Luggage and laptops.
For the trips I'm planning (Italy this summer and USA: west coast next year), I'll be taking a notebook along with me. I'd rather sacrifice footwear (not being much of a girly-girl anyway) than this - and I think it's a better plan than lugging along lots of paper notepads and extra travel resources. I can also use it for checking out routes/accommodation etc ahead of time if I veer from 'the plan'.Firstly, I'd like to know can anyone recommend luggage that would accommodate some kind of safe, and discreet, laptop storage?
Secondly, what are the best options with regards to internet access, if I need it? Would a dongle work, or am I best waiting for chancing across places with wifi?
Any advice you might think is appropriate is definitely welcome!
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Luggage?Here is my choice for Italy in the summer or the US west coast. Vaude Triset 25+4.
Here is a link to my packing list that would suit the trips you are thinking of. I'm a guy but you will see I note the differences in my wife's packing vs. mine.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2280830
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travelinstyle46Thank you! I have actually already read your post about the 'rule of three' and found it very useful! I'll probably end up taking a day dress too, but the rule of three is very helpful - doesn't take much effort to was one set of clothes. Also saw another packing list with things like a pegless clothes line (or shoelaces), which will certainly come in handy when I'm away with a male friend next year in America, rather than hunting for laundry services. Think he'd rather that than walking into the bathroom to find my knickers on show! haha.
Thanks for the backpack recommendation - I shall look into them!
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Firstly, I would be buying a notebook that's small enough to fit into your handbag. Never, never pack a computer (or anything of value) into checked luggage.If you are going to invest in hardware, rather than rely on free wifi, you have a number of options.
Dongle is one - but it will only operate your laptop.
If you have an unlocked smartphone, like an iPhone or a Galazy, and a local SIM, you can set up a personal hotspot and operate your laptop from that.
You can buy a pocket wireless broadband modem which you can use to operate several devices. It also sets up a personal wifi hotspot.
I'm not sure how common free wifi is in Italy, but on the west coast of the US it's everywhere so I wouldn't bother with either the modem or the dongle.
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evamelbThank you for the information! I'll ask around, though I think I'd need to take one really to make sure as I'm sure I'll have coursework to submit in that time. The ups and downs of doing a degree 'at home'.
TheCityLane
Thank you for the suggestions on bags. I was thinking a smaller hand luggage bag might be the best option, so I appreciate the comments. I'll certainly have a search for the brands you mentioned too - they do look nice!
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Maybe this thread will be of some use to you KW.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2297311
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Here is an example of an excellent travel pack which might suit you if it fits you.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMPJsXZxAO8
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Here is a thread on what pack to buyhttp://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2297311&messageID=20695468#20695468
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Do you have a sewing machine, or access to one? I made a clutch-bag-type case for my notebook from shower curtain fabric, padded with wadding, and with a shoulder strap of the same fabric (extra rows of lengthwise stitching to reinforce). It protected my computer all the way across China and was still small enough to stow in my day-bag.12
If you want a separate sleeve why not simply buy one to put in your pack? They're readily available and cheap.http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/category/laptop-sleeves/27001.aspx
The travel pack I linked has built in sleeves as the video shows. No need for a separate sleeve.
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