I have a love-hate relationship with my old laptop. It’s a nearly decade-old 16-inch HP Pavilion that’s still large by today’s standards. However, the screen size pales when compared to the 32-inch 1440p panel on my desktop. My laptop is also really heavy for the performance it offers, and an outstation trip last year reminded me why it’s better off gathering dust at home. On the flip side, I don’t travel nearly enough to justify replacing the laptop with yet another 16-incher just for improved performance and a lighter carry-on bag.

That logic held up until a recent camping trip, where I tried an unconventional arrangement since my Xgimi Mogo 3 Pro portable projector was coming along. I added a Khadas Mind mini PC and wireless peripherals for computing, with a Satechi 4-port GaN travel charger to power it all. Unorthodox as it may be, I’m convinced this is the upgrade I needed.

A projector is the ultimate travel monitor

And entertainment center

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My primary annoyance is split-screen multitasking on laptops is plagued by readability and scaling issues. The portable projector has a 1080p native resolution, integrated speakers, Android TV OS, and a tripod base with batteries that last an hour. With mini HDMI input, I can project on any hotel room wall and enjoy a 40 to 100-inch screen. Sure, color accuracy suffers with ambient light, but multitasking and readability aren’t an issue anymore. The greater viewing distance and non-emissive display tech add an element of comfort too.

Moreover, the smart projector eliminates the frustrations of setting up, with automatic keystone, focus, obstacle avoidance, and wall color compensation. The ¼-inch thread in the base attaches securely to my camera tripod if the projector isn’t perched on the nightstand. These conveniences make the larger display an upgrade more than a tradeoff. When the PC is disconnected, the projector also doubles up as an entertainment hub with the usual Android TV apps.

A mini PC for the horsepower

Powered by a travel charger

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My Khadas Mind is the heart of this mobile computing experience, packing a 13th-gen Intel Core i7 notebook processor and 32GB of RAM. The performance upgrade from my Pavilion is staggering — dozens of browser tabs, background tasks, and participating in meetings don’t even sweat it. Importantly, this contemporary notebook horsepower fits in a footprint barely larger than a passport. Despite its compact size, the mini PC doesn’t skimp on connectivity, offering a full suite of USB, Thunderbolt, and HDMI to connect peripherals and the projector easily.

Before traveling, some paper napkin math confirmed the Khadas’ peak power draw was well within the Satechi GaN travel charger’s spec, even while it powered the projector through another output. This multi-port charger with swappable international pins can power my wonky workstation from just a single outlet, just like a laptop. For I/O, I threw in a basic Logitech wireless keyboard-mouse combo with the brand’s Unifying Receiver tech, so I still have one USB-A and USB-C port free on the Khadas. I could go a step further with Bluetooth peripherals or a Thunderbolt hub, but I didn’t want too many pieces to the puzzle.

Beyond raw performance, I found the decoupled setup’s user experience superior. I can tuck the mini PC out of sight and eliminate my HP Pavilion’s inherent lap-warming tendencies too, creating a quieter and more comfortable work environment for extended stints.

The trade-offs

It’s not all sunshine and giant screens

Despite its many advantages, this 100-inch laptop replacement has obvious limitations, of which only some affect me. First, you cannot use this system on a train, in a coffee shop, or during a layover at the airport lounge. It is a destination-based workstation. Its utility begins once you have a stationary space to work. For anyone who depends on the flow of working anywhere, at any time, this replacement setup is a non-starter. However, I prefer settling in to work than working in transit, so I don’t view this as a limitation.

This setup is also entirely dependent on having a suitable projection surface—a large, clear, light-colored wall—which, while common in hotel rooms, is never guaranteed. Another tradeoff is the complexity induced by the multi-component setup. Instead of a unitary laptop and its charger, I must additionally carry an HDMI cable, keyboard, mouse, mini PC, and projector remote. The weight and volume both vastly exceed a bulky gaming laptop, and setup takes a moment longer than hitting the power button on a notebook. I’m just using what’s on hand, but if I went out to buy the required bits, I’d get a pico projector. Down the road, I’m also looking for ways to connect Bluetooth peripherals to the projector and leverage its Android OS for my mostly web-based work.

Finally, there’s the cost concern, and I’ll be blunt — this option is pricier than an equivalent laptop, and doesn’t make sense for everyone. You pay a compactness tax on the projector, mini PC, and power supply. It adds up quickly, but the experience is worth more than the sum of its parts to only a handful, myself included. Those intrigued by the concept but deterred by the price, could scale things down a notch. One could opt for a cheaper, dimmer pico-projector and a lower-specification mini PC. However, this introduces its own compromises in performance, image quality, and brightness, making the trade-offs harsher.

It’s not for everyone

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Ultimately, this modular approach is a compelling alternative for a certain type of traveler. This is fantastic if you prefer quiet stay-cations, or your work takes you to hotels for a few days when you’d value a large screen and decent performance over the ability to work from anywhere at a moment’s notice with a laptop. For me, this redefined the idea of a travel PC by prioritizing the in-room experience, offering a massive, comfortable display and serious power in a package that’s surprisingly portable. To me, this was a no-compromise workspace that feels less like a temporary setup and more like a home office away from home. I’m already looking forward to my next opportunity to use this setup.