Laptop/Phone for European travel

frost

Ok, looking for advice on laptop, phone, power supply etc for extended trip to Europe.

Power: Run/charge from mains wherever we are
Would be nice if it could run/charge in the camper. This could either be a standard cigarette lighter socket, or we could get something that converts the DC battery output into AC.

Internet: When we're near an Internet Cafe, ideally I'd like to hook the laptop up. Never tried this before, do they normally let you do this, and if so, what sort of hardware/software is required?

When we're not near an Internet Cafe, will want to upload text and possibly very small images through the mobile phone. I believe we need a GPRS phone. More cost effective to get local SIM cards as we travel to each country, and would prob. also need local ISP (or could subscribe to something like AOL with access numbers everywhere?). So, recomendations on the phone, the ISP(s) and especially the laptop interface needed for this?

Less important but "nice-to-haves" are:
-record MP3s from multiple sources
-digital video recording/editing/DVD burning (we don't have a digital video camera so suggestions there are welcome too!)

Finally, warranty/repair/support might be an issue, so would want something that could be dealt with without having to ship it back (maybe Dell?).

All ideas or suggestions very welcome!

Thanks

big_moe

ok. the phone thing. i use a sharp gx10i with the modem software supplied and i bought the usb data cable for €40 in carphone warehouse. for recording mp3's i use musicmatch jukeboxmusic match you can rip mp3's from cd's or the line in of your laptop or the mic in.

as digital camcorders go i would recommend the panasonic gs-22 for just over €700 (depends on where you get it). it has a dv input/output so would be ideal for video editing. if you want better quality i would suggest a panasonic gs-120 or gs-200. they come in at just over 1000 and 1200 respectively. they are 3-ccd camera's (3-ccd = great quality). i got the gs-120 from alliance electric in georges st. i got a bag,battery etc for a good price aswell.

the laptop is a safe buy where power is concerned because afaik any charger will work from 110-220 volts so you would just need a plug adaptor. the guarantee on the camcorder anyway is a european guarantee so if it breaks down just bring it into the local authorised repair centre and they will do it under guarantee.

hope you get some info from this:D

frost

Originally posted by big_moe
ok. the phone thing. i use a sharp gx10i with the modem software supplied and i bought the usb data cable for €40 in carphone warehouse. for recording mp3's i use musicmatch jukeboxmusic match you can rip mp3's from cd's or the line in of your laptop or the mic in.

as digital camcorders go i would recommend the panasonic gs-22 for just over €700 (depends on where you get it). it has a dv input/output so would be ideal for video editing. if you want better quality i would suggest a panasonic gs-120 or gs-200. they come in at just over 1000 and 1200 respectively. they are 3-ccd camera's (3-ccd = great quality). i got the gs-120 from alliance electric in georges st. i got a bag,battery etc for a good price aswell.

the laptop is a safe buy where power is concerned because afaik any charger will work from 110-220 volts so you would just need a plug adaptor. the guarantee on the camcorder anyway is a european guarantee so if it breaks down just bring it into the local authorised repair centre and they will do it under guarantee.

hope you get some info from this:D

Excellent, thanks for all that information, Moe.

Had a look at the Musicmatch website and have downloaded the free version, and will try it out shortly.

Re:USB, do you mean the phone goes into the laptop USB port? I thought it would plug into the laptop RJ11 modem port?

Re: The video, I have USA connections so could get the videocamera cheaper there; however, would there be an issue regarding NTSC/PAL like there is with Analogue videocameras?

Thanks!

big_moe

Re: usb. it does go into the usb. there might be a lead to connect it straight to the modem. it works for me with the usb!

the camera...if you are going to edit you could have some difficulties as ntsc shoots at 25 fps and pal at 30 fps (or the other way round). afaik the tapes are pal or ntsc and i doubt you would get ntsc tapes over here (thats if im right about the ntsc format). it would just be handier to get the camera as a pal. if you buy in the states then it will be a usa guarantee and you will have to pay for any repair work in europe. as i said before if you buy a camera here it has a european guarantee so your sorted!