Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Communications
Which laptop should we take Which laptop should we take
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Communications Connecting - internet cafes, laptops, smart phones - how to connect, use, which one, and intercom/radio systems.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 30 Apr 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kandahar Afghanistan
Posts: 160
Hobnob

When are you going and what route?

We are leaving about May 07 following the usual silk route then Madras to Perth chille then up north.

Andy
__________________
www.landroveradventure.co.uk
Land Rover Discovery 2, Yamaha Super Tenere
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 21 May 2006
mj's Avatar
mj mj is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 303
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Cartney
I just had a MAC worth £800 die after just over a years use, here's a tip: don't buy a MAC, expensive trendy sh*t, all hard wired so expensive and difficult to fix and and APPLE customer service really couldn't have cared less)
This is not entirely true. If you purchase Apple Care together with your laptop you will receive worldwide service for three years. Worldwide really meaning worldwide, whereever there's Apple they have to fix it.

That said, the new Apple laptops really aren't that great. Sure they look neat but in terms of reliability, they're crap. When travelling, I prefer either a notebook and pen, or, if there's some space left, my old PowerBook G3 - it's a big and heavy chunk old, outdated equipment, but it's reliable, fast enough and never attracts attention - too old and looks very used - aka not interesting. And in case it breaks I can either fix it myself (all you need is two torx screwdrivers) or get a new 'used' one for 100 bucks. And last but not least, the PowerBook G3 Wallstreet is one of the last PowerBooks that doesn't require a harddrive to boot but can boot from a Compact Flash card with the proper PCMCIA adapter.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 24 May 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 2
Itronix - Seriousle Tough Laptop
I don't know too much about RTW motorcycle touring as I haven't gone on a BIG ride yet but in my business we take our laptops to the extreme. I work in fireworks and special effects and laptops are crucial to drive these shows. Our job sites are everything from driving rain, mud to -20C winter. We use the Itronix brand military laptops and buy them off eBay. They are cheap and very dependable in extreme use. Certainly not the fastest, most modern units out there (if you buy used that is) but literally bullit proof. THey can be rained on, dropped on concrete, and put up with extreme heat and cold no problem. Check them out if you think you can deal with something with a little less MHZ power and a lot more dependability. Here is a link to what I am talking about.
http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-3-ITRONIX-GO...QQcmdZViewItem
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 15 Jun 2006
Hindu1936's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Yongin, South Korea
Posts: 327
battery supplier
i just bought new batteries for my old laptop and cameras. i paid less than 20% of the retail price and these are not reconditioned batteries. the company is in california though for those who live outside north america. try www.atbatt.com or maybe www. at batt.com. don't have my invoice right now, but they shipped them with no problems to my place in oregon and when i get back there next week i will have full power again. the camer batteries are normally 65 usd. i bought 3 of them for 53.85 and that included shipping. the laptop batter is 190 and from them it was 42.50 plus 7 shipping. they seem to have every battery ever made.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 15 Jun 2006
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,185
palm + folded keyboard +memo stick
Quote:
Originally Posted by colesyboy
Dont take a notebook - too heavy and you will just worry about it.

I took a v small fujistu lifebook with me on a years tour - only for the GPS maps.

For the next trip I'm just taking a 2nd hand palm, a collapsable keyboard and a memory stick that takes the palm memory to a pc.

small, light and cheap - seriously do reconsider taking a pc with you.

Cheers,

Brian

------------------
http://colesyboy.tripod.com

Brian, are you coming at HUBB meeting next week? I was thinking for my trip to do same than you : get a palm including GPS and add a folded keyboard and memo stick. I really don't see thepoint of carrying big laptop! As I am not too techy I would like to see what you got (models etc...) and how you connect keyboard to palm? Is that what is called "bluetooth"?
Cheers - Maria
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 8 Sep 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Bakersfield, CA USA
Posts: 6
Refurbed Thinkpads and Toshiba Laptops
We have done hard time on the road with a re-furbished Think Pad and a more expensive and, at one time new, Toshiba Satellite.

The Toshiba is bigger and heavier, but MUCH more capable. One thing to consider is that if you are going to be using wireless in various locations the Think Pads are far less good at sorting out conflicting and weak signals than the IBMs. They are also faster and better able to handle large amounts of pictures and video. Our Toshiba has been with us a year and a half and logged over 50,000 tough miles. It has been dropped, spilled on, Stepped on you name it. It now LOOKS terrible but works great. Has never missed a beat.

The frustration of having a smaller and lighter machine (IBM) that won't do wha you really need it to do is not worth the the few bucks and bit of weight you save.

IMHO

Cameron
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:33.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top