Let's face it, we're a society on the go. We have cell phones clipped around our ears, email in our pockets, and our schedule at our fingertips at all times. So it stands to reason that more and more pieces of equipment that were traditionally relegated to the office are now being designed to come along with us. One such piece of equipment is the portable printer.

Streamlined for efficiency and designed to be as compact as possible, the portable printer goes where you go, giving you the immediate ability to print important documents that just can't wait – no matter where you are at the time. Of course, the largest benefit of the portable printer is to the business traveler who can print documents via their laptop anywhere from the airplane to a hotel room; the convenience is priceless for the traveler who must maximize the use of their time.

And, while it packs a punch when it comes to efficiency and functionality, the portable printer, on average, is less than five pounds, making it easy and comfortable to transport in a briefcase or pocketbook. A large percentage does not even require an electric power source and, instead, operate on batteries.

When looking for a portable printer you can shop brand, size, capabilities, and price. Most of the large computer manufacturers make a portable printer design so you can rest assured that you'll be getting a reliable, quality product. The functions that the portable printer performs vary by model and are largely confined to printing volume and speed. Of course, in general, the printing volume capability of the portable printer will directly impact its weight and size; so choose accordingly. These may also be the more expensive of the models, but if you are relying on your portable printer to produce multiple copies with a professional look, then it's certainly worth paying the price.

The portable printer – like many items hitting the market today – is simply indicative of the ever-growing trend of convenience products that promise to revolutionize the traditional work environment.