Can't imagine a world without your smartphone at arm's length? Well, that we can understand.
Fortunately, there are a number of other devices (tablets, mobile GPS systems, and a pen and paper, to name a few) that can be just as functional and helpful for running your business.
See also: 9 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do Online
To find out which devices entrepreneurs really can't live without anymore, we asked a group of founders to share their favorite devices — other than their cell phones, that is. Here's what they had to say.
While iPads are great for consuming news or light reading, you can't beat the Kindle for in-depth reading. As Jason Nazar pointed out in his recent Forbes article, reading a book a month cover-to-cover is one of the most powerful and effective ways to build your creativity and intuition for business.
- Matt Ehrlichman, Porch
This device does it all. It's a fully functional laptop with external ports, but it can also operate as a tablet. It's extremely compact and lightweight. I can pick it up and work directly on my files in the same format I do with my regular laptop computer (Dropbox, Evernote and Google Drive are all synced). This allows me to quickly pick it up and run out the door without needing to carry my laptop.
- Dave Nevogt, Hubstaff
I love my Surface. Having an attached keyboard and the entire Microsoft Office suite makes my business trips more productive than ever before. Rather than just playing games on an airplane, I can actually work.
- Adam Lieb, Duxter
Fold a white envelope in half, and it fits perfectly in a back pocket. Add a pen, and it is the best, most immediate list-cross-off device I've ever had.
- Michael Portman, Birds Barbershop
At 'ZinePak, we often travel to visit clients. This leaves us in rental cars navigating LA, Nashville, Bentonville and Chicago. While traveling our mobile navigation device has saved us from headaches, tardy arrivals, and stress more times than I can count! Not having to worry about figuring out office locations is a huge asset and time saver when finding your way around a new city.
- Kim Kaupe, 'ZinePak
My iPad helps me avoid all the overweight charges when I travel by allowing me to access all my magazines, newspapers and reading material.
- Panos Panay, Sonicbids
My MiFi device is my favorite new mobile device. MiFi is a personal Wi-Fi network that connects to the Web via cell signal. MiFi keeps me connected when I'm on the move, in meetings and anywhere Wi-Fi is not available. I can always answer emails, manage my schedule, allocate tasks to my team and follow up on meetings and calls. MiFi has definitely proven to be a valuable tool for me.
- Doreen Bloch, Poshly Inc.
My Google Glass has allowed me to be "Glasstasking" all summer. The best part of wearing Glass is the ability to see the notifications come in while I am doing something else. If I'm working on a long email response to a client and see that a journalist emailed me, I can respond to that email with my voice without having to put the email I was working on into drafts.
- Chris Barrett, PRserve
I use an iPad mini. In fact, the mini is my main computer device at home. It's small enough that when I hold it with my two hands on portrait, I can reach any point of the screen. And the app ecosystem on the iPad is just amazing. In most cases, it's more immersive than the experience of browsing the same thing on a desktop computer.
- Ioannis Verdelis, Syntellia
Image: Flickr, Phil Gyford
Scott Gerber is the founder of Young Entrepreneur Council, an invite-only organization comprised of the world's most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, the YEC recenty launched ...More