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Anyone regret bringing their laptops?
K2
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Weight purposes and all. I'm debating if I should bring it or not for my RTW backpack trip...
pangaeanshift
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That really depends. I'm planning on picking up one of those little netbooks that seem to be for sale everywhere now. Crazy light. The only reason I'd be taking one is to hold photos. I tend to be a huge shutterbug but am also bad for losing small items. . . like memory cards. The netbook for me would give me the opportunity to transfer photos and use WiFi for communication home.
Another great thing about hte netbooks, I find, is the price. Compared to regular laptops, netbooks are a steal. So, if on the off chance it gets stolen, the cost lost isn't as great.
If netbooks didn't exist, however, I don't think I'd be taking a laptop at all. Too bulky and too expensive.
Another great thing about hte netbooks, I find, is the price. Compared to regular laptops, netbooks are a steal. So, if on the off chance it gets stolen, the cost lost isn't as great.
If netbooks didn't exist, however, I don't think I'd be taking a laptop at all. Too bulky and too expensive.
My travels begin, November 2010. http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com
muhanji
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im travelling wit my laptop and find it to be one of my most essential accesories - i use it to get information, booking flights and making reservations, tour guides and when i want to zone out for movies - also i use it for making phone calls with google voice and skype installed. Also use it to store pictures though i have a backup just in case.
So no, regrets here
So no, regrets here
AceTracer
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A netbook is a traveler's best friend. It's tiny, light, and cheap enough that you won't mind too much if it gets lost/stolen/damaged. There are computers in most hostels, and even the most remote of areas has an internet cafe somewhere, but they can be busy/expensive/insecure. I've been scammed before putting my personal information on a public computer.
A netbook is only about 2-3 lbs. If you're still planning on carrying over 40 lbs, then there's a lot you can give up before you should consider ditching the laptop.
A netbook is only about 2-3 lbs. If you're still planning on carrying over 40 lbs, then there's a lot you can give up before you should consider ditching the laptop.
K2
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My laptop is about 4-5 pounds. Plus charger.
AceTracer
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AceTracer wrote:If you're still planning on carrying over 40 lbs, then there's a lot you can give up before you should consider ditching the laptop.
busman7
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pangaeanshift wrote:That really depends. I'm planning on picking up one of those little netbooks that seem to be for sale everywhere now. Crazy light. The only reason I'd be taking one is to hold photos. I tend to be a huge shutterbug but am also bad for losing small items. . . like memory cards. The netbook for me would give me the opportunity to transfer photos and use WiFi for communication home.
Another great thing about hte netbooks, I find, is the price. Compared to regular laptops, netbooks are a steal. So, if on the off chance it gets stolen, the cost lost isn't as great.
If netbooks didn't exist, however, I don't think I'd be taking a laptop at all. Too bulky and too expensive.
That sums it up for me as I would be lost without my ACER netbook
but would NOT even consider lugging around a full size laptop.http://blogs.bootsnall.com/busman7 | http://wwwlasbrisasplayasandiego.blogspot.com
"Being normal?
Ugh. I can't imagine how awful that must be" unknown
"Being normal?
Ugh. I can't imagine how awful that must be" unknown
Traveller11
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I carried a laptop for almost 12 months on my rtw trip and it was great. Wifi is everywhere and its really good for research, bookings, entertainment, and keeping in touch with friends and family.
It was heavy and there were times that I was cursing it. I'd suggest a lightweight netbook. They are really cheap (<$300) and can do everything you'll need.
It was heavy and there were times that I was cursing it. I'd suggest a lightweight netbook. They are really cheap (<$300) and can do everything you'll need.
mikeym
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I would suggest taking something extremely light, and remember to include the weight of the power brick. Some netbooks are tiny but have really big power bricks, so ask to see the brick before buying one.
