When I'm at home, I make it a point to go online at least once a day even if it's just for an hour. I want to be updated on the latest news as well as check my email for new messages. However, when I travel to a different country, I never get to use the internet. I don't like paying for internet at a cafe or at the hotel, so I tend to miss out on my regular bonding session with the computer.
On a recent trip, I was forced to use the hotel's computer station to check my email because something important came up. Although the internet usage fee wasn't that big, I had to pay for something which would've been free had I packed my own laptop along for the trip. Most places in the world have free wi-fi, which got me thinking. Is it wise to bring my laptop when I travel? Is the additional weight worth it? Please share your thoughts on this as I'd love to hear about what you guys do.
[question posted by mimico]
responses and comments:
As per me, its really worth carrying your laptop along with you while traveling. Its not only about checking urgent mails or using internet. You can also do your pending work, when free, and not feeling like going out or doing anything else. Other then this, while traveling if you are alone have no one to talk with, or getting bored, you can use your laptop as a perfect Time Pass. You can play games, listen to music, watch movies, use your internet to chat with friends. I don't think a laptop can add that much of weight to your luggage. you can handle it freely. I'll definitely carry my laptop while traveling. [onlynaval]
well.. i mean to say while you are on flight, or train. .. at time also you can use your laptop. and yes, its definitely helpful to take help from net to know more about your further trip using your laptop. [onlynaval]
hey friend, if i have free time so t go to online and useing my time to this kind of different site. i am student and i am going out site of my city even my country , i must bring my laptop with me bcoz in different place i don;t like to use cyber cafe and any other source of inter net useing . don't like to giveing money to other's for useing internet. [shenboy8]
When I travel on a business trip, I don't have any option. I have to bring my laptop with me. If I travel on vacation, I try not to bring it because I want to stay away from my work. To check email or browse internet, I use my cell phone. I also concern about the security of my laptop if I leave it at the hotel room. Some hotel room has a safe deposit box inside the room and it can fit a laptop. But not all hotel room has one, I have been to some that don't have. If the hotel room doesn't have a safe deposit box or it has one but not the one that can accommodate a laptop, I have to bring the laptop everywhere I go. That is not a pleasant experience for me. [wilo2001]
I've taken my laptop on my past few vacations. I used it mainly to jot down the memories from my vacation each day so I wouldn't have to struggle to remember them all when I got home. It's also good for downloading pictures from the digital camera and playing music. I might need to leave the laptop at home next time, though. With the airlines charging extra for more than one suitcase, I don't want to pack anything that's not absolutely necessary. [jtr115]
dont have a laptop. [2potty]
I have a laptop that I like to use at home. It is one of the things that I enjoy using most and if I traveled with it I would be worried about having it stolen. I have a backpack for it so I could take it around with me traveling. I might carry my laptop with me in the future if I will carry less luggage than I do these days. Free wi-fi sounds fantastic and I think that I would love to travel with my laptop if it stayed safe. I really love to travel and have been lucky in finding internet cafes in countries from the Maldives to Belize. That way I have been able to email friends and family and not lose my laptop. I wish you happy traveling with your laptop. [maximax8]
I Do when I am on the road . Usually , I will just use the hookup they have in the room . For the longest time I would not take mine and just use the lab, now where ever I go it will go. [metschica25]
I always bring my laptop.Even if there's no internet I can still watch movies or play games to kill my time. [izzuyasha]
I have to bring my laptop when I travel. I pretty much have to check my email everyday, and I have a need to use my computer for homework and school stuff. As far as the inconvienience of it, I think that it's not too bad. I don't know. [venticius]
I always travel fairly lightly in the first place, so packing the laptop is never an issue for me. I normally do take it with me instead of trying to find another computer to use if something important did come up. Sometimes I wonder why I put myself through all of the hassle of getting it out and putting it back in my bag during airport security, but besides that instance, I've never thought of not taking it with me. [GodOfTheSurf]
OMG!! R u kidding me? I can't leave home without it. I always ask ahead of time if the hotel I will be staying at offers wi-fi. It is usually included in the hotel price. Sometimes if you are lucky and you are in a high traffic area you can even pick up someone else's signal. [rrdj71]
Yeah, I would like to take a laptop when I am on tour. Not only for urgent works, for me computer with internet is a nice way to keep yourselves away from getting bored. [Omnitrix]
I don't currently have a laptop, but I intend on buying one this year before I go on vacation in August. We went on vacation for a week back in March, and I was lost without the internet. I wanted to be able to do a daily report on my blog about our vacation, and I couldn't. It was such a pain trying to memorize the best bits of the vacation for a huge post when we got back, not to mention adding photos to the post. I think a laptop is a valuable item when you go on vacation. It gives you a chance to check your emails too, and if anything urgent comes up, you have a way of getting in touch with family, or friends who may be able to help you. The added weight isn't all that much, especially when you consider that it may be something that could help you if ever you get stuck. [angelwhispers30]
