Next month I may have to travel a little to do some work and the first thing I was thinking about was the new equipment I would need to be able to do all that I do on the road. This would include having to get a semi powerful laptop and extra external storage. While it can be easier to just buy the equipment and don’t think twice since you have a paying job to complete I always like to try and find out if I can actually use the purchase regularly even outside of this one project.
For example, since it is a laptop I should technically be able to use it during regular daily life as well. But that’s where the planning comes in. For example, for this project I could just get the most powerful and bulkiest laptop available as it will get the job done the quickest. But thinking about after this is all done I would want to drag a huge bulky laptop just anywhere. So it kind of makes more sense to get a powerful one that is lighter. It will still get the job done just as well plus it would be way more convenient to use if need be for personal use.
I always find it an extreme waste when I see people buy expensive items only to be used once for a specific project. The alternative of course is to potentially find a buyer to sell it off to as most people wouldn’t mind a lightly used item for say 20% off.