I take a tiny netbook with a 9" screen. It was cheap, so I'm not overly worried about losing it, but it's invaluable for saving my photos (in addition to a tiny external hard drive for redundancy), looking for places to stay and things to do, emailing friends and family, etc. Wireless is pretty good, but I still find places without wifi, so an ethernet jack (and a cable) is nice too.
For using around the house, I think my netbook is too small, especially in the keyboard. But for traveling it's great.
My power brick had two cords, one from brick to outlet and the other from brick to netbook. The cord from brick to outlet was really thick but could be unplugged, so I replaced it with a tiny connector. It seems like a little thing, but before the power brick took up almost as much space as the netbook itself, and now it's pretty small.
- Mike
I take a tiny netbook with a 9" screen. It was cheap, so I'm not overly worried about losing it, but it's invaluable for saving my photos (in addition to a tiny external hard drive for redundancy), looking for places to stay and things to do, emailing friends and family, etc. Wireless is pretty good, but I still find places without wifi, so an ethernet jack (and a cable) is nice too.
For using around the house, I think my netbook is too small, especially in the keyboard. But for traveling it's great.
My power brick had two cords, one from brick to outlet and the other from brick to netbook. The cord from brick to outlet was really thick but could be unplugged, so I replaced it with a tiny connector. It seems like a little thing, but before the power brick took up almost as much space as the netbook itself, and now it's pretty small.
- Mike
seeker
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I have quite opposite thought to what you all seem to have. I plan on not bringing any laptop when I leave for Cairo-Capetown in April. It's all because I work sitting at a computer 8hrs/day(and also some at home) so I feel like it would be terrible to take a long vacation and bring a computer with me.
I'm thinking that a computer only acts as a distraction from everything else. Less time on the computer --> experience more. Also I think it will be relieving to get a break from computers alltogether. I don't want find myself playing minesweeper on a train when I'm bored, I'd rather force myself to reflect on my surrounding or life. I don't expect to need computer access to anything else than keeping contact with family etc and buying a ticket home. I'm thinking of sending copies of my camera memory cards home by mail to not lose pictures.
I'm thinking that a computer only acts as a distraction from everything else. Less time on the computer --> experience more. Also I think it will be relieving to get a break from computers alltogether. I don't want find myself playing minesweeper on a train when I'm bored, I'd rather force myself to reflect on my surrounding or life. I don't expect to need computer access to anything else than keeping contact with family etc and buying a ticket home. I'm thinking of sending copies of my camera memory cards home by mail to not lose pictures.
AceTracer
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As I said before, I've had my credit card number stolen after using a public computer.
Never again.
Never again.
seeker
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AceTracer wrote:As I said before, I've had my credit card number stolen after using a public computer.
Never again.
Where was this?
AceTracer
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- Holds PhD in Packing
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seeker wrote:Where was this?
I don't know for sure, but it was either my hostel in Madrid or the public library in Gibraltar. Those were the last two places I used a public computer before I noticed that my account was suddenly overdrawn.
mikeym
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seeker wrote:I'm thinking that a computer only acts as a distraction from everything else. Less time on the computer --> experience more.
This is definitely true. It's easy to fall back on old patterns and spend too much time playing on the internet instead of enjoying and exploring wherever you are. I tend to do that myself. Luckily, most of the places I end up staying don't have free internet in the rooms, so I have to make an effort to go somewhere to get a connection.
I tend to use my netbook primarily for backing up photos, but it's really nice to be able to search for things or contact people back home when you need to.
- Mike
FP
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Hi everyone - I thought I'd post this call for help here. My wife and I just got back from RTW, and I fried my netbook when we were traveling. So, I had a case designed that's waterproof, and now I need some backpacker feedback! I made a survey on surveymonkey here - I'd appreciate your taking the time to watch a video and answer 10 questions!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3CDSZWL
by the way - here's our own blog...
You can see our blog here: http://39000miles.wordpress.com
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3CDSZWL
by the way - here's our own blog...
You can see our blog here: http://39000miles.wordpress.com
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