Oh yes, I always take along my laptop every time I travel. I travel quite often to different countries around the world. I need the laptop to keep in touch with my office back home, and for preparing any documenattions I need to do on my trip. Most of the hotels I stay at have wireless internet access right in the room, or if not in the business center downstairs. That's certainly very helpful. The service is included in the room rate. While in transit, many international airports have the wi-fi service in the waiting zones too. So, I am with my laptop almost all the time. [greenline]
My family and I just got a laptop this past Christmas. We haven't traveled anywhere yet but when/if we do we will definitely take it with us. I got it so that we can also watch DVDs if there isn't anything to watch on the hotel TV or if it is too hot to swim. With more and more places, like you said, offering free wi-fi I think it would be well worth it to take your laptop along. [SheliaLee]
I don't use a computer for work,just at home for Leisure and contacts-But I'm considering some type of Wifi or 3G device,maybe one of the ASUS Eee machines that'll let me use Skype or check email when travelling.. [ShepherdSpy]
I only bring my laptop when I travel to my hometown, which is an hour and 30 minute plane ride. I surf or play games while I'm at the airport waiting for my plane. I sometimes watch movies or even work. I use them for work too during my stay at my hometown. [ryozen]
If i had my laptop then i would have carried it to all over the place. And it is very useful in our daily life, so i can't be away from my laptop for even a day!! [uautkarsh]
absolutely always so worth it.... [HarlowRyder]
i take my laptop on everywhere with me i hate to be out of the loop so to me its worth it. [msfreeze]
The last time I brought my computer on a trip was when I was still in college. I regret that I had brought it as it was only and additional weight. Of course in my age as a college student, the reason for bringing your computer to a trip was to study but I didn't do any of it. [yoz_43]
When I travel I don't bring my laptop with me because the mean reason that I travel is for vacation. So I want to maximize my time getting to know the place, enjoy the sights and sounds and spend quality time with my husband. I am sure that if I need to check my email, hotels in most big cities have free internet access or business lounge to use. Even in the very remote areas of Philippines or Thailand, internet access is not a problem because most resorts have their own internet connection that they let their guests use or there are internet cafes nearby that can be rented on a per hour basis. [yanna1027]
Yes, of course it is worth it! At least I just couldn't leave my "baby" at home! It is really no big deal anymore, as I think many people are doing the same thing, not just business men! [sylvia13]
i have internet connection at my home & office. but when i am travelling i keep laptop with me to use internet while travelling from data card . as in india no wi-fi is available in trains . laptop is very useful. [prashantdonda]
i take my laptop any time i travel i have a leather bag to carry it about ,i find it very convenient and i enjoy bonding with my laptop.www.achieversideas.com [ade4real]
For the first time ever we brought our laptop with us last month on our vacation. It was really good. Exept the last place we stayed did not have internet access. We brought it because we were househunting as well as on vacation and we wanted to make sure we got our mail. We were online for short periods of time - not at all like home. But we did get our mails and messages. I likes it a lot. Also I had my music and could do some writing for my blog if I had the time. It does not weigh much and we were allowed 10 kg cabin luggage. No problems at all to bring the laptop. [teison2]
i would bring my laptop with me when traveling. it is convenient and i love the feeling to key on my own laptop. it seems i have addicted to my computer. though it is a little heavy and sometimes there is a risk of being stolen. [redkey65]
Yea. I would if it's a long trip. But if it's just a short trip, then I would not. My definition of short is less than a week. Anyway, I'll also check online if the hotels I'm staying in have free wifi. If they do not, I do not see much point bringing too. [poohgal]
I never bring Laptop when I am traveling by public transportation. It makes difficulties for me. But when I ride motor cycle or own car, I always bring my laptop. [laira08]
When I go for business travel, yes, I have to bring my laptop. When I go on vacation, no, I try not to bring it. The problem with bringing a laptop, you need to check your hotel facilities first. Do they have an in room safe deposit box that can handle a laptop. What kind of laptop do you have? If you have a big 15 inch one, that will be a pain in the back. It is just too heavy. If you have 12 inch, that is fine. If the hotel room doesn't have an in room deposit box, you have to bring the laptop anywhere you go. That is not nice. It is better to bring a smart phone. [wilo2001]
Hi! I guess it really depends on the nature of your trip. If its for rest and relaxation I wouldnt suggest in bringing it because it will just distract you to be updated on things that you are on a break from. If you are on a vacation I think it would be better if you really got to see the place where you went to and experience everything there is to experience about it and not just to be holed up in your hotel room logged in on the internet. If you really must be logged on to check emails and other important things I guess paying the small fee in the hotel room or a cafe close by rather than going through the hassle of packing everything up and still be worried that it might get lost in the luggage, might be accidentally switched with someone or just plain get damaged. If the nature of the trip is for business then by all means. Having your own laptop at your side always is really more of a necessity during business trips/ As for me I dont really travel much and if I do its for a vacation so I dont bring all my gadgets with me. I just bring my trusty camera and Im all set.^_^ [bjcyrix]