Post: #1

Whenever I travel I tend to leave my laptop at home. I do so because my laptop is kinda heavy and bulky (fairly ancient 12" IBM ThinkPad model) and I prefer to travel light (35 litre backpack that fits into airline overhead bins). Also, for me, it is nice to "unplug" from the computer, especially while I am on vacation, to enjoy the organic qualities of the experience (talking with people in a cafe vs. sitting in a corner hunched over my laptop texting with people). So, until now I usually traveled with a simple flip phone that lasts 2-3 weeks on a single charge.

However, I have come to see the advantages of staying connected while on vacation. For one, I can make travel arrangements, book hotels, set up dates, check personal e-mail, update my CV/apply for jobs (it's happened before), etc. Not to mention I can load up some foreign language video lessons or travel guides to pass the time if I'm stuck waiting for a train or flight (most of my travel involves trains, planes and good 'ole hoofing it).

As the thread title suggests, I am looking for something lightweight, durable and compact. Probably there are a lot of you on here with more travel miles and experience under your belts, so I thought you might be able to impart some of your wisdom as I make a decision on what to purchase.

So basically, I am looking at 3 main options: 1. Apple MacBook Air 11", 2. Apple MacBook Air 13", 3. Apple iPad mini retina. What I am especially interested in hearing about from your experiences is having a real keyboard vs. not having one for typing, as this is probably what most differentiates the MBA from the iPAD.

Yes, I seem set to go with an Apple product. I am not really a fanboy or particularly status-minded. But I am willing to pay good money for a well-made product. I say this typing on my ThinkPad which has multiple cracks in the plastic case for no explicable reason (I babied this computer--always put away in a case, never dropped it, never really carted it around, etc.). I am open to suggestions for other Apple products or non-Apple products (as long as this doesn't turn into one of those dreaded PC vs Apple opinion-based debates).

I have also considered getting by with just a smartphone, but I don't know if this would be a viable solution for the purposes stated above. Again, I would be interested in hearing about your experiences.

I should finally add that this device is not meant to be used for work (I leave that shit at home), but if the odd emergency comes up, perhaps the capability would be nice? Hmm...

Thanks in advance for your response.

Post: #2

My company uses exclusively Lenovo computers, and the only time our Thinkpads have cosmetic problems is when they're abused. I'm speaking only for the T and X series though, the family you have might be fragile. Ideapad is their cheap line.

Not sure how much effort it is to replace an LCD panel on a MacBook, but on Thinkpads I can do it in 15 minutes or less (they're designed to be easy) and the panel cost is anywhere from $100 to $250 depending on the age of the computer.

If you buy an iPad make sure to get one of those armored-type cases like otterbox.

Post: #3

You can pick up an iBook g4 for 50 bucks on eBay. It will get the job done and if it gets stolen or cracked, no big deal. If it was me, I would buy a cheap laptop and put Linux on it.

Post: #4

You can also get a keyboard for the iPad

Post: #5

Having a smart phone is the most important. Getting a local sim card with data will change your travel experience forever. Having maps at your finger tips, changing airbnb arrangements in the app, etc... Plus it helps when a girl sees you using a local #.

I would suggest starting with getting an iPhone 6+. This is not that much smaller than an iPad mini. It is really easy to consume content with a phone so big. I have one and love it.

If you find you must have a keyboard then a MacBook Air will be more than enough power. I would not suggest buying one now as it is far into the most recent sales cycle and you can expect a new version to be coming out in the next few months.

This is a great way to keep up with this...
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac

Post: #6

(02-18-2015 12:29 PM)DirectDanger Wrote:  Having a smart phone is the most important. Getting a local sim card with data will change your travel experience forever.

I know this thread isn't about cell phones but speaking of this topic, I have t-mobile. I can go to 127 countries and I don't need to buy another sim card. I get unlimited data, text, and if I make a phone call, it's 15 cents per minute unless I use wifi, then it's free. My phone bill in the states is 50 bucks a month with no contract. I must have used 10 gigabyte
of data in colombia and brazil and never paid a dime more than my 50 bucks contract.

Post: #7

Unlocked iPhone and get a SIM card as soon as you arrive in a new country.

Post: #8

I take my Ipad with a keyboard cover case. Works pretty great. I can't do some things that I need a laptop for, but its "good enough". Been able to send faxes and stuff like that even using one of the apps for my MYFAX account, etc.

I think if you get a t-mobile one with data, you may be able to get the unlimited 2G international Data they provide. Can't use Whatsapp on it though unless you do some tricks to it.

