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Travelers can save a lot of money and time by choosing free software options over the more expensive program suites many people use. Most free alternative software does what the paid versions do and while the interfaces are different, it usually doesn’t take very long to get used to them. On top of that you can ditch installation DVDs by having the programs available to you any time with a simple download. Did we also mention that these programs are completely free? That alone will save you hundreds of dollars if you go out and try to purchase everything you need to get work done.

Operating System

Let us start with the fundamental software behind all of your computer operations – the operating system. The Linux flavor of operating systems are free (with few exceptions) and are fully functional. You can run all of the other free software here and even order a Dell running Ubuntu to save the money you would otherwise pay for Windows. Linux has a variety of distributions or flavors and there are plenty to choose from. Linux is also open source, another one of the many advantages of using Linux.

Documents And Spreadsheets

You don’t need to shell out the big bucks for Microsoft’s Office Suite. OpenOffice is a complete suite in itself and has a word, spreadsheet, and presentation programs as well. Compatibility with Microsoft Office isn’t an issue either, OpenOffice can open Word documents and the same goes is true of Microsoft’s Word. In fact, Excel and Powerpoint are also both compatible with OpenOffice. Microsoft’s Office Suite can also convert OpenOffice documents as well.

Backups

There are multiple online backup services and two of our favorites, Mozy and CrashPlan, both come in free varieties. Mozy will let you backup up to 2GB of data for without charge and CrashPlan lets you backup to other computers you own. CrashPlan also lets you backup for free to your friends or parent’s computers, really any computer with someone willing to swap some space with you.

Security

Another area of computing where there are many great options for free. Encryption programs like TrueCrypt and Mac’s FileVault are highly effective and work smoothly with your existing software. Windows users should also pick up either of these free anti-virus programs. Both AVG and Avast! work well, just be sure not to use them at the same time – only pick one. Linux users can load up ClamAV. (Here’s how ways to protect your laptop when traveling.)

Many people don’t use free or open source software because they feel won’t be of the same quality since it’s free. That’s not the case and you’d be amazed at how much great free software there is out there – often as good and better than anything you’d have to pay for. The best part is you can try them out…for free of course.

Copyright @2012 Best Travel Laptops

Once you decide on the perfect laptop for you and your travels, you’re going to need to protect it both physically and digitally whether you’re going on a trip to Orlando or Johannesburg. Both are fairly easily done and with a few simple modifications and good habits can keep your laptop out of trouble in most cases.

Physical Security

Protecting your laptop physically is the first part of any cyber-security plan. Invest in a good laptop lock, they aren’t very expensive and are compatible with just about any modern notebook made within the last few years. We’d recommend getting one with a combination lock so you don’t have to worry about losing any keys. Of course you should never leave your laptop unattended but a lock will give you added protection from simple grab-and-run thieves. In addition to protecting your laptop with a physical lock, you should always remember to lock your screen whenever you’re not directly in front of your machine.

• Windows users can use Control + Alt + Delete at the same time and then select “Lock my computer” from the subsequent menu.
• Mac users can click these 3 keys at the same time: Shift + Control + Eject button

When letting others use your computer (like hostel mates or co-workers) you should be sure to use guest accounts for them. This will prevent any access of your personal files either intended or not.

Encryption

Physically protecting your laptop is only the first step in a security plan. You’ll also need to consider the data on your machine – the best way to protect it is by using encryption. Fortunately there are a number of free and effective methods of achieving this. Mac users can use the built-in FileVault application which encrypts your entire home drive with your administrator password. There isn’t anything to do after setup, once the initial encryption is done (might take a few hours), your data will automatically be encrypted and decrypted without you noticing. Windows users should download the very capable and versatile TrueCrypt. This program can encrypt your entire hard drive with a password you select, create encrypted folders for only the things you want encrypted, and even create hidden encrypted folders that aren’t visible, even to educated cyber-thieves. TrueCrypt is open source and a free download.

Select Good Passwords

Forget about trying to create your own good passwords and managing all of them. Using a program like KeePassX, you can generate random and complex passwords (the most effective kind) and store user names. You’ll only need to remember a single password for the application and can store countless other accounts there. KeePassX also allows you to share your password database with other computers you may have for backup.

