Laptop or not?

[MystikPiglit]

I want to take my laptop when we go to WDW, but DH thinks it will be too much of a hassle. :unsure:
I think it will be so useful to upload photos and keep in touch with family etc.:yes:

If you take yours, please could I have your opinion?

Also, what costs are involved with using it once there?

Thank you. :-)

[Keith]

I wouldnt be without mine though that's more because I'm a computer addict than anything else

I find it useful for online stuff we may have forgotten, coming on here for info :D etc.

Costs, well I get broadband in the room each day for $9.95 per 24 hours which is extortionate but I just put it down as a holiday cost :/

other than that, no cost :)

Need to find some place to store it since the safes are too small. I usually leave it locked up in the suitcase

[Skywatcher]

Thought about it this time but felt I would be too nervous leaving it around the place and I did think the connection fee was quite high as well

[MystikPiglit]

Thanks, Keith.


coming on here for info :D etc.

Well, obviously that's the main reason. :lol:



Costs, well I get broadband in the room each day for $9.95 per 24 hours which is extortionate but I just put it down as a holiday cost :/

See, DH would think that was far too much...but I spend a lot on phone calls home so that might even out. :unsure:

[MystikPiglit]

Thought about it this time but felt I would be too nervous leaving it around the place

Have to say I would be distraught if it was stolen.... I wonder if any have gone missing from on-site rooms?

[Skywatcher]

I think its unlikley TBH but its more the stress of travelling with it - just me maybe

[Keith]

See, DH would think that was far too much...but I spend a lot on phone calls home so that might even out. :unsure:

yeah indeed, free phone calls home over the connection does make it a much more worthwhile option (using skype or whatever)

[Dizneyblonde]

We have been discussing this and we have decided not to.
Or more to the point the kids have persuaded me not to take it.

I wanted to be able to uploads photos,come on here and Skype home but as the kids quite rightly pointed out we are on holiday and shouldn't be wasting time on the internet!

We will take lots of memory cards for photos(which is what we usually do) and buy a phone card to phone home.

Added to that it's something else to carry and i wouldn't feel safe leaving it in the room not in a safe.

You will just have to cope without me and a live trippie i'm afraid :lol:

[MystikPiglit]

Thanks for all of your opinions. :hug2:

[daveann]

Dave has just bought me a netbook (waiting for amazon to deliver) as i want to take it with us on any future holidays as each time we have been away it has cost a fortune to get online to retrive emails from our kids etc........... so cause its small i think it might fit in the safe :)

[MystikPiglit]

Dave has just bought me a netbook (waiting for amazon to deliver) so cause its small i think it might fit in the safe :)

Interesting...but what is a netbook?

[daveann]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Netbook-8-9-inch-Crystalbrite-Processor/dp/B001MIYOO2/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

there a small laptop

[MystikPiglit]

Ooh, nice. :thumbsup:

[tb2830]

i also have a net book which fits perfectly in my carry on bag .....i certaintly wouldnt feel safe taking my main laptop

[MystikPiglit]

I think the chance of DH buying me a netbook before the holiday is non-existent :lol:

[daveann]

well mine is a belated birthday present as i wanted to buy something when we were on the cruise but nothing caught my eye and been wanting one of these for ages :)

[MystikPiglit]

well mine is a belated birthday present :)

That's a good present. :D

[Britchick]

i would take mine so i could view photos primarily - also i like to be able to look stuff up.

[MystikPiglit]

i would take mine so i could view photos primarily - also i like to be able to look stuff up.

Yes, it is the photo stuff that I want it for mostly and seeing if the videos work. :-)

[MystikPiglit]

Another question:

It's heavy so DH would have to carry it for me. Would it then be his carry-on, or can you take a laptop bag and a holdall?

[Debbie2]

We have not taken one in the past but DD wants to take it this time (to keep in touch with friends and BF via MSN etc).

Our WDW hotel has wireless internet. Does anyone know how that works - are you charged??