Post: #9

When you're staying at hotels, B&Bs (Airbnbs) and the like, do you find it handy to have a laptop for watching movies when you have a chick over? Not that this should be the deciding factor, but I wonder if having the ability to watch movies is useful in this circumstance.

I have an unlocked iPhone 5 that I got on the cheap.

Post: #10

Tmobile is 3G, and whatsapp works fine. Outside of big cities it's 2G, but whatsapp still works.

Post: #11

(02-19-2015 03:11 PM)elcidcampeador Wrote:  Tmobile is 3G, and whatsapp works fine. Outside of big cities it's 2G, but whatsapp still works.

My tmobile is 4g LTE

Post: #12

I meant internationally, same 4G lte for me in the US.

Post: #13

Microsoft Surface 3 Pro.

See the promo videos. Yes it lives up to the hype in those videos, as I have used it personally. It's basically a fully blown laptop in a tablet.

For a phone, if you're scared about your high end posh phone (and perhaps you should be), get a good mid range phone at a fraction of the price. I recommend LG 65/70/90 (see diffs at gsmarena).

Again I have used them personally (LG 65 and 70) and they work absolutely great for all intents and purposes.

Camera: Even your iphone doesn't compare to a good low range digital camera. I recommend Lumix FS50, it's super small and light weight and takes great photos. Cost me 70 Euro.

Of course if you want really professional photos you need a higher end camera than that. But for the average guy it's more than fine. Source: I have it.

Post: #14

(02-19-2015 01:49 AM)Drazen Wrote:  I take my Ipad with a keyboard cover case. Works pretty great. I can't do some things that I need a laptop for, but its "good enough". Been able to send faxes and stuff like that even using one of the apps for my MYFAX account, etc.

I think if you get a t-mobile one with data, you may be able to get the unlimited 2G international Data they provide. Can't use Whatsapp on it though unless you do some tricks to it.

PLEASE tell us more about your set-up, please! What's your keyboard like? (There are so many choices. And of varying utility and user satisfaction.)

A Retina iPad adds unneeded weight. Last I looked, without Retina = 1 pound. With Retina screen = 1.5pounds. If so, why not just take an 11" MacBookAir (at about 2.5 pounds)?

So, those are my outfit-thoughts for max mobility and utility. Any additional considerations are welcome.

Post: #15

Any type of world phone will do, just make sure it is unlocked.

I've been rocking a blackberry q10. With a good hard case, it lives up to the durability of the older Blackberry models. The q20 though is a lot better though.

Whatever phone you get, just make sure to get a hard case with it.

Post: #16

I'll second the Surface Pro 3. Have played with one in the store and it's very fast. I want one of those NFL protective cases though.

Before the 3 came out I went the cheap route and purchased an 8" Lenovo Miix2 tablet. Since it's a real windows device, just one of those Bluetooth keyboard cases for the iPad won't work for me (lack of mouse). I wish the Surface keyboard was BT so it'd work with other devices. I did find one of these and will be ordering soon:



This is a Bluetooth keyboard with a built-in mouse stick like a Thinkpad.

Post: #17

This was the best travel set up that I have ever used.


Too bad the phone ended up being a pain in the ass with all of motorolas software, but the idea was spot on.

Do any companies make a set up like this anymore?

Post: #18

*Edit-

Clambook appears to be releasing a smartphone powered laptop.

Post: #19

Well there's the ASUS padfone, where it docks into a larger screen, but then you're still without a keyboard.

Post: #20

Interesting setups here, but it's also important not to rely on highly specialized equipment that you can't replace in case you lose it.

Make sure all data is always backed up and the equipment you are using can be re-bought in a heartbeat (at the nearest large electronics shop or with a quick amazon order).

Also eye catchers (like some of the pics above and anything with an apple symbol on it) are usually a no-no as they make you a more attractive target for thieves.

Post: #21

I'm an Apple fan, I have a Macbook Pro, kind of heavy but I need the power.

A macbook air seems great if you don't have to edit video. You can watch videos, download movies, use maps, it's very small and light so you can easily carry, but the Retina ones are coming as has been mentioned so I would buy an older used one so you don't lose out as much when you upgrade.

I also have an iPad but the lack of a file system to easy store and download files is a pain, you have to do everything through Apple's system, no memory card slot, hard to get data in and out of. If you are ONLY viewing data, like web pages etc and don't have to do much else with it-- like a lot of typing etc, it is quite small and a lovely engineering marvel.

