Internet while travelling - which gadget?

badger09

I'm not exactly a luddite - more a technophobe

I bought a Samsung Netbook for my special birthday trip to Australia & Singapore last February. It was brilliant for checking flights, finding restaurants etc and keeping in touch by email or Skype.

Most of the time I found free wifi hotspots in coffee bars, shopping centres and hotels and only once had to pay a few AU$. In the UK I have PAYG Vodaphone dongle for emergency use. I think it cost about £30 and I've used about 60p so far. It is a bit slow though.

Northern Sweden is tricky for coverage but if you google 'free wifi' and your destination you'll get a list of hotspots all over the world.

Happy travelling :beer:

bob_a_builder

another lower cost tablet based option ?

LINK

buglawton

per the above LINK - Hannspree is actually a good quality brand, better known as a monitor manufacturer.

If they are making a profit at £150 for a tablet like this, then this is the future, Apple look out!

This 10" table received warm reviews when it was priced at £250:
http://www.reghardware.com/2011/06/08/review_hannspree_hannspad_android_tablet/

tafelmoneysaver

I don't want to sound patronising but I would suggest you go to a shop and have a go at using a tablet to see if you are happy before buying one.

Personally I don't think they should be regarded as a replacement for or better that a laptop - They are just for different purposes. You need to make sure you get the one that fits your needs the best.

Some people find them not very good for typing lots of emails and things like that. Also the cheaper ones (like the Maplin link) have a different screen technology to the more expensive iPads and this can have an effect on the typing experience.

Some people find them OK, others don't. Only you can decide what you like!

Another point to note would be battery life. You will be lucky to get more than 10 hours from a iPad2 and considerably less from cheaper goods. If you think you'll be away from your hotel room for any length of time then you'll have to use if sparingly or always carry your charger. Again, only you will know how long you might be away from a source of electricity.

Hope that helps.

Im_just_careful

trillion wrote: »

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.

If simplicity is more important than cost and screen size is important I would buy a "branded" tablet such as an iPad. I like some of the Samsung products as well.

You are not the only person who feels I travel with an excessive number of gadgets !

johnnyboyrebel

trillion wrote: »

So - what are the downsides of a Kindle?

Well, although they are internet ready ie. you can browse the web on them, they are certainly not designed for this. Its just a sort of added extra. I'm sure Amazon will be bringing out a version with an excellent browser but currently (as far as I am aware of) it is very basic so not ideal.

bob_a_builder

Hanspree one has a lots (74) of reviews on EBuyer, all mainly good, 8 hours batt life and seem to suggest its something of steal at £160

Plus quite simple to upgrade to the latest android OS if reqd, reviews suggest this is a great improvment

upgrade - though maybe not for the faint hearted

FAQ

BWZN93

This is another alternative for a cheap tablet - ive been researching quite a few over the last few days and this one is the one im buying at the end of the month (need payday!) as I think the specs are pretty good:

http://www.kogan.co.uk/shop/7-inch-tablet-pc-android/

I have a Kindle and i can say that for looking at maps, you are probably barking up the wrong tree. Its a fantastic device, but it really isnt worth internet browsing on it because its not intuitive or quick to navigate, and the screen just isnt really designed for maps etc. Kindle's are phenomenal for books, but if you wanted something for internet and books then other tablets will better suit your needs.

I also personally feel that Apple iPad's are fantastic, but for me, they are way too big for my handbag, hence ive settled on a 7inch android. I love my Iphone and every apple made music device as ive never broken them compared to other brands, but for some reason I just feel that its less hassle for me to have a tablet that isnt apple!

If it were me travelling, Id be taking a tablet, a phone, and a camera. I think laptops are too big and valuable for backpacking, phones are a definite need for emergencies, and a tablet provides the ability to use the internet and store and view enough books/movies/music for the trip. I dont know if !!!!!!!!!! chargers work with these devices but would be worth a look incase you go days without access to power supplies?

Jo

buglawton

But beware of the one linked above, it did get some grim reviews:
http://www.cnet.com.au/kogan-agora-7-inch-tablet-339316443.htm

trillion

tafelmoneysaver wrote: »

I don't want to sound patronising but I would suggest you go to a shop and have a go at using a tablet to see if you are happy before buying one.

Personally I don't think they should be regarded as a replacement for or better that a laptop - They are just for different purposes. You need to make sure you get the one that fits your needs the best.

Some people find them not very good for typing lots of emails and things like that. Also the cheaper ones (like the Maplin link) have a different screen technology to the more expensive iPads and this can have an effect on the typing experience.

Some people find them OK, others don't. Only you can decide what you like!

Another point to note would be battery life. You will be lucky to get more than 10 hours from a iPad2 and considerably less from cheaper goods. If you think you'll be away from your hotel room for any length of time then you'll have to use if sparingly or always carry your charger. Again, only you will know how long you might be away from a source of electricity.

Hope that helps.

Not patronising at all! And thanks for the points.
In fact, that link came as a result of me going into Maplins and hassling a very helpful young man who was happy to let me handle and have a go on a few tablets and netbooks.
I was really quite surprised at how cheap some of the tablets are, and as I said in my previous post - in what respect would one of the cheaper ones let me down as opposed to say, an iPad.

In my case, I don't do Facebook, I don't like to cut myself off from my surroundings by listening to music 24/7, I don't watch movies at home, so why would I when I'm away? I don't take any great pleasure in gadgets and only really see them as tools.

I need to be able to find accommodation in my next destination and let my kids know I'm still alive - that's all really.

I'ev read reviews of the cheapie Maplins one I linked to and see that a lot of people found the screen unresponsive, and I've got an inbuilt distrust of the cheapest anything, but I did like the look of the Hanspree. It's a decent price and seems to do more than I want.

I don't intend to be away from electricity for too long, believe me! I'll be hopping from city to city really, so long battery life isn't a big deal.