Smartphones, tablets or laptops: What is best for travelers

Smartphones, tablets or laptops: What is best for travelers -

On the first Tuesday of each month, Dave Dean of too many adapters here you are big? Tips and advice about tech and gear. Here is his column this month

"Should I bring a laptop, tablet or smartphone?" There is a question I am often asked -. And for a good reason. There are pros and cons to each device and overlap with functions, picking the one that is right can be confusing

There are many questions to think with any device :. Size, weight, cost, insurance, and security. Striking the right balance between them is not easy, but it is possible. As tech guy, I wear a lot of equipment (and a lot of chargers), but for those who are not obsessed with every new device on the market, you just need a device - you can simply want to keep on the road , Here are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing a smartphone, laptop or tablet with you on the road, as well as product features!

phone

There are many reasons to take a smartphone while traveling along - in fact, for travelers who do not try to work from the road, it could be the only device that you will need. While rarely the best ever, smart phones are used for many tasks in order, the separate devices are required. If you try to reduce space, weight and cost, which is a great advantage.

Pros

• You take the place of multiple devices. There is no longer need a separate flashlight, map, calculator, music player or alarm clock to pack.
• It is easy to be connected, if necessary, even if you do not cell data. usually have cafes, airports and train stations Wi-Fi is available, and in many parts of the world there is always a McDonalds or Starbucks nearby if you want your Facebook bad burger and coffee.
• There are hundreds of useful travel are that work offline there apps out. Currency converter, translation tools, navigation aids, guide books, route tracker and much more can help to ease your travels.

Cons

• The main drawback is the battery life - it is rare that a smartphone to find that more than one day at will take normal use. Long flights, bus rides and days of research often lead to a dead phone before you get to your accommodation. With everyone else in your dorm room also, to calculate their gadgets every night, and to find an outlet that is not always easy,
• Although mobile phones are a 5 "screen for entertainment is not ideal growing. - books and movies are not so great on a small screen
• annoy websites without mobile-friendly versions very quickly
• on cell phones is Typing for updating your Facebook status right or.. fast sending message, but you will end up frustrated if you do much more, are hoping.

recommendations
if you are looking for a simple, inexpensive and basic equipment, its a phone for you. If you do not plan on using your device for work, not a small screen nothing, or need a lot may be a phone for you. for a long form writing, you can always Internet cafes use!

I personally carry a Google Nexus 5 that. A high-end phone without the high-end price tag Unlike better battery life, I would not change anything. The camera takes good pictures even in low light conditions. It is remarkably fast, running with video and the most demanding applications flawlessly. I wanted a phone that without an upgrade of three years, would take abuse on the street, and so far, it feels like I've found it. The Nexus will cost $ 399 for the unlocked 32GB version.

Tablets

tablet computer for a few years only are there already, but since the iPad came they have been very popular. They offer a larger screen and better battery life but are more expensive and take up a lot more space.

Pros

• While not standard have call or text tools like Google Voice, WhatsApp and Skype can be good substitute if your internet speed quickly is enough. All of the applications work as well or better than on a phone, and the larger screen a little easier makes many tasks.
• The battery life is longer than a smart phone usually, especially when in flight mode or Wi-Fi with. If the tablet has a cellular data option, you are lucky there - tablets usually have an unlocked SIM card slot. Pick up a local, only data SIM card and you are good to go.

Cons

• size is a problem. Even the smaller 7-8 "versions do not really fit into any pocket, if you're wearing a big jacket. They are also heavier than smartphones, especially if you have a full-size tablet.
• Recording Photos with tablets is, frankly, a terrible idea. Their size and weight make it difficult to quiet keep, and that is before the cover begins to flutter. Screens are hard to see in direct sunlight, and because it is rare, for people permanently cases to use with tablets, it is easy to damage them or drowning. in addition, let's be honest, you look pretty stupid doing it.
• While the screens are larger, the applications and input are in usually exactly the same as a smartphone. that is, the input is still slower than a proper keyboard and software options for the real work to do, are limited. While you are using a Bluetooth keyboard, you can accelerate your entry which is another piece of technology yet to buy, power and carry around.

recommendations

For those who are more to do with their device, mainly to see many films, a tablet is much easier on the eyes. When it comes to tablets, I recommend the Google Nexus 7. It is small and lightweight, reliable and surprisingly strong. At $ 229 or $ 269 (depending on storage space) for the Wi-Fi versions, but also great value. I now have my for about a year with, and am very happy with it. If you absolutely must have an Apple device, opt for the iPad Mini. It is more convenient to carry than its big brother.

