Netbook / laptop

[Katies Dad]

Just wondering if you all take a netbook or laptop with you. Our laptop is a large 17" once so too big to take but as we go in 3weeks don`t want the hasstle of looking round for a netbook we may not use again. Only wondering because of the `ash problem` earlier in the year!

Also wondering about OLCI we intend to do this for the first time (US Airways) but wouldn`t be able to do it for the flight home, is it necessary - does it cause problems if you don`t do it and just turn up at the airport (can you lose your seats you have reserved already?)

Thanks, any advice woud be great.

 

[misscrossbee]

I took my laptop last time I went to WDW, a couple of years ago and found it a good way to keep in touch with everyone back home, news, etc.

Laptops don't fit in the safe in most, if not all, rooms but I just bought a laptop lock and kept it tethered to the table with no problems.

I also found that lugging it around airports to and from hurt my back, but this year I've got a wonderful netbook that I'm bringing instead.

 

[Tink2312]

I take my laptop and that's 17 inch I think (it is quite large). I bought a Swissgear laptop backpack a few trips ago after recommendations on here
we did OLCI for last Easter's trip and we just printed our boarding passes as soon as we got into MCO but we regretted not doing Virgin DTD check in as it was a pain lugging around the bags all day.
Last year having the laptop was a godsend as we had to shuffle some ADRs and my Dad was ill and it was so easy and quick to do them online!

 

[2Tiggies]

I bought a Swissgear laptop backpack a few trips ago after recommendations on here

So did I and it was one of my best purchases, honestly! Play.com had it on special and I picked it up for a bargain. I do like SwissGear and my brother who is an avid photographer and uses his laptop and takes it around with him also swears by the brand. Obviously you get different levels of quality. Mine is fairly basic but it doesn't scream "LAPTOP IN HERE" for all to see either , which was a consideration for me.

I always travelled without one until I the ash problems when so many were reporting problems they had .... and those with laptops were posting that they would never travel without one after this lot.

I wouldn't go buy a new one just to take with if you won't likely use it, but I would consider just taking the big one. The bag you use will affect the ease or inconvenience of lugging it about.

 

[wayneg]

Laptop has turned into an essential item after being stuck at Easter, saved me a lot of hassle and £100's

We take more electrical items than clothes(ok exaggerating a little), this August will include 2x 17" laptops, 10" netbook, wireless router, SLR camera + loads of extras, 2 compact cams, 3 MP3 players + loads more.

 

[Pegasus928]

We have always taken a laptop with us - normally DWs and that is a 17"
We got a laptop bag that has a telescopic hadle and wheels, which makes carrying it about no harder than any other hand luggage.
For us the benefits of having it with us (contact with back home, internet, backing up photos etc) far outweigh any perceived inconveniences.

 

[2Tiggies]

We take more electrical items than clothes(ok exaggerating a little), this August will include 2x 17" laptops, 10" netbook, wireless router, SLR camera + loads of extras, 2 compact cams, 3 MP3 players + loads more.

Add in a few more items and you might need to send the electicals as cargo

For us the benefits of having it with us (contact with back home, internet, backing up photos etc) far outweigh any perceived inconveniences.

The photos is a big one and if you are using a video camera that requires transferring the footage to pc to free up space it leaves you with little option.

 

[torsie24]

I ahve an Acer Aspire One, which is a 10" netbook.

I wouldn't like to write an essay on it as the keyboard is small (so apologies for any typos!) but I love it, and it's one of my favourite purchases ever.

Also fits in most handbags!

 

[Rohais]

I have two laptops - both approx 15" - and a netbook, all Dell.

Have never taken a laptop with us before, but after being delayed last year for over 24 hours and then watching everyone else go through hell with the ash situation, I'm thinking it'll be the best option. Also, I want somewhere to put my photos as I ran out of cards last year....and I had over 12gb worth

So, I think it'll be the new 15" I've got, as its the easiest to use. Will definately make DF carry it in his hand luggage though! I struggle as it is

 

[2Tiggies]

I ahve an Acer Aspire One, which is a 10" netbook.

I wouldn't like to write an essay on it as the keyboard is small (so apologies for any typos!) but I love it, and it's one of my favourite purchases ever.

Also fits in most handbags!

I looked at those. I am just sticking with my full sized laptop, but I have considered getting a netbook for travelling and letting DD use it at home so it wouldn't go to waste. I just like the idea of loading my photos and videos into their designated folders every couple of days and can't be bothered with loading software and setting up another machine.

 

[jockey]

We always take our MacBook it's good to be connected even if it's just to check out park hours etc

 

[Pegasus928]

I just like the idea of loading my photos and videos into their designated folders every couple of days and can't be bothered with loading software and setting up another machine.

I was putting the photos I had taken on the laptop every night last time we went. Admittedly that was because I was doing a Live Trippie - but after having a camera stolen at Heathrow a couple of years ago it has made me more vigilant.
Luckily for us we had our laptop with us that trip as well, but the camera still had the last couple of days worth of pics on it - including ones from a character breakfast at 1900 Park Fayre (and why else do we do those if not for the pics of character interaction ). We also had our video camera taken but we had only just changed the tape the day before we left - so again we didn't lose too much.
Because of things like this though I would always recommend people either take a lapotp or figure out another way of backing up their memories. It only takes a second for them all to be lost forever.

 

[Katies Dad]

Thanks for all the replies - need to have a think now. Problem is the 17" Hp laptop is heavy!! and big and it belongs to our daughter

Why we leave all this stuff to the last minute I will never know. Just in the process of buying a new camera and have to learn how to work that before we go (but saying that our daughter switched it on in the shop, pressed a few buttons and she was off..so she can take all the photos)

Do you all do on line check in on the way home?

Thanks

 

[2Tiggies]

Why we leave all this stuff to the last minute I will never know.

You love a challenge!

Do you all do on line check in on the way home?

I have just learnt that my flight is not doing online check in for Glasgow flights at present so I won't, but if the facility is reinstated by the time I travel I will be without a doubt.

 

[wideeyes]

I took mine and will probably take it next time as it was handy to have email DBF at home and we also booked ADRs last minute and checked park hours, menus, I know we don't need a laptop for that but it was a quick and easy way of finding info. I just put it in a rucksack which I padded with a big thick sweater.

 

[2Tiggies]

IIt only takes a second for them all to be lost forever.

True. I keep several memory cards handy, but they are so small it is not impossible to lose one and changing them repeatedly increases your risk of misplacing one. I thought DD might want to watch a DVD or something in the room one night. Probably not, but nice to have the option open. I am assuming that the challenge of the format of US DVD's does not apply if played through a laptop....?

ETA: Just though of another reason for a laptop when you go: If you have a FairFX or similar online top up travel card you are able to check your balance and top up with funds if need be.

 

[Katies Dad]

Suppose I`ve got 2 weeks to find a good one... just got the camera sorted so thats another tick off the list...

Any suggestions? our desktop and laptop are HP.

Thanks

 

[misscrossbee]

Suppose I`ve got 2 weeks to find a good one... just got the camera sorted so thats another tick off the list...

Any suggestions? our desktop and laptop are HP.

Thanks

Is that suggestions for a netbook? I've got a Samsung NC10 and I love it. It fits very nicely in my handbag as well.

 

[wayneg]

I just got the Samsung N130 but only had it about 5 days, all good so far.

 

[Katies Dad]

Thanks, we`ll check out Samsungs as well as HP