iTouch or net book for backpacking trips?

I take an ITouch but it has its limitations. The pro is that it is small and lightweight and you can keep it with you all the time. I would leave a netbook in the hotel. It works well for reading email but is not as good for writing email (small touch keypad makes typing tedious). It is not as good as a netbook for browsing the web. Some sites are fine as they have formats for mobile apps. Other sites are not so easy to browse. There are some apps that are useful for travel.

Laura,
Please expand on "the useful apps for travel." Thanks.

Honestly - for Europe? I'd say...you don't need no stinking laptop. On our last trips, we've found enough free (or nearly free) computers available whenever we wanted one, in our hotels (almost always available) or public places, so much so that my wife and I ended up checking mail and surfing the web nearly every day. In fact, we probably wasted too much time on the net. If we had a laptop along, we would have had less real experiences and more time wasted looking at lolcats pictures and other junk.

I go to Europe to see and experience Europe. I can surf the web at home.

Well, one app that I used on my last trip was a Paris Metro app; it was only a dollar and I found it far easier to use than the map. You plugged in your start and destination and it gave you the route and approximate time to destination. There are also some basic language apps. Rick Steves even has apps for some of his tours (as well as free audio). Here is a link where people have listed some of the travel apps that they like:

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti150.html

Another thing I do is keep all of my hotel reservations, etc in my email. I will cut and paste travel info into word and attach it to an email and send it to myself. ITouch allows you to launch word docs, excel spreadsheets, etc. It has been useful because I don't have to carry lots of papers around.

I feel a bit like David ... I don't want a laptop when I am in Europe. I'm on vacation. I occasionally will use an internet cafe. I have found the ITouch to be very handy, but I must admit that I bought it mainly to listen to music and books on the plane. The other features have been an added value.

I would suggest that you go to an Apple store and try out the ITouch if you are thinking about it.

Another vote for the Itouch....why carry a 3 lb+ netbook if you don't need to.

The Itouch will get you online, let you check your mail, news, check train schedules (a few of the major rail companies have free apps), airline schedules, weather, help you find local restaurants, give you local transport info and maps, help with the language, allow you to download music, entertainment, podcasts and walking tours, use Skype to call home cheaply, play games, and more.

Many apps are free while others are very cheap. My netbook carrying days on vacation are over.

I agree, go to any store that has a working Itouch to play with and check it out.

Ken, I took an iPod Touch to Europe on two different trips last year. I agree with both of Laura's posts. The typing does become tedious on the touch keyboard. But there are cool applications available besides the metro maps in big cities. One that we found useful were currency calculators. There are also language translators available and many other helpful apps. As has been pointed out, computers are ubiquitous in hotels. I'd take the Touch again because of its size/weight, I can load a movie or two for the long flights, and then I can use a computer from time to time while in Europe.
Good luck.

Ken,

To begin with, I'm assuming from your wording that your "backpacking" trip will involve more Hostel stays than Hotels? Given your criteria, there are several options.

1.) Netbook - you should be able to find a Netbook for about $300, either locally or on E-Bay. This will allow easy access to the net and E-mail (or Skype if you prefer) anywhere you can find Wi-Fi access. In some cases this will be free and in other cases you'll have to pay a small fee. Some Net Cafes offer Wi-Fi for those travelling with their own computers. One other advantage of a Netbook is that you'll have a familiar Keyboard layout (some of the Euro keyboard layouts are very cumbersome).

2.) Local computers - many Hotels & Hostels provide at least one computer in the Lobby, often free and occasionally for a small charge. If there are multiple PC's (Hostels), this is a reasonably convenient option. However, with only one computer I've found this can often be "tied up" by numerous other guests so it's difficult to get access at times. Net Cafes are another option, but I found last year that their operating hours didn't fit well with my touring schedule, so I could rarely use one.

3.) IPod Touch - These are a good multi-purpose device (depending on which App's are installed) that also allow Net & E-mail access via Wi-Fi. However, as the others mentioned I've also found that these are best suited for "light duty" use. I'm somewhat surprised at how well they work, but the small screen and keyboard tend to become a bit "awkward" after a while.

4.) IPhone/Blackberry or other Cell - These are a bit expensive for normal voice calls and texting, but NOT a good option for net access and E-mail, as the data roaming charges are EXORBITANT! Also the same limitations with screen & keyboard size.

I'll probably be packing a Netbook along this year, as an extra pound or two isn't going to be a problem to haul around.

Happy travels!

