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Post by budgetgirl on Jul 26, 2004 19:52:43 GMT -5
I'm currently planning an extended trip to Europe and am thinking of purchasing a laptop.
Pros:
It would give me a place to store digital pictures and if equipped with a CD burner I could burn my own backup copies for shipping home.
It would give me a place to to store itinerary/guide book information and daily travel journals.
If equipped with wireless internet, I should be able to surf and check email for free? (Don't know much about that part.)
Could play MP3 files on those long bus/train rides. (Again, don't know much about this part.)
Cons:
Just another thing to lug around.
Just another thing to get stolen.
I've almost convinced myself that I would be willing to lug it around, but what if I couldn't bring a backpack into an attraction. What then? Do most hostels offer secure storage for stuff like that?
Other than the CD burning I could probably accomplish everything else on a smaller unit of some kind.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm not the techiest person alive.
Leslie
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Post by Rick on Jul 26, 2004 21:26:33 GMT -5
Laptops can be pretty heavy, unless you get a really tiny, thin one (which can actually be more expensive than the bigger ones). Then you've got to think about not only lugging around a laptop, but the adapter for electricity, which would also have to include an electricity converter and those plug adapters. Also, it would really, really suck if it got stolen (because you're not likely going to be able to get it back, and you'd be out hundreds of dollars). They can be pretty fragile, so you'd need to have a case, or at the very least a sleeve, which would only add that much more bulk. And you'd be carrying around some cd blanks, which you'd also have to worry about not getting scratched, cracked, etc.
Though, it is good for the points you listed. If you're brining a digital camera, it's probably the easiest just to upload them to your computer, not having to worry about compatibility or incorrect software on other computers. I'm not sure about the free wireless internet. I'm sure there are some places that offer that, but my guess is that it's not going to be as common as you'd like it to be. As for an MP3 player, yea, laptops are great for that. I've got several days worth of music on mine, but you've got to worry about how much battery life you're going to get.
My vote would be against it, but it's totally up to you.
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Post by WillTravel on Jul 26, 2004 21:30:02 GMT -5
The cons would weigh very heavily (literally and figuratively) against a trip where you are traveling solo and on the cheap (hostels, public transit). You might get a hostel with lockers if you plan ahead, but if your plans change, you might find you don't get a hostel with lockers. Even then, I'd feel nervous if anyone know I was storing something valuable in the locker. Hostels don't have safes, or at least I've never seen one that does. I found it plenty of hassle to take a laptop even when I was traveling on business and taking taxis and staying at hotels. Think of stuff like - what if you doze off on a train, etc. You can wear a moneybelt under your clothes to protect important things, but you'd have to remain ever-vigilant with a laptop. And several extra pounds will be a real nuisance.
I think some Internet cafes are very well-equipped. For my recent trip with a digital camera, I just took two memory chips (can't remember the technical term) that could each store several hundred pictures.
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Post by jennifer on Jul 27, 2004 15:54:08 GMT -5
I personnally would not take along a laptop as I would be far too worried of such an expensive thing being lost or stolen. besides, technology is quite advanced overseas now, and you can do pretty much anything in an internet café and send yourself files by your email adress!
Just MOP! (my own opinion!
xoxo
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Post by defining on Jul 28, 2004 16:20:47 GMT -5
but what about if you need certain applications on the computers that you were working on over seas? Such as photoshop for example. I'm pretty sure that even if you have the install files online somewhere, the cafes won't let you install your own software.
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dougj
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 205
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Post by dougj on Jul 28, 2004 18:26:30 GMT -5
I thought about bringing my laptop to europe with me but decided against it after lugging it around in my full backpack for an hour. the extra weight just isn't worth it. plus its another thing I don't want to worry about getting stolen.
digital pictures - pick up some cards. cf cards are really cheap now.
itinerary/guide book/journal - books are fun! I personally get more satisfaction from writing in a book then looking over it when I return.
wireless internet - I don't know about you but being online is one of the last things on my mind while travelling.
mp3s - I don't bring a cd player with me so this one is up to you.
