Should we take the Laptop????? Are we mad??

Nick-H · May 30th, 2005, 22:55

I wish I hadn't bought/brought a laptop.

Yes; I bought it specially to bring with me. I'm staying in one place, and could have spent a fraction of the money on a PC here, just bringing a hard disc an a couple of bits from UK.

If I was travelling, the weight and bulk of this thing would drive me mad.

Now, If I was travelling with a small, light notebook rather than a laptop that would be different, and if I had to buy that is what I wish I had bought.

byronic · May 30th, 2005, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I wish I hadn't bought/brought a laptop.

.....Now, If I was travelling with a small, light notebook rather than a laptop that would be different, and if I had to buy that is what I wish I had bought.

I know Nick means "computer notebook" but...

Yes yes, I confer, I would go with the old school "original" laptop, the paper paged travel notebook, and a very good quality coloring book, with some blank pages for the child (that would be their travel journal, one they could keep for life too).

I have thought about the laptop traveling in India idea, I didn't take one on the last trip and don't think I'll take one on the next trip. I have to say, I truly treasure my handwritten, and hand item pasted travel journal, its like a favorite book on my shelf.

Anders · May 30th, 2005, 23:26

Dr Funkenstein:
I did see a darn nice Asus laptop in Bangkok, 12" screen, built in dvd+rw drive and weight around 1,5 kg. There is probably similar laptops from other makes. I have seen some 14" laptops with a weight somewhere around 2kg. One problem is that small and light means expensive.

I spent a year on the road in India and South East Asia with a 12" laptop and there is no way I will ever leave on a trip without a laptop.

camelgirl · May 30th, 2005, 23:58

Isn't part of traveling to do things differently than we do at home?--otherwise, why leave! A 3 week India trip will go by very quickly for a family with a small child and while the child's needs are very important, leaving a few things to chance, a few moments of boredom now and then, can also be good.

We have all become so used to having every moment filled with entertainment (me too!) that when I do get away from all my "tech stuff" at home--even to travel within the U.S., I find it "enlightening" that I can actually do just fine without it and my "gray cells"

are even creating new pathways because I have to think about things outside my comfort zone. I did take it this winter but it wasn't a real travel-trip and found it OK but still a nusiance in airports and worrying about leaving it in the trunk of our rental car. I don't think I will bring it again and will never bring it to India, or Europe for that matter.

Plus, looking for cyber cafes that aren't having a power failure becomes an adventure in itself. And it's great when you get to use that computer when you haven't been able to for a few days or even a week.

I personally tend to remember--besides the obvious fabulous sights--the things that took a bit of "work" or didn't go the way you had hoped or expected--but they make good stories!

This is a long-winded way of saying don't bother bringing a laptop--unless you're a journalist filing stories everyday, it's just another thing to weigh you down and to worry about breaking.

bijapuri · May 31st, 2005, 02:04

After reading the original post, it seems a key reason is the child. being a dad, I understand! That is easily solved by obtaining a portable DVD player (PAL compatible) that can be hooked up to the ubiquitus TV, and allowing "down time." I think they are not very expensive, and not very heavy. I saw a lot of them last trip among students at the hindi school. For photo needs, just bring extra batteries with charger, a fat memory card, and you'll be more then fine. downloading to disc is everywhere* in India.
* not in mud huts in tribal areas, Tihar jail, and maoist enclaves . . . .

deeps · May 31st, 2005, 02:05

I think in India its not worth taking a brand new Laptop...

On the other hand India is also a modern place....people have laptops everywear.. Places like Mumbai and Banglore are like so up to date with I.T that you might not even need to use your laptop...

agni5454 · May 31st, 2005, 02:31

i wouldn't take it with me ONLY because it adds to the weight i have to carry around. Use cafes to access internet or use an X-drive to transfer pictures.

Siena · May 31st, 2005, 12:42

Thank you everyone. Your thoughts and insights have been excellent. I appreciate them all.
Best regards

bernieke · May 31st, 2005, 15:19

If you're looking at buying a laptop for travelling purposes, my suggestion is to get a 12inch ibook, they're much cheaper than 12inch ibm compatibles.

