What do you do with large items like a laptop or camera?
May 24th, 2005, 01:39 PM
#24
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BarryK,
You might find this thread from flyertalk on storing laptops helpful. Lots of different opinions and advice - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ferrerid=18562
You might find this thread from flyertalk on storing laptops helpful. Lots of different opinions and advice - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ferrerid=18562
May 24th, 2005, 03:59 PM
#26
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In that case, as long as you're not staying at some dive of a hotel with desperate types all around, you should be fine leaving it with the concierge-along with a reasonable tip. Or roll the dice and leave it in your suitcase in the closet. That's what I always do. Face it--something like that can be stolen no matter what you do with it. I'll still promote the pocketsize digital camera.
May 24th, 2005, 06:40 PM
#27
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I travel with a camera and a small laptop (yes, on vacation - laptops are not just for work.) My camera usually always goes with me, but I leave my laptop back at the hotel or apartment.
If there is a room safe, I'll put it in there, but most times I've just put it somewhere out of sight in my room. I've never had any problem with theft in a hotel or apartment. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I don't go to extremes to make sure everything I own is under lock and key.
If there is a room safe, I'll put it in there, but most times I've just put it somewhere out of sight in my room. I've never had any problem with theft in a hotel or apartment. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I don't go to extremes to make sure everything I own is under lock and key.
May 24th, 2005, 06:57 PM
#28
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My husband would lock the hotel safe leaving nothing in there and put the laptop somewhere in one of our suitcases and we also put our passports in our suitcase too if we don't need them out sightseeing. We've never had a problem with theft in the hotels we stayed so far and figure stuff will be safer in the hotel than in our backpack. If someone did ever want to steal something from our room, we assume that person will go to the safe first and see nothing there and hopefully won't take the time to dig thru our suitcases 
May 24th, 2005, 07:12 PM
#29
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I always have my laptop (sometimes 2) and my camera(s). The only time I lost anything was during my last visit to Afghanistan. Our convoy was attacked and both of my laptops (personal and government) were KIA. Thankfully I survived.
All the other times I leave my laptop(s) on the desk in the room and never had any problems. I do tell about and show the front desk the laptops and cameras and although they do tell me that they are not responsible if I don't store it with them, I believe that by doing that I minimize any possibility of theft. Many cities all over the world, Ritz-Carltons as well as some rat holes.
All the other times I leave my laptop(s) on the desk in the room and never had any problems. I do tell about and show the front desk the laptops and cameras and although they do tell me that they are not responsible if I don't store it with them, I believe that by doing that I minimize any possibility of theft. Many cities all over the world, Ritz-Carltons as well as some rat holes.
May 24th, 2005, 07:19 PM
#30
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Wow, it never occured to me to put a laptop in a safe when leaving it in a hotel. I always travel with a laptop, I always leave it on the desk. Maybe I am just lucky that I havent been robbed blind.
May 24th, 2005, 07:30 PM
#31
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I know I'm in the minority here, BarryK, but I always travel with my PowerBook and at least two cameras, and this is for vacation. When I'm working, it gets plenty worse.
I love having my computer handy when I photograph even if I'm shooting for fun. I download all the day's images before I go to sleep, duplicate the files for backup, and start each day with empty memory cards. I love seeing my images soon after I take them and, if there's time, I often start working on my favorites right away.
I've done many digital slide-show presentations for friends abroad and picture-viewing is a great way to liven up any hotel-room party, even with strangers.
Apartments make the security issue easier but I have to admit, I'm not terribly careful in my hotel room. I'm sure I'm too trusting but I do have insurance and I can afford to replace any item if it gets stolen.
Granted, I don't set up shop in seedy hotels and I will lock the camera bags in my larger luggage if I know I will be out all day. However, there have been many times when I left the camera on the tripod, sitting at the window, and it was still there when I returned to the room many hours later.
My laptop is always out on my room desk with an external hard drive attached. I never put these items away. Once my digital "station" is set up, I don't dismantle it until I leave.
I've been lucky with my equipment, nothing has ever been stolen. I haven't been so lucky with cash but leaving hundred-dollar bills out and exposed is never a smart thing to do. Like I said, I'm too trusting.
I love having my computer handy when I photograph even if I'm shooting for fun. I download all the day's images before I go to sleep, duplicate the files for backup, and start each day with empty memory cards. I love seeing my images soon after I take them and, if there's time, I often start working on my favorites right away.
I've done many digital slide-show presentations for friends abroad and picture-viewing is a great way to liven up any hotel-room party, even with strangers.
Apartments make the security issue easier but I have to admit, I'm not terribly careful in my hotel room. I'm sure I'm too trusting but I do have insurance and I can afford to replace any item if it gets stolen.
Granted, I don't set up shop in seedy hotels and I will lock the camera bags in my larger luggage if I know I will be out all day. However, there have been many times when I left the camera on the tripod, sitting at the window, and it was still there when I returned to the room many hours later.
My laptop is always out on my room desk with an external hard drive attached. I never put these items away. Once my digital "station" is set up, I don't dismantle it until I leave.
I've been lucky with my equipment, nothing has ever been stolen. I haven't been so lucky with cash but leaving hundred-dollar bills out and exposed is never a smart thing to do. Like I said, I'm too trusting.
May 24th, 2005, 07:44 PM
#32
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I posted before I saw the two posts before me. I guess my minority status is less than I thought.
AA makes a good point that I meant to mention. Whenever I stay in a hotel, whether for work or vacation, management knows who I am and what equipment I have in my room. I simply make a point to tell (and show) them because, in the event I ever need to make a police report for insurance, I make sure to establish a witness.
AA makes a good point that I meant to mention. Whenever I stay in a hotel, whether for work or vacation, management knows who I am and what equipment I have in my room. I simply make a point to tell (and show) them because, in the event I ever need to make a police report for insurance, I make sure to establish a witness.
May 24th, 2005, 07:55 PM
#33
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I've left the computer on the desk, but after watching housekeeping prop the door open for cleaning I now unplug it, put it in the suitcase and toss something over it when I leave. I don't even zip the suitcase - just want it out of view from passersby.
We've had several laptops stolen from meeting rooms during lunch breaks, etc. but none from individual hotel rooms.
We've had several laptops stolen from meeting rooms during lunch breaks, etc. but none from individual hotel rooms.
May 24th, 2005, 10:15 PM
#34
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>>>Whenever I stay in a hotel, whether for work or vacation, management knows who I am and what equipment I have in my room. I simply make a point to tell (and show) them because, in the event I ever need to make a police report for insurance, I make sure to establish a witness.>>>>
When you show your valuables to "management" and explain how you will be leaving them unattended in your room, how many explain that you should deposit them in the safe and that the hotel is not liable for them?
anyway, i'm sure the police and the insurance company also know who you are so you probably don't need "average joes" to vouch for you.
When you show your valuables to "management" and explain how you will be leaving them unattended in your room, how many explain that you should deposit them in the safe and that the hotel is not liable for them?
anyway, i'm sure the police and the insurance company also know who you are so you probably don't need "average joes" to vouch for you.
May 25th, 2005, 02:44 AM
#35
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I guess I've been lucky, too. I tend to travel for business to the same hotels, and try to stay an extra day or two to see things I've never seen. I set up my laptop and leave it on the desk for the entire time I'm there. I carry my camera with me 24/7 even when I'm home, so that's no extra burden. If I was concerned about security - I guess I would just lock the laptop in the suitcase. Having said this - I would probably leave all the accompanying cords and peripherals on the desk, leaving someone to assume there was a laptop somewhere and probably setting myself up for theft...
