Backpacks or Suitcase?

I would go with a suitcase since it holds more and is easier to pack.

I've been in this boat b/4 and find myself there more and more frequently as I'm now 40 and understand better the social benefits of personal hygine. My vote would be to go with a nice sized roller bag for this trip. As you say you are going to be in one place for a while and then at another place for a while with no trekking. Since this means that you more than likely won't be running from bus to bus and such I feel that you'll find it much easier to pull you bag on wheels than lug it on your back.

You don't need a huge one since if you do find that you've bought a bunch of stuff you can always pick up a knock off Northface backpack for $10USD's and load that up with your goodies. Then when you get home you can give it to your neice or nephew or the neighbor kid down the street. I think I must have 3 packs at home because of this same situation.

Hell this way you can even bring some "nice" clothes with you (with out rolling them up in a little ball) and enjoy an up-scale eve. out on the town if you happen to run into a nice lady.

Why not a soft bag with pack handles that fold away, use as backpack or suitcase but opens like a suitcase so you gear is neater.We used backpacks for years but last trip bought one of these and find it quite good.

There are backpacks available that with wheels on the bottom and straps on the top, can be used in either mode. Just think, you can rouse the ire of both backpackers and conventional travelers for the price of 1 piece of luggage!

If you know where you are staying and won't be moving around much, then a suitcase would be fine.
When I travelled to Europe, (1 week hotel in London, 3 weeks Contiki, 2 weeks backpacking in Poland, 1 week hotel in Paris) I took a suitcase and the only time I wished it was a backpack was in poland, in hostels. I took a backpack for 5 weeks in thailand - very glad I did.
But I agree, it is far easier to pack a suitcase, and definately more room to buy things. If you aren't moving around a lot with no planned accommodation, then a suitcase will be fine.

If you ever go to India and look around bus, train, or airports the ONLY people who use rucksacks are TOURISTS. ALL the locals use hard cases they can chain where ever they are sleeping. After my first trip to India 11 years ago I bought a suitcase and I have used it ever since. It has never let me down. I would pick up a GOOD trolly as the wheels on most cases are a waste of time. My case has been through hell and back and keeps coming back for more. No rucksack could stick the pace. When it gets filthy just take it in the shower with you before you open it. When the going gets tough you will ALWAYS find someone who would LOVE to carry it for you. I am in Laos now and I would NEVER go back to a rucksack. A valuable lesson learnt in India. The worst abuse it suffered was when the bus driver was jumping up and down in it to get it into the back of his bus beneath an iron gurder. Two huge scores on it from the gurder. I don't know which was funnier watching him do it or the looks on the backpackers as they knew their rucksacks were next. If you can't be bothered carrying it down steps just chuck it down and pick it up at the bottom. Most have 3-5 year gurantees. Don't let those who are predjuced put you off. One last thing, with a hard case you are never short of a seat!!!

with a good set of wheels very few places you cant drag it.
and u dont have to hunch over and look like an underpaid porter.
one time i carried thru cambodia and laos and it was dreadful cause i have a lot of weight.
think about it, all those places like vang vieng bus station to the river , hell u can drag easy and arrive relaxed.