Should you bring a laptop while traveling?
This is a personal question that really depends on many things. What you’ll be doing, where you are going and how long will you be traveling?
I would like to share some guidelines that may help with your decision.
Reasons you should bring a laptop:
You can email your family and friends. Having your laptop, you can email your loved ones back home. This is something you could do at most internet cafes, which is a much nicer atmosphere than your hotel room. Most cafes around the world do offer free Wifi when you order something. Not all cafes have free Wifi; some do have a small charge. Newer cruise ships also offer Wifi, but make sure and purchase a package, as usage rates can be high.
You can download all your photos. You can download your digital photo right to your laptop. This will keep your camera’s memory stick free everyday. This will allow you to capture that favorite photo. If your memory stick is full, you would lose that favorite photo moment.
Keeping a journal of the cities you visited. Sometimes we see so much on our vacation that we tend to forget something. Keeping a journal along the way will allow you to never forget. It also allows you to post your travel blogs in writing.
Calling home for free (or very cheap) with Skype. For mere cents per minute you can make calls to landlines and cell phones from all over the world with Skype.It allows you to call from any web-enabled laptop. It’s a great way to keep in touch over the phone.
You can get lots of local information. Many laptops today have maps, directions, schedules and must-see sites for key cities. Maybe you would like get tickets to a play or need to get those directions to a restaurant. You can get all the information you need right from your laptop. Usually it’s much better than carrying around big guidebooks. That being said, you can also access this information via your iPad or cell phone with our complimentary travel app.
You can work. Even though we are on vacation, sometimes we still have our work on our minds. Maybe you have an on-line business and need to be kept informed. Having your laptop with you allows you to still get some work done.
Reasons you should keep your laptop home:
It could get lost, stolen or damaged. Where you are traveling really depends on the risks, which could range from mild to extreme. Getting your laptop insured by home or travel insurance is really not likely. Most insurance companies won’t cover you unless you pay a very high premium.
It’s extra weight to carry. If weight is an issue then you may want to keep it home. Remember you will often have the computer in your backpack or carry on and it can get quite heavy if you are doing a lot of sightseeing. Also, depending on where you are traveling, you would need to bring your power adapter and any plug in devices to operate your laptop.
Surfing the internet. As we all know, the internet can be addicting. You could spend hours surfing the web, when you should be enjoying the experience of the city that you paid to see. Being online can also get very expensive.
Checking in at the airport. Our new airport regulations require us to open our carry bags to get through security. When you are traveling with your laptop, you will have to remove your laptop from the carry case for security inspection, so allow extra time for check-in.
You can work. Although listed as a positive above, it can also be a negative. It’s good to unplug every now in then and leave it all behind. Work will always be there when you get back, but sharing time with family and friends and learning about new places and cultures can open your mind and your heart. You might even find a solution to an old problem just by setting aside and coming back to it. You also get excercise when exploring new destinations, rather then just sitting behind your desk all day many of us do.
You also need to consider where you are going. The more remote destinations you are traveling to, the less likely you will find a Wifi connection. Some remote islands will probably only have dial up. On a trip to Europe last October, we stayed at 5 star hotels and most although they stated had Wifi had very slow connections. Also, cruises and most hotels now offer computer stations you can log into.
The biggest consideration is whether you feel you actually need a laptop. Some people absolutely need to stay connected. If you decide to bring it, I would recommend a soft case to protect it. I would use a water-resistant case. Remember to never stow your computer in the luggage you are checking in. Keep it with you or locked in safe.
