Should I get an I Phone? I Pad? of stick with what I got?

I just got the new iPhone and I love it. It isn't hard to figure out, it's fast, the screen resolution is amazing, and the 5 megapixel camera is great. I wouldn't get it just for the trip, but if you are looking for a new smartphone, I highly recommend it.

If you end up getting the iPhone and using it abroad, you can avoid extra charges by putting it in Airplane mode (meaning you will not make/receive calls or use the cellular data network). If you do want to make calls, AT&T has an international calling plan that discounts the per-minute rate. In this case, just disable data roaming and use WiFi to go online.

As for drawbacks, you will not be able to do is store a lot of photos like a computer can, and you probably won't want to write lengthy blogs/e-mails on it. So if any of that is important to you, go with an iPad or netbook. Any of these options will be more handy than lugging around a laptop and phone.

My daughter and I got iPhones right before coming to Italy - love it! I did have an iPod touch before though so I was familiar with how it works but it is very simple!

Marie,

My suggestion would be to stay with what you've got. A few points to consider....

You won't be able to use the data functions of the I-Phone, as data roaming is very expensive. You'll be limited to using it in places where Wi-Fi is available, which you can use your MacBook to do anyway (keep in mind you'll probably have to sign onto at least a two year contract to get an IPhone).

I've used an IPod Touch while travelling, and it's fine for "light duty" applications but I've found it to be somewhat awkward for extended use. Although the small keyboard and small screen work reasonably well, they're still "a small screen and a small keyboard".

If you've travelled with your MacBook before, you'll have some idea how to do that "safely" so that it doesn't get damaged or stolen.

To give you some idea on the method I use, I'm currently in Europe and packed along both a Netbook and the IPod Touch this time. The IPod is primarily used for music (great for long train rides), or for quick net access like checking the weather. My Netbook is equipped with a 250 GB Hard Drive, so it's much more useful for storing photos.

I also have a MacBook but prefer not to take it to Europe as it's too big, too heavy and too expensive. A $400 Netbook is a far less worrisome alternative, much easier to travel with and the 10" screen works quite well for E-mail or whatever.

Happy travels!

I just took my first trip (stateside) with my ITouch and was really happy with it. I downloaded some apps that didn't need wireless, like maps of Chicago, those were very handy to have. When I was in a place with wireless, I was able to check weather and things like that. Fit right in my purse.

If you get the Iphone, definitely disable the roaming. A friend didn't do this before visiting family in India, had it hooked up to his work email, came home to a $3000 phone bill.

I have an iphone but never use the phone part of it for my trips. It is on airplane mode the whole time. I take advantage of any free wifi, if I can and then email my heart away, check the currency exchange rates, google map if I need to, etc. I like to send people "post cards" from my iphone, it is better than a plain old email and more convenient than actually mailing a post card. I guess it would be nice to be able to download my photos daily, but I just don't want to lug my laptop all over Europe. I just buy a big memory card, maybe 2, and just review from my camera.

Hi Marie,

We just got back on Monday from our 2-week trip to Ireland. I was not eligible to upgrade to the iPhone before we left, so we brought our iPad with us. All but one of our B&B's and Hotels had free wifi, and we found our iPad to be invaluable. We did the same thing as you - import pictures to our ipad, then emailed some to our family. We didn't use our cell phones at all, everything was done through email. Plus, using the iPad is free, so you don't have to worry about the data plan, etc, as long as you can connect to your B&B/Hotel's free wifi! Most overnight places have them now, and some stores in larger cities are starting to have free wifi as well...

Thanks for all the replies. I am thinking, instead of buying something new - I will just take my laptop on the trip.......
I would love either an I-Pad or I-Phone, but will wait until I return home. : )

It is probably a good idea to stick with what you know for any kind of trip like this. The last thing you want on a nice relaxing vacation is to have something new to worry about.

Find discount cell phones online.

i took my iphone and my ipad for a 3-week trip to Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, H=ungary, and Czech Republic.

As my iphone is unlocked, I got a Telestial SIM card with a UK number. All incoming calls are free and u can call anywhere in US and Europe for $0-.49/minute.

I didnt use any dada connection on my iphone as the pricing is astronomical. I used wifi to do email and to make calls using Skype.

I paid $90 for the Navigon GPS software and maps for Europe and loaded them on both my iphone and ipad.

I also scanned all the Rick Steves books into pdfs and loaded them on to my ipad.

This combo saved me a lot of time and money.