Who Travels With a Laptop?

[divertwo]

I'm planning a Feb/March 4 week trip to Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. My normal routine is to travel light with only carry-on baggage and buy what I need on the ground. I now have a laptop that would make e-mailing, ATS reading and LB chatting more accessible as well as playing a little porn for the visiting LB's. In the past I've just used local internet cafes but having a laptop with WiFi would be convenient....but maybe a hassle with all my pack/unpack and airport trips.....

What do other do and any recommendations?

[Naang Faa]

Hi Divertwo,
i don't know if they've lifted the restrictions on carry on luggage yet,
I had a problem with a right trout faced woman at Manchester airport because
i wanted to take a laptop and a handbag on board....i got my way
but if you want to take hand luggage only you should check the size of the bag
with the laptop in or you may have to check it in....
Personally i can't go anywhere without mine..it's a modern necessity..
Naang Faa
x

[Thaime]

I purchased the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet for my last trip to Thailand and it worked great.  It runs on blue tooth or wi fi and worked like a charm.  I have included a link to the website

http://www.nokiausa.com/N800/

[katoeylover]

I always take my laptop as i need to access email everyday.

Never been a problem with security either except you have to remove it from hand luggage before going through the xray machine.

Most hotels have wifi or broadband via cable.

[Looker]

(katoeylover @ Jan. 12 2008,08:31) I always take my laptop as i need to access email everyday.
Never been a problem with security either except you have to remove it from hand luggage before going through the xray machine.
Most hotels have wifi or broadband via cable.

I travel allover far East with my lappie and never had any problem at all.
In fact, most times, I don't even pull it out from the briefcase and they don't even see it in the X-ray
Broadbands are available in most hotels but they charge half a fortune, like easily 12-15 USD a day. So, you better make it worthy!
Wi-Fi it's not always available for free, and when it is it happens to be in odd places, like on the swimming pool floor or the hotel lobby.

[Looker]

Forgot to say..Most hotels in China, and some hotels in Taiwan, give you free broadbad but you don't go there anyway..

[Guest]

I take mine everywhere but I need it for work and so have to be connected whereever I am. I have never had any problems with security and never heard of any restrictions with carry on baggage that would not allow you to take it on board, but that may be airline dependent.

[stogie bear]

Bring your laptop (if it's small,that is!) So much better reading the forum from your hotel room than looking for a place outside.

[rxpharm]

Carry on restrictions are problems at London Heathrow - 1 bag to carry on, no exceptions - so your laptop had to fit into that carry on bag. There is talk of relaxing this restriction because other airlines flying into LHR for connecting flights result in problems for the transit passengers who don't have this restriction from their originating airport. Recently Qatar Airways has implemented this restriction as well - because they have a large amount of traffic to LHR.

In Thailand many hotels have free internet - just check the hotel information before booking. In other countries a charge is common, especially in the 5 star hotels. Be careful - I was in Singapore recently and the hotel sold internet access as packages - 1 hr for 8 Singapore dollars, 2 hours for 16, 3 for 24, etc. However these packages had to be used all at once. Once logged in the timer starts and finishes whether or not you stay logged on for the full package time. Thankfully the hotel made this clear before I bought the packages and I kept it at one hour access.

Traveling with a laptop is very handy, using Skype to make long distance calls save you $$$$, the ability to keep up with e-mail, and work (if needed) is great, reading the forum, editing your digital photos, etc. Be sure to use common sense with your laptop - when not in room keep it secure out of sight (locked in your luggage or the room safe), hopefully you chose a reasonably sized laptop to travel with.

[EyeMahk]

(Looker @ Jan. 12 2008,09:34) Broadbands are available in most hotels but they charge half a fortune, like easily 12-15 USD a day. So, you better make it worthy!

In Thailand, I have never been charged 12-15 US per day. No where near. Almost everywhere that has it in Pattaya, it is no extra charge, and many places in BKK as well. I imagine only a very expensive hotel would charge that rate for access.

[Looker]

(EyeMahk @ Jan. 12 2008,11:47) In Thailand, I have never been charged 12-15 US per day. No where near. Almost everywhere that has it in Pattaya, it is no extra charge, and many places in BKK as well. I imagine only a very expensive hotel would charge that rate for access.

Good to know then!
I'm somehow limited in hotel choice since I travel to BKK for biz and have to be in hotels that have carpark available as I have clients coming to visit me.
The least I've been asked was 300 Baht for daily internet upto a ridiculous 550 in the Landmark.

Please, if you know hotels that maybe suitable for business travellers and not charging for internet let us know. Thanks!

[rxpharm]

Does it absolutely have to have a car park? The Grand Business Inn, my favorite BKK hotel has free internet in the rooms via network port (fast and reliable) free wifi in the lobby and hotel restaurant. It is located on Sukhumvit Soi 11 room are very nice with DVD players, Sony television, hot water kettle, King size beds.

Here is the link: Grand Business Inn

[Dieter]

Also in Soi 11 is the Grand President, suites from 2800 to....8000 bath (include a breackfast buffet...),internet for 1 month 1500 bath...bargain, than was it included.
Tower 1+2 are new, tower 3 was a little older,downstairs was a German restaurant with free Wifi....

Dieter

[Looker]

(rxpharm @ Jan. 12 2008,13:53) Does it absolutely have to have a car park? The Grand Business Inn....

Well..they are coming by car and every time I've asked any of them to come over and meet me it did seem their major concerns were the timing of the appointment, the area were I was staying and if the hotel had a carpark where they could park their car.
The only time I was staying at a place without carpark I had to go and wait for them at a nearby hotel where they could park the car.

However, my last stay was at the OMSI Towers, which I didn't particularly enjoy since it's right next to a new construction site but thanks to a friend I've been promised a good rate for the future and inclusive of internet.
Also, doesn't have a proper coffee shop or a decent meeting area apart from the lobby which is very much a so-so area.
It does instead have a car park and it's at a stone throw from GUESS BAR
Will see if in future going there or somewhere else. Which is why I was asking for suggestions about some hotel (not a 5 star!!) that could serve the purpose..

[rxpharm]

ok, there are some parking spots for guests around the Grand Business Inn if parking for a while. They will allow some parking in the front of the lobby entrance a small lot for about 4 cars, if a guest is visiting someone staying in the hotel. Also there is a back lane behind the hotel where some parking can be found as well - but these are chained off and security has to open up the space for the person to park. Again usually this is ok for guests visiting someone staying at the hotel.