Netbook when Backpacking

jtmk3

Hi Guys,

I'm just looking for some advice. I'm off in two weeks on a 12 months backpacking trip, 2 months in south east Asia and then 10 months in Australia, where I hope to get a job.

I am between minds as whether or not to buy a second hand netbook. I can see the benefits, i.e uploading photos, keeping in touch with home and maybe even start a journal. However I think having one will be very handy when looking for a job in Australia. No need to pay for internet cafes all the time.

But its an additional thing to carry and worry about it being stolen. I know some people have recommended buying a tablet, but I dont think one would last the trip, they are not that robust and you cant easily type or edit Microsoft word documents. I have an iPhone so I can do almost everything you can do on a table on that.

Any advice would be appreciated, it there anybody who brought one and couldn't live without it, or was it just a heavy waste of time that you wished you could dump along the way.

Thanks.

solerina

Id definately bring one....get a cheap one that you dont mind losing but if your careful you will have no problems minding it...I found it pretty easy to find internet cafes in South America...but its handier to upload you photos etc if you have your own machine...I took my little notebook to Vietnam with me last summer and used it all te time to book hotels, flights etc...in fairness through Vietnam is and amazing country for Wi Fi, its everywhere and free !!

seven_eleven

I brought one to Asia with me. Found it great and tiny, make sure its a netbook and not a notebook :pac: (as some people seem to think they're the same thing). Kept it in my backpack and used it on the flights, trains, in the hostel, etc. Just to check emails and send them, check wikitravel and information on my local area, checking news, weather etc. I never used it to upload photos or type out word documents.
It certainly wasnt a hinderance.

Tipperary animal lover

Every year we go to asia(15 years) for between 5-6 weeks ago and the last number years we have been bringing our note book with us, we'd be lost without its great when your in the airports on a train in your room at night or sit out on the balcony at night time when having a beer, definitely a plus when your travelling ....just get a good case for it.

TEMPLAR KNIGHT

I met a lot of people travelling this year and they all had iPads/tablets they were way handier for travelling than laptops and net books!

jtmk3

Hi Guys,

Thanks a million for the replies, you have convinced me that I should def bring one. TEMPLAR KNIGHT I agreed with you that a tablet is handier, but I hate typing for any length of time on a touch screen and think when I'm applying for jobs and editing cover letters, cv, etc. the keyboard will come in handy.

I think its a netbook for me!

Thanks again.

hdowney

Sorry to hijack the thread but starting a new one seemed pointless. I'll be travelling for a min of 5mths and like the idea of a netbook but I am wondering about the internet? Do you just use it to connect to wifi systems and the like. Then I suppose it would be how prevalent wifi would be in any given area

hdowney

hdowney wrote: »

Sorry to hijack the thread but starting a new one seemed pointless. I'll be travelling for a min of 5mths and like the idea of a netbook but I am wondering about the internet? Do you just use it to connect to wifi systems and the like. Then I suppose it would be how prevalent wifi would be in any given area

yes connect to wifi. wifi available everywhere worldwide in hostels, cafes etc these days.

tablet is handier and lighter with better battery life if you're not going to be typing a lot. Nexus 7 is a great value option. perfect for watching movies and tv series and browsing.

hdowney

glasso wrote: »

yes connect to wifi. wifi available everywhere worldwide in hostels, cafes etc these days.

tablet is handier and lighter with better battery life if you're not going to be typing a lot. Nexus 7 is a great value option. perfect for watching movies and tv series and browsing.

I am not actually sure yet if I will be typing a lot. I'll have to think that one through!!! Won't be staying in hostels at first, Be in China for the first while and will be staying in the one place mostly, then travelling around after a while.

Anyone know just how restrictive internet in China is? I am pretty sure I won't see my facebook for months what about my gmail? and boards? Anyone know

hdowney

hdowney wrote: »

I am not actually sure yet if I will be typing a lot. I'll have to think that one through!!! Won't be staying in hostels at first, Be in China for the first while and will be staying in the one place mostly, then travelling around after a while.

Anyone know just how restrictive internet in China is? I am pretty sure I won't see my facebook for months what about my gmail? and boards? Anyone know

re China - why don't you google it yourself...

you can get good typing speeds on a tablet with a stylus like the Kuel H12 and the swype or touch pal android on-screen keyboards.

hdowney

glasso wrote: »

re China - why don't you google it yourself...

you can get good typing speeds on a tablet with a stylus like the Kuel H12 and the swype or touch pal android on-screen keyboards.

I am going to google it myself, but I thought I'd ask on here if anyone had any experience of it, that is what the bloody forum is for after all. I don't always trust googled sources as reliable.

thanks for the info on the tablets though

check multiple sources on the web and you'll usually get the truth.

you don't always get the right info on here in any case.....

not that many people on this forum have been to China recently and likely to see your post I would surmise...

hdowney

glasso wrote: »

check multiple sources on the web and you'll usually get the truth.

you don't always get the right info on here in any case.....

not that many people on this forum have been to China recently and likely to see your post I would surmise...

They probably haven't. thanks anywho

fenris

you can get a small bluetooth keyboard for about €30 or less online, then you just connect the keyboard when you need to do a bit of typing on your tablet.

Another option is a tablet case with a built in small bluetooth keyboard. Apart from that stick to android if you want to avoid all the hassle that goes with itunes especially when you will have no fixed abode!

If you are going the tablet route make sure that the tablet has a microSD slot and pick up a USB OTG adaptor so that you can easily transfer files from USB keys etc., this allows you to bring stack of music movies, books, photos with you and also sort out any photos that you take as you go.

Techie stuff is dirt cheap in China but connectivity will be limited, the safest option is to bring what files you need with you and having the capability to store any new stuff physically until you get to somewhere that you can upload you photos/videos/nose flute recordings etc. You wil have no difficulty in getting USB keys, micro SD cards are a good bet for your camera as you will be able to slot them directly into your tablet, the camera will probably need a SD card but as most microSD cards come with a SD card adaptor that is easily sorted.

Also think about 10 inch rather that 7 inch as it will give you a much more comfortable user experience for a not so big increase in size, think about checking maps and reading PDF brochures/official documents, much more comfortable on a 10".

I wish I was traveling now!

keithclancy

I'd recommend Worldmate, also an App for Android and iPhone.

I have a trip coming up from Amsterdam -> 1 night Geneva -> New York Via Rome, 6 nights -> Venice via Rome (2 nights)

All I had to do was forward all my flight, hotel, car rental, restaurant reservations to Worldmate and it made an entire Itinerary on for my trip

Free too .. and also gives you peace of mind that you haven't left gaps for accomodation on your trip.

Tablet with Blutooth keyboard is but a Netbook is doable.