Laptop or tablet for travel journaling

No suggestions as I have previously kept a handwritten journal. Would you be comfortable sharing which journaling app you may use? I have an iPad mini I'm taking along and this might be a good way to go.

Sure! It's called Day One. I had to pay for it but so far I think it's worth the few dollars. I've only used it on my phone, and only a few days, so I can't type as much as I might on a keyboard.

I travel with my Microsoft Surface Pro, and I blog when I travel. I like it because it is very small (fits in my daypack easily), but acts like a full-functioning laptop computer.

In the past, I have used a Bluetooth keyboard together with my smartphone. This is even more compact, but blogging or journaling on a phone is somewhat limited.

I don't like using my phone's camera when I travel, so I can connect my digital camera (a Canon ELPH) to my Surface and transfer my photos, and then upload them to Facebook or Blogger.

The Surface has a detachable keyboard, so I can also use it as an eBook reader. I buy the Kindle versions of my guidebooks. While I'm on the go, I use my phone for reading the guidebook and looking at maps, but back in my room at night planning the next day's activities, the Surface works great.

Since I travel alone for the most part, I like being able to bring my Surface to dinner and journaling/blogging while I'm dining. I'm invariably asked what I'm writing, and it's a good opening for conversation.

I just looked at Day One, and it appears it is only for Mac, so I'll have to defer to those Mac users out there to offer advice on the best device to use.

There is an app called Journey that works on Android devices. It is free. You can set the time and date. It will input your location, location temperature in F or C. You can choose font size, type, spacing. It does spell check. You can add photos, Share to Facebook and some other social media sites. Pretty neat little app.

I was never a journal writer, regretfully, until I started traveling with an iPad. I don't like to write anything in longhand, but even if I'm really tired at the end of a day, it's so easy to jot down names of sites, restaurants, etc on a keyboard. I can
edit and fill in the blanks later. I do a lot of editing on planes actually. Since I'm usually not posting my journals, I just use Notes on either my iPad or laptop. Don't really need a journal app. When I am posting, I use Travelpod, but that's a lot more trouble than just journaling for my own use.

We and many others travel with a 10" Chromebook, and it weighs something like 1 1/2 lbs. It sure beats hauling my old 17" laptop around. What I especially like about the Chromebook is that it's up and running in about 5 seconds.

Julie,

I prefer using a Netbook as I'm a touch typist and function better with a "real" keyboard. While it would be possible to get an accessory keyboard for a tablet, I've found in the past that's an awkward solution and one that I'd rather not deal with. The other main benefit of a Netbook is that it has a hard drive rather than solid-state memory, which provides much greater capacity for photo storage. The model I'm using also has a built-in SD card reader, so if I want to upload pictures to the net, it's a simple matter of plugging the card in. That also provides a backup for the photos.

Good luck with your decision!

I agree with Ken. I took typing in HS (50 years ago), and I still touch type today. Any time I have a lot of writing to do, like in my journal or posting to my website, I much prefer a real keyboard. It allows me to type faster and make corrections immediately. It's nice to have a netbook where everything is in one unit instead of having to haul around several component.

I now carry an Ipad mini along with a Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard cover for Ipad Mini

I am also a touch typist and it did take a few days to get used to the smaller keyboard. Now, I have no problem--in fact, it takes a bit to get used to a full size keyboard again.

I also carry a KIngston Mobilelite. This small, lightweight device has multiple uses: turns ethernet to wifi hotspot, extends range and usability of existing wifi, expands storage of the Ipad mini (reads both USB flash drives and SD cards) up to 2 TB, and acts as a backup battery if necessary.

I can run my website from the Ipad Mini, including postings with photos taken with my camera, with the above items. Combined, they are still lighter than my old netbook.

My husband bought a Surface for a 9 week trip he recently took. Not only was it thin and light, he could also upload his photos and edit them daily rather than waiting to do them all at once when he got home. It's very intuitive and easy to use. The keyboard he has to use it with is also small but easy to type on.

I use a small netbook. My current one is an Aspire One. It weighs less than two pounds and has an 11" screen. I would not be happy trying to "type" on a tablet with no keyboard. The netbook is also handy for uploading pictures from my camera, email and other internet uses, and I can plug my other devices into it to charge them all at one time.

I am a big fan of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 for the reasons listed above. I, too, blog and manage photos. At home, I use it with a docking station but on the road manage fine with the keyboard case. I do find it limiting as a tablet. It's heavier than an iPad or Android tablet so I actually prefer my old second generation Kindle for reading these days.

I use an iPad mini with the keyboard Frank II described, with the Pages app. Very happy with it so far, good for combining photos and text.

Third vote for the ipad mini with keyboard. Even with the keyboard, it is thin and light weight and takes up minimal room in a purse or carry-on.

Hi!

I use an Ipad with this Belkin product:

http://www.belkin.com/us/F5L151-Belkin/p/P-F5L151/

I went back and forth betweeen a laptop, Suface Pro, and a new Ipad with a keyboard. i went with the new ipad and the keyboard based on price. Plus, I don't really need a full computer for my everyday life.
I have traveled with this set up but haven't blogged yet but I imagine it would not be too difficult except for a few of the keys that on a regular keyboard are by my right hand that are in a different location.

Happy Travels!

I'm with Lee and Ken on this one. Having an actual keyboard makes a big difference, and if it's not too much of a bother to carry a regular laptop around (i.e. if you're not backpacking etc.), I'd recommend you go for it. I've never written as much during my travels, only jotted down a couple of thoughts or wrote quick updates on the blog, but if you're planning on doing serious writing, it will make the process more easy and comfortable IMO.

I take my ipad mini everywhere in my Bagallini Crossbody bag - I'm also a touch typist so I've go a combination keyboard and case made by Zagg. They keyboard is almost full-sized so I have no problem typing quickly and accurately and the hard cover is v protective and yet light. Win/win.

I'd recommend a generic 7-8" Android tablet that has an Intel processor for a few reasons:

1. 7" is big enough to touch type on with a little practice, but if you need a real keyboard there is many to choose for for mini tablets (same size as a mini ipad)
2. Plenty of apps available
3. Android tablets typically are charged with a micro USB which is much easier to come by if you lose yours or need to borrow one
4. Intel processor tablets are subsidized by Intel which means they are usually cheaper but still meet certain quality standards, basically good value for the money. There are a lot of options from ASUS, Acer, Dell, etc for under $150 so if you lose or break it you minimize your losses.

I use an Apex brand 7.85" Intel tablet that I pick up from Office Depot last year for $80 on sale and love it. We own iPads but the Apex the only tablet I travel with. Unfortunately my model is not available anymore but they have a 7" for $90 and 9" for $150.

DJ

Thank you all for your responses! I've been shopping and researching and have determined that I want to go with either an iPad or a MacBook. Still debating, might wait for apple's fall debut of new products.

Is it too risky to keep a digital device in a backpack, even with a lock? This would only be during movement between locations. I could also stow it in my carry-on luggage while in transit, also. Luggage for walking, backpack for train? Is that the most secure way to travel?