17" Laptop - to take or leave O/S.

[Geoff]

Hey all,
Firstly big apologies for not being around more. I miss this place. Life's been hell-ish of late. However, I'm soon to embark by myself on a trip to the UK/Europe for eight glorious weeks for a holiday, a pure holiday!! It should and will be bliss.

Anyway, I've always intended (since I booked my ticket) on taking my 17" Macbook Pro with me and even bought a new camera bag that will hold it. The last few days (I've only got a week before I fly out) I've been wondering if I should REALLY take it. I'm more inclined to take it but I'm having a few doubts. I have an iPhone (and will get local sim cards to make/receive calls etc and will get a small data allowance etc when I'm over there) and COULD use that. The purpose of the lappy is to:

1. Transfer photos to after shooting a few days.
2. Be able to (relatively) easily hop on the net and email family/friends (yes, I know there's a miriad of net cafe's etc all over Europe).
3. Try and maintain a travel blog (with photos) whilst I'm away.

Most of my trip I will be with friends and I think I will be in backpacker type accomodation maybe 15-20% of my entire time away, so safety/security isn't a huge issue for me.

Just wondering what others thought about me taking (or not) it.

Would value your comments/input/thoughts.

Cheers all.

Geoff.

[sirhc55]

Too big. Either get a netbook or use Internet cafes.

[Geoff]

Yeah, I see what you mean Chris, but it fits very well into my new camera bag/backpack.

[aim54x]

How far over your carry on limit are you with your camera gear?

I would go down the way of a netbook as well though.

[Geoff]

How far over your carry on limit are you with your camera gear?

I would go down the way of a netbook as well though.

Aim - not at all over. From that perspective it's fine. I lurve my MBP though

[paulmac]

Internet cafes are everywhere, but the prices were/are so variable it's ridiculous. Anywhere from 2 euros per hour to what seemed like 2 euros per minute...

I'd take your laptop... I took my 10" netbook! There was only a few places I had to pay for wifi. And of course you can use your laptop on trains and planes, rather than wasting valuable ground time.

Have an awesome trip!

[gstark]

I'd take a netbook.

Weight, size, comfort in use (try and use a MBP in cattle class on the plane).

[radar]

Geoff,

it is a lot of extra weight but if you are able to carry comfortably, take it. If you find it a problem when you get there, as you say, you will mostly be staying with friends, so leave it with them until you really want/need to carry it.

As to getting a netbook, I would look instead at getting a refurbished 13" Macbook, eg at Apple, $999. Domayne here had some for $900 last weekend, I'm sure with EOFY, there would be similar deals in Sydney. You can always wait to get to Europe and get something at Aldi

So, go ahead, be a pack mule

Have a great trip.

André

[surenj]

+1 Netbook or something small light ? IPAD

Using a MBP to blog and email is kind of overkill. Use MBP is you want to do color accurate editing (including HDR etc).

[gstark]

+1 Netbook or something small light ? IPAD

The iPad won't really support the image processing that he wants to do.

[wazonthehill2]

Too heavy
It is that simple
Excess baggage will add up, places can be very strict about carry weight. My computer bag just with note book and power pack etc has exceeded some airline limits!.

What I use is a net book. Does what is needed, it is light, the power pack is light.

Find the smallest and lightest option that works for you, and from personal experience, that is NOT a 17" note book.

Also the computer slot in the camera back pack is great for maps, guides and bits and pieces!

[aim54x]

Also the computer slot in the camera back pack is great for maps, guides and bits and pieces!

That is what mine does!