I stopped carrying a laptop after trying Android's desktop mode

Android's desktop mode, now available on Pixel devices, lets you plug your phone into an external monitor via USB-C and get a full windowing environment with a taskbar, floating resizable windows, and snap layouts. The key advantage is continuity — all your apps, files, and notifications are already on your phone, eliminating the need to sync across devices. While it won't replace a full desktop for heavy tasks like RAW photo editing or rendering, it handles everyday productivity well enough that the author stopped bringing a laptop when traveling. Performance on modern phones is sufficient for typical use cases, and the setup requires no configuration beyond connecting a cable.