Help. I am considering a "netbook" computer to bring with me as I travel. This would allow me to stay in touch on email with elderly family, check air schedules, and do any research while travelling. Anyone else do this? I am not sure if it will be come too much of a hassle or a great travel tool. I know other people take GPS systems with them to help navigate unfamiliar cities. At the present, we go to a place and pay for computer access every few days if needed. What is everyone else doing?
We did drag along a notebook for a couple of trips, but there were always access issues and of course, as well as constant security concerns for the computer as we traveled through airports and even leaving it unattended in our rooms. We have noticed almost any place we travel today has Internet at the hotel or a local Internet cafe...and our most recent "treasure" is to have our guide (usually we stick with the same person for at a few days) simply use his/her cellular phone to make a call by to the US for us.....they know what the costs are for the calls, since most of them have relatives working in the us.....we just flip them a few bucks and we're all happy. We have learned to stick to a few simple questions to our elderly loved ones when we make the one or two minute calls, so we "check in" now and then to make certain no one died.
Also, we welcome the electronic disconnect respite, which is an important element of a leisure "journey" for us.
As for business travel....we remain totally enjoined to every wire, cellular and satellite signal.....
"Hello....can you hear me, can you hear me, can you hear me now?"
My husband bought a eee netbook over a year ago (we're not usually forward w/tech purchases) and he is so pleased--it has now replaced his old large laptop and has become part of his "body" so to speak. Long battery life (somewhat compact charger too) lightweight, huge memory, fast and relatively cheap. It's small and easy to pack/remove for TSA, . When he wants/needs to have a disc player (for long trips and boring hotel stays he brings netflix) he has a small one that attaches easily. He loves it and highly recommends it!!(We need access to check standby loads so it saves us a lot of anxiety. I got Boingo Global thru business traveler auction--wouldn't buy it again at reg price but that's another story)
Hi K and O. Thank you both for opening my eyes to other issues while travelling with a laptop. I always see travellers with them and we have even begun to see more leisure travellers use them. I guess the debate continues. I don't think we will purchase one for Chile.
No way will I take my computer along on a leisure trip. If I have it available, then I use it. If I use it, I am drawn to peek at business emails and then I find I am no longer fully enjoying my leisure experience. I have made this mistake before but never again.
If I still worked in the fashion industry, I'd likely be a slave to one when on leisure trips. Trust me, I know those two are NOT compatible!! We really need access to the airline systems for husband's "next month" scheduling. Our most pressing need is for standby flights and as close as a few hours prior to departure, can get an accurate count of space available. Until we can access that info on his Blackberry or similar, PC is our only option. The "baby laptop" is sensational for us!
Thanks everyone. Wouldn't be able to access business from the netbook. Would only use to watch air changes, city info, email from family. Though, the more my husband and I spoke about it, the more we are opting not to start the process. We did use internet services in Virgin Gorda and it only cost a few bucks. (we were checking on the updates on our new pup and her progress!!!) So, I thank everyone for their input. We might change in the future but for now will stay unconnected. Plus, how could I manage to bring tons for fruit, vegetables, and meat with me AND a computer!!
We generally bring our small laptop along, but only after checking with the hotel if there is free access in the room. If there is not, it is just as easy to use the hotel internet access, however, I am more carefull what I access when on the hotel computer. I like to look at my e-mail, the stock market, Luxury Link, etc. in the evening, but I am less likely to do so on the hotel computer.
I had thought about buying one too, but in order to play movies and music mostly. I don't care about email on vaction. I wonder if you can use skype on it though? That might make it worth while for international travelers. Then you can call land lines using skype very cheaply on your net book.
