Touring with a laptop.

[Taff]

I'm thinking of taking my IBM laptop with me when I go touring - to keep a GPS tracklog, download photos, send / receive e-mails etc. My question is, will the vibration in the panniers knacker it - or are they built to be Touratech proof?

Obviously I will make sure its well padded in a towel etc, but even so is it a good idea in principle or a complete non-starter? I can't be the only one thinking of taking one.

 

[Loiq]

I've put all my data onto a memory stick then have a download area on website so any internet cafe can serve as my machine, I've also setup remote desktop so I can get to any files or data out in the ulu. Think it's easier than taking a laptop as it's sure to break, get knicked or get in the way.

only my opinion

PS remember if you do use internet cafe's to delete all your software and passwords once finished.

 

[ovenpaa]

Another tip - some internet cafes (South Americas is a perfect example) have keyloggers installed so URL's and passwords are grabbed instantly. So as an additional layer of security create a new text document with A to Z and a - z plus 1 to 9 in it and then cut and paste using a mouse the characters you need for user name and password - ever so tedious and quite a bit safer than having them in an existing document where they can be lost..

Also use a robust password - the cats name is never a good idea!

Also keep an eye on ATM's they may be slightly different to anything you have seen before so give the card slot a good push and tug to see if it will come off - skimming is rife in parts of the EU and yes you guessed it South Americas...

 

[Bigtwin]

So as an additional layer of security create a new text document with A to Z and a - z plus 1 to 9 in it and then cut and paste using a mouse the characters you need for user name and password - ever so tedious and quite a bit safer than having them in an existing document where they can be lost..

Sounds sensible. But why is that safer than having your password whole in another doc on a memory stick and pasting the whole thing in one go? (N.B. I am technologically "iffy").

 

[Mucky Helmetier]

Solid State Hard Disk

You could change your Hard disk for a Solid State one (no moving parts)

 

[ovenpaa]

Sounds sensible. But why is that safer than having your password whole in another doc on a memory stick and pasting the whole thing in one go? (N.B. I am technologically "iffy").

Well any security is better than nothing, but USB sticks can be lost or stolen and opening the data on them is very easy. better to use a sequence of passwords that are not recorded, remember this is not corporate security this is you, and the bank/credit card company usually pay up for internet fraud but this is no consolation when you account has been frozen and the money will not be back for 6 weeks....

I am an IT Security person I have to advocate such security actions, wait until you get me onto the subject of Biometrics and Gummy bears

 

[Speggo]

FWIW, I have carried my IBM T41 laptop (and it's predecessors) in my topbox for the last 10 years without any unexpected failures or problems. Wrap it in some foam/bubble wrap/padded bag and you should be ok.

 

[ovenpaa]

FWIW, I have carried my IBM T41 laptop (and it's predecessors) in my topbox for the last 10 years without any unexpected failures or problems. Wrap it in some foam/bubble wrap/padded bag and you should be ok.

Yes my IBM used to travel in a home made big bubble wrap case held together with duct tape - worked well and took very little space

 

[BigAlMacMac]

I believe this story to be true.

In the aftermath of the Hatfield train crash, while clearing out the most damaged carriage, an IBM laptop was found, somewhat scuffed.

It was switched on and powered up quite happily.

Some IBM marketing guru wanted to use this to prove IBM's claim of extra durabilty vs the competition.

Fortuantely, before said marketing guy emailed the world someone pointed out that this would be in rather bad taste.

So should be fine in your Touratechs even in a crash

 

[araspitfire]

I carry mine "vertical" (so screen isn't horizontal). I've even wired the inside of my pannier so that I can charge the thing while on the move...

Al...

 

[ovenpaa]

Thinkpads are quite robust, I went the lanes way home one day and as I rode down a nice dirt track I could hear a clunking and suddenly realised my unpadded r50p was in an empty pannier bouncing around.... I am still using it two years later

IBM Thinkpads rock (Not sure about the new non IBM ones)

 

[fcasado]

I carried mine when touring in Europe, it even survided a crash (not that fast though)...It was in RHS pannier (away from the can, due to the heat). No problems so far. I should say that the laptop survived 3 months in the pannier, and it was very handy, especially when you find a Wi-Fi hotspot in the middle of town .

 

[jimbo]

Whilst, I've not been touring with it, my laptop (IBM) and the previous (dell), comes to work and back everyday in my top box for the last 4 years. Other than the escape key breaking (yes it escaped) both have been 100% reliable.

 

[Gipsy]

Have been looking at taking my lap top along, and been looking for the most cost effective way to connect whilst on the go. Obviously free wi fi if available would be ideal. Weatherspoons now offer wi-fi for the price of a drink, and lots of libraries have it available also. Any suggestions for cost effective alternatives especially for use on the continent?

 

[Fanum]

Have toured with a laptop for a long while and not had any probs either.....apart from one getting nicked in Gambia last year

The Packard Bell Easynote I'm on now lives in my Vernatech pannier inside a bog standard shoulder case thing...I do put soft shoes and other stuff around it so when I'm 'makin progress' it doesn't get flung about but that's it.

This one's also been to Morocco in the landy several times and gets well banged about doing that as well.....they're pretty tough these days