Laptops

It was not so long ago that if you wanted to get online when you traveled, your only choice was a laptop or a dusty Internet Café to wear. Those days are long gone of course now - so there are reasons even a laptop at all to pack

Pros

• The biggest advantage of a laptop? is the versatility. There are software pretty much everything a traveler needs to do, and sites always work best on a computer. Storage space is rarely a problem, and it is easy to backup photos from a separate camera (or phone, for that matter).
• Laptops are much stronger than any tablet or phone, and in combination with the larger screen and proper keyboard, the things done faster and be easier. This is more time to enjoy happy hour, less time in front of a screen.
• hybrid tablet / laptops are becoming more common that when you buy a good, offers the best of both worlds, without carrying a separate device.
• If you are working from the road, is a laptop of some sort, the most sensible choice. Everything else will end up costing far more time and frustration than you ever save in weight and cost.

Cons

• weight. While laptops time are becoming easier all, you're still not going in the bag to slip as you from the door to the head. Include in the weight of the charger, and you will definitely be looking for excuses is looking to leave in your dorm or hotel room when you can.
• price. The price can be significant - depending on what you need to expect to pay anything from $ 500 to $ 00 or more. Wear a gadget that guarantees valuable additional concerns about theft or damage and travel insurance usually either will not cover the costs or require an additional premium to do so.
• They are fragile. The last thing you want to do, your computer drop
• is they are expensive to replace and Insurance
• You have a lot of power - power .. do not use. Laptops are ideal for travelers who runs an online business, but your daily travelers rarely need all the disk space, processing power and applications.

recommendations

If you run an online business, a laptop is a must. If your budget runs to $ 1000- $ 1500, it's hard to go past the Macbook Air. Slim, light, with good battery life and flash memory for extra speed and durability, Macbooks come with good warranty service, if you travel to places that official Apple stores have to do the repairs in the store. Check if there are any refurbished models available before you buy.

Other recommendations are the Asus Transformer T100 for basic needs or the Toshiba Kirabook or Dell XPS 12 for most other requirements. There are of course many other ways. I have compiled a guide to buying a travel laptop, if you need more information

What you should use

For most casual? Travelers a smartphone is the best choice. It replaced a dozen or more other gadgets, fits in a pocket, and with a little patience, can be used for most on-line tasks. If it has an unlocked SIM slot, mobile data is getting relatively cheap and easy - and given how many places offer free or cheap Wi-Fi, you can only do choose instead. Best of all, perfectly suited phones start at under $ 0th

If you prefer a tablet, by all means take a place with you. The better battery life and a larger screen can make for other disadvantages, and if you buy a model with cell data, it is easy, fast to get anywhere online. They are priced at $ 250- $ 0 +, search, depending on what you buy.

Unless you are working online, there is little need for a laptop on your next trip. While they offer high performance and flexibility, the size, the weight and the cost of most laptops mean that they are not worth the compromise.

Another thing to remember is that only the most travel insurance companies to conceal $ 500 US DOLLARS. If your device more than the cost (and does it probably), you need to buy an additional policy.

At the end I would say that a smartphone or a tablet the right device for a traveler who is not running a blog or company from the street. Laptops are heavy, expensive and unnecessary.

Dave runs too many adapters, a website dedicated to technology for travelers. An outsider, as long as he can remember, he was in IT for 15 years. Now based out of a backpack long Dave writes about traveling and Tech from anywhere with halfway decent internet and great views. You can also use it on the life of a find in long-term travelers conversation What to do Dave?

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