Mine gets more than 5 hours of battery life doing normal things (writing, looking over my pictures, ...), and 3-4 hours while watching dvd's (you'll be able to watch for longer if you back the dvd's up to the harddrive first, and watch them from there)

May 30th, 2005, 22:55	#16
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,366	I wish I hadn't bought/brought a laptop. Yes; I bought it specially to bring with me. I'm staying in one place, and could have spent a fraction of the money on a PC here, just bringing a hard disc an a couple of bits from UK. If I was travelling, the weight and bulk of this thing would drive me mad. Now, If I was travelling with a small, light notebook rather than a laptop that would be different, and if I had to buy that is what I wish I had bought. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

May 31st, 2005, 02:04	#20
bijapuri laid traps for troubadours Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Priustan Posts: 2,602	After reading the original post, it seems a key reason is the child. being a dad, I understand! That is easily solved by obtaining a portable DVD player (PAL compatible) that can be hooked up to the ubiquitus TV, and allowing "down time." I think they are not very expensive, and not very heavy. I saw a lot of them last trip among students at the hindi school. For photo needs, just bring extra batteries with charger, a fat memory card, and you'll be more then fine. downloading to disc is everywhere* in India. * not in mud huts in tribal areas, Tihar jail, and maoist enclaves . . . . __________________ Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential. Barack Obama lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/ Utube fuzzy logic: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bijapuri&p =r

May 31st, 2005, 02:31	#22
agni5454 Mr. 200 ...and counting. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PA, US Posts: 538	i wouldn't take it with me ONLY because it adds to the weight i have to carry around. Use cafes to access internet or use an X-drive to transfer pictures. __________________ "Human Life without happiness or hope of happiness is not a life, but rather a death in life" - David Swenson The Dignity of Human Life "History is always a perspective; but numbers never lie"

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May 30th, 2005, 23:26	#18
Anders Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 630	Dr Funkenstein: I did see a darn nice Asus laptop in Bangkok, 12" screen, built in dvd+rw drive and weight around 1,5 kg. There is probably similar laptops from other makes. I have seen some 14" laptops with a weight somewhere around 2kg. One problem is that small and light means expensive. I spent a year on the road in India and South East Asia with a 12" laptop and there is no way I will ever leave on a trip without a laptop.

May 30th, 2005, 23:58	#19
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,097	Isn't part of traveling to do things differently than we do at home?--otherwise, why leave! A 3 week India trip will go by very quickly for a family with a small child and while the child's needs are very important, leaving a few things to chance, a few moments of boredom now and then, can also be good. We have all become so used to having every moment filled with entertainment (me too!) that when I do get away from all my "tech stuff" at home--even to travel within the U.S., I find it "enlightening" that I can actually do just fine without it and my "gray cells" are even creating new pathways because I have to think about things outside my comfort zone. I did take it this winter but it wasn't a real travel-trip and found it OK but still a nusiance in airports and worrying about leaving it in the trunk of our rental car. I don't think I will bring it again and will never bring it to India, or Europe for that matter. Plus, looking for cyber cafes that aren't having a power failure becomes an adventure in itself. And it's great when you get to use that computer when you haven't been able to for a few days or even a week. I personally tend to remember--besides the obvious fabulous sights--the things that took a bit of "work" or didn't go the way you had hoped or expected--but they make good stories! This is a long-winded way of saying don't bother bringing a laptop--unless you're a journalist filing stories everyday, it's just another thing to weigh you down and to worry about breaking.

May 31st, 2005, 02:05	#21
deeps Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London,England Posts: 8	I think in India its not worth taking a brand new Laptop... On the other hand India is also a modern place....people have laptops everywear.. Places like Mumbai and Banglore are like so up to date with I.T that you might not even need to use your laptop...

May 31st, 2005, 12:42	#23
Siena Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 40	Thank you everyone. Your thoughts and insights have been excellent. I appreciate them all. Best regards

May 31st, 2005, 15:19	#24
bernieke Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 23	If you're looking at buying a laptop for travelling purposes, my suggestion is to get a 12inch ibook, they're much cheaper than 12inch ibm compatibles. Mine gets more than 5 hours of battery life doing normal things (writing, looking over my pictures, ...), and 3-4 hours while watching dvd's (you'll be able to watch for longer if you back the dvd's up to the harddrive first, and watch them from there)

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