bringing a laptop

I have traveled with a netbook and an iPad (not at the same time). Did you know that you can get a case for an iPad that has a keyboard built in? If you want to take a laptop, then you should go for it. I have traveled, though not to Europe, with a laptop. This was before smaller devices were available. Personally I will never do that again. Too bulky and heavy!

I've been traveling with a small Acer laptop and a Kindle. I think I could have left the laptop at home. The weight of all my stuff is hurting my back, even tho each device doesn't weigh much. The charging devices (especially for the laptop) add weight. I've usually found free internet access at my hotels, with the hotel's computer all set up and ready to go. The item I think would be most useful to me would be a smartphone that can be used anywhere. I could have made last-minute hotel reservations when I landed late in London.

Well, I don't have a smart phone or an iPad/keyboard, and I'm not thinking it makes sense to buy them if neither really works well for writing. I'm thinking I can leave it in my suitcase most of the time rather than carrying it around. I saw on the Tech tips board that lots of people are downloading stuff like maps to their Kindles. Really? I don't see how I'd be able to see the entire map on the small screen, let alone read the small print. Unless I'm missing something, I think this is a case where printed paper works best. I like technology for a lot of things, but I don't automatically go out and buy the latest gadget like I used to when I was younger. It was painful to get rid of the tech graveyard full of many things I hardly ever used. Nowadays you have to PROVE to me that I need your new gadget.

There should be no problem taking a laptop with you. Do not leave it out in the open in your hotel room. Definitely put it in your luggage and use a travel lock so no one can quickly rifle through your bags and find it. Room safes are usually too small for a laptop.

Writer and photographer. Haven't yet purchased the iPad but will. Presently travel with my durable 13" Mac Book Pro. Fits into hotel safes. Transported in a messenger bag that goes under the seat on the plane. Blog, upload pics and write each night. Easy Peasy.

Since 2000, I've traveled with a series of portable computers - 1 trip with a Compaq LTE (much too heavy) 4 with a handheld (NEC MobilePro), 1 with a very small notebook (Portege) and the last 2 with a netbook. The netbook fits in a case no bigger than most women's purses. I've found having it very useful. I keep a detailed expense sheet. All my travel information is downloaded to it, and, at a little over 2#, it weighs less then the travel and rail quides I used to carry. I not only keep a journal, I upload it to my website. BTW, I never leave it in my room or hotel safe. It's always with me. I often use it on the train or at lunch.

I have a MacBook Pro, 13 inches also. I guess a suitcase lock is called for, although I think if someone wanted to steal something out of my 20 inch suitcase, they could just take the whole thing!

If you have not already, go to a store that sells iPads and try it - especially the typing experience. Don't rely on what "others" say. When placed in "landscape" mode (like a tv screen - horizontally) the on-screen keyboard is only slightly smaller than a standard keyboard. You will have to watch your fingers to type this way, as there is nothing to feel. Personally, I type as fast on this screen as I would on a standard keyboard because I never learned to type without looking. It also self-corrects obvious errors in touch/spelling. My main concern when people ask questions like this is that they tend to think too narrowly in their effort to get a device that is ideal for travel, but might be less than ideal for the other 95% of the time. So first ask yourself what device would serve you best in your daily life, but ALSO work for travel. If that winds up being a little netbook, fine. But you stated an interest - with reservations - in the iPad. I suspect you would use the iPad quite a lot the rest of the year. If, after trying it, you still don't like the act of typing on glass, there is always the option of buying the the Apple bluetooth keyboard ($50-$80) to go along with it. It's the same keyboard that goes with the Mac desktop. It's light and thin and not much of a theft risk if you left it in your bag at the hotel. Just bring the iPad with you everywhere else and it's not much a theft risk that way either. Pull it out during lunch to jot some notes, take a quick photo (the new camera is quite good) or surf the web if you have wifi at the cafe. Someone will surely point out that buying and carrying around two objects makes less sense than buying one netbook. But as I said, there is no need to walk around seeing sites with the keyboard. That can stay behind. This way you have a great device you will probably use quite a bit every day of the year.

