The amount of technology type items you take will largely depend on your work. This is one area where there is a trade off between doing without something and having extra weight to carry around.
Computer
I use an Apple MacBook Pro with a 15 inch screen. Not the smallest nor the lightest, however, as I require a decent size screen and full size keyboard i is the minimum I am comfortable using. As an Apple convert I do know the benefits of a Windows based PC and won’t enter that discussion. Suffice to say, use what you must and pick the lightest, cheapest, quietest one you can and make sure it has good battery life.
Whatever you choose make sure you know how to do basic troubleshooting, can connect to wi-fi networks, printers and other peripherals. Tech support in vacation rentals and hotels is pretty much non-existant and you will be on your own.
I also travel with the operating system discs and essential software that can’t be downloaded. Just in case you need to reinstall something, you will more than likely need those discs. Haven’t needed them so far, although I bet if I left them at home…
Telephone
Again I have chosen an Apple product and use an iPhone. Not the latest because I don’t need the latest features. I use it as a phone, address book, notebook, iPod and a few apps, just not very many. Plane travel is now tolerable thanks to storing up a bunch of podcasts and music. A good way to fall asleep is to listen to an audiobook. I keep a few chapters of one on there all the time.
The notes area is good for just jotting down things rather than printing them out or having lots of notes. For example, when booking a rental car online they say to print out the email confirmation. Why? I just note down the confirmation number or take a photo of the email from the computer screen. I always put the accommodation details in the notes with the local phone numbers.
Online Backups
Alternative to the USB hard drives for backup purposes are the online backup services. In a nutshell you upload your files to a remote service (look for one that encrypts as part of the upload) and then they are available should you need them. The process can be set to function automatically. The added benefit is that you can then access these files from any computer. A couple of the more well known services are Carbonite and Dropbox.
Other Accessories
Accessory freaks can go overboard in this area and fortunately I am not one of them. I have the bare necessities because it’s less to worry about. It’s also important to think about how many times you will use something before you buy one, or pack in your luggage. If it will be very infrequent you might be able to borrow one or if they are cheap, just buy one when you need it. Just maybe you can do without if you don’t have it handy anyway.
Look for accessories that share common plus and cables. That way you can reduce the amount you need. It is getting better with many items now using USB and mini USB connections.
- USB stick for quick file transfers
- USB hard drive which acts as a back up which I run via Time Machine every few days and always the day before I travel. I travel with this in which ever bag doesn’t have my computer
- USB hard drive kept with friends back home and updated the day before I leave. If all else fails they can retrieve files and upload to a server or as a last resort can physically send the hard drive to me. Of course I would get them to buy another hard drive and make a copy to keep first. These are so cheap now, don’t be a cheapskate. I have used a few of the Western Digital Passport models.
- USB modem for wireless internet
- USB extension cable for use when wireless reception is poor and means I can place the modem in a better location. Apparently it also works an an aerial although not sure
- USB battery charger
Satellite Navigation
The latest addition to the arsenal is a Garmin Nuvo satellite navigation device. It is one designed primarily for in car use although has setting for walking. It is not the hand held type used for hiking. It looks very similar to an iPhone and not much bigger. It was/still is the slimmest one available. This is a bit of a luxury item and i bought it because I was sick of stressing about getting lost when driving. Once you have used one you tend to rely on it more and more. Previously I used to look at a map, think I understood everything then within five minutes of driving I would forget.
There are apps available for iPhones, however, I wasn’t impressed with them and preferred the larger screen. This Garmin model has bluetooth to my phone and allows voice commands. Lifetime map updates for my country and I will have to buy local maps when I need them. Uses the same cable as the USB hard drives so I only need to carry the stand and car charger cable as extras.
