Travel light, work heavy: my remote desktop setup
Working remotely for several years now has shaped my approach to hardware, network design, and productivity. My goal is simple: remain productive and secure regardless of where I am, all without sacrificing sustainability and efficiency. After trials and optimization, here is my fully detailed, reproducible remote desktop setup, designed specifically so I can carry as little gear as possible but still access all the power of a dedicated workstation.
Below, I'll delve into hardware choices, explain my reasoning for each component, outline my network and remote desktop solution, all to inspire you to replicate (or adapt) this setup yourself.
Motivation and philosophy
As a maker and technical writer who values productivity, security, flexibility, and sustainability, I wanted a setup that doesn't force me to choose between portability and power. Working from cafés, hotels, or planes cannot compare to the comfort and power of my home office environment, but carrying around a powerful laptop tends to be cumbersome, expensive, and wasteful.
Instead, my strategy is simple yet powerful. I leverage a highly performant desktop PC at home and remotely access it from a minimalist, pocket-sized device:
- Privacy and security: Ensuring minimal exposure of my desktop's data and services, secured via private tunnels and controlled remote software.
- Power and efficiency: Vast computing capability when needed, turned off instantly when idle, thereby reducing wasted energy.
- Portability and flexibility: Entirely mobile-friendly setup enabling productive sessions even without a traditional laptop.
Let’s now dive into the specifics behind each element!
Hardware overview and selection
Let's start with the beating heart of my setup, my custom-built desktop:
| Component | Model | Description & Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Powerful multi-core, excellent single-thread performance for software development, virtualization, and heavy AI tasks. |
| GPU | INNO3D GeForce RTX 5090 X3 OC 32GB GPU |
Ideal GPU for machine learning, visual rendering, and graphics-intensive projects. |
| SSD | 4TB Samsung 9100 PRO Gen5 SSD | Extremely fast PCIe Gen5 storage for quickest access to large datasets and applications. |
| Motherboard | MSI MPG X870E CARBON WIFI | Durable and feature-rich motherboard with reliable LAN/Wi-Fi, DDR5 support, and stable BIOS. |
| RAM | G.Skill 96 GB DDR5-6000 (2x 48 GB) (product code: 100109270) | ⚠️ Due to instability issues with DDR5, I replaced the Kingston FURY 128GB with this reliable kit from G.Skill. |
| Power Supply | be quiet! Pure Power 12M 1000W PSU | Extremely reliable PSU that delivers power quietly and efficiently. |
| OS | Tiny11 Custom Windows Build (GitHub) | Trimmed down Windows build, removing unnecessary components for greater stability, lower consumption, and higher performance. |
For more affordable sourcing, check reputable European hardware vendors such as Alternate.
24/7 network backbone
My workstation is switched off whenever it's not in use, yet the network itself remains accessible 24/7 thanks to two critical devices:
| Device | Description | Role & Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen2 (AS6706T) (product details) | 6-bay NAS, RAID-supported, working continuously as network storage and backup solution. | Always-on data access point, ideal companion server. |
| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (Raspberry Pi) | Low-power, silent, single-board computer with Docker-based Tailscale VPN. | Controls VPN connection, LAN access, Wake-on-LAN commands, and energy-efficient LAN-gateway. |
My choice of the Raspberry Pi influenced heavily by affordability, small footprint, low power consumption, and excellent support ecosystem.
I run Tailscale, a zero-config VPN mesh (official site), within a Docker container. Tailscale gives me reliable, encrypted LAN access from anywhere in the world, while exposing no open ports externally. To configure Tailscale on the Pi as both an Exit Node and local LAN gateway, run the following command via SSH:
# This is how I start the Raspberry Pi as a Tailscale node with SSH, LAN access, and Exit Node:
sudo tailscale up --ssh --advertise-exit-node --advertise-routes=192.168.2.0/24
Ultra-Light mobile workstation: Samsung DeX & Artemis
One key aspect of flexibility is my portable device: a Samsung Android phone utilizing Samsung's built-in DeX mode. Leveraging DeX allows my Android phone to become a productivity-focused desktop with minimal equipment overhead.
Additionally, instead of traditional remote desktop software, I utilize a faster, lower-latency streaming protocol.
- Desktop Host Software: Apollo, a powerful and versatile fork of Sunshine (Apollo on GitHub). Apollo provides customizable encoding options and excellent remote latency.
- Android Client (Phone): Artemis, a fantastic Moonlight fork specialized for Android mobile environments, integrated seamlessly with Samsung DeX (Artemis on GitHub).
This combination delivers a buttery-smooth desktop streaming experience, even over limited mobile networks.
Remote Wake-on-LAN via Termux
My desktop is shutdown when I am not working to save power, minimize security risks, and increase component lifespan. When needed, it powers up quickly via Wake-on-LAN (WoL).
To achieve remotely:
- Allow LAN Access in the Tailscale web panel (Tailscale).
- Install the Termux app (a terminal app for Android (Termux)).
- Remotely SSH into Raspberry Pi over Tailscale VPN connection.
- Run this etherwake command:
# Wake-on-LAN via Termux on Android SSH with Raspberry Pi to power desktop:
sudo etherwake -i eth0 24:4C:40:94:AD:01
(where 24:4C:40:94:AD:01 (fake) is my desktop's network card MAC address.)
Instantly, my powerful Ryzen 9 desktop boots up from anywhere in seconds, ready for remote desktop connection through Artemis.
Achievements and inspiration
So far, this setup provides fantastic benefits that fit my lifestyle remarkably:
- Powerful: Professional-grade desktop and responsive networking.
- I achieved 4k streaming with 120HZ on an LG Ultrawide screen that I was able to borrow in Spain.
- Secure & Private: Tailscale eliminates open ports, session encryption provided via Artemis/Apollo streaming apps.
- The actual streaming did not occur through Tailscale to avoid overloading their servers with 4K traffic.
- Sustainable: Desktop & computing power only occupied when actually needed.
- Minimalistic: The phone is all I need, keeping travel weight and complexity low.
If you're inspired to replicate or experiment, focus first on your Raspberry Pi + Tailscale network. From there, piece together desktop software (Apollo) and Android client (Artemis) applications.
This idea is liberating: a pocket-sized workplace, lightweight yet powerful. I encourage others to explore similar setups, combining convenience, computing potential, security, and sustainable practices into an integrated remote workflow.
Just a phone and glasses?
With the XREAL One Pro offering a 171" virtual display and 57° FoV, I might be one step closer to working anywhere with just a phone and glasses.
Would you go fully remote with nothing but your phone and AR glasses?