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laptops in Africa?

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Did you take laptop to Africa, how to keep it safe, was it worth it and would you do it again?
14 years ago, August 2nd 2009 No: 1 Msg: #81846  
B Posts: 14
We are traveling for 12+ months and will each have a laptop, one will have a small handheld camera and the other an SLR. We have traveled in India and Nepal without difficulty in the past, nothing ever stolen or taken, bags never riffled through. Now it's Africa for many months and we wonder about these silly techno addictions.

Please share your story-
Did you bring a small laptop?

We will be carrying ours in small day packs while traveling, but are worried about-
less safe hotels/hostels/huts in parts of Africa- how to keep things safe while on day outtings, bring computers all the time?
What about border crossings?
What to do with computer while taking a 1-2 week trek/safari scuba diving etc? Safe at hotel? Airport?

Your stories and advise are greatly appreciated... THANKS!
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14 years ago, August 3rd 2009 No: 2 Msg: #81945  
I brought both my laptop and my DSLR (complete with three lenses) for a 7 week journey through East Africa and didn't have any problems. However, they came with me everywhere I went - which became a bit of a burden at times. In hindsight, a smaller and lighter laptop would have been better. I was cautious in the larger cities - such as Nairobi and Kampala - but once away from these areas, the smaller places had a safer feel. I found that having going through the laptop at night sorting through my photos was a great way to pass the time - especially since many places away from the population centres are bereft of any form of evening entertainment.

I never had any hassles about my gear at the border crossings in or around East Africa - but also never had to leave my laptop anywhere whilst hiking. It always came with me.

So, having learnt my lesson about carrying a larger laptop (1.8kg - 13.3 inch screen) I've decided to invest in a smaller netbook (1.3kg - 10.1 inch screen) but keeping the same DSLR - which required a smaller and lighter backpack. I gave it a test run this morning, and packed the whole lot in my new backpack and the new netbook and walked the 2.5 km to work - what a great different it made!

So, yes - take a laptop - but make it a small one! Reply to this

14 years ago, August 13th 2009 No: 3 Msg: #83013  
I found that having going through the laptop at night sorting through my photos was a great way to pass the time especially since many places away from the population centers are bereft of any form of evening entertainment.
regards
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14 years ago, August 26th 2009 No: 4 Msg: #84360  
B Posts: 16
I didn't take my laptop on my trip to Africa last year because of the size/weigh issue (its a 14ish inch screen one). I did consider buying a smaller one before I went but then didn't and really regretted it - it would have been worth it simply to be able to burn photo's. Wifi connections seemed to be rare/non-existant (at least in the places I travelled to) in Africa so its not like you have the same benefits as South America but next time I'll definately be travelling with a small laptop and external hard drive - I have 4GB memory cards for my camera and trying to find an internet cafe that could burn them to DVD was a complete mission every single time (not to mention the time I had to spend waiting).

In terms of safety, I met a few people who had stuff (cameras, money, laptops) stolen from their hotel rooms whilst they were out but those were all in Moshi or Arusha in Tanzania. Other than making sure its packed/locked away in your rucksack I'm not sure what else you can do. Reply to this

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