Internet while travelling - which gadget?

Wannie_2

trillion wrote: »

Wow - thanks for all the replies.
Lots of food for thought there.

Wannie said
I agree that the Playbook doesn't tick all my boxes. my comment about it was all about the size, especially the size of the screen
I don't really understand the second part of your comment as I just googled "tablet with wifi" and there seem to be loads

mr fishbulb said
I hadn't considered that! It's got a keyboard too hasn't it? And WiFi. And I wouldn't have to take a big stack of paperbacks! It's the one gadget I could really envisage using regularly after the trip too.

So - what are the downsides of a Kindle?

Thanks also for all the positive comments about netbooks.
They're certainly worth considering, but the size and weight are potentially a bit of an issue.

I meant that if you aren't near an available HotSpot, you will have no Internet connection. So it's a good idea to have something with 3G access.

pull62

johnjackson wrote: »

Dell streak, you can get a 5 inch screen version for about £199
Good for web surfing, bigger than the Iphone!
You can connect to internet via wi-fi or through 3G
Google maps can be installed as well as co pilot as it has built in GPS.
Battery life is not good though and it needs charging once a day at least

The dell streak is a very good choice for travelling.

agrinnall

I used a Netbook when I went to SE Asia for 4 months but that was 3 years ago and things have moved on a lot since then. I was also going to mention Kindle 3G. The big advantage is free access to 3G pretty much everywhere, plus of course you can use wifi where available and you won't have to carry around books wherever you go. The downside is that browser is currently pretty poor. For a week's holiday I could live with it, for 6 months I think I would be throwing it across the room before I got home. I'm not sure that there is an ideal answer unfortunately.

Im_just_careful

If I had to travel very light I would just take my unlocked Orange San Francisco, a large micro SD card in it and fit a Vodafone PAYG SIM. Perhaps also have local SIMs or an "abroadband" SIM available.

Accepting more weight I would add another unlocked phone with Bluetooth and a different network SIM as the next item. I might also add my Nokia N810 tablet which can Bluetooth to the phone and access the internet via that or WiFi (It's not a phone).

If I could travel with a wheeled suitcase I would take my Bluetooth equipped Netbook (mine was made by HP - built in Bluetooth is a relatively unusual feature for Netbooks but very useful to keep the number of iterms down) and access the internet by WiFi or Bluetooth to one of the phones as needed.

Make sure any SIMs you carry are PAYG to avoid "bill shock".

Finally, get a good selection of leads to charge the phones from various foreign mains plugs.

Chorlie

I was going to say an Apple iTouch, but there isn't a 3G / Mobile connection with this, however you can link it to your mobile phone (if you have a mobile that you can do that).

Second idea is an iPhone, you could buy an unlocked (maybe a secondhand 3GS) and put a Sim Card thats best for you in it or even a local Sim Card if you can pick up a cheap PAYG Sim in that Country.

Lastly; a Pocket Surfer, I know nothing about them, if they are still made or if they will work in the countries you're going to:-

http://pocketsurfer.co.uk/html/PocketSurfer3_Overview.htm

Winky,_The_House_Elf

I've got a Kindle 3g. It cost £152 from Tescos.

The internet is basic, in black and white but free worldwide! My MIL doesnt have internet (In Holland) so its perfect for browsing websites, checking hotmail etc but you can't use it for videos or games.

As for being able to download something to read, wherever you are, its fantastic. For example I've just finished Game of Thrones, but with the Kindle I just downloaded the next book immediately, no waiting for the postie, or have to wait to make a trip into town to get it! I also have lots of the free/cheap books loaded on to it, and can always find something to suit my mood.

So if I was doing another long trip it would be on my list of must haves!

trillion

Im_just_careful wrote: »

If I had to travel very light I would just take my unlocked Orange San Francisco................I would add another unlocked phone with Bluetooth ...............I might also add my Nokia N810 tablet................. I would take my Bluetooth equipped Netbook.

That's what you'd take!
I was asking what I should take!

Two phones, a tablet and a netbook seems a little excessive for someone like me.

Thanks anyway.

trillion

Thanks again for all the replies.

I'm googling all these suggestions and getting more confused my the minute so let's look at it from another direction.

If need to see a map, browse a list of hostels in a given city and send an email home, where does this let me down?

maplin.co.uk/disgo-6000-7inch-touchscreen-tablet-544145?utm_source=Maplin&utm_medium=TopProducts&utm_content=544145&utm_campaign=Frontpage


(I'm not allowed to post a link so you'll need to copy and paste with www. in front)

bob_a_builder

I don't know what is failings might be
but its a tad cheaper on Play and there are some reviews too, although even at that price people still not too happy ( page 3 of reviews)

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/16255707/-/Product.html

WillgetOrganised

Personally I don't travel anywhere without my ipad2... It's perfect for everything I need - books and magazines, maps, e-mail, calendar and of course facetime and/or skype for staying in touch with home. I tend to find that in most places I can access wi-fi either free or at very reasonable rates. In the event I can't access wi-fi I use 3G for just sending/receiving mail and ensure cellular data is switched off at all other times to avoid any scary bills. I always set my data usage to 0 before I leave so that I can keep an eye on how much i use (helps avoid the shocks!)