RTW - 6 months - 1 yr...

Whether to buy an iPad before a trip is of course a question of finances. If it is an insignifigant amount in your mind then fine. Or if your laptop is near the end of its lifespan anyway and you will want to replace it in any case, fine. Obviously mikehuxley, the decision has to make sense financially to the OP.

My wife's laptop died a death and rather than replacing it with another laptop, we opted for an iPad which then made her e-reader redundant. She would have travelled with her e-reader and used internet cafes for the odd check on e-mail etc. but going to the iPad means she carries no more than she did with the e-reader but also has wifi access to the internet. So obviously, it is a better choice if it makes finacial sense to go that way.

I still have to carry my KOBO e-reader as we can't both read from her iPad at the same time. I struggle over the decision of whether to take my e-reader or do without. When my laptop bites the dust I will probably buy another laptop. I can't stand the fiddly little keyboard on her iPad and the small screen. There is no one size fits all answer unfortunately.

O0f course if you are in the market for one anyway that is different, but I wouldn't buy one specifically to have whilst backpacking. They aren't in any way essential, but they are expensive and I'd rather spend the money on extending my trip!

I don't think we disagree mike. Generally, I am opposed to taking technology of any kind when travelling but my opinion has started changing with the advent of the iPad (and other tablets).

It replaces a phone, a computer, a camera (including 1080p video), an e-reader, a GPS and various other apps are available that can be of use to a traveller. That adds up to a lot of savings in both money and weight.

If I were in the market for any one of those functions I would consider covering them all with an iPad. Just look at the number of threads that are posted regarding phones. With an iPad, wi-fi access and VOIP you can make all your calls for free or pennies. NO cellphone can match that.

Again, I personally am not a fan of making phone calls home etc. while travelling but I also accept that what I prefer is not what everyone prefers. No one under age 40 these days seems to realize that a phone is not an extension of their arm. LOL

I think the fact that you have internet access on your Ipad is actually a disadvantage, as it makes it way too easy to be surfing the internet all the time. Internet cafes are everywhere and because they don't tend the most entertaining places to be, you are motivated to spend more time outside enjoying the country, rather than checking facebook or reading the news from back home. Also, the Ipad uses up a lot more battery than an e-reader and is more interesting for thieves around the world.

Osprey is definitely a great brand for backpacks, and agree with others that 80L is too much. I'd aim for perhaps 50-55L.

Taking any technology does require a measure of self discipline devino, I'd agree. I don't have a problem with that personally.

One of my major reasons for being against taking a cellphone or laptop has always been just what you mention. People can spend too much time on them. More importantly I think, they can use them as a 'crutch' to isolate themselves from their environment. It's easy to sit in a hostel Skypeing or messaging friends and family instead of getting out and meeting local people. I think it becomes a crutch in the sense that they don't actually 'leave home' so much as take a link to home with them.

As for packs, yes Osprey is a good brand, I'd suggest the Osprey Farpoint 40 or Osprey Porter 46 though as being big enough. Even 55L is more than needed for 3 season travel without camping gear. I manage with a 29L (second link in post #5) including room for an iPad if you want. ;-)

I would definitely take a Kindle! My husband and I both read ALOT and it allows us to take an infinite amount of reading material with us without the weight of lugging around multiple books.

If you decide to go with an e-reader for the trip consider getting some guide books for it ahead of time. We aren't big planners but by having a library of guidebooks at our disposal at all times me we can easily reference and research as we go. We are in the process of gearing up for a big RTW voyage leaving in late Aug '13 and we've also started credating some PDF's of lists of notes we've made that we can pull up on our kindles (like must visit places for different countries and cities almost like our own personal guide books).

In terms of your pack, I'm a 5'11 female and I would never consider anything over 55L. I travelled for 6 months with a 55L pack and this trip I've decided to invest in an even smaller one, I'm considering something in the 30-40L range but haven't gone to try different models yet.

Edited by: idge2006

Idge2006, re your e-reader guidebooks. Are you aware you can buy and download Lonely Planet guidebooks BY THE CHAPTER. So you don't have to buy the whole e-book, you can pick chapters individually which obviously costs less if you only want say 5 chapters on countries in Europe vs. All of Europe.

Yes! By the chapter is the way to go! Plus watch for sales & stock up, there's often coupon codes and special discounts

Thanklyou all, great advice!

So; for a pack I'm looking at an Osprey Sojourn 60L with an Osprey 33L day pack (I want a decent day pack that I can go for a day's walking with -I don't have to fill it)

I am tempted with the idea of an I-pad. I like the thought of having Skype, e-reader, e-mails and internet access all in the one device; the draw-back being I'm then tied into Apple e-books etc if I recall correctly? Which means I can't use any of the e-books I've already got on my Kindle...

Does anyone have any thoughts on these portable solar powered charging devices?

I'm planning on taking 3 cameras; one compact for slinging in handbags and pockets for nights out etc, one decent bridge camera for the amazing stuff (the combination worked well for me in China and Peru) and one waterproof one for scuba diving and snorkelling.

I've been to the travel clinic; they're suggesting immunisations againt rabies and Japanese B encephalitis...?

And being female ;-) .. I have a quandary about shoes! I'm thinking of following the rule of 3; one pair of Goretex 'soft' walking boots that are smart enough for casual about town but good enough for some decent hiking; one pair of deck shoes for general running around in and a pair of Merrell waterproof sandals. Can't stand the toe-posts in flipflops... I'm wondering if I might need anything smart-ish?
Problem is I have difficulty buying shoes to fit in the UK as it is, so I don't want to rely on having to buy something abroad. Same goes for clothes...

And last but not least; I'd love to do a stint on a tall ship somewhere... any thoughts / suggestions?

Thankyou!

Yes, you can read all of your Kindle books on an iPad (and iPhone). Just download the Kindle app, sign in and Bob's your uncle... all your Kindle purchases are there!