Buzz
'Should I bring a laptop, tablet, or mobile phone when traveling?' is a common question during journeys. Dave Dean, a travel blogger from New Zealand, shares insightful tech advice to help answer this question.
Everyone knows that modern technologies like smartphones, tablets, laptops, or digital cameras play significant roles in enhancing our exploration and enjoyment of life when we travel. However, each device comes with its pros and cons that need careful consideration, including factors like costs, insurance, and security concerns.
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of carrying a smartphone, laptop, or tablet during your journey!
1. Mobile Phone
There are plenty of reasons to bring a mobile phone when traveling, with many considering it an indispensable item.
– A smartphone's screen size may not be ideal for entertainment – reading books and watching movies might not be enjoyable on a small screen.
– Most websites lack a mobile-friendly version, making browsing inconvenient on a phone.
– Best suited for composing short texts and quick messages.
Suggestion
Consider finding a suitable mobile phone for your travels. Nowadays, a variety of smartphones worldwide offer easier choices. Remember to purchase an unlocked phone to use your SIM card anywhere globally and enjoy cheaper call rates.
2. Tablet
If your tasks don't involve heavy work like typing documents or video editing, and you just need to check emails or enjoy some entertainment (like browsing, reading e-books, or watching movies), consider leaving your laptop at home and opting for a tablet!
Advantages
– Apps like Google Voice, WhatsApp, and Skype work better on a tablet, especially with a larger screen. Just ensure you have a strong internet connection.
– Battery life is often longer than that of a mobile phone, especially in airplane mode or when using Wi-Fi only.
Disadvantages
– The larger size can sometimes be an issue. Even 7-8 inch versions may not fit well in a compact bag, unless you're wearing a large jacket.
– Heavier compared to a mobile phone.
– Capturing photos with a tablet is genuinely a dreadful idea.
– Apps look no different than those on a smartphone.
Suggestion: Consider the Google Nexus 7 – compact, lightweight, reliable, and surprisingly powerful. Priced at $229 or $269 for Wi-Fi versions.
3. Laptop
Alongside your mobile phone, a laptop is also worth considering to bring along. It's the most convenient tool for staying connected with friends and family, storing photos, indulging in leisure during trips, and even completing pending work tasks at the company.
Advantages
– Versatile. There's suitable software for anything a traveler might need (just install it), and websites always perform best on a computer.
– Stable storage space.
– Powerful and much easier to seamlessly blend work with a large screen and a suitable keyboard.
Disadvantages
– Weight: Quite heavy and impractical to carry along during the entire journey.
– Cost: Bringing along a valuable and bulky item like a laptop can increase concerns about theft or damage, and travel insurance often doesn't cover this.
– Prone to dropping and breaking.
– Not truly essential for travel (you can't explore the world while constantly tethered to a large and hefty laptop).
Suggestion:
Choose based on your needs. Generally, opt for a thin and light laptop, like an Ultrabook or MacBook Air.
What gadgets should you bring when traveling?
– For most regular travelers, a smartphone is already the best choice. It fulfills almost all basic travel needs, compact and convenient enough to carry anytime.
– Unless you need to work online, there's very little need for a laptop during frequently moving trips.
– If your primary needs involve checking emails or entertainment (like web browsing, reading e-books, watching movies) and you don't need to do heavy work (typing documents or video editing), leave the laptop at home and opt for a tablet. With advantages like being smaller, lighter, more affordable, and having a better battery life than laptops, a tablet will be the perfect choice for you. If the tablet has low storage, bring an SD card to store more photos.
– Finally, a smartphone or tablet is the most suitable device for any traveler. Laptops are bulky, expensive, and truly unnecessary.
According to Nomadicmatt.com
***
Reference: Travel Guide on Mytour
MytourNovember 20, 2014
