Hi, I'm taking my laptop to Europe and Istanbul. I've purchased both a laptop backpack and a convertible laptop backpack that has a handle and wheels like a suitcase. Any thoughts on the wisdom and/or security of this second option in airports and the like? We'll rent a car for our regular travels.
Thanks,
Karen
When I'm travelling, I usually prefer the backpack laptop bag. That is because I usually have a wheeled suitcase and I find it difficult to manage both a wheeled backpack bag and a wheeled suitcase. I either wear the backpack or hook the backpack to the suitcase when I am carting both.
Little different perspective... I purchased a neoprene laptop cover from Mountain Equipment Co-op and it easily protects the machine from bumps. It's also much lighter and space saving then using a over-padded specialty laptop bag.
It only takes a few seconds to pull the case off the laptop at security and then you can just slide it into your bag and go...
Pete
You might have a very compelling need or reason to take along a laptop, and if you do, I can't answer your question.
But if you're taking it along because you think it might be fun or useful, my suggestion is to leave it at home. Laptops are a lot of extra weight to pack around, and although wireless service is becoming more prevalent it is often difficult to get it to work right with one's own computer. My personal computer "needs" when travelling are for checking email and periodically accessing a website. I can do both quickly and cheaply at the multitude of internet cafes that exist everywhere (at least throughout Europe, can't speak for Turkey).
So I suggest that you first honestly assess your need to take the laptop. If you still decide that you must have it with you, then follow the advice of others who responded to your post. For me, it's a no brainer: leave it at home.
I prefer a backpack because I have another wheeled carryon, so it's easier this way to carry both.
Carrying a laptop on your vacation is a hard task if you travel from one place to another.
Don't leave it in the hotels or in the car. Tae it with you anywhere you go.
Karen,
I agree completely with Mike! Unless there's a really good reason to take a Laptop (ie: work), it's probably best left at home. Although Net Cafes are becoming somewhat less prevalent, many Hotels offer computer access so it's not hard to keep in touch via E-mail.
I've thought about travelling with a Laptop, but the possibility of theft or damage is a major concern. Also, packing it all over Europe would be a major nuisance!
Be sure to check the Laptop Charger to ensure that it's designed for operation on 220V electrical systems.
Happy travels!
I travel a lot with a laptop for business purposes and have found it handy for tourist purposes as well. I second the recommendation of a neoprene sleeve--it weighs almost nothing (and my laptop is only a 3 lb. one) so that keep weight down in my tote purse, which is how I carry it.
If you decide against taking the computer, Istanbul is richly supplied with Internet cafes at the moment with very low prices for access. Much of the rest of Europe, though, seems to be phasing them out in favor of Wifi hotspots. If Internet access is important to you and you forego the computer, you might make Internet access a priority as you choose your hotels. Some provide it for free (usually a computer shared by guests in the lobby area), some charge a fee for use, and some have no service provided. Often websites will specify, but if they don't it's worth asking before booking.
I carried my laptop onto the plane in my rolling carry-on and took a backpack for carrying it when I wanted it with me (most of the time it stayed in my hotel room under the bag I was using to store my dirty clothes). The only time I carried it with me was to a dog show so that I could share pedigree information from a database I have.
For those against carrying a laptop, I have to say mine saved my bacon when my camera got stolen. I had been offloading all of my photos on a daily basis so all I lost was a camera, not any photos or videos.
I discovered the value of taking along a laptop in 2000, when I took along my Compaq LTE because digital memory was so expensive then ($100 for 16MB). I found I could review, edit, and organize my photos, bring along vital info (like addresses and rail schedules), keep an expense report and forecast how much I needed to complete the trip, and record my journal. After that I invested in a lightweight (2.4#), used handheld. More recently I bought a "heavier" (2.9#) notebook w/Win 2K).
It's not a toy (I don't watch movies or play games); it's a useful tool.
If you recognize it's usefulness, take one along, but if you need a wheeled cart, you are doing something wrong. There are plenty of inexpensive, lightweight (usually used) notebooks on the market. At their low cost, theft, except for the value of the information, which you wouldn't have anyway if you didn't bring a notebook, is not a worry.
Ken said:
"Although Net Cafes are becoming somewhat less prevalent..."
Ken - Is this true? Is it the growing availability of wireless that is edging them out?
Mike, I can't say that in most areas the availability of wireless for travelers has much effect on the Net Cafes. I think their business relies on use by locals, and the locals are increasingly getting the Internet in their homes and not relying on Net Cafes. On my last trip to Germany in October, I only found four places with publicly available Internet. Three were bars with 1 (2x) or 2 (1x) available computers. I looked for hours for one of them, and in another sport's bar I waited through an entire tennis match for the one computer to become available, then left without getting to use it.
Fortunately, I had my notebook and for 6 out of 13 nights I had wireless connections in my hotel.
Internet cafes are indeed becoming dinosaurs. Some other good places to get WiFi access is at McDonalds or Starbuck locations. Typically they give you 30 minutes for free, after that you have to pay. Rates are usually lower than what is charged in most hotels.
Mike,
My comment on the "demise of Net Cafes" was based on my experiences in the last few years. While I can generally find a Net Cafe in most places, it seems like they're becoming more difficult to locate. I noticed during a trip in Fall 2006 that some of the Net Cafes listed in Rick's book were "out of business".
On the other hand, during a trip last Fall I noticed that a number of the Hotels I used were offering free Wi-Fi access, something that would have been very useful. However, I really DON'T want to pack a Laptop along if at all possible (especially just for E-mail).
Also, I've encountered people that spend hours in their Hotel rooms surfing the Net, and I don't want to end up in the same position. I figure if I'm going to spend a small fortune travelling to some exotic European city, I don't want to spend any time on the Net; I can do that at home!
I'll be heading to Europe again this year, and will see whether there's been any change in the number of Net Cafes.
