Originally, I was going to get a notebook PC to edit my manuscripts in Microsoft Word while listening to MP3 backups of my music on CD, or, watch DVDs. Before DVDs, I was going to get the oldest notebook computer that could run a version of Word compatible with my document files because I disliked the fact that for years, notebooks have been routinely twice as expensive as ordinary computers and hardly as upgradable.

Lately, the prices have been coming down a bit and after locating a notebook by Compaq that can use American Airlines' powerport "cigarette lighter"-style DC electrical outlets because it uses not more than 75amps, I started to consider getting a new one. But then a thread came up here on flyertalk about how reclining seatbacks can actually snap off the tops of notebooks. At first I didn't believe it but I later saw how this could actually happen.

The solution of course would be to get insurance. However, if I'm getting a $700 notebook in the interest of not spending more than $1,000, getting the insurance would probably jack up how much I'm paying right back up to what it is I was hoping to save. Plus, I've watched too many laptops hit the floor thanks to the TSA to want to deal with the potential data loss. I know they have CD writers in the newer drives but it might not be in the multitude of things I have to do at the airport to burn backups of stuff I write.

So, I ended up just getting a portable DVD player for around $200.

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Best regards,
Dairenn Lombard
Los Angeles, CA

the laptop never stay home unless it's a trip to Bora-Bora, gotta draw the line somwhere.
The 17" Apple is of all trips, I couldn't fathom leaving it behind.

All my work is on there. With a VPN connection, I can be sitting anywhere and be as productive as in an office.

Add the DVD player/burner, iTunes, iDisk, what more do I need?

So yes, the laptop travels.

As far as what to get, you'd be making a mistake to buy anything but an Apple, particularly if you're starting up.

[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited Dec 06, 2003).]

Mine usually goes. I'm off in a few hours for an overnight in Atlanta and I originally thought I wouldn't bother. If I really, really need to get email I can do it with a browser pretty much anywhere. (I can't send however, with my weirdo mail handling.) And anybody important has the phone number. But I decided to bring it because I want to show off some stuff to my friends, and maybe do a little work along the way.

I've been in the process of setting up a very old, very tiny "laptop" (Toshiba Libretto) because it's about the size of a paperback book. I guess now you could consider it a pda-wannabe, in it's day it was pretty impressive. It's running FreeBSD and Debian. I've got some work yet to have it be fully operational, but it will end up being entirely suitable if all I need to do is handle email and websurfing.

My theory is that it's small enough that it looks like a DVD player and won't upset the screeners. From two attempts, it sorta works. One went with no comment, and the other was pulled for swabbing. I'm pretty sure it was the pile of extra batteries that did it, because I usually carry tons of cables and other electronic widgets.

The biggest reason I don't want to carry the TiBook is having to pull it out all the time. I carry it around nearly everywhere anyway, so that's not a big deal. I have a good-sized laptop backpack that I also use as a carry-on so when I fly it's always stuffed with clothes and whatnot. (Today it's my only bag.)

Not everybody has the perfect little machine sitting around waiting for them, so if you can find one that handles your minimal functions I'd recommend a decent PDA. There are some that will run Linux if you are so inclined, although you will want to do any serious work on it from a remote terminal to avoid having to use the command-line with the stylus.

I almost always carry a notebook. When I dont I have an IPAQ. Currently Im carrying an Apple 12 inch Powerbook which is incredibly full featured in a small package. Ive looked at a few others and might switch at some time in the not too distant future. Problem with cafes is that I do most of my work offline. I might process one or two hundred email messages while on a flight. I then sync when I get to a place with WiFi or I use my cell phone and GPRS. Everything runs through a VPN client (Mac, PC notebook, IPAQ, TREO whatever) and syncs to my desktop machine and Exchange server. Plus I have drive partitions on my desktop I can access through the VPN I just couldnt get that level of functionality out of an internet cafe. As people here have, said, it really isnt any different than being in my office. Plus I can watch movies and such. In addition, services like Earthlink will provide you with European local access numbers. It is an added service but I thought quite reasonble in price.

[This message has been edited by GadgetFreak (edited Dec 06, 2003).]

I carried a notebook around with me all the time before I learned how to use the tools I'd been given properly. Now, for a lot of trips, my Palm Device (with keyboard) or Nokia Communicator generally does the trick. I do all my writing in marked up text and use a VBA tool I've written to convert the text into word styles. This is how I normally work anyway since writing is a lot faster in Textpad (or even vi) than it is in Word.

I carry my 12 inch powerbook everywhere not because I need it but in case. When I am on vacation I need to enter expenses and such or I just dont feel together. I need to see what is going on.

I also like the fact that I can play music or something when i need it and can add people's contacts. The powerbook is necessary actually for those of us with digital cameras and such. The TSA wiped out my SD card on my digital camera I was upset but at least I had a backup on my hd.

Leisure trip - NO, excepting the following limited circumstance: (1) you are staying in the same hotel/condo for 1+ week (2) the hotel/condo has a high speed connection (3) there are no convenient netcafes.

Business trip - NO, unless you are gone for at least 2 nights and have high speed access from your room.

Following this advice in practice during my recent leisure trip to London, I found free high speed internet at my first hotel, and a cheap netcafe across the street from my second hotel. So I was very happy not to lug my laptop overseas with the attendent risk of theft, breakage, etc. not to mention power conversion issues and exhorbitant access charges.