Finally, when possible, you should use good browsing habits. You can make things a lot easier on yourself by using Firefox and downloading the Encrypt The Web plugin. This plugin, which is free, helps secure your online connections by automatically encrypting all of the ones it can for you. It’s a good way to browse the Internet a bit more safely.

Copyright @2012 Best Travel Laptops

Depending on your traveling style and how long you’ll be traveling for, there are some special considerations and costs to take into account right before ordering and as soon as you open up your new laptop. First off, we don’t recommend you spending any additional money on an extended or store warranty on your new laptop. Manufacturer’s warranties are almost always a year long and cover most defects like hard drive failures you’re likely to encounter. Also, if you’re going to be traveling extensively or simply have a bad break one week into a 3 week vacation, you’re probably going to spend the money to get it fixed on the road before you can get back home. Plus, the truth is that most people end up replacing their laptops and upgrading about every 3 years so it doesn’t make sense to pay 10-30% of the cost of a new laptop on a warranty. Instead, take that money you’d pay for the warranty and put it aside in a savings account for your next, brand new laptop down the line.

Backups

You’ll want to seriously consider backups, one thing we don’t think your laptop should be without, whether you travel or not! For most people on the road, online backups feature many advantages over carry external drives with them. Online backup providers typically offer a few gigabytes for free but also have pay unlimited options as well. Unlimited backup from providers like Mozy and CrashPlan are very cheap – about $200 for a 2-3 year subscription. Backups are taken automatically and incrementally without your interaction and aside from the first big download, works seamlessly for most applications.

Of course, if you take pictures in RAW format or work with Adobe Photoshop or use AutoCAD, the amount of backup information might warrant you to carry an external drive. Even so, we’d still recommend online backup for the simple reason that your external drives are likely to be with your laptop so a physical mishap or lost luggage will probably take both. Online backup stores your important files in a secured location (which you can learn about by emailing the respective companies) and are maintained by staff. This also makes restoring some or all of your files that may have gone missing very easy and doesn’t require you to pull out a large external drive and deal with that. Also, when you don’t carry external drives, you end up with a lighter backpack or suitcase – yet another bonus.

Learn Some Basic Maintenence

Upgrading your RAM or replacing a hard drive in most laptops is very easy with a specialized screw driver and by following the manual (almost all are online these days). If you have the luxury of checked luggage, buy a Victorinox CyberTool and use Google to find out how to make these basic repairs and upgrades. This will save you a lot of money throughout your life and time as well. Most laptops are designed for easy access to the RAM and hard drive and are usually plug and play.

Copyright @2012 Best Travel Laptops

When looking for a good travel laptop, you begin with the exterior. You should consider the size, do you want a full grown laptop or need more information about netbooks? Size is, of course, a major consideration in a travel laptop but once you peg that down and figure out your rough budget, it’s time to look inside. You may not know (yet) much about the guts of a laptop and the basic components that factor into your user experience and price so we’ll do our best to break them down for you to make sense of it all.

Four Parts You Need To Evaluate

Yes, we know there are other parts in a computer but these are the big ones you’ll likely be looking at and paying for when you go shopping for a new travel laptop.

1. Processor – The primary computing chip, the processor is measured in gigahertz (Ghz). The faster the processor the zippier your programs will be, but it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to run more stuff at once. Most people typing documents and surfing the Internet shouldn’t pay extra to get a fancy processor, you’re not likely to notice the difference unless you’re running intensive applications like Adobe Photoshop.

2. Memory (RAM) – More RAM means you can run more applications and multitask better. Additional memory won’t speed up any existing applications (that’s what the processor is for) and you should shoot for the middle (2-4GB). Don’t spend too little or too much with memory. You can always upgrade or replace memory, which is inexpensive and an easy at-home upgrade for most folks.

3. Hard Drive – This is where all of your files, travel pictures, and other data is stored. Most laptops and now many netbooks offer quite a bit of storage, much more than most travelers will be able to fill up, even if you take tons of pictures. For those of you using RAW mode on your cameras or have gigantic music libraries, look into getting an external drive to store your stuff. Hard drives are growing in storage by the moment while at the same time the price of them is slowly decreasing. It’s a good scenario to be in so get a hard drive as big as you’re willing to spend on it but don’t fret if you end up needing more space. There is much more space out there and external drives aren’t too expensive and hook right up to your laptop – no technical installations needed.

