Post: #1

I am going to spend two months traveling through Northern Europe this summer. Most of the time I will have a car and about half the time I will be staying with people that I know.

I am wondering what is the best computer to take with me. I need something to do research and writing on, book dates through fucksurfing, store photos, and check datasheets on this forum. It needs to be light and inexpensive.

I got my first MacBook a year ago and love it but it is very heavy and way to valuable to take on a trip like this.

Not looking to spend more than $400

Suggestions?

And ipads are pretty gay.

Post: #2

look at lenovo X series, super light weight. My old job I travled with a x200.

Post: #3

The new Chrome book is looking like an excellent candidate for this. If I wasn't staying in good hotels I'd be paranoid about lugging a Macbook along.

Post: #4

(04-17-2013 08:43 AM)Vicious Wrote:  The new Chrome book is looking like an excellent candidate for this. If I wasn't staying in good hotels I'd be paranoid about lugging a Macbook along.

This is looking like the top candidate. Thanks.

Post: #5

Asus netbooks used to be the perfect tool for the job but unfortunately the tablet market killed them off and they were discontinued. Might be a few remaining online.

Post: #6

I'd originally said the lenovo x series as chyamor mentioned, but it's way over $400. I'd look at the Lenovo S series or the Chrome book. I've been using an S series as my main computer for years now. It's been dropped multiple times, water spilled on, etc and still hanging in there.

Post: #7

I took the Samsung Chromebook 11.6" ($249) to South America back in January. It was awesome. The thing is just the right size and is super lightweight. Plus, at that price, it's essentially a throw-away laptop and Google gives you 100GB of cloud storage, so you don't even need to worry about losing your data.

Post: #8

that samsung chromebook does look nice. Tired of carrying around my 5lb laptop and brick adapter.

How's the build quality? Can it take some abuse? How big and heavy is the power adapter?

Can I save 2-3 movies on the hard drive to watch it on the plane or would I need a few 32 gig usb thumb drives ?

Post: #9

(04-17-2013 11:11 AM)chyamor Wrote:  that samsung chromebook does look nice. Tired of carrying around my 5lb laptop and brick adapter.

How's the build quality? Can it take some abuse? How big and heavy is the power adapter?

Can I save 2-3 movies on the hard drive to watch it on the plane or would I need a few 32 gig usb thumb drives ?

It's light, so it feels a tad flimsy, but it held up nicely in my Timbuk2 bag. I had a it in a padded case logic sleeve. Honestly, you could probably drop it a few times without breaking it.

The power adapter is the standard size of most laptops. It's got a secondary SD card slot you could use as additional storage.

They're selling them at Best Buy now, so go check it out before you buy it.

Post: #10

you might be better getting a high power tablet and keyboard
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-TF700T-B1-GR-...008F4NL04/

10 hours of battery life.
14 if you have the dock with keyboard.
less than 2 inches thick and under 2 pounds.

tablets have damn near more power than some laptops.
i was gifted an ipad.. and i take it everywhere instead of my actual laptop.

its not hard to find a brand new one for 300
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-TF300T-A1-CG-...B009WIW5VS

Post: #11

I have a chromebook and its awesome, lightweight and battery lasts forever. You just can't do anything if you're not online. Doesnt support skype. I paid $250 on amazon in november.

Post: #12

Ipad with the right Apps is unbeatable.

On my last trip it definetly gave me DHV in cafes when I used it, lame as it sounds.

Post: #13

(04-17-2013 12:25 PM)LowerCaseG Wrote:  You just can't do anything if you're not online. Doesnt support skype.

Deal breaker. Spend $100 more and get an S series lenovo netbook.

Post: #14

I agree chromebook is too limited unless you know exactly what you are doing as in you've tested it as your sole computer in your home area and are happy with it.

If you get to the sweet spot with a Macbook you can get the cost down, if you don't need to do digital video edting you can get a used 13"
for under 1000.

However, there are risks, my last landlord in Lviv Ukraine robbed me of some possessions, and losing something valued at 1000 is a lot worse than losing something at 400.

Post: #15

Anyone ever thought about traveling with two $350 netbooks vs. one $1000 powerhouse (Apple, ultrabook)?

One plus is if you get robbed on the street/train whatever, you've still got a pc back at your apartment/hotel.

Post: #16

(04-17-2013 08:43 AM)Vicious Wrote:  If I wasn't staying in good hotels I'd be paranoid about lugging a Macbook along.

Yeah, it's a good way to get gay bashed.

Post: #17

Perfect timing for this thread - I need to be able to run MS Office off my laptop too, and want it leightweight as I'll be traveling a lot. Can't use the open source stuff either, so not sure if that eliminates the Ipad or not. My work is 90% typing multiple and multiple pages of stuff daily.

Post: #18

(04-17-2013 09:31 AM)speakeasy Wrote:  Asus netbooks used to be the perfect tool for the job but unfortunately the tablet market killed them off and they were discontinued. Might be a few remaining online.

I bought one this past weekend, new in the box. Im happy with my purchase so far, Id recommend it.

Post: #19

My MacBook Air was pretty sweet to travel with last year. The 13". Fits perfectly on my lap.

Post: #20

(04-17-2013 08:56 PM)Staros Wrote:  My MacBook Air was pretty sweet to travel with last year. The 13". Fits perfectly on my lap.

This. The 13" was specifically designed to fit the lap of those who sit-pee.

Post: #21

(04-17-2013 08:59 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

(04-17-2013 08:56 PM)Staros Wrote:  My MacBook Air was pretty sweet to travel with last year. The 13". Fits perfectly on my lap.

This. The 13" was specifically designed to fit the lap of those who sit-pee.

Lenovo X1 carbon. A real laptop with ultrabook feel...

Post: #22

I have a 13 inch macbook air and that was probably the best purchasing decision I made in 2012.

Post: #23

Good suggestions, but I am not taking anything close to 1000$ on the road with me.

For 250$, the chromebook seems perfect for my traveling needs.

No stress when I am staying in a shady motel, spending the night with a strange girl or carrying it around in public.

All I need when traveling is Internet, a word program to write in and a place to store photos.

Chromebook it is.

Post: #24

(04-18-2013 08:38 AM)youngmobileglobal Wrote:  I have a 13 inch macbook air and that was probably the best purchasing decision I made in 2012.

Do you miss not having a CD drive on it?

Post: #25

(04-18-2013 01:09 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

(04-18-2013 08:38 AM)youngmobileglobal Wrote:  I have a 13 inch macbook air and that was probably the best purchasing decision I made in 2012.

Do you miss not having a CD drive on it?

I haven't used a CD in a computer in probably eight years.