AI, reading, and Traveling

I originally intended to use this space to share technical thoughts on AI, but I’ll ease in with something lighter—my reading routine while traveling.

Lately, I’ve been on the road quite a bit, often crossing continents. For years, I preferred lightweight laptops for work, and the Lenovo ThinkPad—especially the Nano series—was my go-to. The first-generation Nano was great, but the Nano 2 was a letdown. It was heavier, and the 16GB memory version ran hot—something I suspect wasn’t well-tested, as most users probably opted for the 8GB configuration.

If you’re someone who’s used the TrackPoint for years, you’ll understand how awkward it feels switching to Apple’s trackpad. And the Control-Option-Command layout? It takes time to adjust coming from Windows. But after seeing my wife and so many students using Macs, I decided to give it a shot and picked up a MacBook Air. To be honest, it’s not lighter than the lightest ThinkPad, but the battery life and overall user experience are top-notch. As a technologist, I really respect the engineering behind Apple’s hardware and software.

That said, juggling a business laptop and a phone while traveling already takes a toll. I needed something more versatile. So instead of adding the MacBook Air to my travel gear, I revisited the iPad Pro—something I’ve had for years but usually left at home. While it’s not perfect (some websites still don’t play nice with tablets), it’s light, and with the Magic Keyboard, it becomes surprisingly capable. In fact, in terms of weight, it’s quite similar to the ThinkPad Nano 2.

Over time, it’s become my go-to travel companion—and I’m actually writing this while riding in a cab from the airport.

Now, I load up books and papers on the iPad Pro before each trip. I also enjoy scribbling notes—writing things out has always been part of how I learn. It took a bit of adjustment, but it’s getting easier. I wouldn’t say it fully replaces a laptop, but with the Magic Keyboard, the built-in camera, and everything I need at my fingertips, it’s helped me manage life on the go more efficiently.

This time, it’s a long haul—over 13 hours in the air. I finally had a moment to sit down and catch up on some reading. I’ll save the technical AI post for next time.