4. Battery Life – Look for a laptop with a good built in battery life (netbooks and Macbook Pros are good bets) but don’t buy an extra one for more capacity. Extra batteries are bulky and heavy – two things you don’t want more of in your backpack. Instead, learn how to extend laptop battery life and make the most out of each charge.

Don’t fret about any one single aspects of any of these components. Most are easily upgradable and now that you know how to evaluate each one, should make your decision much easier. Besides, laptops get more powerful and come down in price everyday. You can find the laptop you need for the price you want if you shop around.

Copyright @2012 Best Travel Laptops

You want to maintain your light load but still be as functional as ever and these recommended laptop accessories will help you do just that.

Many travelers forget about these items until they realize at 35,000 feet that the headphones they pass out on airplanes don’t insulate the engine noise or that a lock in a crowded hostel might be more than a good idea.

To avoid that situation pick up or order these items while you’re getting your trip plans in order so you can have a great travel laptop and be a fully prepared digital nomad.

1. Sound-Insulated Headphones – Don’t skimp on good headphones just because you associate their small size with a tiny price tag. You want to get a pair, preferably ear buds, that will provide you some protection against outside noises like airplane engines and crying babies.

• Recommended: Logitech Premium Notebook Headset

2. Laptop Lock – This is one lesson you don’t want to learn first hand. Laptop locks are cheap and can save you a laptop but only if you have and use one.

• Recommended: Kensington ComboSaver Portable Laptop Lock

3. Laptop Sleeve – A full case for your laptop isn’t light or efficient and you’ll get better protection from a thick sleeve instead that can fit into your existing carry on luggage. Good laptop sleeves have “memory foam” that absorbs impacts and dents, before quickly returning to their original shape.

• Recommended: Case Logic Laptop Sleeve

4. USB Flash Drive – How else are you going to load portable Linux – one of the biggest advantages of using Linux. Storage space on USB drives is ridiculously cheap and aside from portable drives, they make great backups for your most important files, data, and pictures.

• Recommended: SanDisk Cruzer Micro 8GB USB Flash Drive

5. A Microphone and Webcam – They will make it much easier to use Skype. When picking out a laptop, try to find one that has these two things integrated but if not there are plenty of high quality web-cams that have great resolution and microphones that will really pick up your voice.

• Recommended: Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 (with built-in microphone)

6. USB Squid – Turns one USB port into 4 and makes charging all of your various gadgets that much easier.

• Recommended: Octopus 4-Port USB Hub

7. All In One Power Adapter – You can charge your laptop, even if there are plentiful outlets in the airport without the right converter for your charger. Rather than buying a specific converter for each type of plug type you might encounter, go with an all-in-one. They’re small and take up less overall space than individual converters and have conversions between all of the major outlet configurations.

• Recommended: All In One Travel Plug Power Adapter

8. USB Rechargeable Double AA Batteries – Unfortunately not everything can be recharged using USB directly and you may still need old-fashioned AA batteries for digital cameras and other equipment. These batteries can be recharged using your USB port and will work anywhere AA will.

• Recommended: Double AA USB Rechargeable Batteries

These 7 recommended travel laptop accessories will make your digital tool belt extremely versatile and give you many options on the road. They will also save you money since you can be much more self-reliant with them.

Copyright @2012 Best Travel Laptops

Battery life on laptops varies quite a bit. Netbooks and Macbook Pros are usually on the higher end of the spectrum but all travelers have come up on battery warnings hours away from the next electrical outlet. You can increase the life and extend your battery on each charge by making your laptop an efficient and cool machine. Travelers need battery life, it’s one of the most important considerations when looking at any travel gadget since outlets can be hard to come by in hostels, long haul flights, and airports. These tips will give you a few more minutes of life when you really need it and if you practice these habits early, you might be able to save yourself from that frantic search for a place to plug in.

