BootsnAll Travel Community

This is a bit of an odd question. I will be in Morocco doing music research, using a hand-held recording device that records to SD cards and which connects to a computer with USB for off-loading those recordings.

At this point, I am not sure whether or not to bring a laptop or to count on computers in Morocco to have USB so that I can offload music recordings from the device to a mini external HD I'll be carrying with me (also USB).

I've wondered about storing everything on a laptop and then trying to connect my laptop at a cafe (maybe I should bring my own ethernet cord? assuming they don't have WIFI yet?) or whether that isn't going to be possible.

Can anyone out there help?

Thanks!

Hi chicademusica. I was in Morocco last year & I was surprised how often and how well equipped internet cafes in Morocco are, although I didn't come across any WIFI. In Marrakech, the locals were all playing video games and talking to people online with cameras and stuff! And even outside of major cities there are computers with USB, speedy service even in the middle of Todra Gorge.

The people I was traveling with were all taking lots of digital photos and video and just uploaded when they got to a cafe. One guy had a mini hardrive thing just in case, but I don't think you'll have to bring a laptop. In fact, I wouldn't bring one at all unless it's absolutely essential to your recording quest. Also, memory cards and stuff are easy to come by in major cities and they are quite cheap if for some reason you can't upload and need more storage.

All computers in Morocco should have a USB plug. They do not have WIFI but since internet cafes are a place where people talk to their families abroad, download amazing amounts of music and upgrade their cellphone rings, you can expect most of them (especially in larger cities) to be quite advanced.
Another thing worth knowing is you can get CD's made for you of pictures and/or music in any internetcafe in Morocco. So if you want a backup just let them know you would like it on disc. They will go on your computer and do it for you.

I had a lot of photos and wanted a backup so what I'd do upload my pics onto a computer, tell they guy I wanted a recording, run across the street and grab some food, come back 15 minutes later and grab the CD and pay.

But be aware that sometimes internet there is unreliable. Most places it's not so bad, but some spots were sooo slow. And the keyboard is a bitch too. French. Blech.