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Comment by Allan Lynch on September 20, 2009 at 11:00am

Yeah, I have a MacBook Pro which I love, but it doesn't fit in any normal laptop bag. I've been given five bags in the last year and none fit it.

I don't take my laptop out of the country. For one thing, as a Canadian/foreigner, travelling to the U.S. I run the risk of having it confiscated by US customs. A number of travellers have mentioned having their harddrives searched and laptops taken away - sometimes for hours, others for indefinite periods.

And since much of my work involves Europe, I find taking the laptop inconvenient. It's extra weight and extra worry. Plus there's the hassle of different electrical currents and the need for converters. There are plenty of internet cafes where I can dash in and for very little money check emails and empty out the stupid jokes from my inbox. Canadian High Commissions also provide free internet service to travelling Canadians.

I also don't have tight deadlines that require me filing from the road. I keep in constant contact with my editors so they know when I'm home and when I'm away and where and that it may be a while before I can be reached (I do keep a cell phone in London that works all over Europe, so in an emergency they can reach me via it).

On the road I love to take time each day to sit in a cafe or pub and make notes in a moleskin notebook (er, that's a real paper notebook, not a brand of computer). I find my observations and comments are vastly different from the notes I make on a computer screen. I like the "colour" pen and paper contribute.

My other issue with travelling with technology is that it becomes a type of disconnect to the place. If I have my laptop with me, I usually end up emailing the same people I converse with all the time and visit the same websites as opposed to being out on the streets of this foreign destination.

So I travel with my camera, microcassette recorder, pens and paper. It's old fashioned, but practical.

Comment by José Balido on September 20, 2009 at 10:24am

I don't have one yet, but I think Netbooks are the way to go for travel writers on the go.... My own laptop has like a 19" screen, which is great for graphics work I do, but it's a PAIN for lugging on the road. I even had to buy a special over-sized bookbag for it!

Comment by Ed Wetschler on September 20, 2009 at 10:07am

Joyce, I love the Verizon Fios deal that throws in a free Netbook. Only downside is, you're stuck with Verizon service. Verizon service. Oxymoron.

Comment by Joyce Copeland on September 20, 2009 at 10:03am

I just bought a Netbook. Small, light. Incredibly easy to use. I love it!

Comment by Ed Wetschler on September 20, 2009 at 9:43am

Mary Alice, I never travel without my laptop because I'm most comfortable doing emails etc. in my room--especially on a rush-rush trip. Many hotels will waive the wi-fi fee for travel writers. In addition, I need the laptop for photography. But if you don't mind putting clothes back on to go downstairs to the business center, if you're not taking a lot of large photos, and/or if you're carrying plenty of memory discs (may I please borrow one for my head?), then certainly, it's much easier on the soul to travel light.

Comment by Mary Alice Kellogg on September 19, 2009 at 11:29pm

Hi guys:
Am so glad to be in contact and to hear all your thoughts. Am going to Copenhagen/Stockholm on the 21st and they're really doing a major "go green" push -- tho as in all press trips it's a forced march mit jetlag. Will be back on the 28th and while am doing it for Everett Potter's Travel Report blog, am looking for any/all assignments that actually might bring money to the till. Know that I'm an old Copenhagen hand and do spirit of place quite well.
Happy trails to all, and will be in touch after September 28th. I don't travel with the laptop as the hotels I'm staying in have (for a fee: fie!) business centers. The weight/adapters are just too much, especially without an immediate deadline.
Any thoughts on whether it's worth it to take equipment abroad, if one isn't blogging but has old-fashioned future deadlines?
Cheers, Mary Alice

Comment by David Paul Appell on September 19, 2009 at 10:06pm

Good for you, Lise! You should consider posting in Hotels/Motels etc and Eco/Sustainable Tourism, as well. Good luck with the new venture!

Comment by Lise Tyrrell on September 19, 2009 at 9:24pm

I have just launched a new website with my international partners. We're offering free classes on going green. Our target audience is hotels but its also for regular people as well. Take a look: http://www.ecohelpline.com. You might learn something and best of all, it's free.

Comment by José Balido on September 18, 2009 at 6:44pm

Hi folks!
Susan Hartzler, Editor-In-Chief of DIY Doggie, is looking for properties to review in the new publication DIY Doggie. The premier issue will be live on the iPhone and iPod Touch with dedicated iTune's applications on October 5. They will add a travel section in the November issue reviewing hotels and resorts that are dog friendly. She's currently looking for a property in New York City to visit in October for the November issue. DIY Doggie will be available for download to 48 million people. If you have any suggestions, please post them here! Thanks!

Comment by José Balido on September 18, 2009 at 2:00pm

Howdy folks, for those of you in the know on Texas......... Let's help out the new Houston Tourism Examiner for Examiner.com, Stephanie Moreland, who needs Texas travel story ideas. She's especially interested in things that are within close proximity to Houston. Anything pertaining to budget travel, culinary travel, outdoor adventure, and festivals and special events are of interest. If you have any leads, please post them here, and indicate if you have photos available, and we'll get the info to Stephanie! Thanks!!

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