As someone who works remotely from airports, coffee shops, and even national parks, this little black rectangle has been a game-changer. The 24-hour battery life isn't just marketing fluff - I've powered through back-to-back Zoom calls while charging my laptop simultaneously.

The touchscreen interface surprised me with its simplicity. I could see my connected devices (my laptop and tablet show up as 'Primary-2') and monitor data usage at a glance. When my niece visited last week, creating a guest network took three taps - no tech degree required.

That rugged waterproof case isn't just for show either. Mine survived an unexpected downpour during a hiking trip in Colorado, though I wouldn't recommend testing its limits like some reviewers have!

Speed-wise, it consistently outperforms my iPhone's hotspot. I clocked 87Mbps download in downtown Chicago - fast enough for 4K streaming when I treated myself to movie nights in hotels.

The dual-band connectivity is clutch when congested networks slow down the 2.4GHz band. Flipping to 5GHz in crowded co-working spaces keeps my video calls crisp.

Pro tip: That Verizon SIM card activation can be tricky - I made the mistake of not screenshotting the SIM number first. Save yourself the support call and document it before starting setup.

After six months of near-daily use, my only gripe is the proprietary charging situation. My Anker power bank works fine, but generic USB-C cables charge at snail speed compared to the included one.

For digital nomads or anyone needing reliable internet outside traditional WiFi zones, this hotspot has earned its spot in my everyday carry bag alongside my laptop and noise-canceling headphones.