How Apple became the digital nomad’s Swiss Army Knife

When Saurabh Verma (name changed) decided to take a break from leading a publication and dive into freelance writing, his very first purchase was an Apple MacBook Air.

Going freelance usually means a bit of travelling to meet clients, and a thin, light laptop fits right in. But why just the MacBook? Could it be that Apple’s sleek laptop has become synonymous with going solo, fighting your own battles and crafting your own path? Turns out that is very much the case.  

Verma is not alone, and the MacBook is not the only Apple product this sentiment holds true for. Across several professions and lifestyles, many of which require you being away from home, everyone from creators to 9-to-5ers are eyeing Apple products. But it isn’t just the half-eaten Apple logo that brings professionals to the iPhone, the MacBook or even the iPad.  

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More often than not, these on-the-move users have some solid, compelling reasons to try and eventually stick to Apple products. For these digital nomads, having an iPhone or a MacBook enables possibilities that otherwise, well, wouldn’t be possible! 

The convenience of an all-Apple ecosystem

Take the case of football commentator Pulasta Dhar. As someone whose voice is synonymous with the ISL, the AFC Cup, and other tournaments, Dhar’s career is all about being in the moment. With matches around the country, it’s also about being everywhere but at home. 

For Dhar, his bag of Apple products (including an iPhone, a MacBook and an iPad) equals saving some precious time. With his iPhone 13 mini paired together with a MacBook and an iPad, Dhar says Apple’s signature ecosystem features have “made life easier,” highlighting features like AirDrop and, abilities like copy-pasting between devices. 

Dhar in the middle of the action with his iPhone, iPad and MacBook

“Because I am live, because I am on-air, saving those three to five seconds is crucial,” Dhar explains. He adds that in his profession “taking a few extra seconds could mean probably missing something that has happened on the pitch” – a strict no-no. 

As someone who must keep stats and information handy before a game even begins and “chase the game as it happens”, Dhar often resorts to a multi-device setup with all his Apple products offering multiple screens. Why? Well, in Dhar’s own words “as someone who can’t take his eyes off the game, I don’t want keep switching from one tab to another.” 

A version of Dhar’s work setup isn’t too hard to replicate on my own Windows desktop at home, paired with my ultrawide monitor which can easily hold three-four windows at once. But factor in elements like having to frequently move between cities for an entire football season, and Dhar’s choices suddenly make a lot of sense. 

Freelance video editor Lakshya Anand, who frequently travels across the country, has a similar story to tell. As someone who handles multiple clients (and thousands of media files) at any given time, Anand’s daily tasks would be very difficult without features like AirDrop. “It is easier to share stuff between my iPhone and MacBook,” says Anand, who will often use both devices to edit and send cuts to his clients. 

“I also love the ease of my AirPods connecting seamlessly to my iPhone and my MacBook,” Anand adds. With video editors often having to make quick changes when on the move, while also taking calls from clients and personal contacts alike, Anand’s reliance on the Apple ecosystem is hardly surprising.  

Anand whipping up a quick cut on his MacBook, but staying connected to his iPhone with his AirPods

Now that’s great for all creators and editors out there, but for those who also travel a lot, Apple’s customer service is also an apparent advantage. “I had once visited an Apple Service Centre for some charging issues with my phone, and I got it all sorted in about 10 minutes,” Anand recalls.  

Apple’s reputation for performance and privacy

The convenience and seamlessness of Apple’s ecosystem of products isn’t everything. For people like Janit Dhanwani, it is the performance, and the privacy of Apple products that make all the difference.  

“My company’s content is highly confidential,” explains Dhanwani, who works for Infosec, a company that offers cybersecurity services, including certified ethical hacking courses. “The reason I use a MacBook for work, is because my company has a strict Mac-only policy; I think because macOS is more secure than Windows,” said Dhanwani.  

ALSO READ: Here’s why you need an Apple ID along with your Apple device 

“I think only one guy in my team uses a Windows machine, and even he had to take special permissions,” he adds.  

What’s interesting is that while Dhanwani’s M3 MacBook Pro comes from his company, he personally continues to use his Android phone. “My job doesn’t require me to do stuff on my phone,” he explains, but adds that he is sure his next smartphone will be an iPhone – a decision that banks on several other factors besides privacy.  

Currently in the middle of a US-Mexico trip, Dhanwani has been to multiple other countries including destinations like Georgia and France. His dream is to travel to as many countries as he can and explore different cultures. To this end, what he looks for in his next phone, is better performance and cameras. Oh yes, also the accessory support.  

ALSO READ: Next-gen Apple AirTags could come with better tracking power and more 

“Personally, I never went for an iPhone before because I’m bad at handling phones. Whenever I own a new phone, it just seems to keep hitting the ground,” Dhanwani jokingly explains.

He adds that his perception has changed over the past few years, though, thanks to iPhones getting a wide range of tough cases across the world. Dhanwani also looks forward to using accessories like AirTags to always track his luggage.  

Apple’s global warranty program is also something that Dhanwani sees as a safety net. Be it for the limited warranty that comes with your iPhone or an AppleCare+ plan that you want to redeem, the peace of mind of knowing your phone can be serviced (or brought back from literal death) no matter which country you’re in, is unmatched. 

Being a digital nomad is a lifestyle choice, and when you’re far away from home all the time, technology can be your best friend. Gadgets like the MacBook and the iPhone have helped countless digital nomads do everything from getting work done to flaunting their adventures on Instagram, but it’s Apple’s well-knit web of seamless features, accessories and customer service that have helped the brand stand apart.