Like I and LarryJ said, there's free municipal wifi throughout Paris, and in May sitting in a Park while checking your email (and people watching and enjoying the sun, etc.) is not such a terrible thing to do.

I didn't even realize this, but had my iphone with me when I was in the square in front of Hotel de Ville and saw a wifi sign. So I relaxed and caught up on my email while sitting in the sun, watching the merry go round, etc.

A person who works as a proof reader or book editor, would probably not enjoy taking a stack of manuscripts or books to Europe on a vacation. Yet many others LOVE to take books to read on vacation.

A person who makes a living doing sewing alterations with needle and thread day in and day out, would certainly not want to spend her vacation doing needlepoint, yet others might take theirs and use it for relaxation.

A person who works on a computer all day, may not want anything to do with a computer on vacation as it seems like "work", but someone who doesn't work on a computer might love to have one for various reasons.

I understand those who equate their laptops with work not understanding why someone would want to take a computer, but for many of us the computer is "fun" and not "work".

Personally I wouldn't want to travel without mine. I just did an overnight without my laptop and felt I was missing my right arm!

What a great post! I thought that everyone would be saying that you should leave the laptop at home.

It seems like I'm always on the computer, for work and pleasure. I have never brought one on a trip though, and I have felt like I was missing a body part at times.

I may rethink bringing my laptop to Italy this summer...if I don't get an iPhone!

Took my laptop to London and Scotland last summer for three reasons:

1. I'm a self-employed lawyer. I had to stay somewhat in touch with the office to handle any crises, and to pay bills.

2. I used my laptop, with the help of Microsoft Autoroute and a GPS attachment, as our GPS in the rental car when driving through the Scottish Highlands.

3. I used the laptop for trip information from time to time.

We had an apartment in London for a week that had free broadband, then when we went to Scotland, we had internet for 5 out of 9 days (and 2 days that we didn't were Saturday and Sunday). If there is a prospect for having good internet connections, I'll take it on my next trip.

wow - what a change from previous times this same question was asked. responses ran about 50/50, and now it looks like the tide has turned and the vast majority is on the pro-laptop camp, Which, btw, I am as well.

Scatcat - would you mind telling me what make/model your travel laptop is? When I went to England a few years ago, the purpose of my trip was primarily genealogy, so I hauled my 7# ton of bricks with me. The next few trips are not for research, but I do want to have the ability to get at email. offload the camera then upload to a travelblog for family/friends. I'd like to find something small and light, doesn't have to be terribly fancy or have a huge hard drive (pix will be backed up off the HD), but I don't want to spend a fortune as this would be strictly for travel purposes. (Current desktop and laptop are workhorses)
Maybe something I could find a good deal on ebay...?

Personally, I would never risk it, even if I had a laptop. Too much trouble if something happens to it in a different country. Plus those things can be heavy!

And I never use my computer for work, only fun. Still i wouldn't take it. Vacations are to get away from it all, with only an occasional, once or twice on a usual trip, email or call home, IMO.

We are glad to have our laptop with us. If nothing else, one can monitor the Fodor's messages at will. But it is primarily our e-mail link to the world and a way to access the multitude of pages (new internet, bookmarked internet, and self-created Word documents) with info about things we want to do on our trip.

Of course, being in an apartment we are less concerned about "security" of the machine itself. And our apartment has an Ethernet connection to a high-speed ISP, so we aren't worried about WiFi security.

It is immeasurably more convenient than Internet Cafe or other methods.

I find that browsing local restaurant suggestions and websites on the internet while at that destination, and perhaps making online reservations is NOT work, but fun.

Likewise with looking up the opening times of museums or attractions, checking out mapquest or other for a "spur of the moment" side trip, looking up train or bus schedules when I decide to go somewhere, even posting on Fodors for a quick response about a restaurant I saw last night while walking or the best way to "do" something locally.

The idea that laptops are only for "communicating" back home or that they prevent you from "getting away" is really an archaic one.

Yup, I've posted questions on forums while on vacation and got useful info. back.

As posted earlier..take your laptop, you be glad that you did!!

I have used internet cafes before laptop days..not at all the same!

I never gave a thought to the security on this last trip with the apartments. They have so much security.

I would take my laptop. Have done it the past several trips and found it great for getting info or looking up addresses, etc. I just returned last week from Paris where I took my laptop, it is heavy and a little burdensome but worth it in my opinion. Since I've been back I have bought an ASUS computer from Best Buy, very small only 9" or so with a 7" screen and weighing about 2 lbs., it fits in my purse and will be perfect for travel. I do travel a lot so thought it was worth the $. So far I'm very pleased the only downside is it is very small and keyboard tiny but it does what I need. mamagull you might want to do a search on the ASUS and see if it will fit your needs.
S

My new favorite apartment or hotel amenity is free wi-fi, and it is popping up more and more. I am using it right now in a hotel in Denver. While I was waiting for a connection last night at JFK, I was pleased to see a large free wi-fi hot spot at the Jet Blue terminal.

My old iBook, purchased for my daughter when she left for college in 2001, takes up about the same amount of space in my bag as a pair of pants or a shirt. And I have no fear of losing it because it is on its last legs. So much for the pants analogies, but I am very happy to have it for any number of reasons described above.

<i>I never gave a thought to the security on this last trip with the apartments. They have so much security.</i>

This is really not a safe attitude.

You should be wary using open or public Wifi networks. Hackers have been known to snoop networks for passwords and so forth.

Back up your data before you leave in case your laptop is lost or stolen.

If you do any financial transactions, make sure the web page uses SSL (look for the lock icon).

Do not store files or emails with vital info. like your passport number, social security, credit card.

Certainly don't email such info either unless you're using encrypted email.

mamagull

My laptop is an ASUS EEE PC. I ordered it from Best Buy for $399 +tax and shipping. It has Windows XP. About 2 weeks after I bought mine, ASUS introduced the 9 in screen in the same size case as the 7 inch. And it will fit into my purse. I love it.

Yes, definitely bring it. The french keyboard will drive you batty! That in itself is an excellent reason.

I've often brought my laptop to the internet cafe so that I don't have to deal with their computers, for a myriad of reasons. And I've never been declined plugging in the laptop.

Have fun.
Aloha, Jeff
beatofhawaii.com

Thanks everyone for your input and comments. I hadn't considered how convenient it will be to be able to download pictures from my camera and send them home.

I did find out however that my hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche) does have wireless in their guest rooms, but the surcharge is 20 euros a day. Ugh! I don't know whether there is a charge to use it in the common areas though.

Jane

Hi J,

&gt; I think the advantage is that I'll have access to online resources for planning purposes while I'm there, and to keep in touch with home ...

And the downside is that you will have a heavy, fragile, expensive, easily stolen lump of luggage to schlep around.

You can always ask your hotel concierge to help with planning, and you can buy an international phone card if you must call home.

You can also send pix postcards instead of phoning.

((I))

Mamagal, I also have the EEEPC and LOVE it! It's cheap, light and small. However, the 9&quot; screen one is a little larger than the 7&quot; one so I prefer the smaller case. It's your choice. Got mine online at Newegg. Amazon also sells it.

The ASUS doesn't only fit in your purse, it also has a very powerfull wireless module. I get up to 30 networks at the same time, every 200-300 meters you'll find an open network over here. The price is 299 Euro incl. tax.