Laptop or no?
 

Do any of you take your laptop with you on your trips to Asia? I'm debating - I hate writing things out long-hand (my handwriting is awful and my hand tends to cramp), but I'd like to keep a good journal - so I can, of course, share all the gory details with you! :-)
Is it easier to just use an internet cafe for 20 minutes a day maybe?
For those of you who have taken a laptop, what do you do with it during the day? Hotel safe? What if you're in a small guesthouse where there might not BE a safe?
Truth be told :-) I don't currently HAVE a laptop, but have been thinking about getting one... and this trip seems like the perfect excuse! Your thoughts?
Karen

I once carried our iBook to the states from Japan...never again. It was one more thing to worry about. And though it seems small and light, after 24 hours of travel it is heavy and bulky. I have never even considered bringing it anywhere in Asia with us.

There are internet cafes, as well as computers in many hotels that you can use. Start an online blog, or e-mail yourself your journals.

I have a very small (three pounds) Sony laptop that I am taking to India. It also serves as a great DVD player for my 30+ hours of flying. The Bollywood movies I hear they play on the new Continental non stop are not exactly my cup of tea ;-)

I did not take a my much larger old laptop to China last year and used the hotel business center every couple of days. However, now that I have such a tiny laptop, I figure it might be nice to have it. Who knows if I will regret it, but it isn't much bigger than a journal so I think I'll be glad I have it. We have some long drives and I figure that I can type my journal while driving.

When I travel, I lock my laptop in the room safe or if there isn't one, I put it in my locked suitcase.

I'll let you know if I regreted it when I get back in January.

Boston - That sounds great. My trip's not till February, so I'll be looking forward to hearing how the laptop worked out. Actually, the Sony ultraportable is one of the ones I'mconsidering (the Vaio 340). Am also considering an Averatec - not quite as good as the Sony maybe - but quite a bit cheaper. Either way, I think an ultraportable is the way for me to go. Thanks!

I always carry my Dell 700m with me. It has built in Wifi, which is good for using in the lobby at my apartment hotel in BKK as they have free wireless there. I usually sit in the lobby and do emails and fodors and etc. for about 2 hours in the morning. I have my breakfast and coffee while surfing and visiting with friends in the lobby. I had a much heavier and larger laptop and YES I got tired of carrying it. With the 700m, that doesn't happen.

I just leave it in my apartment, usually in a drawer, and I don't worry about it. I don't find the safe to be that necessary.

althom1122, I have owned at least 10 laptops, but I never fell in love until the Sony 340. It is so fabulous. My staff cracks up because I keep talking about it. If you can swing the price (it is pricy), get the Sony, you will never regret it.

I used to, then stopped as just a hassle. However, with new lightweight ones with wifi then I would say if you can get a very light weight one then possibly. Do watch call charges though from hotels. depending on where you are going you can get local connections very cheap but most hotels still charge you a per minute call way over the real prices so do watch that, the advantage of using internet cafes also are the cheapness of them. In Thailand 40 minutes for about USD 1 is normal.

If you travel very much, you might want to invest in a tri-band phone at MBK in BKK. I bought a "Bangkok phone" and a SIM card and minutes on my trip there last February, and I just used it in Europe as well, the last couple of weeks. All I had to do was buy a new SIM card for Europe, and then buy calling time. I think (maybe I'm wrong) it saves me money in the long run, because hotels usually charge very heavily for L.D. calls.

I've taken my Sony Vaio with me all over the place - would agree with the earlier comments concerning the quality.

Leave the laptop at home. Using internet cafes are easy and cheap. Take the money you save by not buying one and spend it on fun things in thailand. One idea I have sometimes used is to carry a mini recorder and just talk your thoughts which you can then transcribe when you get home. But I haven't even done that in many years. Internet cafes are the way to go. You can email yourself whatever you want.

Once again Gloria is the voice of reason! Forget bringing a laptop- you are on vacation! Just go to the internet cafes if you must.

From my point of view, my own laptop is a better choice. The internet cafes sometimes get busy, and I would feel guilty using a computer for 45 minutes or more when others are waiting their turn. I don't just use my computer to check emails. If that were the case, I'd do the cafe option.
Carol

Like Carol, I also have a Dell 700m. It fit into an in-room safe this past weekend. I am going to take it to Buenos Aires because the place I stay has in-room safes.

In Japan, the internet cafes are not always easy to find and are not cheap. But many hotels are wired and though the charges may be higher the convenience of having the web in my room is worth it.

I will take it when I return to SE Asia. The Holiday Inn Silom had one slow computer in the Exec Club and there was almost always a wait. There also were a couple on the ground floor that were busy. A few times I found it more convenient to go to a restaurant next door that had a couple of machines on the net.

The rate for using the internet on the computer(s?) at the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa was ridiculously expensive so I did not use it.

In Siem Reap, the rate for the Sofitel's computer was very high and the speed of it was ridiculously slow. I did use an internet cafe in SR town a couple of times. At the end of the day's tour I had the driver stop there for a half hour while I used the computers.

After those experiences, and after seeing so many hotel rooms wired for hi-speed internet, I got the laptop.

Also got a security cable which I haven't used yet. It plugs into a port that was made for that purpose. Then you loop it around something and lock it. Like a bicycle cable/lock.

I often use the business center at the Oriental which I'm sure charges more than anyplace else in Bangkok. But last trip after using the computers there twice a day for 10 days and sometimes for long periods of time (especially during the tsunami) my total bill was under $50. Definitely worth it for the convenience and pleasant atmosphere and in the scheme of the overall trip pennies. Could I have done it cheaper, sure. But why would I do that to save a few dollars.

When I vacation I do not:
1) take a laptop
2) use a cell phone
3) watch tv
4) Think about work in any way shape or form
I'm spending thousands of $$$ to relax and have fun!

