The Traveler’s Guide To Choosing The Right Laptop
Choosing the right travel laptop is a process of knowing your options, narrowing down what you’re really looking for, and understanding what features are costing you money. A traveler’s laptop is an important companion – it can be your phone, travel planner, and office all in one – so no wonder it’s one gadget you can’t travel without.
There is no perfect or best laptop – they vary based on your needs and how you travel. It’s like trying to narrow down the “best car” or “best backpack”. Selecting a laptop is a personal decision that’s made much easier when you know have a formula to follow, and hopefully after reading this guide you’ll have one.
Ultra-Light Netbooks
Netbooks are all the rage, especially among travelers. A netbook is a class of laptops that are ultra-small (screens roughly 25cm/10 inches or less) and weigh around 1kg (~2-3lbs). On top of that they also tend to be much less expensive than classic laptops usually running around $250-400. You can see why netbooks are popular with travelers – they also run specially designed processors that run cooler and give longer battery life as a result.
So What’s The Catch?
Netbooks do have some drawbacks however, despite their obvious advantages. For starters they’ve got smaller screens and keyboards so if you’re a bit fat fingered or will be working long hours on extended trips they might not be ideal. Also netbooks don’t usually come with optical (CD or DVD) drives and get sluggish when running processor-intensive applications like Photoshop.
- Processors are a bit slower and hard drives are limited to 160-250GB.
- Upgrading the processor or memory (RAM) in a netbook can cost 15-20% more than conventional laptops parts.
- Netbooks already average 3-5 hours on a single charge but here are 8 more ways to extend battery even more.
The most popular operating system running on netbooks is Windows (XP and 7) followed by several distributions of Linux. While Apple doesn’t have a netbook in their lineup, you can still run Mac OS X on the Dell Mini series netbooks (here’s how).
Windows Vs. Mac…and Linux?
What’s better, what’s the difference, and what the heck is Linux are the most common questions when it comes to these 3 operating systems (OS). Basically (in grandiose oversimplification) – Mac OS X is specifically designed to work on Apple hardware whereas Windows 7 isn’t as picky. You have to pay for both and, well, Linux is free and runs on just about anything.
When searching for the right travel operating system for your laptop you need to know what to focus on; here are the basics:
- Windows (specifically Windows 7) - Since everyone except Apple sells laptops bundled with Windows (which isn’t picky about hardware), Windows-based laptops are usually much cheaper than equivalent Macs. Windows 7, the latest version, is pretty smooth resolving the disaster that was Vista.
- Mac OS X - Being made to run on specific hardware resolves a lot of the issues and crashing Windows machines are known for. On the down side Macs are also more expensive (anywhere from 30% on up). On the plus side you can run Windows part-time on any Mac using virtual machines.
- You can save money on Macbooks by buying refurbished from Apple’s website and save even more by using free alternative software for digital nomads.
- Some software runs only on Windows or only on Mac. Typically if it works on Mac it works on Linux. Many of your existing Windows programs from CD or DVD won’t install on Mac but you can try using WineBottler to run downloaded .exe files.
Most people also think that Macs don’t get viruses which isn’t quite true. Attacks are on the rise as Apple increases it’s market share (about 10-15% right now) and while there aren’t any attacks on the OS itself, there are plenty of vulnerable applications. That said, currently threats are far and few between.
Wait, What Is Linux Again?
Linux is the name of a group of operating systems better known as distributions or “distros”. Almost all of them are open source and free and will run on just about any laptop you can think of. Dell even now lets you order laptops running the Ubuntu distribution of Linux so you don’t have to pay for Windows, saving you $50-100.
- Linux does take some getting used to but you can get your feet wet by playing with portable Linux on a USB stick or using the ever handy virtual machine on your existing Windows or Mac computer.
- Learn how to pick the Linux distro for you.
