TLDR: I have a laptop riser similar to a roost stand, a usb-c second monitor, mechanical keyboard (nuphy air75), wireless mouse (Logitech g305). I also have kindle paper white.

Extra Info: The second monitor works fine for documentation, but I have gotten a few design contracts lately and the color accuracy on it is pretty rough. At first it worked with only the USB-C cable, but lately I have had to use USB-C + HDMI. I have gotten better at using a window tiling manager, and gotten rid of my addiction to second screening video content, so I have been pondering dropping the second screen. I have tried a few keyboards, the nuphy is fine. The feet keep falling off because I pack it up and move, but super glue fixes it. There is a smaller nuphy that might have been a better choice, I don't need the function row. The mouse has been good so far, I carry around 2 usb c AA batteries. I pondered subbing out second screen for a tablet. I fit everything into a 25L Tom Bihn Synapse.

What second monitor do you use? I have a UPERFECT Truely 4k and it works well, but I had to run it through a Displayport cable to get it to behave which I'd prefer to get rid of

A big iPad would be the obvious way to go if you're running a MBP. That was the only use I had for my iPad, so I returned it..

A MacBook Air and the nearest sofa or chair.

Cannot use the MBP M1 on my lap for more than 5 minutes - I always feel the heat down there. I'd love to because its comfortable for a change.

External mouse [1], keyboard and Nexstand and I could work for 8 hours just like back home.

[1] Tried Mx Keys, 3 or 4 different Logi mice, settled on Magic keyboard mini and mx anywhere 3 (or M650L) for now. And I have to use the dongle thing so that it doesn't interfere with the Airpods.

MBP M1 feeling hot? That must be the first time I heard this. I own one (16 inch) and I run a few VMs, a few IDE instances, dozens of browser tabs, terminals, video in the background… and my M1 is not even warm.