29 June 2026

This article is available in Japanese

AI saved the laptop

Until recently(-ish), the laptop was done, gone, rejected in the eyes of many "knowledge workers". Like myself. When contracts or collaborations hadn't demanded it, I'd been iPad-only for many years. Every single professional need I'd had as a design leader, strategist, and coach was met by the iPad. I was even considering an iPad Mini as my supplementary device so I could ditch my iPhone (yes, that would've been taking it too far, but imagine if...).

Don't get me wrong, I've always owned a laptop. Just in case. For several years now, my MacBook Air has been sitting quietly in its rack, powering my video call/workshop streaming set-up. I didn't have to use it, but why not? And when it'd inevitably conk out, I wouldn't replace it.

Hah!
Today I'm 50/50 between iPad and laptop.
And the laptop does only one thing.

It runs a host of AI-related tools.

Claude, a few Mistral bits, Craft Agents (thank you Sanna). Jasper. Much of it is a dream on the tablet too. But not all of what I now need or have to use, or for that matter, want to use!

Apparently, I'm not alone. Every week I come across collaborators, clients and random people at coffee shops, airports, and events who've come to the same simple conclusion:

AI saved the laptop.

. . .