Most of the software you’re likely to use on the road like Skype, Firefox, Tweetdeck, and Microsoft Office will work on all 3 operating systems. For casual computing budget travelers, it really boils down to price. Linux is free but not as intuitive, Windows is familiar but can be wonky at times, and Macs are efficient but come with a hefty price tag.
Hardware – What’s Important And How Much Does It Cost?
Aside from the things you can see (screen, keyboard, pretty exterior color), there are 4 major components of any new laptop traveler’s need to understand and evaluate.
Processor - This is the main computing chip and is measured in Gigahertz (Ghz). The faster the processor the faster applications run. Still, if you’re just browsing the web and typing a document every now and they you aren’t likely to notice the difference between a 1.8Ghz and 2.1Ghz machine. Unless you’re doing a lot of graphic design, photo editing, or gaming, save your money and get the default option.- Memory (RAM) - The more memory you have the more programs you can run at once. Don’t skimp or go overboard either – 2 or 4GB of RAM is enough for most people and RAM is a relatively inexpensive upgrade.
- Hard Drive - It’s where all of your data is stored. Space is cheap and useful for travelers who take a lot of digital photos. Hard drive space is inexpensive and yon can squeeze out more space by compressing files and using services like PicasaWeb (thanks Akila!) Much like picking the right backpack, you’ll fill up a hard drive no matter how big or little – shoot for the middle ground (currently 160-250GB).
- Battery Life - When picking out a laptop battery (if you have the option) make sure you also evaluate the weight too. Longer battery life can correspond to heavier so be careful. Netbooks (~4 hours) and the latest Macbooks Pros (~7 hours) are a good blend of the two.
Going Location Independent?
When your laptop doubles as your office it’s a good idea to consider, budget, and make space in your bags for a backup laptop in case of a hard drive crash or one becomes disabled. Netbooks make great backup devices both in terms of size and cost but the hardware is only the beginning.
- Save your data off-site by using these free online backup tools and clone your system to get up and running again quickly.
- Don’t bother with extended warranties – most of which you can’t use when traveling long-term anyway. A manufacturer’s warranty of a year or so is usually enough to cover defects. (If you purchase an Apple, any of their stores worldwide will honor the warranty, just call your local Apple customer service first.)
- Get advanced waring of impending hard drive failures using free software.
- Protect client data with Truecrypt hidden folders.
- Perform your own basic computer repairs with a Victorinox Cybertool, one of 9 expensive travel gadgets worth buying.
It’s a bit more cumbersome to find parts for Macs in some parts of the world and opening up Macbook Pros is a little more work than many Dell, HP, or ASUS notebooks – another good reason to have a backup if it takes some time to have parts shipped out to you.
Ready To Make The Leap?
By now you’ve hopefully gotten a better idea of your options, the costs, and all of the ways you can get what you want in a single laptop. Once you do decide on “the one” be sure to get down with locking down your laptop (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3), adding these 8 un-sexy accessories, and learn how to become a traveling digital ninja.
[photos by: Michal Osmenda (top picture), zieak (netbook), kwerfeldein (Mac user), Wolfie Fox (computer chips), Giorgio Montersino (laptop by water)]
A Boat In Boracay, Philippines
June 11, 2010 by Anil P.
Filed under Pictures and Video
Boracay is an island south of Manila in the Philippines and very popular with both tourists and locals alike. It’s grown in popularity over the past few years although for the most part, it’s not crammed with people like other well known Southeast Asian beach destinations. Boracay, which I visited back in 2006, is one of 5 popular tourist destinations that won’t disappoint you and one of my favorite places in the world.
These small boats shuttle people to and from the small airport (about an hour flight from Manila) to Boracay island. You’ll have to carry your bags over your head to get to the boats and the ride is about 10 minutes. To best avoid the crowds and get great deals on hotels and fights, plan your trip to Boracay right before the rainy season in the first week or two of May.
Here are some more images from Boracay and around the rest of the Philippines.
Have You Ever Felt Bouncy After A Flight, Cruise, Or Car Ride? [POLL RESULTS]
June 10, 2010 by Anil P.
