What do use for your computer system while traveling?

ted01 · December 20, 2011, 06:47:15 PM

We are about to retire and head south. Not sure of the best way to go with having access to internet., to check e-mail, pay bills etc. Have been thinking about an, ipad, tablet or laptop, or just taking this computer along for the ride, don't understand much about cards, wifi and all that technology. Just some pointers and tips would be helpful, as we are pretty illiterate about the newest stuff.

buswarrior · December 20, 2011, 06:49:52 PM

There will be a seminar at the Arcadia Rally on this very topic.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

robertglines1 · December 20, 2011, 08:33:03 PM

laptop and verizon Mi-fi supports up to 5 computers. we use two on it all time. Bob

bobofthenorth · December 21, 2011, 03:46:23 AM

I've used a laptop for so long I can't remember when it wasn't my primary computer. I guess some people make it work but I wouldn't mess with a desktop on the road. You've got lots of internet choices now - not so many when we started so we used Hughesnet as our primary provider. Now we have tethering capability with our Blackberries and we carry a pay as you go Verizon hotstick for times when our phones will be too expensive. It depends where you plan to travel now - most areas have cellular coverage, particularly if you have some kind of cellular booster. We still spend some time where we don't have cellular coverage which makes the Hughesnet pretty nice but if we were starting out now I doubt we'd buy it again.

Think about how you are going to backup a mobile computer because you'll end up with a lot of your life on the computer and it will be subject to a travelling life which may be hazardous to its health. I use a USB hard drive that we carry on the bus for periodic backups and I have mine set up to do a Mozy backup every time it sees a connection in the middle of the night.

luvrbus · December 21, 2011, 04:19:51 AM

Now days the air card for a laptop is a waste of 600 bucks a year with so many wifi locations for free along across the country with cell phones that can be used for hot spots even WalMart is getting into the wifi deal.

We use the wifi systems and use the 600 dollars a year for other things like fuel or a Apple Computer just our way lol

good luck

ted01 · December 21, 2011, 04:33:43 AM

So really all I need is the laptop? and just take my chances where I can find wifi? Or an Ipad?

Robert, how much is the verizon thing?

Is the Arcadia rally iin January? Will still be working until Feb 1. Would love to be there though.

ted01 · December 21, 2011, 04:38:57 AM

Think about how you are going to backup a mobile computer because you'll end up with a lot of your life on the computer and it will be subject to a travelling life which may be hazardous to its health. I use a USB hard drive that we carry on the bus for periodic backups and I have mine set up to do a Mozy backup every time it sees a connection in the middle of the night.

Bob, I have no idea what this is, can you tell me more? What is mozy?

luvrbus · December 21, 2011, 04:46:47 AM

Buy you a Apple Laptop it has a backup for free,the Apple will cost you more money up front but is worth every penny compared to a MS systems,this will get the MS guys going lol we have both, Apple is the way to go

Some places in the Southwest air cards don't work anyway I don't care who the carrier is we have people visit us they give up on the air cards and use our Wifi

good luck

prevosman · December 21, 2011, 04:48:40 AM

Exactly what Bob said. Fast, reliable.

bevans6 · December 21, 2011, 05:04:45 AM

We use the same laptops as we use at home. We travel more in Canada now, we have a 4G cellphone router from Bell Mobility that supports up to 4 computers. Coverage where we travel is seamless, even if it's really 3G and not the 4G that they advertise. HSPA+, $35 a month for 3.5 gig, it's now our home access as well. Some equivalent might be available from Verizon et al. We use the local Wifi when we travel in the US.

I had a netbook and found it limited. Just a little too small, particularly the keyboard, which I never got used to, and I never liked the screen. Kind of silly on my part, because the small size is kind of the point of a netbook. When it had a software/malware episode that killed it, I got a mid-sized lap top for $450, an Acer.

These days you can back up into the "cloud", we use Norton. Cloud computing is the way of the future, it would seem. Back up into some huge amorphous network of servers somewhere, access your data from anywhere.

http://xkcd.com/908/

Brian (tech geeks, hit random on the comic footer)

sunlovers · December 21, 2011, 05:12:00 AM

We use Virgin Mobile MI-FI. $149.00 for the hotspot and $50.00 per month UNLIMITED. We first used it at the wife's new place until we go cable then we use it in the bus when traveling. Has worked everywhere we have turned it on

.
Mike

luvrbus · December 21, 2011, 05:14:05 AM

Need to come visit us Mike it won't work here lol hit and miss here with air cards they work anywhere you have cell service (sometimes ) lol Anne spent 2 days trying to update their blog finally used our wifi their card was running so slow with 3 bars

good luck

oldmansax · December 21, 2011, 05:37:33 AM

We use laptops, one for me & one for the wife. Whether you like Apple or MS, get a machine that has a large screen. Squinting at a 14" screen gets tiresome very quickly.

For internet access, I use Autonet (disclaimer: I sell these) or Hughesnet for places like Clifton's. I do like the Autonet because it runs on 12 volt, I can attach an external antenna to it to capture the faintest cell signal, it works on ANY cell network, and I can turn the WiFi off & plug directly into the router it I want to be more secure (see below)

I don't use open WiFI networks because of security risks. If you were to use my WiFi, I can capture everything you do & eventually break whatever kind of encryption you use unless you are using IronKey. That means I can get to any financial information, email, and, if you stay around long enough, I might be able to get into your computer. I'll bet Chris & Cherie, and some others here could do the same or better.

But, by far the most egregious security risk is I COULD GET YOUR USERNAME & PASSWORD TO THE BUS CONVERSIONS BOARD & POST CRAZY MESSAGES IN YOUR NAME!!!!!!!

In my case, no one would notice the difference but it could be bad for some of you guys!!

I don't want to start a food fight here, just giving you my opinion.

I already know I am a conspiracy nut. My daughter gave me a tinfoil hat for my birthday lots of years ago & I wear it most of the time...

TOM

robertglines1 · December 21, 2011, 05:38:24 AM

Ted; About $60 a month or less from verizon. We tried at@t waste of time. not good coverage. I don't trust all these available free wifi. Just me and I'm probably wrong. Never thought there was a free ride. with the mi-fi it is a private telephone line like a cell phone dedicated to you. We have a booster that works on it. Not necessary 95% of the time (or more) Just my opinion. Bob

luvrbus · December 21, 2011, 05:45:03 AM

If it goes by air it's open to all you just have to be smart enough to do it and there are some that are lol like our government and others

I have a grandson that works for the center in Phoenix secure no way you believe that I will sell you some ocean front property in AZ

He sent us a Christmas Card to our wireless printer and the thing printed it out that is how safe we are lol he did that from his laptop at home you have a Email address you are open game same with the cordless phones so many of us have somebody is watching like it or not

You gave up all your rights to privacy when Bush signed the Homeland Security Act into law it keeps us semi safe at a price

good luck