Start Early

The sooner you begin implementing the tips in this article in a charge, the most battery life and power you’ll get out if it. When you know you’re not likely to get access to an outlet in advance (like on a long flight) be sure to get efficient quickly. Don’t wait until you’ve only got 3 minutes of battery life left, otherwise these tips won’t help you much. In fact the best time to start conditioning your battery is well before you take your first trip with your laptop. To get the most out of each charge, you need to condition your battery by charging it full and discharging it whenever you unplug it from a power source. Batteries only work as hard as you push them and if you end up recharging after just and hour of battery use over and over you’ll hurt your battery’s total capacity.

Turn Off Wireless

On airplanes, trains, and bus stations that don’t have a wireless connection it doesn’t make sense to leave on your wireless card. It’s pretty easy to turn off on both Windows and Mac systems and will really extend your battery life. This is especially true where there is no wireless network around, as your wi-fi card burns a lot of electricity trying to look for a decent signal.

Another great way to significantly reduce the drain on your battery is to lower the brightness on your screen as much as comfortable. The screen is the biggest culprit for battery drain so lower the light low when you want to make the most out of a single charge. Cool laptops also run more efficiently and you’ll save power by not placing your laptop on your lap, but rather using your backpack as insulation. This will prevent most of the heat radiating from your legs from heating up your laptop any further.

Some other easy ways to extend each charge are to use applications one at a time (shut down any you’re not actively using), not using your speaker but instead headphone, and limited the use of your CD or DVD drive (burn those songs or movies to the hard drive instead). By using these methods above you can squeeze out every last drop of electricity from you laptop.

Copyright @2012 Best Travel Laptops

One of the oldest arguments in recent computer history, this is a question more and more travelers are coming up on as they consider a new laptop. We’ll shine the light on the major differences so you can make an educated decision with which way to go. There is a great deal of misunderstanding among the general public as to what a Mac really is, the advantages and disadvantages, and where Windows is as an operating system today.

What Makes Macs Different?

Mac OS X is a type of computer operating system, just like Windows. The major difference between Windows and Mac is that whereas Windows can run on most hardware, Mac OS X is designed specifically for certain hardware. This makes the various versions of Mac OS X (i.e. Snow Leopard) much more stable, since they’re created with the computer parts in mind. That also means you can’t run Mac OS X on PCs or anything other than a Mac (although there are some unsupported methods of doing this). Because OS X is developed for specific hardware that only Apple makes, you pay a premium for any Mac laptop you buy. The hardware is generally high quality but part of the inflated price is also brand and proprietary hardware.

Is Windows Terrible?

This is the perception that many people have, especially after reading about the disaster that was Windows Vista. The latest incarnation, called Windows 7, is a very stable and well thought out operating system. It can run on netbooks and just about any other kind of laptop. While the operating system separately is most expensive than Mac OS X (~$159 compared to $29), purchasing Windows in a bundle with a new laptop will save you a lot of money. For travelers heading out on longer trips or business travel, keep in mind that it’s easier to repair PC laptops from most anywhere in the world, unless you are near an Apple store. It should be something to consider depending on where you travel in the world.

Crossover

Apple programs and applications won’t work on Windows machines and visa versa. While most manufacturers now make both Windows and Mac software, all of your old Windows or Mac CD programs won’t work if you decide to switch over. There are a few options and free ways to crossover your program though.

Through the use of virtual machines, Mac users can run Windows on their laptops in separate windows. It’s literally like having a little computer within a computer. Another advantage of virtual machines is that you can use them to test software or play around in, without effecting your primary computer. Virtual machines also work in Windows laptops but the only operating system you won’t be able to run is OS X. Mac users can also use free program Wine Bottler to run many of their favorite Windows programs on Mac. This program creates a little Windows “bubble” on your Mac, letting you run many Windows .exe files.

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Many people are intimidated by the word “Linux” and many more yet don’t even know what it means. Linux is the name given to a group of operating systems, called “distributions”. These Linux “flavors” as they are refereed to are based on UNIX, much like Mac OS X. The Linux flavors are an attractive alternative to Mac and Windows users because they are high customizable and completely free (with very few exceptions). Linux take a bit of getting used to for those of you accustomed to Windows machines, but if you’re a bit tech savvy and budget oriented it might be the operating system for you.