[Keith]

Our WDW hotel has wireless internet. Does anyone know how that works - are you charged??

oh yep.... you're charged alright :( something like $6 an hour or $9.95 for 24hrs contiguous usage

DVC gives you free access to your room internet though (dont know about wireless)

[Keith]

Another question:

It's heavy so DH would have to carry it for me. Would it then be his carry-on, or can you take a laptop bag and a holdall?

Depends on the carrier but most are now so if you had it separate it would count as his carry on yep. So best to try and shove it in the carry on bag if possible

[Britchick]

i'm thinking that i may get one of those camera bags that has a laptop compartment- there is no way that is going in the hold!

[ukwdwnut]

i would never want to take mine, dont see the need for it on holiday altho i did have the use of malcolms last trip but it took up too much of my time so wont be doing that again tbh

[MystikPiglit]

Depends on the carrier but most are now so if you had it separate it would count as his carry on yep. So best to try and shove it in the carry on bag if possible

Thank you. :thumbsup:

[Tink]

You can get laptop envelopes that will protect it so that you could put it in a carry on.

I use my workbag that has an area for the laptop. It also has areas for personal items, etc. It is one of my two (domestic flights) allowed carryons. It fits under the seat in front of me, and my actual case goes in the overhead.

[MystikPiglit]

I use my workbag that has an area for the laptop. It also has areas for personal items, etc. .

Ah yes, I'd forgotten that DH's workbag is like that. Thanks for reminding me. :thumbsup:

[Keith]

I like the sound of these new laptop bags which open wide to show the laptop in THEORY without you needing to remove it from the case



http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10001576-1.html

[MystikPiglit]

Good idea... If it works. :yes:

[Tink]

Doesn't work here on domestic flights. :sigh: I've had one, with just the laptop in and they still make you take it out of the case and put it in it's own tote bin. :sigh:

[Keith]

Doesn't work here on domestic flights. :sigh: I've had one, with just the laptop in and they still make you take it out of the case and put it in it's own tote bin. :sigh:

I was afraid of that :( I just phoned Targus who said that these "new" cases were developed directly in response to a request from the TSA in accordance with their design requirements. So their view is that these new ones should be fine but as ever, personal actual experience trumps what a manufacturer says

[Tink]

Well, it would depend upon how very new, new is, eh?

All I know is that from my experience, the TSA workers at most airports (again speaking solely for domestic flights) are not very sharp or up to date. :sorry:

I can use my Pocket PC phone to show my boarding pass, right? :yes: I gave up. The TSA people could NEVER get it right and it was frustrating beyond belief. Once, there was a supervisor present and she gave the team holy bananas for not knowing their jobs (when it came to the electronic boarding pass) but that was the only time.

If you try to tell them how something should be done, forget it. They are just all too caught up in thinking they have the power of g-d or something. :shrug:

All that to say, plan on taking the laptop out of any case. If they don't make you do that, it's a bonus! :yes:

[MystikPiglit]

All that to say, plan on taking the laptop out of any case. If they don't make you do that, it's a bonus! :yes:

It's this sort of thing that puts DH off taking it at all... :unsure:

[Keith]

to be honest after travelling extensively with a laptop, it's really not as bad as you may think.

Having to take it out of the bag, sure, it's a pain but it's not really hard, it's just slightly irksome and a really small price to pay for having it available wherever you are.

Slip the laptop out of the case, put in a tray (along with shoes which I find WAY more hassle than the laptop :lol: ), collect at other side and slip back into case.

[MystikPiglit]

to be honest after travelling extensively with a laptop, it's really not as bad as you may think.

Slip the laptop out of the case, put in a tray (along with shoes which I find WAY more hassle than the laptop :lol: ), collect at other side and slip back into case.

Thanks. :thumbsup:

And don't get me started on shoes................. :rolleyes:

[Taja]

No real issues with a laptop in security. Although I do recommend taping a card or something with your name and cell phone number to it (mine's on the bottom). It's amazing how much they can look alike! :rolleyes:

And be sure to place it at the front/top of the carry-on bag. I have a Neoprene sleeve for my laptop, but I just tuck it into the bag until I've gone through security. Then I snuggle it into its security blanket for the trip. :lol:

[Tink]

Yes, it's all down to ease of removal and replacement.

