Laptop Travel Tips

When Travel Laptops became so small and powerful, the negative buzz regarding size and weight subsided. Laptops swiftly became practical for some, and now receive growing recognition as a nifty piece of travel kit.

Toss in internet connection and it becomes the traveller’s ultimate communication and research tool…and a shiny gadget to watch movies on over a banana milkshake

Here are a few tips to make life easier and help you get the most from your travel laptop whilst abroad.

Check the Voltage

Since supplies vary from country to country, checking the voltage of both your power pack and that of the supply before you travel will save any tears later on. Many laptop power supplies are now dual voltage (ie 110v – 240v 50/60Hz) but it doesn’t hurt to check.

Check the voltages at your proposed destinations here.

Adaptors

Kropla are a fantastic source of information for international plug pin configurations. More often than not some form of adaptor is needed abroad. Multipurpose travel adaptors, those with many different pin configurations, can be bought at airports immediate to departure (but at a premium) or beforehand if you plan accordingly. Alternatively, with a bit of a hunt around it’s often possible to purchase them for a fraction of the price within the country you need it for. This is a bit of a gamble, but not overly so – and the beauty of doing it this way is that if you are passing through several countries, you can just chuck it or pass this inexpensive version it on to someone else when it’s no longer required.

Know your Laptop

Familiarize yourself with your laptop and any required peripherals (such as modems etc) before you depart. Learn how to connect to the internet in as many different ways as you may be expected to, and set soft configurations prior to departure where possible (while you still have an internet connection!) Ensure you have all necessary drivers and software installed before you go because it’s way easier to get these things sorted in your home country than it is abroad.

Where wireless networking isn’t an option, a connection will need to be hardwired with a cable. And with more than 39 different styles of telephone jack worldwide, a bit of prior reading is sometimes necessary to find the right one for you and your laptop. The Worldwide Phone Guide has a heap of handy info on the different types of connectors, and this one tells you where they are used – and if you find yourself in need of phone jacks, adaptors or cables, Laptoptravel.com is just one of the places to try.

Once you are successfully connected, however, an ISP is still needed. You can search for ISPs by country at thelist.com, and some freebies are listed here & here.

 

Backup up your Data
Regardless of the length of trip, a laptop will be more at risk on the road. Since it’s more likely to get damaged or go missing when travelling, back up your data before you leave and regularly whilst away. Keep your backup either on CDs, DVDs, spare hard drive or a USB memory stick.

If you decide not to take the battery, carry your power pack with the laptop during airport transits in case officials with to visually inspect, or ‘hand check’, your laptop. Sometimes they want to see it turned on, so having everything to hand will save delays.

Batteries, to Take or not to Take?

A laptop is already an extra weight, so ask yourself whether you need to add to that with a battery as well. If you will most likely be working from a hotel room or cafe, the answer is probably no. It depends from person to person, but sometimes leaving it at home may work in your favour.

Never Put a Laptop in with Checked Luggage

When flying, always carry a laptop in hand luggage. Not only does checked baggage really gets put through the mill, but a checked in laptop stands a greater chance of going missing (either along with the whole bag or just a few other shiny things.)

On board the plane, where possible avoid putting the laptop in overhead storage - it’s got a long way to fall.

Ditch the Laptop Bag

Providing it’s not huge, you can slip it into one of your existing personal bags. This reduces the chances of it being forgotten and left loafing somewhere and also draws less attention. Bear the travel laptop in mind whenever buying new carry on travel bags since some will accommodate (and protect) it better than others.

Extra Laptop Protection

Sea Kayaking/Dive bags are perfect for waterproofing a laptop during transit. Just slip it in, roll the top down, clip it shut and you’re away. They’re relatively inexpensive and will keep your laptop 100% bone dry.

After sealing it in the Kayak bag, wrap the laptop securely in your available clothes and place it toward the most rigid part of your luggage. For both suitcases and rucksacks this is usually toward the back.

 

Travel With your Laptop Documents

Carrying copies of original receipts will save any possible confusion at customs when re-entering your home country. At the end of the day, the onus is on you to prove that you didn’t purchase the item abroad. If you can’t prove it you could get unjustly stung for tax and duty.

On another note, a copy of your warranty along with pertinent customer service contact details is invaluable if your laptop packs up abroad.