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Post by Eagle on Jul 28, 2004 18:33:55 GMT -5
A few comments on your Post.....
A Laptop will certainly perform all the functions you have listed, and there are certainly some very compact models on the market these days. However, there is a high "worry factor" when travelling with these (loss or theft), and only you can decide whether you're willing to put up with that. In the event that the Laptop is "lost" on your trip, you'll lose all the travel diary files, etc. that you have stored on it.
It shouldn't be any problem to recharge the Laptop, as many units these days are equipped with "world" chargers that will operate from 100-240 VAC (you would have to check the nameplate on the particular unit you want to buy, to confirm this). Therefore, only a Plug Adapter for each region you're travelling in would be required.
A Laptop wouldn't be my first choice for listening to MP-3's. You may have a long duration between recharge points, so battery power may be a problem. I would tend to conserve the battery for more important functions.
I don't have enough information on hand regarding wireless access points in Europe, so don't know how prolific these are or whether there are any costs associated with using these? I was recently in Winchester, U.K. and observed one of the other guests in the Hostel using wireless access to check his E-mail, so it would appear that some access is possible.
With regard to storage in Hostels, I don't think you can consider
any place to be "secure". Some Hostels provide Lockers and with a good Padlock these will provide some degree of security, but with an expensive item like a Laptop that may not be enough?
Although I usually travel with some tech. devices, I prefer to travel lighter, although I may buy a Portable Hard Drive for my next trip (perhaps something like the FlashTrax which also plays MP-3's, although battery power is an issue with this also). While there is also somewhat of a "worry factor" with something like a PHD, it's small enough that I can pack it on my belt if necessary.
Hope these few comments will be of some help. Good luck with this!!!
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Post by Libby on Jul 28, 2004 18:57:52 GMT -5
I've got a few questions.
Wireless internet service - We use that at work for our mobile branch (I'm a Librarian) and we pay through the NOSE for satelite service. What type of plan do you have that would work in Europe?
Also..just thought I should mention something my friend recently did while on vacation. She bought CDR's and would have all her digital pics burned at photo shops on the road. That way she could clear her disks and still have "hard" copies.
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Post by Eagle on Jul 29, 2004 14:24:53 GMT -5
LIBBY, I wasn't sure who your Post was directed to, but will add a few comments.
> Wireless Internet Service -- I don't presently use Wireless Service, either at home or at work. The two main reasons I don't have this at home are:
1.) Too expensive for my budget right now. I use a MAC so would have to buy the Airport Wireless set-up. The ADSL connection I have works well, so I don't see any need to spend a lot of money just for the convenience of being able to surf the net in various parts of the house. There's no way I could afford satellite based service!
2.) Security -- unless the wireless application is properly configured, the possibility exists for people outside the house to engage in "warchalking" by accessing MY wireless Internet. Several months ago Police in Toronto arrested an individual who was parked outside someone's house, who was found to be accessing porn sites via the Internet connection inside the house. Police were initially alerted to the suspicious activity of this individual by the fact that he wasn't wearing any pants! I would have to research the security aspects of this before ANY types of wireless devices are connected to my Internet.
While it would be a nice convenience for travel, I won't be packing a Laptop so wouldn't be able to use it anyway. I can access E-mail with my Palm PDA, so don't even have to use Internet Cafes a lot of the time.
> Burning photos to CD's: this is certainly a good option for storing photos while travelling, and I'm sure this will become more prevalent in future as more photo shops get set-up for this. This eliminates the problem of carrying a CD Burner and a bunch of blank CD's around while travelling. I doubt I would use this option as I don't want to spend the time to search for a shop to get this done, have to wait for the CD's and then spend the time packing and shipping these. I'd rather save the photos at night when I've got some spare time, and therefore maximise my touring time. However, it's certainly a good method for lots of people.
Hope this is of some help.
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