I prefer to take a netbook or iPad for space/weight reasons. There's nothing I need to do when traveling that my little Asus netbook hasn't been able to handle and many people swear by the iPad.

It just depends on what you need it for.

I don't travel with any electronics. If I need a computer or internet, I go to an internet cafe.

What are you going to use the computer for; email, research on internet? OR will you need to do work on it, requiring office programs and a cd/dvd drive?? Your uses will help determine what computer you need and what it will cost.

a simple netbook does the job. while its not heavy you can bring it anywhere with you. The same basic programs can be installed so you can work or use it for recreation.

suze - internet cafes are a vanishing breed in some parts of the world.

I've traveled with an ASUS netbook and an iPad. I prefer working with the netbook, but the iPad is lighter.

I have both an Acer netbook [sloooow and I hate the keyboard] and an iPad. Of the 2, I will now travel with the iPad as it is lighter and faster. It gets the job done for email, research and net surfing. But I would hate to have to do any kind of real business/work on either of them.

Thanks for the correction thursdaysd. My only personal experience was for cities in Europe, plus the Caribbean and Mexico, all places I easily found them.

When was that, suze? Europe, at least western Europe, is one place they've been disappearing. All the locals have wifi or smart phones.

I have one of the original Acer netbooks, and it is a little cramped, but SO just this week got the latest version and it is MUCH improved - bigger screen, keyboard and lighter overall. I'd recommend it highly. Cost <$400 at Costco with 4GB memory and 500GB HDD, Windows 7 OS. Have an i{ad too and may just not be proficient enough using it but find there are things I can do more easily/comfortably on the netbook such as documents and photo management.

it all depends on what you intend to do. I've travelled with an iPad for a short trip but used it mainly for entertainment on the plane (budget airline) but for my next trip which is a month one around the US, I'll be bringing my Macbook Air (11") because I'd like to be able to edit and post some of my photos for the family back home to see while I'm travelling as well as for blogging etc. Granted the MBA weighs a bit more than my iPad (mine is 1st generation), I prefer typing on a physical keyboard rather than a virtual one and I can use Photoshop Elements on my MBA.

In 2010 we went on an 8-week trip to Australia and New Zealand (from the US). I took along my Samsung netbook, and it was very useful -- especially for any bank transactions we needed to do. No way I would do those from a i-cafe, because of security.

Only issue was heavy chargers etc to carry with us, but that's a small price for the convenience.

I don't do bank transactions from an internet cafe. Only send emails to my family and friends or maybe to a little research, check in to Fodors or Trip Advisor. Nothing needing security.

I like my little Asus Eee with Windows XL.
For charging try a little foldable solar panel so that you have an option of charging whenever the sun is out. http://www.netbookcrunch.com/best-netbook-solar-chargers/

Just returned from a six week trip to Europe. Brought my Asus Eee Pc. Used it for skyping, emailing, backing up pics, journaling, banking, checking in for flights and research while on trip. Everywhere we went had wifi so very happy with that. For shorter trips I probably wouldn't bother but for longer trips it is convenient.

Like Seamus, I've got an old Acer that's gone a'travelin'
for four years now and I won't leave home without it or a
similar sized netbook. It weighs so little and fits into
a corner of my carry-on and it's worth its weight in gold
for making and checking reservations en route.

Just use it for emails, reservations and surfing the net.

When it's time to say good-bye to this one I'll replace it
with some kind of Ipad.

My husband and I bring a Netbook. It's serviceable, and if something happens to it, we won't be heartbroken.

I use an Acer netbook - it weighs about 3 pounds, has a decent 10" screen and nearly a full keyboard and plenty of hookups. I paid less than $300 for it and upgraded the battery so on planes I get about 8 hours of life out of the thing. It works everywhere and, btw, all laptops and netbook power cords automatically adjust for different electrical circuits but you will need a converter plug for foreign receptacles. I bought one that is small, light and acts as a surge protector as well. Depending on where you go, wifi is usually nonexistent in hotel rooms, but available in lobbies. Some hotels charge a fee which is pricey so skip that until you get to a more tech friendly locale.

You'll also need to work with the folks at the hotel desks to print out flight boarding passes etc. as you travel from place to place and return home.

I have to respectfully disagree about the lack of wifi in the rooms. Yes, on our three month trip in 2009, it was very spotty, but on our six week/10 country trip we just returned from this month we only had one instance where we could not get wifi in our room because we were located in the older wing of a hotel. Other than that the hotel clerk gave us the login code and it worked fine. And, we do not stay in expensive hotels, if that matters.

I recently got a Samsung Galaxy Tablet - the 7" one, and I love it. I took it on my trip to Costa Rica a couple weeks ago and it worked great. I don't think I will take the netbook on a trip again. It is really easy to carry around - not any bigger than a thin book.

I was able to research hotels and make hotel reservations on the fly, book bus transfers, check in for our flights (printed boarding passes at the airport, no problem), email, FB, check Fodors keep travel docs organized... Basically everything that I wanted to do. We had wifi at all 3 hotels we stayed at - 2 hotels had wifi in the rooms, 1 had it only in the lobby, which was fine.

The only thing I didn't like about the tablet is that typing isn't as easy, so I didn't write my trip report until I got home and I didn't send any lengthy emails. Also, it is easier to download photos from the camera to the netbook than the tablet. But the tablet DOES has a nice camera on it...

We've always taken our Mac, but this fall we plan to only use the iPads. Buying a keyboard to take because I'm a touch typist and it's a whole lot easier for me The iPad does everything but word processing. Can't imagine we'll miss the computer. (Hope not!!)

Technology is very powerful...
If you really need to bring a gadget that you will use for your travel make it sure that it is "handy". Your free to choose if you will bring netbook,ipad,tablet -- the most important is that you have the e.gadget for your transactions.