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Essential Computer Accessories when you travel!
by Rebecca Bliefernich on February 18, 2010 |
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The computer advertisements make it sound all so easy - take your laptop everywhere! Free wifi is offered in every coffee shop! Stay connected in today's fast-paced cyber world!
Well - that's very exciting to hear and read but not actually the entire truth. Hotels require you to be a checked in guest before they will give you the access code to use their wireless internet connection. Starbuck's isn't free either - you have to buy something and have an ATT&T account with wifi bundled in it. And if you're traveling across the pond to Europe there are other considerations and hardware you'll need to stay connected.
Let's talk about power first. If you have a new system, likely it will accept either 110v and 220v power and all you'll need is a plug adapter. If your system is dated, then double check if it only takes 110v, if that's the case you'll need a power converter too.
If your computer doesn't have wireless access built in, and that's all the hotel offers, you'll need a wireless notebook card of some kind. Best Buy sells them, for instance. If the hotel offers only hi-speed Internet and your computer is wifi - then you need an Ethernet cable and a NIC (which maybe built into your system). If it doesn't then you'll need that as well as the cable.
If you're on the road and you need to get into your system to communicate and you're equipped for wireless Internet, you're in luck -- you can find WiFi hot spots in airports, coffee shops, libraries and many other facilities around the world. While you'll usually have to pay for this service, sometimes you'll luck out and find a free hot spot. Be sure to Google for free hot spots in the city you plan to visit - identify more than one location in the area you're visiting too. When I checked Portland for places near my office at least 3 on the list were not in business anymore.
Be prepared at the airport security stations to slow up the line, be questioned, take the computer out and turn it on, and perhaps do several other functions to make the officials happy. Be nice, polite, and do as they ask. Make sure you have enough time to be stopped for this process - being impatient and rude will only send up red flags at the check point. It's all done in the name of safety and for your protection.
Comments:
| by Nancy on February 19, 2010 |
| As someone that takes their laptop with them everywhere . . .you are right. It is not always as easy as it sounds. TSA is a hassle, but fortunately I have never been asked to boot it up. |
| by Rebecca Bliefernich on February 19, 2010 |
| As a new owner of the top of the line MacBook, the wifi connection has been less than as advertised. It's actually a bit of a disappointment! |
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