My standard method is... as I approach security, I slap the suitcase (small carryon size) on the conveyor, unzip the front pocket and pop out the toiletries small bag, drop that in a tote bin along with my shoes and any jacket I may be carrying (usually am not). I then drop my work bag on the conveyor, unzip the center section, pull out the laptop put it in it's own tote bin and off it all goes.

I walk through the metal detector, get to the other side, retrieve the carryon, put the toiletries case back in the top pocket, pull off my socks and put on my shoes (usually mule type tennis shoes). I put the socks in an empty front pocket of the carryon bag. The laptop gets popped back into the work bag, and off I go.

It would be faster for me if I didn't insist on carrying my luggage onboard, but it's a false "faster." :D I hate waiting for luggage to be made available after a flight so avoid that whenever I can.

I cannot be without the laptop, of course. These are work related flights I am describing, but I do take it on any holiday too...

[Taja]

My routine is similar to yours, Tink. Except that I send the bin with my shoes/jacket/toiletries first, followed by personal bag (includes my purse), laptop bin, then carry-on bag.

Since I'm usually solo, it minimizes someone picking up my purse or laptop accidentally. Or deliberately. :sigh:

[MystikPiglit]

Although I do recommend taping a card or something with your name and cell phone number to it (mine's on the bottom). It's amazing how much they can look alike! :rolleyes:

Thanks, good tip! :thumbsup:



My standard method is... as I approach security, I slap the suitcase (small carryon size) on the conveyor, unzip the front pocket and pop out the toiletries small bag, drop that in a tote bin along with my shoes and any jacket I may be carrying (usually am not). I then drop my work bag on the conveyor, unzip the center section, pull out the laptop put it in it's own tote bin and off it all goes.

Great advice, thanks.:thumbsup:

[Tink]

I send my luggage through first as I use it as the support for the workbag. I plunk it on the floor, pull up the handle then feed the workbag (there is a zippered opening for that purpose) over the handle and then pull it all away...

I keep the workbag (which has a pocket with all of my personal "stuff") last, as I want to keep my eyes on it as long as possible! Sometimes you get held up walking through the metal detector. When that happens I never take my eyes off my bags, and if they move out of sight I alert the TSA worker to that fact. They are very quick to respond to that, as they can't (won't?) take responsibility for things going missing during the process.

All in all the key for me is to be totally organized, and have a routine. :yes:

[MystikPiglit]

When that happens I never take my eyes off my bags, and if they move out of sight I alert the TSA worker to that fact. They are very quick to respond to that, as they can't (won't?) take responsibility for things going missing during the process.

Good point!:thumbsup:


All in all the key for me is to be totally organized, and have a routine. :yes:

Now, you are the sort of person I'd like to travel with. :D

[Tink]

No belts with metal buckles, nothing in your pockets, no jewelry other than the wedding band (that doesn't trip the sensor) thick socks to protect your feet from the filthy (yes, disgustingly filthy floor-that's why they come off on the other side!) floor, and nothing to cause the TSA people to call for a bag check. (Nothing metal that is over seven inches long in the bags, etc...). Knowing what the rules are is 99% of the deal. :yes:

[MystikPiglit]

No belts with metal buckles, nothing in your pockets, no jewelry other than the wedding band (that doesn't trip the sensor) thick socks to protect your feet from the filthy (yes, disgustingly filthy floor-that's why they come off on the other side!) floor, and nothing to cause the TSA people to call for a bag check. (Nothing metal that is over seven inches long in the bags, etc...). Knowing what the rules are is 99% of the deal. :yes:

Some excellent tips there! Perhaps you could you post a 'Passing through Security Tips' thread for us? :yes:

[Tink]

I don't think my tips would help much for the international traveler, MystikPiglit. I travel domestic flights and the rules for international are different. :yes:

[MystikPiglit]

I don't think my tips would help much for the international traveler, MystikPiglit. I travel domestic flights and the rules for international are different. :yes:

Ah, yes. But you've given some good ideas here. :thumbsup: