Nerd Husband Wants To Take Lap-Top. Geeky or Good Idea?
 

We are leaving for the UK on Friday for two weeks and my nerdy husband is insisting on bringing the laptop.

He claims that we can download our pictures on a daily basis incase the 1mp card in the digital camera becomes corrupted and we lose photos.

I claim that he wants to play his geeky role-playing computer games on the plane and lugging the laptop everywhere with us is just a lame idea.

Any suggestions from my fellow Fodorites?

thanks!

It's a great idea. Give him a break. I take mine on every trip. You can work on your slide show each day. Keep a journal. Track money.

I've never had any trouble.

fairoaks jim

The less you take the better. Period.

But...
If he really wants to take the laptop, let him, even if you think it's stupid. His reasoning makes sense, but there are several arguments against it, including that you can always buy extra memory cards - does he really plan on using his vacation time to work on downloading photos on the computer instead of going out and enjoying the things that should go IN the photo album?
If you were taking a film camera, would he mail home film every night?
Remember, you're probably taking something on the trip that he has no idea WHY you feel the need to take it, so choose your battles.
I am SO on your side as my nerd hubby is all over the gadgets, but if it brings peace as much as me schlepping an extra pair of shoes, than all is well.
Good luck!

our family rule: as long as you can carry it, you can bring it.

Two weeks is a long time for a geek to be without his laptop. Acquiesce on this one and you will both be happier for it.

What you and your husband decide is entirely your own private business, I wouldn't take sides,
I took my laptop on one of my many trips to Italy, and used it daily. It can be fun in some ways, but is an extra concern.
What he says about downloading fotos is true, and it might be fun to review the day's pictures together as you go. Digital fotos can also be downloaded onto CDs locally in most places too. I am your sure your husband just wants to have his laptop close by, just because he does.
I know lots of ladies who wouldn't dream of going anywhere without their hairdryer and a full array of toiletries from home, even though it's not really a requirement of travel, because they just feel better surrounded by the familiar.
BTW, some of the most wonderfulest guys I have ever known are geeky nerds!!

As wife of nerdy husband, I can relate. However, as we speak, I am sitting on "my" bed in Paris, writing to you on my husband's laptop. When he's bored, he plays games (and my son plays on his leapster Lmax). This allows me to do whatever I want, even go out and explore - a beautiful thing.

The other advantage is that whenever we need to look up an address or hours of a place to visit, we just log in from the comfort of "our" apartment. It's super.

These days, laptops are the size of books (sometimes lighter) and very easy to carry along. So I say---don't worry about it!

If is's only for downloading data from a (sd)card there is an easy and rather inexpensive solution
http://www.pcauthority.com.au/review.aspx?CIaRID=2360

This costs about 65€ in Germany plus you will need a 2.5' harddisk. It's a small (tiny) hdd enclosure with a network port and an USB socket. The GREAT feature is has: Once you plug your camera or even a card reader with a card into it, it automatically downloads the data from the card onto the harddisk. The green light flashes for a few secs(min), then your data will be stored on the harddisk and you're ready for making new photos. I have one with a 80Gig HDD, also very handy as "network attached storage" for everyday use. NO NEED to take a lap-top with you ;-) Its 100-240V.

Hi B,

You are right, but there is no sense arguing about it.

As escargot said, "as long as you can carry it, you can bring it".

Do not, repeat NOT, ever, ever, lift, carry, hold or even watch it for him.

((I))

My husband has taken his laptop on our last 3 trips. We drive while in Europe, so he uses it with Microsoft Autoroute (mapping software purchased outside US) with a GPS, downloads pictures, and we can Instant Message our kids when we see them on line. Trust me, I gave him a lot of grief before the first time he took it, but it came in so handy, I've learned to keep my mouth shut! It saved hours and hours of driving time by helping us when we took wrong turns! (The software is great for pre-trip planning as well) Plus he carries it anyway...so it's not my problem!!

I'd go at it this way. A geek needs at least *a* toy to play with when away - otherwise the stress is just too much for him. :) But a laptop is an expensive toy, and easily damaged in transit, not to mention secure from thieves. Losing toys is stressful, too.

Spouse, for the moment, is content with his Palmpilot (I believe it has a couple of games that can be played, albeit nothing like a laptop.) This is possible in part because we are still using 'quaint' camera technology (i.e., the kind that uses film) partly to avoid this very scenario. But for digital cameras, I really like logos999's idea. Besides, it will be a new toy for him to play with, and novelty is always appealing.

As I'm a laptop carrier... let him take it.

For Christmas buy him one of the top of the range light weight ones.

I'm with Robespierre.

I myself am a geeky husband and I bring my laptop on every trip. My choice, for my pleasure.

Trip reports (I enjoy writing), picture downloads, labeling & viewing, or just mindless games - I consider them all valid reasons and actually part of the pleasure of travelling & relaxing.

Pound for pound I'm still travelling far lighter than wife or kids. Don't get me started on hair dryer, special shampoo & conditioner (the ones in hotels are no good), shoes, etc.

Let him take it. But make a deal that you have the option of shutting it off if it interferes with the good times.

My DH does a lot of traveling for his work and, of course, is used to bringing his laptop. If your DH is used to traveling with it, why not?

We went to France in October to celebrate our anniversary and DH decided he was NOT going to bring it. The time was going to be just for US. Well, he got sick and it would have helped with that emergency. But even before that, it would've come in handy several times.

I'd say if he won't mind lugging it around and can keep it safe, bring it. I know I pack stuff that bewilders my DH, too.

mom

PS: Have fun in one of my favorite places!

All I know is that people are more motivated to change if they see a benefit to the change.

The following don't count as benefits:

"You should change because my insistence that you do so is well-intentioned."

"You should change because I'm not going to change and it's my right not to change, nuts to you!"

"You should change because not to is geeky [in this context I agree, geeky is seen as perjorative, not affectionate]

To return to the topic:

Taking laptop - mutual benefits for both OP and husband:

trip reports, early review of photos, 'vacation-from-vacation' diversion

Not taking laptop - mutual benefits: lower liability from theft/damage; combined lower luggage weight; opportunity to seek out alternative technological solution to problem of corrupted 1 mp card; no risk of argument over who gets to use laptop.

Ultimately you've got to decide between the two of you which applies in your case.

Bonne chance. And I still say geeks are loveable. :)

I do not consider myself to be a geek, but I do travel with my laptop all the time. It's one of the small light weight ones and I love to have it with me. I carry it, I'm responsible for it.

I download daily photos, yes, but I also make hotel reservations for the next day or two or three days out. DH and I always travel by the seat of our pants, making decisions on the fly. We have had some of our best travel adventures by doing things this way. We always have a rental car from start to finish and manage to find off the beaten path places. The computer helps with maps and such.

And of course I can keep in touch with home and friends by email and fodors. I'm usually on the asia forum, posting daily from places like Bangkok. Asia has free wifi access. I sit in the lobby of my apt hotel and write on my laptop for about an hour each morning during breakfast. (Internet usage in Europe is very expensive in comparison).

Let him take the laptop.

I won't jump into the debate about "nerdy" "geeky", and "lame" (I didn't read your message as slamming him but some of the other geeks on board did)

My question is - has he travelled a lot w/ his laptop before? If so - and he is totally responsible for all the convenience and inconvenience it causes him - then it is probably a good idea.

But security is my biggest issue w/ traveling w/ a pc. Where does he plan on leaving it while you are out and about sightseeing or dining/going to the theatre? Is he OK w/ the chance that it is damaged or lost/stollen. (Hotel rooms are not a safe place to leave something like a laptop).

But in the end it is his decision - how would you stop him anyway? And IF it does end up he just wants to hang around playing his &quot;geeky games&quot; - well you can do anything on your own that you can do together (well <b>almost</b> anything) so enjoy the sights while he veges out back at the hotel.

Ok, whoa, slow down people. Some of you understood that my tongue-in-cheek-posting was just that - H-U-M-O-R.

Others have already decided that I need marriage counseling. Know of any good counselors around Sedona? I am joking! Thanks for the tip, however, not needed.

Yes, he is a nerd and a geek. And I love nerds and geeks and have been happily married to one for a dozen years.

They are some of the most imaginative, kind, and successful people I know. Oh, and they also have a great sense of humor. Unlike some people, jeez!

Some Fodorties were wondering how many tolietries and extra shoes I take. For the last three UK vacations, I have taken no hairdryers, no extra bottles of shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, etc. I take one pair of black lace-up boots and roll all my clothes.

Oh, and I only take one 22-inch carry-on suitcase. Not bad for a girl who always has to have freshly painted nails and lipstick on.

My worry is leaving the laptop in the hotel room or in the trunk of the car. Not sure if our hotels and B &amp; B's will have a safe or other area to hold it securely (was sort of hoping some Fodorites had come across this situation).

If he brings it, will he carry it the entire time? Ha, ha! He packs twice as much as I do, and usually takes two suitcases. So, hello laptop, you and me will be very close friends this trip.


;)

I think thats a super idea, and I'm glad to see someone else has the same family rule we do, escargot, i always enforce that rule with my two teenagers! i've noticed the luggage getting lighter and lighter as lessons are beginning to be learned!!

If your only worry is the security of the laptop when unattended, why did you not mention that in your original post but instead belittle his desire to take the laptop at all?

There's humour and then there's simply belittling other peoples' interests/ preferences.

Good to hear you love and respect your geek really.