” and “weight.” There is no need to blindly pursue massive capacity, as that inevitably comes with the feel of a heavy brick. This time, I adopted a “Dual Battery Strategy,” carrying two power banks with different specifications:
- 2500mAh Ultra-Light Version: Too small? Yes, it can’t even provide a full charge. But its advantage is being extremely light, making it perfect for use while walking and shooting. Plugged in, the phone remains light, and it doesn’t affect my shooting handling at all.
- 10000mAh Standard Version: This is the backup main force, mainly used when sitting down to rest or moving by train.
This division of labor solved my battery anxiety while liberating my hands from unnecessary weight.