What's your ideal travel computer?

[Deleted member 29185]

I use a Microsoft surface, does all the things I require for work, keyboard detaches to be used as a tablet, super light, and doesn't have to come out of my bag during airport security

What weight? Also, I thought all computers had to come out at security. What's the requirement? Size?

 

[sausagefingers]

What weight? Also, I thought all computers had to come out at security. What's the requirement? Size?

Not sure, but I never take it out and have never had anything said to me at all, including TSA.

 

[anat0l]

My ideal travel computer... is probably too expensive for me.

If I had to select one and money was not too much of a concern, it would probably be either the HP Envy you have, a Dell XPS series or perhaps a Microsoft Surface (not an RT one!).

For the non-specific, non-specialised user, the winner for ideal travel computer would probably go to the Macbook Air. However, I need more power and connectivity than it can offer, plus even though Bootcamp is an option, due to my working environments, I need Windows.

Chargers will usually tip out the scales of most people carrying a computer, however most luggage rules allow for one personal item, which can be a laptop and its immediate, necessary accessories. So in many cases you can discard the weight of the computer from calculations; after that, it becomes a question of size and how well you can whip it out for the security screening tray.

 

[JessicaTam]

I'm looking strongly at this. I have a Toshiba notebook 10" of some sort but had for >5yrs and its intermittently coughping out.

I like the weight and size of the new MacBook.
You have to download an app to use inflight mode? I keep forgetting my apple password.
How long is the battery life?
Is the charger cord bulky? It disappeared into the desk so I couldn't see.
I dislike that the keys don't sit as proud as other chiclet keyboards or even their MacBook Air.
Slightly concerned over no USB ports but I see you can get a connector ..... I guess it's rare I use more than 1 USB at a time but it is another small piece I'd need to be conscious not to lose.
I have previously checked in my Toshiba well padded in suitcase but the MacBook looks so frail I don't think I would.

I have an iPad mini as well but it's cough for lots of typing and you can't switch between internet pages easily as it has to reload them etc...

i just need microsoft office and Internet so nothing complicated. I'll buy MS for Mac.

I really wanted a non apple pc mainly to keep in touch with Windows as my desktop is Mac, but I haven't liked what I've seen so far, too small or too big or I guess new brands I'm not sure about (similar problems to selecting planes I fly). Functionally I'd probably be fine with anything but I'm just not sure and I hate buying when I'm not sure....but the Apple MacBook I like more than others currently.

Battery life is about 8 hours I guess. I have never kept track of how long to drain it.

The power cord is quite small, about the same size as other MacBook variants, and a bit bigger that iThingy chargers. I didn't take long to get used to the keyboard - but I am not a touch typist, so YMMV.

I carry a USB-C/USB3/HDMI adapter around, and it does most of what I want.

The MacBook is certainly not frail. The slight dent on one corner where I dropped it onto a tile floor is testament to that.

Next time we cross paths you are welcome to give it a try; I am likely to have it with me.

 

[NZflygirl]

Battery life is about 8 hours I guess. I have never kept track of how long to drain it.

The power cord is quite small, about the same size as other MacBook variants, and a bit bigger that iThingy chargers. I didn't take long to get used to the keyboard - but I am not a touch typist, so YMMV.

I carry a USB-C/USB3/HDMI adapter around, and it does most of what I want.

The MacBook is certainly not frail. The slight dent on one corner where I dropped it onto a tile floor is testament to that.

Next time we cross paths you are welcome to give it a try; I am likely to have it with me.

8hrs battery and the Tam tested resilience sounds good

Thanks for the generous offer to try. I've had a bit of a play in the Apple Store. I guess I might get used to the keyboard...keyboard is a big thing for me though. I'll make a decision one day.... Hopefully before the current one coughs out!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Not sure, but I never take it out and have never had anything said to me at all, including TSA.

Many thanks. I'll try it with mine next time and see what the response is.

 

[sausagefingers]

Many thanks. I'll try it with mine next time and see what the response is.

My understanding is that something inside a traditional laptop is what sets off the x-ray

 

[cosi]

I use a Microsoft surface, does all the things I require for work, keyboard detaches to be used as a tablet, super light, and doesn't have to come out of my bag during airport security

+1 for the Surface, except in Japan, where all tablets must be removed from the bag

 

[dandandandan]

Not so much an ideal travel computer but my current work travel computer is a HP ZBook 14 inch mobile workstation weighing in at 1.65kg.
Specs:
i7-5600U Processor
512GB SSD
16GB RAM
Dedicated AMD Firepro GPU 1 GB
4xUSB Ports
VGA and Display Port

I use this with a docking station when I'm in the office and have 3 monitors hooked up. I do a lot of CAD, 3D laser and sonar scan data collection etc. For a computer this size and weight, it runs pretty well although not as good as a dedicated machine. The computer itself set my company back a good $3500AUD.
I used to personally travel with a Macbook Air and I use a 15 inch Macbook Pro at home. The ZBook doesn't feel anywhere near as nice as an Apple computer however.

 

[cosi]

Not sure, but I never take it out and have never had anything said to me at all, including TSA.