Barbara, I've been travelling with a $400 Netbook (with MS Office) for the last few years, and it's been a fantastic travel accessory! I use it for journalling, Blogging, E-mail, photo storage and backup and checking rail and travel websites to plan touring. I'm used to "touch typing" so I much prefer to have a "normal" keyboard that provides tactile feedback. I considered an iPad but do NOT want to use a virtual keyboard and do NOT want to pack along an external keyboard. The smaller size of a Netbook requires some "adjustment" in terms of screen size, keyboard size and processing power, but overall it's a perfect solution for travel (at least for me). These usually provide excellent battery llfe (typically about 10-hours). The photo storage capability of an iPad is probably adequate for most people. However, I travel with specialized Camera gear and require storage space for large RAW files, so that doesn't work for me. The Netbook always travels in my carry-on luggage, both to avoid theft or damage as well as to allow me to use it during the flight if necessary (I always switch off the Wi-Fi when using it in aircraft). I don't have any concerns about leaving it the Hotel room during the day when I'm out touring. It's usually locked inside my luggage, and so far I've never had a problem. I always back-up my Blog and journal entries on a USB Flash Drive, and carry that in my Money Belt. Thieves may get the Netbooks, but they won't get my files! I've also been packing along an iPod Touch for the last few years, which will be replaced with an iPhone this year. If the Netbook were stolen, I'd still have some ability to check E-mail and websites where Wi-Fi is available. Good luck with your decision!

Randy is correct about typing with the iPad. I am using mine now. Actually, I use my iPad 98% or more of the time and rarely touch our laptop or netbook. I don't own a Bluetooth keyboard, but if I had trouble typing on the screen I would consider getting one. I have had my iPad 2 for almost a year and it has been so convenient for many things. For travel I like the fact that it is light and the charger is so much smaller and lighter than a notebook or netbook power cord.

"Being careful is one thing. Being terrified of every potential mishap is just plain stupid." Congratulations Barbara, you've given us the quote of the day! Hope everyone comes to that conclusion, just sooner, not later.

Barbara, Don't be overly concerned with what "Rick frowns on". RS tours are quite relaxed, and you won't be walking 6-8 miles each day (but it could happen on one or two days). You WILL have to haul your kit up to your room, as there are NO Porters. I've noticed over the last few years that the RS Tours are using more "upscale" Hotels, and many of those will have Elevators. It's doubtful that you'll be in a Hotel with a shared bathroom down the hall (but it could still occasionally happen). As someone else mentioned, as you already have two Laptops then just choose the one that you're most comfortable travelling with (presumably the lighter of the two), and take that on the tour. One other point to mention - CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement! I retired about two years ago, and so far it's been "the best job I never had". Cheers!

We just got home from our trip and I grudgingly allowed my son to bring his laptop (cheap HP one). Everywhere had free wi-fi so it was useful at night when we stepped out for a few drinks he could do whatever he does on it. BUT - it didn't cross my mind to hide it when we left it in the room!

I'm still not convinced I need an iPad, especially if I need to spend $50+ for a keyboard to go along with it. Will I use it everyday? Probably not. I recently retired and I already have two laptops that I use for my writing. What do I need an iPad for? Now IF I had to travel a LOT, rather than just 3-4 times a year, I might think about it. Or if I were still teaching and could use it in my classroom. Most of my friends who have them use them for Internet or photos rather than serious writing. I can do all of it on my 13-inch laptop, which is already paid for and only weighs a couple of pounds. I will take my Kindle and my iPod Touch too. Yesterday I downloaded some apps (like the London Underground map). I'm amazed that some people put all their travel documents on their Kindle, though. I don't think a map would even be readable on that tiny screen. I'm still old-fashioned enough to think that paper maps are still better in some circumstances.

Well, it does weigh 4.8 lbs (I just weighed it), but I'm not planning to carry it around everywhere I go.

If you have two laptops, then pick the one that suits you best and take that one. Makes no sense for you to buy a netbook, since you'll NEVER use it at home with two laptops. If you are not interested in an iPad, then I'm not sure what other alternative you think you have if writing is important to you. There is always pen and paper.

I've traveled with laptops before and had no problem, but this is my first Rick Steves tour, where you have to promise to be able to carry your luggage up five flights of stairs and walk 6-8 miles a day. When I looked at the "Technology Tips" page and saw that people were talking about Kindles and iPhones and iPads and there was pretty much nothing about laptops, I started wondering if this is something Rick frowns on. Like. . . do I have to use the backpack he sent me even though I'd rather not? I posted a question about that and the responses seem to indicate that people do their own thing and that there are lots of people who don't like backpacks. Perhaps using a laptop instead of an iPad is just the same. . . a personal choice.