Filed under Health and Fitness, Polls
Based on your comments and the results of a poll I took last week, many of you have occasionally felt “landsick” – that persistent bouncy feeling several hours or days after a long flight or boat ride. I explained why you feel bouncy and came across Mal de Debarquement syndrome, a condition where the feeling lasts for years after.
Have You Ever Felt Bouncy After A Flight, Cruise, Or Car Ride?
- Yes, it happens often (55%, 11 Votes)
- It's happened, but rarely (30%, 6 Votes)
- No, I don't know what you're talking about (15%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 20
Loading ...In the coming weeks I’ll have an interview with someone who suffers from Mal de Debarquement syndrome to learn more about what it’s like living with that feeling constantly, 3 years after a boat ride. For most of us however, you can reduce the symptoms of landsickness by reducing your flight delay stress, honing that energy positively, or putting (acu)pressure on the inside of the your wrist.
5 Places to Entertain Kids in Leeds, England
June 9, 2010 by Anil P.
Filed under Guest Post
This is a guest post by Darren Cronian, who writes the popular Travel Rants blog. In addition to Travel Rants, he also writes My Life In Leeds, a comprehensive online guide to the city. I’ve been following Darren’s writing for years and it was my pleasure to publish this guest post from him.
Come to Leeds either on a short break or day trip and you will find that there is a lot to do and see for kids. This guide will give you some ideas to entertain all of the family during the school holidays. Here are our favorites:
1. Free Child Friendly Museum
The Leeds City Museum in Millennium Square is open from 11:00 a.m. every day except Monday, and admission is free. There is even a special Learning Room with events for the kids on school holidays.
The animal/nature exhibit may be the most enticing for children, but the Mummy in the Egyptian exhibit also fascinates, and a beautifully presented history of the city is fascinating, especially for adults who grew up right here.
2. Burn Off Some Energy In The Vast Parkland
Kirkstall Abbey, just 3.5 miles from the City Centre, is the most complete and best-preserved Cistercian abbey in the U.K. Located in lovely parkland on the banks of the River Aire, the grounds are ideal for walking, cycling or picnics.
The reconstructed abbey offers a wonderful view of the way monks and Laybrothers lived and worked hundreds of years ago, with interactive displays that are both educational and fun.
3. Not As Boring As It Sounds, Very Educational
Thackray Museum, about 2.5 miles from City Centre, offers a truly impressive look at medicine and medical practices past, present and future, including the sounds, sights and smells of a back street in Victorian-era Leeds, where visitors can follow the lives and ailments of ‘real’ characters living amongst the bedbugs, rats and fleas. Kids especially seem to love the realistic gory Victorian operating theatre.
4. Let The Kids Run Free
Roundhay Park, to the northeast of Leeds, is one of the largest city parks in the U.K. with over 700 acres of woodlands, lakes, parkland and gardens. It was originally a 13th century hunting park, but now it is filled with delightful exhibits including Tropical World, with amazing creatures such as the Arrowana fish, which leaps up to 8 feet in the air to catch insects and small birds. New additions are a colony of meerkats and a trio of crocodiles.
5. Bird Garden, Animals, And Open Space
Lotherton Hall is an Edwardian country house set in gorgeous parkland, about 13 miles northeast of Leeds City Centre. The nature trails, red deer park and bird garden are best enjoyed in clement weather, but the costume and other exhibits are a real treat for young and old alike at any time. The Nightingale Gallery is also a venue for exhibitions by local artists.
Hopefully this guide has given you a taste of what there’s to do and see in Leeds for kids. Read more guides on attractions in Leeds, on My Life in Leeds, a locally written guide. Thank you Darren for the guest post!
[photos by: Leeds City Museum and Kirkstall Abbey by dcronian, timojazz (Thackray Museum), tricky (Roundhay Park), Drown (Lotheron Hall bird park)]
