Travelling Laptop!

[grendal]

Does anybody have a recommendation for a small, compact, yet sturdy laptop computer which may be suitable for taking on a longish (3-4 months) bike tour. I don't want anything too big or expensive, just something relatively simple to use with which I can download pictures to send back to family and friends along with the ability to send and recieve e-mails!

 

[wildbeeste]

Internet cafe's. They are small and available almost everywhere.

 

[Schtum]

It depends upon how much you want to spend. I've just acquired a Philips X66 which is very compact and has a very good 11" wide screen. It seems well built but I can't vouch for how robust it is yet.

http://www.cheaplaptops.org.uk/philips-x66-ultra-mobile-laptop-under-800-pounds/

 

[Ming]

Panasonic Tough book
Water repellant shock-proof
magnesium chassis
Use it to hammer nails in if you like

 

[the_laughing_mole]

If you've a limited budget then pick up a used Sony VAIO (the PGC series with an 8" screen) on ebay - very small and lightweight and gives 5hrs on the extended battery. Or a used IBM X40/X41 laptop - again small and light, but robust. If you just want a travel log, contacts and email connection (and can live with a B/W screen) then an old Psion 5MX will give you that for £100 on ebay and runs on AA batteries....

 

[grendal]

Thanks for the help peeps! Will check out the Panasonic and have a look at the Sony too.

 

[Rambling Sid Rumpo]

Was away for 10 weeks last year and took one of these.

Probably not a current model but may be a few around at discount price. Brilliant - A5 footprint, wifi, XP Pro. Don't buy a case for a portable pc - too bulky and expensive; get some bubblewrap and make a double-thickness "envelope" to slip the pc into, using parcel tape to hold it together. I'm still using the one I made 14 months ago....... Take a plug-in USB2 hard disk for backup, or probably better, one of the newer high capacity "thumbdrives".

If you use internet cafes, keyboard loggers and security can be a problem so if you don't take a portable, a thumbdrive with portable email client and browser is useful (the keyloggers might get your passwords, but if the application isn't there, they can't do much). PortableApps works very well.

If you take the pc, get a Skype account and USB skype handset - save a fortune by phoning from the zillions of wi-fi hotspots at filling stations, cafes, bars, hotels and definitely NOT (oh no, definitely not ) from any unsecured wifi connexions you might find in cities, for instance......

Don't pack the pc against the plastic or metal of your panniers or topbox. Gets too hot.

Good luck and enjoy.