I would recommend a touch with the following caveat: You will need time (in my case more than a month) to familiarize yourself with the device, and find apps that work for you. Otherwise, it's just a toy. On our last trip, I left my small 3 pound laptop at home and only took a touch. The only thing I missed was the larger screen for viewing google maps and streetview. Enough to take the laptop next time? My answer is no and I will continue to travel with only my touch.

One thing I will add...besides my Ipod Touch, I plan to take a new world Blackberry with me on my next trip. My carrier is Verizon, and for $70/month I get unlimited international data usage. (Phone calls are still expensive.) In addition it also has wifi. So I have a choice. Verizon will prorate the monthly fee is you use it less than a month.

The blackberry doesn't have as many apps as the Itouch but since it only adds 4 ounces to my weight, it's not big deal.

Thanks to all for the robust responses. Thus far I see the trend leaning towards the iTouch with its available Apps. I shall check into it in earnest. Question -Apple Stores or elsewhere is the better bet?

Question to Steve, since I am not a techie as one may detect, please elaborate on the "unlocked iPhone." Would it be able to do all that the iTouch can do plus the camera feature but minus the phone company charges? It will be manna from heaven if it is.

I believe the iPhone's lower cost vs. the iTouch is because it's price is subsidized by the REQUIRED AT&T contract. I am sure there are hefty penalties for breaking that contract - probably more than making up for the price difference. If you don't want it as a phone, don't buy it new. Maybe you can get it on eBay or something - I don't know how that works. But you would likely get by best with just the iTouch. Even the $199 8gb version would be fine for you. My daughter has about 400 songs, 10 full length movies, 50 apps, and 200 photos on hers.

I think an important point here is what about the 50 weeks a year that you are home? Which device is most useful to you then? My guess is that the iTouch will still get used all the time while the netbook will not. Every time you look at it you will want a real computer instead.

I love my netbook, an Asus that I bought at Best Buy for $239. I have used it during travels and also at home (and domestic trips). I also have a "real" computer at home, but that doesn't replace my netbook for some uses and situations. I doubt that I would use an iPod Touch as much as I do the netbook. Oh, and it weighs under 3 lbs.

Best Buy will match any advertised price. Search the internet for the lowest price, print out the ad, and take it to Best Buy. They'll match it.

For many, buying online means a savings of paying sales tax but I believe, since you live in NY, you have to pay sales tax online. Is that correct? If not, buy from Amazon.

An unlocked new 3G iphone will cost at least $200 or more than an ipod touch. For that price, you can buy a much better camera than the one that comes with the iphone.

Be aware that both the itouch and the iphone only come with USB chargers and you'll need an additional charger to plug into the wall. These are not expensive and very lightweight.

Ken,

For looking at the ITouch and seeing how it works, I would recommend the Apple Store. The people who work there will generally take the time to show you how the device works and explain the features. As far as where to buy, I'm not sure it matters; you could go with the place that has the lowest price.

I think the important point is to think about how you personally plan to use the device and determine which works better for you. An ITouch can't do everything that a netbook does and vice-versa. They are really two different animals.

I'll second Tom's recommendation to buy it in advance so you can become familiar with the various apps. I just bought mine last spring (to replace an Ipod). On my trip in April, I hardly used it except for music and reading email. In October, I had discovered more of the features and used it a lot more.

Ken,

"please elaborate on the "unlocked iPhone." Would it be able to do all that the iTouch can do plus the camera feature but minus the phone company charges? It will be manna from heaven if it is".

Although your question was directed to Steve, I'd also like to comment on it.

Cell phones are often "locked" to the Carrier that first sold them, meaning they won't operate with SIM cards from other carriers. An "unlocked" Phone will accept SIM's from any carrier.

An unlocked IPhone would allow you to use SIM's from European networks, but this would have to include both data and voice plans, which could be expensive. If you didn't include the data function, why not just use a "normal" Cell phone and limit yourself to voice and text.

While you could certainly use only the Wi-Fi portion of the phone, this wouldn't provide any advantage over the IPod Touch. If you roam with a Cell Phone or IPhone on European networks and access the data system, it will be VERY expensive! IPhone (or other "Smartphone" users) are strongly recommended to disable the data portions of their phones when roaming in Europe. This includes the "push" E-mail as the phone will check this at periodic intervals (which uses the data system).

Good luck and happy travels!

Hi All,
Thank you thank you for your expert opinions. I have decided to go with the iTouch based on the collective advice I'd received. Hope our paths will cross again in the days ahead.