Where To Find Linux

Although you can easily find and download many of the Linux operating system flavors for free, if you’re looking to purchase a new notebook, consider checking out Dell first. They give you the option to purchase laptops with the Linux flavor of Ubuntu over Windows, which will save you the cost of paying for an operating system. Linux will run on just about any PC laptop and almost all Mac hardware as well.

Linux Software

Much like Windows of Mac OS X, Linux requires its own software. You’ll need to find Linux versions of the most popular Windows titles (if they exist) and Mac users should be able to find many more compatible programs. (Mac OS X and Linux are both built upon UNIX and this commonality allows for more software crossover.) Windows users may find it difficult to find all of their programs in a Linux version but can replace some of Microsoft’s biggest sellers with free alternative software.

• Consider using the free Java-based OpenOffice instead of Microsoft Office.
• Firefox is customizable and arguably the best Web browser.
• Get the free anti-virus program for Linux, ClamAV.

Linux will also run on netbooks and is a good option to consider for budget travelers who aren’t afraid of a few days learning curve to get used to the different operating system.

Trying Linux Out

Using free virtual machine software like VirtualBox, you can download and install any of the Linux flavors on your existing Windows of Mac machine. Virtual machines let you run a little virtual computer inside of a window of your existing operating system so it won’t affect or change anything on your laptop. It gives you the opportunity to try out and learn how to use some of the more popular flavors of Linux like Ubuntu and OpenSUSE right from your desktop.

You can also download and install a portable version of Linux on to a USB stick and take it anywhere with you. Portable Linux also lets you install programs and keep your customizations on the thumb drive. This is especially useful when visiting Internet cafes and you can’t trust the computer you’re working on. Simply load up your portable Linux USB drive and you’ll have your very own private virtual machine, with all of your programs and settings to work off of in a safe environment. When you’re done, all of you have to do take your USB drive and take your portable computer operating system with you.

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Netbooks, which can also be referred to as ultra-light or ultra-portables, are a class of laptop that are exceptionally small. They are in fact, the smallest laptops you can find and typically have screens less than 11 inches (~28 centimeters) when measured diagonally. Netbooks are also about 6 inches wide (~15cm) and around 1-2 inches (~3.8cm) thick. You can see why ultra-portables appeal to travelers but may be wondering what you give up in terms of quality and hardware for the small frame.

Netbook Advantages And Disadvantages For Travelers

Another good reason that travelers should take a look at netbooks is their price. They run anywhere between $250-400 for a standard build, which is usually enough for most people’s needs. Netbooks also have great battery life and will give you power for an average of 5 hours (although some go up to 10) on a single charge. You’ll also need to consider the smaller screen and keyboard of a netbook. While many people don’t find it bothersome, if you’ll be online or working quite a bit while you travel an ultra-light might not be for you. Also, if you tend to do a lot of graphic intensive work or like to game in your spare time, the smaller screen might hinder your experience.

Optical Drive

To keep their size down most netbooks don’t have built in optical drives. That means if you’ll need to buy an external drive to use any CDs or DVDs or learn how to burn them straight to the hard drive. Processors on netbooks aren’t as powerful as their laptop counterparts and if you’ll be running programs like Photoshop or anything requiring a lot of computer power you may find a netbook to be a bit sluggish. Most netbooks also come with less memory than a comparable laptop so you won’t be able to mutli-task quite as well. For most people these drawbacks however are easily manageable and don’t negatively affect the user experience.

Hard Drive

Hard drives on netbooks do have one big advantage over larger drive – they are solid state. That means less moving parts and more reliability in the long run, not to mention better battery life as a result. The capacity of hard drives in netbooks has also increased quite a bit in recent months and now are on par with larger laptops. For those travelers who take a lot of pictures with point and shoot digital cameras, a 500GB drive should be more than enough. Photographers taking pictures in RAW format will need to consider external hard drives or backing up into an online service.

Operating System

The vast majority of netbooks will come preloaded with Windows although some manufacturers like Dell also give you the option of using Linux to save yourself some of the money. Apple doesn’t make a netbook, the closest to an ultra-portable they have is the Macbook Air although the Dell Mini 10 can be configured to run Mac OS X as well.

Copyright @2012 Best Travel Laptops