800gms is the weight

 

[TheRealTMA]

Remember to take a HDMI cable for your tablet or laptop. Then you can plugin to the Hotel TV and use a streaming app ((or videos you have preloaded) to watch what you want rather then endlessly endless boringly boring repeats of CNN/BBC.

Works very well with my Surface Pro. (Oh, and a VPN if needed.)

 

[NZflygirl]

I always thought you had to take computers out or laptops at security because they blocked the X-rays from seeing anything because they're so dense eg if you were hiding something dodgy. So I just assumed tablets well.. Are made differently enough where that wasn't a problem. The Microsoft surface pro I think is functionally sort of a hybrid but is more tablet like? Is this why you can get away with not taking it out sausage fingers?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I used my spectre x2 last night as a tablet and I was really surprised how much I liked it. Very functional however when I first turned it on, there was a loud whirring sound (a bit like a crook hard drive spinning). I turned it off and then on again and the noise was gone. That bothers me a bit. Any ideas? I thought this one was all solid state and no fan. I might have to look a bit closer at the spec to see what might have made the noise.

 

[marki]

i can understand why some people substitute their phones that size for a tablet. But seriously you'd get peeved off trying to type up a CV on that thing!

You would be surprised

 

[franjelley]

couldn't agree more. DELL xps is a winner. in fact i bought 2, one for me and one for my travelling companion.

 

[Goosefeather]

I have an XPS 13 which is great. I also use the Duet display app - can use my iPad Mini as a second screen. Doesn't sound much as a second screen, but when you only have a 13" primary screen, any additional real estate is useful, particularly when working on two documents.
If you are a glutton for punishment you can even use your iPhone as second screen

 

[sausagefingers]

I always thought you had to take computers out or laptops at security because they blocked the X-rays from seeing anything because they're so dense eg if you were hiding something dodgy. So I just assumed tablets well.. Are made differently enough where that wasn't a problem. The Microsoft surface pro I think is functionally sort of a hybrid but is more tablet like? Is this why you can get away with not taking it out sausage fingers?

I honestly have no idea, I usually travel interstate with my GM and he has the same surface and I remember our first trip him saying, "Nah its more of a tablet, just leave it in there". Since then I have never removed it, only once I think JFK I was asked to remove it then they ran the "bomb testing swab" thing over it and let me go on.

 

[ICUDr]

I've tried numerous. I can find fault in all of them.

So I've just bought a "run out special" (my favourite, as at least they're not usually overpriced).

I bought a HP Spectre 2 with the addition of a Seagate 2TB wireless HD for the following reasons:
1) The HP is half the weight of my current Toshiba Satellite;
2) It's a dual tablet/laptop;
3) It has all the connectivity I need;
4) It so much smaller;
5) My current 500MB Verbatim HD is a pain as the connector is so bloody tempermental; and
6) I like the concept of the hard drive in my "man bag" (also a newie to house these new additions) without corded tethering.

My initial thoughts are:

1) Way too much packaging (it's so flash I feel reluctant to turf it out ... but what do you do with it)?
2) Love the weight as I can have new (bigger) "man Bag" and the the tablet/laptop, 2TB HD and all odd-bod paraphernalia for less weight than just my old laptop.
3) Looking forward to (almost) total wireless connectivity.
4) I'm not so structured as to need to send laptop "checked" due to ... A) slightly bigger man-bag; and B) smaller and lighter laptop.

Cost all up of new man-bag, new laptop and new HD was $1439. I can see it making my life so much easier and perhaps opening up HLO a bit more.



EDIT ... For those of you who know my better half ... please don't mention it ... she's still waiting for her new kitchen! :shock:

My vote goes for 13' MacBook Pro:
Intel Core i7
16GB RAM
512GB flash hard drive
Intel Iris Pro Graphics
Battery (9 hours) can buy adaptors to use old chargers. I have an old charger in Brisbane and another one in Newcastle.
Weighs 1.5kg (on the heavier side) but the charger for it weights less than the charger for the 15 inch one.

I was recently in AKL and ask for a spare charger in the lounge (I checked mine in the main bag) and voilà... They had 2!

 

[albyd]

I have a work issued Dell Latitude which is quite lightweight and does the job well. Dells are very common so was able to borrow hotel's in HK recently when I'd forgotten my charger. Work Dell is locked down for obvious reasons, so I usually cart along my Surface Pro 3 with the Pro 4 Keyboard. I love it- a fully functional computer with decent battery life. Just needs 4G function (but apparently would be hideously expensive) as 4G wifi hotspot and iPhone battery (in hotspot mode) don't last long. I chrome cast from it to hotel TVs and it's otherwise fine for inflight movie playback. Recently stayed at a hotel where I couldn't change the input to HDMI. It's a bit clunky for things like reading Kindle books and Zinio Magazines so still carry my iPad mini for that. Weight can add up very quickly with 3 devices and their chargers.

 

[EestiTiger]

I have a 2 year old Toshiba Kirabook. It is light, durable, SSD so boots up quick and has excellent battery life - that is all I ask. Weighs about 1.3kg.