Laptop/No Laptop
 

Should I bring my laptop? Our hotel has wireless, so I could e-mail my family, upload pictures (and thus never run out of virtual film), look up things, play music in the room, to name a few. Cons include extra weight and bulk in my luggage, risk of damage or loss. Does anyone else pleasure travel with a laptop?

I take my laptop for photos, but I always carry it on, so I don't worry about damage or loss. I can't imagine putting it in a checked bag.

I say no on the laptop...just because of bulk and possible damage.....but if you are used to carrying it around all the time anyway, then go for it.

My husband's hand has been permanently atached to his laptop case - they are inseparable. In my opinion, the laptop uses you mention can be important on vacation. But how many can resist the impulse to do work on the laptop or check work email.

I'm a sucker for the lure of DVD watching in transit. I say laptop.

My husband brings his everywhere. He checks email but the kids use it to watch DVD's, play games and for instant messaging.

Do not check it, carry it with you...

Yeah, I always travel with my laptop these days - same reason (pictures + email). Agree with the others: DO NOT check it, carry it on. A laptop bag counts as a "personal item" and not as a carry-on, so you can carry it and another piece of carry-on luggage on board.

Andrew

I don't use my laptop for work, so a vacation doesn't seem like "work" to me if I have my laptop along. I find it a great thing to have, even for checking out last minute restaurants, mapquest directions for getting somewhere at the destination, and of course, checking in on Fodors.
Of course I carry mine on. It's lighter than an extra pair of shoes, so big deal.

Take it! Do you have any kids traveling with you? Our laptop is invaluable as a portable dvd player while waiting in airports and during downtime in hotel. I am a picture dog, too, so I love the instant grat of seeing photos same day. Also, nice to be able to get online for maps, restaurant reviews, etc. I agree with all previous reports about carrying on. I found a special laptop bag made by Samsonite that isn't so conspicuous, looks more like a big tote, makes me feel less like potential theives are thinking, Hey, she has a laptop.

Wow...I was not expecting so many ayes! I am reluctant to carry it on because I already have a banana bag purse (like a one strap backpack) that will be hefty, and my travel pillow. This trip is to London, and I don't relish the idea of hefting everything through airports, onto trains and through tube stations. But I am a geek and therefore I love my tech. I do have a Dell Axim with wireless which would do e-mail, specific sites (not good for surfing really). I need to test the picture storage and transmission.

I recently got a new Toshiba Libretto. Measures 8x7x2", with the CD/DVD burner/reader attached. Weighs about 3lb. Remove the CD base thingy (which I often do [and pack elsewhere in the carryon stuff]) and you're at 2 lb.

I recently went to Honolulu, and SF (on the return trip,) and I doubt I'd ever go back to carrying an ordinary laptop when traveling by air.

The keyboard's not suited to long missives, or writing books. However, short emails are fine. The machine's got integral WiFi and ethernet, so that's a hassle I can leave at home.

I carry it in one of those little blue bible bags. Throw a couple of blank CDs or DVDs in your luggage and you can burn your digital photo backup(s.) And I found on the trip, as I'd hoped, I control the laptop. It does not control me.

Cool! I wish I could replace my Toshiba with yours! But then I wouldn't have the money for a trip to London. : )

Interestingly, over time the responses to this question seem to have tipped in favor of hauling it along.as long as it is nolt an unreasonable tether to the office. Full disclosure: I have been schlepping my laptop for a couple years so am among the converted. For all the reasons previously cited it is nice to have; absolutely do not check it. I have stuffed mine inside a carry on duffel and it works fine. (Just make sure that if you are carrying anything liquid in the duffel it is in a ziploc bag.)

I ALWAYS check my laptop, just wrap it in clothes, never a problem, have been doing it for years and I travel a lot! I don't like to "carry on" anymore than I have to. Its always nice to have a laptop in the room or on the cruise.

We always carry our laptop and have never regretted it once. It is a very thin laptop and really not a big problem to carry it on the plane. We sometimes even take our travel printer (it is also quite small) and it has been great too but we only do that when we know we have to print something out for business. You will be glad you took your laptop once you try it.

Take it !!!

You're taking it to London??? Do you have a power converter for it? Leave it home. Take it on US trips but not overseas. Go out and see things--the kids can watch DVDs at home. Besides, you'll spend a lot of time worrying about it being stolen.

"This trip is to London, and I don't relish the idea of hefting everything through airports, onto trains and through tube stations."

So, just leave a little extra space in a suitcase, and when you pick up your baggage at the airport, take the laptop out of your carryon and put it in the suitcase. That generally what I do with mine - it's actually more protected in the suitcase because of all the cushioning from the clothes. But I would never check it for the flight - it's too expensive to be lost along with my luggage. For the same reason I never check my camera either.

My kids are staying home with the hubby. : ) I was thinking of putting it in it's protective case and in the middle of the suitcase, with clothes packed all around. I'm testing my Axim to see if it will e-mail pics--I think if I can get a yahoo plus account I'll be fine with it and it will be a moot point.

No, never.