Am I thinking wrong on these things?

I tend to agree with you. I brought my laptop to europe last summer and SO glad I did. I blogged the whole way, something I enjoyed doing so much and my friends and family appreciated it too. I could clean off my memory card every day, so i could take many more photos than if I hadn't had it, and i didn't have to spend time seeking out places to burn them or whatever. I also kept in touch with family using skype, which again was easier and cheaper than the alternatives (for me). I had no security problems at all. As for security, I don't know how anyone on the street would even know you had a laptop, I carried mine in my backpack with the zippers locked together. I stayed in fairly budget hotels and had no problems. In Europe they seem to want your money or "quick" valuables, seems laptops, etc. are not as valuable as cold cash. If you want to take it, take it, it sounds like you're aware of the precautions to take and are used to carrying around a laptop like I was. :)

As a 65 year old, I think you are all to addicted to your computers :-) But on the other hand, your plan is sound. The big threat to security is we often will leave things unattended for a few minutes and that is when it disappears. Careful when you use it and make sure it is always secured and out of sight.

Alayna, why buying phone cards if you can skype your family back at home free of charge, since you're traveling with your laptop.I would also get a Kensington lock for the laptop so you can lock it to something like a bed frame or so in case a hostel doesn't have a trustworthy locker.

Be pessimistic for just one moment. You've already done the sensible thing by having your laptop covered by plenty of insurance. Just back everything up onto disc before you go so that nothing essential get's lost. So your plan looks watertight.

Now let's be practical. Are you planning to have such a dull time that you spent your evenings alone with a lap top ? I doubt that this will be the case. You may find that short bursts in internet cafes are a far more practical and fun means of keeping in touch with your family. That way you will cut down on expensive weight restrictions with your luggage and you won't be worrying about a redundant and expensive laptop.

Either way it's up to you but I can't help thinking you are placing an unnecessary albatross around your neck.

For a 10-day trip, I would not bother bringing a laptop just because it's something else to lug around. Nearly all hostels have internet on site (sometimes free, sometimes you purchase time). And even in small towns, there's usually a cafe, library or restaurant where you can get online.

Also, I've been in plenty of hostels with swipe card room access and, more than once, have come back to find the door to my room propped open with a shoe by one of the other bunkmates who was too lazy to bring their card with them. No one is going to beat you up for your laptop and it likely won't be stolen if you lock it up securely while you are out, but even a 3 lb. laptop can feel like 20 lbs. after you're dragging it around with you just so you can upload photos and send a couple e-mails.

You might even find it liberating to not be in constant contact with your life in America - that's what travelling is about. Go explore and meet people.

I seriously doubt you will be beat up by someone wanting your laptop. If anything, someone will grab it quietly while you aren't paying attention.

I don't bring a laptop primarily because I don't like carrying the weight. A laptop with a couple accessories would seriously add to the weight I normally carry. Also the more you carry, the more likely to lose something because it's harder to keep track of everything.

Free wi-fi makes it more tempting but I find using internet cafes are cheap and work both for posting pictures and often for very cheap calls home (Though some care needs to be taken to protect identity/financial information).

I handwrite a journal, so I doubt that typing an e-journal would take more time. As an alternative, I'm thinking about bringing a pocket size digital recorder and getting new transcription hardware for my home computer (supposedly 99.5% accurate).

No- I don't spend alot of time on the internet. I plan to use it in the evening(not in the day) to email my family since I won't be able to call them 3 times a day and that's free. I've been told that the internet is expensive to use, but the wifi is free, so what the hay.

I'm 44 and I am leaving for Italy in a few days AND taking my laptop. LOL! However, I am going to be attending dog shows while there and need to be able to upload my videos and photos from those so that I don't use up all of my memory on my camera (and that is even with taking an extra 2 gig card). I also want to have it with me for the shows themselves because I am sure some of the competitors will be interested in seeing MY dogs and where we train, how we live and so forth. They also might appreciate having the opportunity to get some excellent shots of their dogs saved onto disks for them (I am a fair hand at dog photography). So, it isn't just the young kids with good reason for lugging a computer around.

I am a big fan of travelling light. I never travel with my Mac. I use Internet Cafes if my Hotel does not have access to Internet in the Lounge. I also use Phone cards at Public telephones. I manage...

Internet is only expensive if you are in a hotel lobby using their computers. Internet access at the library is generally free (though some small towns may charge 1 Euro).

Small hostels often grant free internet, but ask you not spend more than 15-30 mins out of respect for other guests. Bigger hostels usually sell access cards and the price is cheap.

I found plenty of internet cafes that gave an hour for about 2 Euro. I even saw places offering 3 hours of time for 3 Euros.

I understand your mother is worried about you travelling, but seriously, there is no need to call or e-mail home 2-3 times a day. Tell her you will call her every Mon, Weds, Fri to talk and the other days you will e-mail once or call her collect (she can refuse to accept the charge, but know you are alive and well).

Convenient as it may be to be able to email home virtually anytime while in Europe, I'll bet if you bring a laptop you will wish you hadn't. Not because it's likely to get stolen, but more for the hassle, weight and space it takes up. If you don't need it for work, just for occassional emails, you can find internet cafes. I also think that the plan for emailing 2-3 times a day may fall by the wayside almost immediately -- and probably is not necessary.

I wouldn't bring it just because it is extra weight and worry, and on such a short trip I agree with you, just go to the Tabac and buy a phone card, I think mine was 8 euros, and I phoned home ( from phone booths on street) every two or three days and still have time left.

Tell your mom to relax on the " beating up" thing, Parisiene theives tend to be non aggressive, they steal by sneak,, not force.

well, i'm definately bringing my laptop. Otherwise I won't be able to dump out my camera and I'll have to pay for the internet which adds up. I''d rather bring it and save $$ and hassle.

I tend to bring my laptop on shorter trips only because the weight is such a hassle after a while. I wouldn't be scared of getting beaten up or anything. For all I know, I'm scared about getting it stolen in America rather than in Europe.
Just don't forget that it is your trip. Disconnecting from home a little feels pretty nice sometimes. I left for Europe the first time at 16 and only sent 2 or 3 emails during the 8 days I stayed there. Coming back, I had so much to tell!
It's up to you to decide. For me, the pros of bringing it just aren't good enough. Traveling light is a priority and an obligation. I find that it's one less thing to worry about.
Just a question for anyone who can answer -- Do most internet cafes and hostels let you burn your pictures on cd for free (if you bring the cd)? Are cds the same in N. Amer. than in Europe?

I use the internet cafes, no laptop. They're extra weight and something else to worry about, but if you feel safe doing it then that's okay for YOU!

Why feel obligated to e-mail everyone because you took your laptop with you. Internet cafe's are all over the place and some hotels & hostels will allow you to use their public access computers for a very reasonable fee. Feeling obligated to keep in contact is just as bad as feeling obligated to bring gifts home for everyone you know. Use the excuse that you were afraid of power surges or some such thing and leave the laptop home. Use the cafe's. They are reasonable for the time you would need to keep in touch with the "need to" folks. As for the gifts, Checkthe exchange rate-assess the need. There isn't much gifty stuff over there that is so unique that it worth paying so much.

Hello Alayna. I think you are rational, but I agree with Al in the UK. Travelers do not need to bring a laptop computer to Europe. As Rick Steves said : people who have been to Europe a few times decide to bring less things with them on their next trip, not more things. Rick carries a laptop in Europe, but he uses it for his work there: he collects an enormous amount of information about hotels, cafes, museums,..., and he writes scripts for his video travelogues, using his computer.