Mobile internet access for travellers

[jp_bl_68]

I'm planning on doing some travelling and I thought it might be useful to have some kind of PDA/netbook/phone that I could use to book travel, accommodation, send pictures/videos back home, etc.. What's the cheapest way to do this? Which type of device would be best? Sending pics/vids isn't anywhere near as important as the other stuff but it would be nice to at least have somewhere to store that stuff rather than relying solely on a camera's internal memory.

 

[pcAnywhere]

Before starting to answer this - when you say "travelling" are we talking back-pack / minimum amount of space possible or suitcase / some luggage allowance?

Also - will you require WiFi and 3G connectivity (note: if travelling you may have access to neither service!)

Netbook: "large and heavy", WiFi (+ dongle for 3G), decent HDD (8GB to 160GB), "short" battery life, low running cost (3G dongle only)
iPhone type phone: Small and light, WiFi and 3G, Small HDD (none to 16GBish), decent battery life, expensive running costs (£25+/month)
Archos type media player: mid size, WiFi (no 3G), decent HDD (40GB to 160GB+), reasonable battery life, no running costs

My choice? If I was backpacking then a iphone type phone would be my choice. Make sure it has a decent storage and take a handfull of spare mini-SD cards!

 

[jp_bl_68]

I'll be travelling as lite as possible but I can make room for a netbook sized device. Do you have to pay a subscription fee for 3G? If so I'd prefer just to rely on WiFi.

One of my main concerns with any device is that it'll either break in my luggage or be stolen so something rugged and not too expensive would be ideal.

 

[jp_bl_68]

At the moment I'm leaning towards the ipod touch 2g. With the 3g on the way (fingers crossed) it shouldn't be too expensive. But the lack of connectivity is off putting.

 

[J.B]

I take it we are talking travelling round Europe or something? international roaming charges will be crazy!

Most hostels I've stayed in have internet you can use.

 

[95thrifles]

Iphone and good battery life should NEVER be used in same sentence
but that being said yeah Id go for a smartphone, you can keep it on you at all times so wont get damaged in luggage and if youre careful wont get stolen, as JB says roaming charges will be crazy though so you should always try n find a wifi hotspot to connect through

 

[jp_bl_68]

I'll be travelling around Europe. I definitely can't afford to pay for something like 3G. A second gen Touch is looking like my best option. It's a shame that they don't take micro sd cards.

 

[95thrifles]

doesnt have to be an iphone specifically, any smartphone will do the job, look on mobilechoice for decent reviews

 

[jp_bl_68]

I'm not that interested in the iPhone as I already have a phone that I like. I think the Touch should be fine for my needs.

 

[pcAnywhere]

iPOD Touch or if you need more storage space, one of the archos' (5 series, 605 etc etc.)

 

[Guzzidom]

Datawind Pocket Surfer is utterly made for YOU, quite possibly no-one else but absolutely YOU, their roaming charge is a pittance, it does web about 10X better than any phone I've used including Iphone and my own Blackberry, check it out.
Also gives you plenty of online data storage etc...which keeps it safe in case of loss / theft etc on hols.

 

[jp_bl_68]

I think I'm going to stick with the Touch. Just had a quick look and the Pocket Surfer gets some pretty poor reviews.

 

[xb8browney]

Netbook with case imo. £40 pay as you go dongle (Maybe cheaper) that way you arent tied into a contract and you can add credit as it's needed via credit/debit card

 

[Paul11]

netbook, and use internet access from whereever you are (everywhere has it)