Hello,

I am considering a 1-3 month trip abroad...Europe or Asia, in the fall of this year. First things first, wherever I decide, I need some tips on whether I should take an IPOD and a laptop? I read the post regarding laptops on airlines, etc. I am considering purchasing a 30gig IPOD...but will it be a hassle or worth the effort lugging it along?

Secondly, and probably most importantly, should I bring a laptop...email, pictures, videos, blogging for the envious folks back home...ha. Any suggestions, on type and manufacturer?

Sincerely appreciate the info...I am 54 and retired military...been lots of places and began travelling around the globe as a teenager. However, things have changed and feel out of the loop...

Help bring me up to speed.

Thanks...

Smitty
Littleton, Co USA 02/03/2007

Hey there, Mr. Smith.

Everyone has a different opinion on a laptop. I believe that, unless you have a very important reason, bringing a laptop is a wank and a hassle. Some guys 'round here do work on the thing while away. Fine, if it is a money maker, good. Anything else, I say forget it. If you are set on blogging, Internet cafes are ubiquitous. I grimace now, that people spend too much of their time blogging their trip, and less time tripping their trip. A couple of stops in to send pics back and a note maybe. And carrying it around to watch moives or play games, what the hell did you come on the trip for if that's what you wanted to do? I bet my opinion here is not the popular one though.

IPODS are a good travel tool though. Especially because you can use them as a documentary device. If you are going somewhere fairly common, for instance, you may be able to find a podcast tour guide to tell what you are seeing. I don't think the thing should be forever on your head, the sounds of a place are as interesting as the sights, but it is nice to have some music that you like to listen to if you are spending a quiet evening on a porch or at the water or, what the hell, up a tree.

And now for the counter-point...

I'm one of the people Piecar might be referring to as I use my laptop to work wherever I am in the world, but even if I don't have any assignments I like to bring the thing anyway.

When you're traveling for 1-3 months, there will be times when you aren't interested in seeing yet another cathedral or Roman ruin that day. I actually find a couple hours each day where I want to relax somewhere rather than keep pushing every minute. Having a laptop not only allows you to blog and write, but you can organize and edit photos, listen to music, play solitaire, or I've even rented and purchased DVDs to watch on mine.

There is an obvious downside, however. The main concern is having to keep an eye on the thing, pretty much every second of every day. Mine fits nicely in a raggedy-looking shoulder bag, but I still have to assume this fools no one. Every time I use the WC on any train anywhere, I have to take the shoulder bag with me. It's not a big deal to me, but this is one of many examples of times where it limits your ability to be impulsive.

I'm not really a hostel dorm person myself anyway, but again you have to assume that people can figure out there is a laptop in your bag and act accordingly. I feel less secure when my shoulder bag is in a dorm room or in the hostel lock-up. But of course you could leave the thing in a pricey hotel room and return to find it missing. I've never even had a close call that I'm aware of, but even being careful you can still be at risk.

But even with those things in mind, I'll usually bring mine because for me the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. For Piecar they don't and that's certainly understandable. If you want to buy one specifically for the trip I would recommend a cheap one because even the cheap ones are plenty powerful these days, and buy as small of a laptop as you are comfortable using.

And as Piecar said, internet cafes are pretty much everywhere these days so if you just want to send a few photos and some e-mails, then it will be no problem doing that without bringing your own laptop.

On the other hand iPods are very useful, but they are so small and light that keeping them in a pocket is very easy so the security issues are not nearly as complicated.

I as well would be in the category of the laptop carrying. My trusty Dell has been to Asia twice Europe once and the Middle East once. I know it is 12 pound that are not always needed and a headache that I have to keep my eye on, however this fall it will be with me on another trip to Europe. There is no definitive answer to do I or don’t take the laptop it all depends on you.

Now the Ipod I say for sure you can sync your MS outlook contacts and calendar to the Ipod very helpful while on the road

quote:

Originally posted by blue27:
Now the Ipod I say for sure you can sync your MS outlook contacts and calendar to the Ipod very helpful while on the road

Calendar? Really? on your RTW holiday?

Personally I think there is too much to see and do and hear and smell to be bogged down with gadgets. Out of a given month of traveling there are probably about 3 or 4 days where I'd kill for my iPod, the rest of the time I'm quite happy without and don't like the idea of plugging in and tuning out. Part of travel for me is leaving the familiar behind and that means the iPod that I'm plugged into 24/7 while at home.

Laptops: too much weight, too much bulk, too much hassle. Anything electronic always has to come with it's damn cables and adapters which are a further pain in the arse.

I love me my gadgets and do have a Palm Pilot with folding keyboard that I will take occasionally, but this is only when I hope to be doing enough writing that will be submitted for paying publication. Otherwise my notebook does me just fine.

Obviously, it's all a matter of personal opinion. If you bring them, you'll probably be happy you have them. If you leave them, you may just not miss them at all.