It would never occur to me that going on a RS tour would require you to behave in any RS way - you still get to choose what to wear, what to pack, what to eat, and what electronics to bring. You don't have to carry electronics with you everywhere you go unless you want to. For what it's worth, Rick travels with a laptop. Also, for what it's worth, I travel with a laptop - the very thin, small and lightweight Macbook Air 11". I don't own an iPad myself, since it's not much smaller or that much lighter than my Macbook (2.3 lbs). But I am sorely tempted. The only choices for writers that I can see are Laptops, netbooks, and the iPad. You're not going to write on a kindle or any of the other mini-tablets. If you want to spend $400 on a device you will likely only use for travel, buy a netbook. But since you already own and are familiar with laptops, you are really just spending $400 to have two fewer pounds in your bag (the same weight as a large bottle of water). It is entirely possible that you may not get that much use out of an iPad at home. But they are selling like mad, and I'll bet that most buyers also have laptops at home.

Oh yeah, wish I had an Macbook Air! But, as a recently retired teacher, I can't afford to keep buying stuff for no good reason. . . I'm spending a LOT on this trip, which is my retirement splurge. The only reason I have two laptops at present is that I bought the smaller one for school and when my teaching career ended, I brought it home. It is a bit lighter than my 15-inch, so I use it for travel. When I've traveled beforeand I have a lot, since I was a French-Spanish teacher and did 6 study-abroad programsI usually did things my own way and just tried to be careful. I think the last couple of times I didn't even use a money belt! But for some reason, coming on this tour, where you have to sign so much paperwork months in advance, I wondered if people were obligated to follow every letter of the law. But I'm beginning to see that there's no reason to assume that Rick's rules are written in stone. If backpacks aren't comfortable for me, I won't have a good time, so I'm bringing a purse. And if my laptop gets stolen because I leave it in the hotel, oh well. Being careful is one thing. Being terrified of every potential mishap is just plain stupid.

"Being careful is one thing. Being terrified of every potential mishap is just plain stupid." Repeat that thought as often as necessary...

I, too, have avoided buying new tech-stuff just for travel. I have made a couple of trips with a 13" Macbook Pro and not worried about it being stolen; that's about as likely as someone breaking into my house and stealing it while I am gone. But I have also left it at home when I did not think I would need it, and I did not miss it at all. Weight is not a problem, but space has been at times. Fortunately, I can find room for it unless I have to carry some of my wife's excess stuff; that sometimes takes priority. My laptop is good for a couple more years, but my desktop is well past the point of being obsolete and I am looking at buying either an iPad or a Macbook Air later this year. I have found that with technology, things that I think are a luxury become a regular part of my life once I start using them. In your case, I would recommend sticking with what you are comfortable with for this trip, or just leave the laptop at home. But, a year or two down the road, take another look at these devices.

I've never bought a gadget for travel, but I do enjoy taking my netbook on longer trips for copying photos to, blogging, skyping, watching movies on the train, etc. It generally stays in the hotel. It's nice for "down time". I wouldn't carry it with me through the city during the day.

I'm taking a RS tour in a couple months, and I plan to take my laptop with me, so that I can email, journal, and upload photos during my trip. I plan to leave it locked in my suitcase (20" RS backpack) during the day and only get use it at night in the hotel room. Yes, the laptop plus charger plus cords will add some weight to my pack, but I decided I'd rather carry the extra weight than not have it. I tried using my cousin's iPad, since it is smaller and lighter, but I can't type fast enough on it. My fingers can't find the keys since it's just the image under glass. Also, since the iPad doesn't have USB 2.0 ports, I would need an adaptor to plug in my camera.

I am a relatively new ipad user and love it, but as a touch typist I find it much easier and more efficient to use the laptop keyboard so for any serious or frequent typing would take a laptop. We usually take a netbook (small but full size keyboard) away with us if away for a week or more and if there is the real possibility I will need to do some work, access files etc but if for less time or no work being necessary, would take the ipad. The dilemma will come when I have to decide between the two as I feel lost without my ipad now.

When I travel, I spend much of my computer time writing for my website, which is in HTML. Some of the characters I need for HTML are on the third iPad keyboard. It would be a real pain to have to constantly switch back and forth. Besides the existence of actual keys (I've touch typed for over 50 years), having a single keyboard on my netbook makes it a whole lot more usable. As for leaving it in my room, in addition to all the other things it's good for, it's my guidebook. Do people leave their guidebooks in their rooms?

I travel with a travel journal and a few pens. Works in any country. Small, light, portable. When I HAVE to get to a computer, there's usually always an internet cafe nearby.