Great gadgets for the digital nomad

Computerworld —

When you're on the road, you can't call upon the resources that officebound employees enjoy. But whether your temporary workspace is a table at Starbucks, a hotel lobby, an airport or a client's lunchroom, you've still got to get the work done.
Any gear that you lug around has to be small, light and reliable. Here are some great gadgets that any digital nomad will want to consider.

Print Shop to Go
Forget about waiting at a Kinko's to print that hard-copy report. Planon's Printstik PS910 is a go-anywhere print shop. It weighs just 1.5lb., is powered by a lithium-ion battery and fits easily into a notebook bag, yet it can print from a smart phone, handheld or notebook, either through a USB cable or wirelessly via Bluetooth.

The $300 printer uses thermal technology; a package of three rolls of thermal paper costs $25. That means you get only monochrome documents, but if you really need a quick sales letter, a map or a proposal, the Printstik could be invaluable.

Power Central
So much work, so few power outlets -- it's the nomad's constant dilemma. To the rescue: Belkin's Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger. It turns a single AC outlet into three, delivering electricity to you and those around you. (Sharing that outlet may get you good karma, or even a free latte.) It also provides a pair of USB ports for charging phones, handhelds or media players. And it rotates so that it won't block the second outlet on the wall.

The Mini Surge Protector weighs just 6 oz., but it packs a powerful punch when it comes to saving batteries. The device costs $25 but is well worth it -- not the least because it carries a $75,000 warranty against damage from a power spike.

Clean Machine
It may not be able to stop a coffee cup from tipping over, but Zagg's InvisibleShield keyboard cover can keep a spill from turning into a digital disaster. Made of an ultrathin plastic film, the type-through cover keeps liquids, dust and who knows what else out of your notebook's delicate keyboard. When it gets dirty, just wipe it clean. The $35 cover has been precision-cut for a wide variety of notebooks and comes with a lifetime guarantee that it won't scratch or wear out.

Lean and Green
Why spend valuable work time searching in vain for an AC outlet when the sun can power your phone or other equipment? The Solio Magnesium Edition portable solar charger from Better Energy Systems has three photovoltaic solar panels that slide out to provide a total of up to 9 watts of power. This will give you 15 minutes of cell phone talk time for every hour in the sun.

Solio Magnesium's charger comes with a USB adapter tip, plus you get a