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As a traveling journalist, I’m always looking to make my work setup as portable as possible. A lighter setup is typically preferable to a larger one, even if the latter comes with more screen size and power. At CES, for example, my primary laptop was an MSI Prestige 13 that weighs under two pounds, and let me tell you, it was heavenly.

But I couldn’t help but wonder just how far I could push this idea. So, I put together a kit that weighed not only less than one kilogram but less than half a kilogram: 480 grams to be exact. 

Also: My search for the ultimate MagSafe accessory is over: This keyboard checks all the boxes

Now, the possibilities are endless. Suddenly, I can work on a plane in economy. The setup also means I don’t need a backpack; in fact, I barely need to use a pocket in my pants. So what is this magic combination that’s solved all my issues?

It all started at CES when I sat down with the founders of Clicks — the phone keyboard case adorning iPhones and select Android devices for the past couple of years. The company introduced the Clicks Power Keyboard, a universal physical keyboard that attaches to the back of your phone via MagSafe. A magnetic ring is included in the box for phones without magnetic wireless charging.

The Power Keyboard rests behind the phone when not in use and slides down to reveal itself when needed, Palm Pre style. In addition to adding a lovely keyboard to your phone, the device can also charge it — hence the name. 

The keyboard includes a number row, a personal favorite feature, and the keys are canted toward the outside of the device, making it more thumb-friendly. The keys are responsive and satisfyingly clicky, again, hence the name.

Also: I tested Qi2 wireless chargers with cooling solutions – here’s how my buying advice changed

I originally bought this keyboard to go with my Samsung Galaxy XR headset, because the virtual keyboard on that device is particularly dreadful. I have yet to meet an XR virtual keyboard I haven’t disliked, so the Power Keyboard is a great solution for that challenge, too.

Building out my setup

Next up, I headed to LA to see the Motorola Razr. We’ve already covered the Razr in depth, but the part that’s relevant to this project is its 3.6-inch cover screen. If you’re going to go small, go big! Of course, the reason I’m focused on the cover screen is that the phone can stand up on its own in tent mode. This feature means there’s no need to carry a phone stand with me, which also means less weight to worry about.

Another benefit of using a phone for this experiment is continuous connectivity: I can sit down and write anywhere. With the power keyboard, I don’t even need a desk; I can hold it in my hand.

Also: I cracked open a ‘1,000W’ portable charger after it failed me in minutes – and wished I hadn’t

When it comes to flip phones, I prefer working with the Razr. The device has a much more versatile cover screen than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, although I’ll reserve final judgement until the Flip 8 comes out later this year. Another advantage of the Razr is battery life. The silicone carbon battery lasts longer and charges faster than Samsung’s lithium-ion.

The final piece came together when Logitech introduced the Mobi Fold mouse. As its name suggests, the compact mouse folds in half, making it even more compact to fit in a pocket or bag. It has three buttons, including a touch-sensitive middle button for scrolling. It’s a nice little device for the writer on the go.

But let’s address the elephant in the room, shall we? This is an exercise in the absurd. We’re all adults here, meaning we can speak openly about this experiment. And, in practice, it’s not a great idea. In fact, it’s mostly a stupid idea, which is why it’s so fun.

Also: I’ve tested every Motorola foldable phone in 2026 so far – how to pick between Fold and Ultra

The Clicks Power Keyboard is a lovely little device, the Logitech Mobi Fold is a delightfully tiny mouse, and the Moto Razr is a great little phone. But all of these devices represent a compromise, and here’s why.

The Clicks keyboard isn’t for me. It’s fine, but I prefer to work on a phone’s virtual keyboard — I work much faster on one. Some people may delight in pounding out thousands of words on this keyboard, but it’s not the setup for me.

The Logitech mouse is fine in a pinch, but I’d prefer a more robust mouse, or even a trackpad. Finally, the Moto Razr’s cover screen is just too small for any serious writing. 

Bottom line, I’ll take a laptop over this setup. But it was a fun experiment to see what could be possible, and yes, I wrote this entire article using the tiniest workstation I have ever used.

But I probably won’t ever do it again.