Hey fellow travelers,
Countless people travel with laptops and all manner of electronics now. This ceased to be unique or exotic years ago.
If you have some specific need for your personal laptop then by all means bring it with you. Simply take all the usual precautions like backing up all your data, etc.
Be sure you really need it though... if all you're doing is some email and the usual simple browsing, etc. then why bother? Internet Cafes are everywhere...
Cheers,
Terry
Hey Terry,
Thanks for the advice, Its going to be my first time traveling alone and i thought it would be a good item to bring because ive heard sometimes it can get a little lonely. I was thinking i could work on project like editing travel videos as i go. I own a Mac Book Pro, and lets just say it was the cheapest lol. I would just hate for it to be stolen or broke.
Thanks again,
Steven
Dear Steven,
1.) Consider the size/weight of your laptop. It's a LOT bigger, heavier and more expensive than a simple netbook (which are basically disposable these days.)
2.) Be sure you have everything backed up before you go and continuously back-up all your data on the road and keep that external drive separate from the computer itself.
3.) Get travel insurance.
4.) Lastly, and most importantly... Your laptop isn't a social crutch, it's a work tool. Do NOT bring your laptop as a means to escape boredom or "loneliness." The way to combat loneliness is to get out of the youth hostel, away from other foreigners and develop your social skills by forcing yourself to interact with other human beings. This is the most important reason to travel in the first place, no?...
Cheers,
Terry
Thanks again Terry, your comments have been much appreciated. I love to travel but thus far ive been traveling with typically only one other person, so my first solo trip is kinda a big step for me. I was thinking of doing some filming and editing along the way but my worries start with my appereance. Ive never been to Thailand but I know im going to stick out like a sore thumb(White, American, Blond hair, green eyes and almost 6 feet tall) and i dont want a fancy laptop to attract unwanted company. I could always ship it back to the states if its to big of a hassle, right?
And you are defintely right, the best way to travel is with no worries and to get off the same old path and really explore new cultures and experiences.
Safe travels,
Steven
Hi
I left home 5 months ago and planning to be on the road all this year. I bought myself a gift of a MacBook Air (13"-4gb-256SSD-big processor) with the intentions of doing video editing as I travel. And I have been doing some videos for my blog but no other video work.
I have decided to leave the laptop with a friend in England and fork out (a fortune!) for an iphone. This gives me internet access, a basic computer, apps, a video camera and a good enough camera. It will replace my dying pocket digital camera and my 1.5kg of laptop.
My preference is to travel light. If your trip is good then you won't have nearly as much time to do video editing as you think. Do that when you get home.
But internet access while travelling is wonderful. My first question when arriving at accommodation is "is there wi-fi?" Silly but true.
I would recommend leaving your deluxe laptop at home and travelling with something cheaper and as light and small as possible. Each to their own though.
"... but my worries start with my appearance... I've never been to Thailand but I know I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb (White, American, Blond hair, green eyes and almost 6 feet tall) and i don't want a fancy laptop to attract unwanted company..."
==================================
Steven, you're way over-thinking this...
1.) First of all, you will NOT stick out like a sore thumb in Thailand. You're travelling to what is arguably the most popular and over-run destination for foreign backpackers on Planet Earth. Granted, there are off-the-beaten-path locations in Thailand but you have to go out of your way to find them and with this being your first solo trip I assume you're sticking pretty close to what your Guide Book suggests. Do me a favour... when you're walking down Khao San Road in Bangkok please remember this post. You'll laugh out loud, guaranteed.
2.) Your biggest worry won't be attracting unwanted company because of your appearance, it be protecting your belongings from other foreigners and trustafarian twits who steal from their fellow travellers. Consider something like this: http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=22
Relax, have fun...
Cheers,
Terry
It depends on you. A lot of people travel with laptops now, so it's no worry. And don't just mistrust people like that. When you bring something that expensive, you are responsible for it too. On how you handle it or look after it. And how you protect it from those who intend to really do something bad to it.
The way to combat loneliness is to get out of the youth hostel, away from other foreigners and develop your social skills by forcing yourself to interact with other human beings
-snip-
Do you want to see SA, or movies on your laptop? Chances are very good that should you bring that laptop, that you will not return with it! I travel the world and use internet cafes to update my TP blog, no need to bring my own.
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