Post: #22

(02-24-2015 06:34 AM)Orson Wrote:  

(02-19-2015 01:49 AM)Drazen Wrote:  I take my Ipad with a keyboard cover case. Works pretty great. I can't do some things that I need a laptop for, but its "good enough". Been able to send faxes and stuff like that even using one of the apps for my MYFAX account, etc.

I think if you get a t-mobile one with data, you may be able to get the unlimited 2G international Data they provide. Can't use Whatsapp on it though unless you do some tricks to it.

PLEASE tell us more about your set-up, please! What's your keyboard like? (There are so many choices. And of varying utility and user satisfaction.)

A Retina iPad adds unneeded weight. Last I looked, without Retina = 1 pound. With Retina screen = 1.5pounds. If so, why not just take an 11" MacBookAir (at about 2.5 pounds)?

So, those are my outfit-thoughts for max mobility and utility. Any additional considerations are welcome.

I have the Logitech Keyboard Case. Its pretty handy. The thing with the ipad is I can take it out quickly in a Starbucks (although I always have my phone with me) or in an Airport. In some airports, like I believe Heathrow, they only give you 30 minutes or an hour of internet, so I do it on my Ipad and my phone as two separate connections.

I guess if I had a MacBook Air and I needed to do real work, I'd use that. I just haven't bothered to buy one.

The thing that will add weight is the charger for the Macbook Air.

I use a high powered USB charger just like this for basically everything except my Canon Point and Shoot S95:

http://www.tekrevue.com/take-control-usb...b-charger/

I use the Apple Office apps, Dropbox and Evernote for business purposes. As well as the Gmail App. I have a Dongle for the Ipad where I can add photos from an SD card. I like to Instagram too, so I instagram on the Ipad, can't do that with a laptop.

Post: #23

Also, if you're in the US and travel where Sprint has coverage, I would recommend getting a FreedomPop device. Be very wary that you'll need to downgrade off the paid plan for it to stay free. There's a slickdeals thread full of e-mail addresses you can add as "freedom friends" to bump the 500mb monthly free allotment up to 1 GB. Not bad for a freebie.

Access to the 4G networks (LTE and WiMAX) are free, the 3G/EVDO network will cost $4 a month. I'm currently paying for 3G access and rollover since I don't use all of it every month, and basically save it for when I'm on vacations.

I've been with FP since they first started up so have used three different devices:

Photon (traded in for LTE MiFi):

- WiMAX only so limited to bigger cities mostly
- Connects to your computer with RNDIS over USB (native driverless tethering)
- No external antenna ports


MiFi 500:

- Multi-band and future-proof. Has 3G/EVDO on both 800/1900 bands. Has LTE on current and future planned deployment bands 800/1900/2500
- Supports Sprint Spark so is very fast
- RNDIS over USB tethering
- No external antenna ports though


Franklin U600:

They gave this one away free for black friday

- WiMAX and 3G/EVDO support
- Reason they give these away is because WiMAX will be shutdown this fall and you'll probably have to pay for 3G access after that.
- External antenna ports
- Requires driver software and connection manager to be loaded (unless used with a Cradlepoint router), is Linux compatible


You probably will have to pay up-front for one of the devices, but they do treat that money as a deposit and generally give you credit when trading up. My advice is to get an LTE device that way you don't have to worry about the free access going away when WiMAX dies.

Post: #24

I've been rocking a MBA 13" for the last six months and couldn't be happier. No need to bring my charger with me on short weekend trips, it's a good looking rig, and has enough juice to stay connected and get my work I need to accomplish done.

Of course, I run a Windows rig as my main desktop at home and wouldn't ever change from that

I've tried keyboards on a Kindle, iPad, and other tablets and it just doesn't cut it for me. You can get more bang for your buck in raw power with any Windows device than the MBA, but the MBA is hands down the best keyboard and trackpad on a laptop I've ever used.

If money is an issue at all find a friend who is in school or works for the government and they'll be eligible for a ~$100 or so discount. I managed to snag mine on sale for $850 last year, and with a ~$300 Best Buy credit too, got a solid deal.

Post: #25

(02-24-2015 01:09 PM)Laner Wrote:  This was the best travel set up that I have ever used.


Too bad the phone ended up being a pain in the ass with all of motorolas software, but the idea was spot on.

Do any companies make a set up like this anymore?

I love these set ups too. Judging from what I found online, there are alternatives to the bloatware that Motorola installs. Cyanogenmod seems to be the most popular:
https://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=mb886