Summer Travel Laptop Tips

Beach umbrellas on a deserted beachIf you’re traveling with your laptop, you may need to carry a few accessories. These include adapters, surge protectors, converters, wireless Internet cards, Ethernet cables and a high-quality carrying case.

Power supply
If you’re traveling overseas, you need to consider possible international voltage differences and plug sizes and shapes. While the United State and Canada both use 110-volt electricity, the rest of the world runs on 220-240 volts.

Fortunately, most laptops can comfortably run on both voltages; however, check your computer label or owner’s manual to be on the safe side. If it runs on 110 only, you will need a converter.

You will also likely need an adapter so your plug can fit into the local outlets. Most countries have one or more adapters that are unique or that they share with a few close neighbors.

Surge protection is critical while traveling, particularly if you are traveling to a country where electricity is not reliable. You will need a surge protection electrical strip for whichever voltage you will be using, bearing in mind that surge protectors for 110 and 220-volt currents cannot be interchanged.

Internet connection
Most hotels offer either wireless or high-speed Internet. You may want to call ahead and find out what is available.

Many hotels will provide a Wi-Fi connection, which is helpful, since your laptop has its own built-in wireless network adapter that can search out the nearest wireless signal. Remember to ask for the hotel’s signal password at the front desk. You can also buy a wireless notebook card, if your laptop does not have an internal wireless network adapter. This would also be helpful for connecting to the Internet in WiFi hotspots in airports, libraries and coffee shops.

Some hotels will require that you plug into their Internet connection using an Ethernet cable. You should bring your own cable just in case one is not supplied to you by the hotel.

Extras
Your computer will more than likely take a few hits while you move around, so a sturdy padded carrying case could save you a lot of frustration and money.

You might also want to bring along a device onto which you can back up your work, just in case the hard drive crashes. An extra laptop battery might also come in handy, along with screen cleaners.

(Image Source: iCLIPART)

Tech Tips For The Road Warrior

c382409_mTraveling is rarely guaranteed to go smoothly, but there are at least a few travel headaches that can be kept at bay thanks to technology. If you know how to make use of it in the proper manner, technology can increase your likelihood of having a positive experience on your next vacation.

One good tip is to use tech to keep updated on your flight status. Flights are commonly disrupted due to one reason and another, and delays and cancellations et al can be tough to keep up with. Many airlines today however enable you to track your flight status via a website or app, so if you own a smartphone you can stay updated on what is happening with your flight no matter where you are. If an app is offered by your airline for this purpose, be sure to download it and ensure your smartphone has been fully charged before you set off to the airport.

Translation apps are another good idea if you are jetting off to foreign climes. Many translation apps on tablets and smartphones are free of charge, and also have voice recognition software, meaning that communicating with people who speak a different language has never been easier.

(Image Source: iCLIPART)

Going On A Trip?

Here Are 4 Websites You Should Visit!

  • The U.S. Department of Transportation (www.dot.gov) offers airline, highway and rail safety information.
  • The Transportation Security Administration (www.tsa.gov) has advice on
    safe travel by air, land and sea. For example, they post tips on
    dealing with airline security checks.
  • The U.S. State Department (www.state.gov/travel) provides information
    on what to do before, during and when you return from a trip overseas.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/travel)
    Don’t come home sick! This site offers health-related travel
    information.