Karen, have you ever traveled with a laptop before? Remember that you have to take it out of the case each time you go through security in an airport and that it's one of those things you have to be careful with all of the time. I traveled for years with a laptop and was frankly glad to give it up! I don't want a laptop with me on vacation.

I like Bill's list. I also don't take a laptop on vaction, I don't take my cell phone, and I don't watch TV.

Only you can decide if you'll find having a laptop along a benefit or an albatross.

With all the shopping that we do that 10 pounds (laptop/case) can be better used to fit more stuff in the luggage for the trip back!

I have a small PDA that I take places and have a plug in that creates an infrared keyboard on the table - very nifty - which I can then type on. http://www.clove.co.uk/products/prod...tElement=12936

Use that for business travel but not sure I'd bother going to Thailand - internet cafes are v cheap.

Thanks for all your thoughts! I'm leaning toward no. In fact, am pretty sure the answer is no. I really like to travel light and keep my stuff "under control." I think I'd fret about the laptop and wouldn't like the extra weight and trouble - even for a small one. Appreciate your input.

no

Actually, notebook computer is the better term to use. Less than four and a half pounds, 1.5 inches thick. Fits into a nice little lightweight padded case. I put the puter, in its case, on top of my clothes in one of those small carry-on rolling backpacks. Was very easy to handle for the couple of minutes getting through security.

If you aren't staying at a place with high speed internet access then it is not worth taking. Also, it might cost as much, even twice as much (from free up to $11 per day), to use the in-room or wireless access versus the hotel business center. Unlike the business center, though, you will have access to it any time of day, won't have to leave your room, will not have to wait in line, will have a speedy connection and a fast computer.

There are other uses for the notebook. Use it to download pix from your digi-cam to the hard drive. Cut a CD, if you want. I suppose you could record your digital video to DVD. With hi-speed net access you could upload your pictures to your website. Watch videos or play games on the flight.

althom1122,

It really depends on how much of a techie you are, how small your computer is, how important it is for your to stay connected, and whether you are going to be at places with high speed internet.

As I said, I am taking my three pound laptop (smaller than a hard cover book) with me to India. Why? Most of the hotels where I am staying have wi-fi, at least in the lobby. With my computer and a headset, I can call the office via "Skype.com" for $0.02 a minute rather than outrageous rates in India from a land or cell line. (In China, I had a VOIP cell phone that cost only $0.19/min to the US so calling isn't an issue from China) Also, I can upload send postcards of myself in front of famous sites from pictures taken that day to my entire mailing list via "AmazingMail.com" Because the cards are send from the US, my friends and family will get them within a day or so. (note: I have nothing to do with either of these services, I just LOVE them)

I have 10 excellent DVDs that I am taking with me in case I can't sleep on the plane or just want to pass time. I have a y-splitter so that my traveling companion can also watch the DVDs.

Lastly, I can download and backup to DVD all my photos. I can also upload them to my online photo service. Meanwhile you are sitting in a lobby of a beautiful hotel checking your email (and letting other's check theirs)watching people go by. I find it liberating rather than a weight. It allows me to have extended vactions without losing contact with my company (I'm the owner) However, to each their own opinion.

(hey Bob, have you mastered that digital cameral yet ;-)

BostonHarbor, I can understand most of the reasons you want your notebook with you and they are good ones. But calling your office? Aren't you supposed to be on vacation? That is about the last thing I would want to do!

I don't think I'm going to take one, but actually, for me the reason to do so would be more to be able to type up a journal than any other reason - I don't even need internet access - just a word processoring capability. No way will I write out details in long-hand, but if I could type them up, I'd do so. Therein lies the dilemma for me - I just want a glorified pencil, not internet connectivity! :-)

Laurico, It is technology that allows me to take a vacation. When you own your company and have employees and customers who depend on you, going away for nearly four weeks wouldn't happen unless I could stay connected.

Technology relaxes me, it does not stress me. I have fabulous staff, but knowing that they can get hold of me or send me something to take a quick look at lets me have a great time and not worry.

That being said, althom1122, I would never take a computer just for a journal--get a nice journal and a fun pen and enjoy your trip!

I'm with you, Boston Harbor. Owning your own business, it's really vitally important to be able to stay in touch with home. We get emails from our store, with photos of new inventory and other important happenings that need attention sooner rather than later. Our employees understand that we are on vacation, but know that we want to know about important things that are happening back at home.

I have a phone, but don't usually get calls from home. I have the phone for staying in touch with BKK friends and others who are traveling in our (usual) group of 4-8 people. The phone with a SIM card from MBK makes it easy for everyone to connect for dinner or shopping or sightseeing.

I like being able to download my new photos to my laptop daily, therefore freeing up space on my memory card. I don't do my journal on my laptop. I'm a longhand journal writer. I also do sketches of hotel rooms and/or apartments plus weather and dining notes.

Carol

For those of you who only need the laptop for storing your photos, a portable digital storage device is a much easier alternative. We used ours for the first time on a trip this fall.
It's small and lightweight and holds 40 GB (!). We stored about 1400 photos and only used up 1.8GB. This avoids taking extra memory cards and allows you to view the photos on a larger LCD than the camera.

BostonHarbor, okay, you're off the hook ;-) I can fully understand the need to stay in touch when you have your own business.

WE don't have a laptop yet, but are getting one and my husband thinks we are taking it when we travel..And I absolutely do not want to take it, unless it is just a short trip within Canada or the U.S.
Part of the fun of travel is looking for internet and not knowing what is going on...I too leave my cell phone at home..If anyone wants to talk to me, they can email me or phone me at the contact numbers that i leave behind..I like to be "out of touch with the real world" when i travel!!