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Netbook or not....??

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Should I take a netbook traveling with me or just rely on internet cafes??
14 years ago, April 23rd 2009 No: 1 Msg: #70703  
B Posts: 70
I am about to set off on a round the world trip and am having a big debate as to whether I should take a netbook with me or not and wondered what other peoples views on the subject is.

I have just completed 3 months in Canada where I took my laptop as i was based in one place for the whole time and i have to say that it was very useful to have with me especially to use Skype to check in with the parents and regular e:mails with home and needless to say updating my blog!!

My current trip is backpacking around: South America, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and South Africa. I realise wireless internet access will not be so common in South America and South Africa but elsewhere it will be more common.

Whilst netbooks are light, easy and potentially very useful I am concerned as to how much of a bind it is going to be to carry and another thing to worry about when moving around.

What are peoples thoughts on taking netbooks/laptops with you when backpacking??

Any help or advice will be more than welcome -especially as I leave in less than 2 weeks.....

Reply to this

14 years ago, April 24th 2009 No: 2 Msg: #70716  
B Posts: 13
My experience says if u don't really need it leave it at home ! There will be always the thinking about your laptop in your head and about it's safety !
Here in Australia even it happens that laptops and other personal stuff getting stolen in a hostel :-/ so, if u don't need it like for work leave it at home ! There will be always a internet cafe wherever u are going !
I actually have been thinking about the same, but my issue is that I have a camera and will take some photos on my next trip which I have to edit while traveling :-/ Reply to this

14 years ago, April 24th 2009 No: 3 Msg: #70756  
Hello Andrea 😊

Here is a thread which may interest you.

To bring a laptop or not....

Mel Reply to this

14 years ago, April 25th 2009 No: 4 Msg: #70843  
N Posts: 10
I take my netbook with me because I don't like to use Internet Cafes to check my email or logon to secure websites (like my bank etc.). In a cafe the machine could be infected with a keylogger and your personal info could be compromised. Besides the netbook is small enough that it doesn't add much. Reply to this

14 years ago, April 25th 2009 No: 5 Msg: #70924  
one thing with possible keyloggers is that you should always always ALWAYS type your username and password in a word document, and copy and paste it into your bank's netbanking page. that way, the keylogger only records a ctrl-v action, and not your username and password. Reply to this

14 years ago, April 25th 2009 No: 6 Msg: #70925  
oh and sorry in answer to your question, i am carrying my laptop around but that is mostly because after travelling for 4 months i am moving to canada to work (where my laptop will be crucial). it is possible to live without the laptop as there are internet cafes in all backpacker areas (and many hostels have free internet access). and it can be a bugger worrying about its security. to minimise risk of theft, don't put it in a laptop bag (i put mine in a soft laptop case and then lock it up in my backpack; if i am feeling extra precautious i will lock my backpack up with a steel cable through the hostel bed, that way they have to steal the bed to steal my laptop...)

to be honest i find the pros of having a laptop far outweighing the cons - saving on internet costs (asia especially does not have free internet in a lot of hostels), uploading photos, skype, being able to use it as much as i want, researching my next destination to my heart's content, and of course being able to blog efficiently and not stuff around with USB drives etc Reply to this

14 years ago, April 28th 2009 No: 7 Msg: #71204  
B Posts: 171
i spent 9 months in south america. half of it without a laptop and half of it with a laptop.


my verdict is bring a laptop!

but just bring a cheap one

reasons
----------
many hostels are getting wifi now.

you can type your blog emails etc.. and most importantly upload your photographs to the net when you feel like it instead of queueing up for your 15 minute limit on the rust bucket computers they provide in hostels.

i have had many of my SD cards currupted by virus in ciber cafes during the time i spent without a laptop. the laptop solved this problem.

also the laptop doubles up as a music and video player which you can use on ocassion in a hotel room or so... maybe you dont need an expensive mp3 player & speakers if you have a laptop.

you can get loads of cheap DVDs and CDS in developing countries.. your laptop can play them!

you can burn your photographs onto CDs on your own time and send them home in the post!

and last but not least... if you do ifnd yourself hanging around in a n airport or sea port for 5 or more hours with nothing to do. it can be a delight to discover that they have wireless internet! and put those 5 hours to use!


things to keep in mind
-------------------------------
it might get stolen , so make sure its a cheap laptop. and turn off "autocomplete" so that the passwords etc.. are not remembered and the theif does not have access to your email accounts..etc..
Reply to this

14 years ago, April 28th 2009 No: 8 Msg: #71320  
B Posts: 847
Bringing a laptop can be burdensome as you would always worry about it being stolen, or even crushed. I usually just bring my internet tablet which fits neatly into my bag or pocket. Convenient for just checking emails and sending short replies, and works even google chat complete with a videocam. It is also cheap and easily picks up wifi connections. Reply to this

14 years ago, April 29th 2009 No: 9 Msg: #71333  
B Posts: 70
Thanks guys - especially Matty1 as it was South America where I thought it would be the most dead weight but hearing that wifi is more and more available is a very persuasive factor. I think you have all pretty much helped me make my mind up, along with talking to a friend earlier today who went traveling 2 years ago, and I figure a cheap netbook is the way forward and c'est la vie if it goes awol (its what travel insurance is for...). Reply to this

14 years ago, May 12th 2009 No: 10 Msg: #72609  
N Posts: 1
Another point about internet cafes and keyloggers to make is that it is not 100% effective to simply copy/paste your password from another document, because some spywares simply pick up whatever ends up in the web form fields.

If you do not use your laptop you could use a "live CD" to circumvent most spywares on internet cafes (but not hardware keyloggers). Another option (which is effective against all spyware/keyloggers) is http://kyps.net - but that works only for passwords (not for buying tickets using credits cards etc). Reply to this

14 years ago, May 12th 2009 No: 11 Msg: #72621  

I'm definitely taking a netbook. So useful for blogging, maps, banking, reading travel guides, skype, managing/uploading photos, etc. If it get's robbed, claim on the insurance. Simple. Reply to this

14 years ago, May 15th 2009 No: 12 Msg: #72842  
B Posts: 5,200
If you do get a netbook - take along a 2.5inch portable usb hard drive - use that to backup your photos and keep it safe; still I recommend burning DVD's when you can - and send them home. Reply to this

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