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Before You Travel with a Laptop, Read these Articles for Tips and Tricks to Assist You
About this Section:
This section will help you prepare for your next trip abroad with your laptop computer - everything you may need from finding a roaming internet access provider to guarding against computer theft while on the road.
Before you begin your road trip, there are a number of issues you need to address.
First, there are hardware issues. You will need the correct power plug adapter so you can plug in your laptop when you get to your destination (and points in between). There are 9 different power plugs in use around the globe. In addition. your laptop may not be prepared to handle the 240VAC power you will encounter in many countries, so you may need a step-down transformer.
Next, you will have to deal with the telephone jacks which do not conform with the standard RJ-11 phone jack we all take for granted while traveling around the U.S. There are 39 different telephone jacks in use worldwide. You must have a telephone adapter to handle each of the phone jacks where you plan to travel. There is also a problem of trying to hook up your laptop computer to a digital phone line - that will blow your modem and then you can not use your computer. A special digital signal tester is available to test the line to make certain you are trying to connect to a phone line that will handle analog signals you computer's modem can handle.
Then there are the software issues. Laptops manufactured for use in the US have modems installed that do not recognize the dial tones used by most other countries. You will have to learn how to set your modem commands so your computer will ignore the strange dial tones and allow you to dial manually. Otherwise, your computer will not be able to function with your modem trying to recognize the strange dial tones.
Then there is a phenomenon called "tax impulsing". This is a condition that exists in certain European countries phone systems to measure the amount of time you are on the phone. It is a regular "beep" on the phone line - we normally ignore it during voice calls - that will cause your laptop to disconnect. There is a tax impulse filter so you can have normal communication using your laptop.
Batteries/Power Supply
About this Section:
This section will help you prepare for your next trip abroad with your laptop computer - everything you may need from finding a roaming internet access provider to guarding against computer theft while on the road.
Before you begin your road trip, there are a number of issues you need to address.
First, there are hardware issues. You will need the correct power plug adapter so you can plug in your laptop when you get to your destination (and points in between). There are 9 different power plugs in use around the globe. In addition. your laptop may not be prepared to handle the 240VAC power you will encounter in many countries, so you may need a step-down transformer.
Next, you will have to deal with the telephone jacks which do not conform with the standard RJ-11 phone jack we all take for granted while traveling around the U.S. There are 39 different telephone jacks in use worldwide. You must have a telephone adapter to handle each of the phone jacks where you plan to travel. There is also a problem of trying to hook up your laptop computer to a digital phone line - that will blow your modem and then you can not use your computer. A special digital signal tester is available to test the line to make certain you are trying to connect to a phone line that will handle analog signals you computer's modem can handle.
Then there are the software issues. Laptops manufactured for use in the US have modems installed that do not recognize the dial tones used by most other countries. You will have to learn how to set your modem commands so your computer will ignore the strange dial tones and allow you to dial manually. Otherwise, your computer will not be able to function with your modem trying to recognize the strange dial tones.
Then there is a phenomenon called "tax impulsing". This is a condition that exists in certain European countries phone systems to measure the amount of time you are on the phone. It is a regular "beep" on the phone line - we normally ignore it during voice calls - that will cause your laptop to disconnect. There is a tax impulse filter so you can have normal communication using your laptop.
The following Articles, Tips and Resources are meant to offer a solution for each of these potential problems - before you leave on your trip!
- Alternatives to the now defunct Iridium communication system
- EUnet Traveller simplifies Internet access in Europe, US
- iPass provides behind-the-scenes network for roaming Internet access
- AT&T offers software to ease international direct dialing
- International Internet access offered by GRIC network
- IBM offers roaming Internet access
- Are You Ready for VoiceXML?
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- How to get your laptop through customs when traveling
- Internet cafes offer advice to business travelers
- Phone calls via the Internet may save you money
- Internet telephone simplified by new handset
- Internet access at public libraries
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- Cruise update March 2006
- Cruise Lines Install On-Board Cyber Cafes to Keep Passengers Connected While on the High Seas
- Payphones offer inexpensive connections
- Asia traveler relies on experience and bare wires to stay online
- Vietnam moves only slowly onto the Information Superhighway
- RJ-11 phone jacks becoming common in Portugal
- Travelers to find a mixed bag in Japan
- Cyber Butler Serves Road Warrior's Needs
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- How to program Windows to dial without waiting for a dial tone
- Manual dialing adds needed flexibility to online connections
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- Computer lock systems offer improved peace of mind
- Use common sense to minimize risk of computer loss in airports
- Motion-detector laptop lock: Good and bad
- Encryption protects your laptop's data from unwelcome eyes
- Other tips for protection of your personal laptop/notebook computer
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Batteries/Power Supply
- Travelers share tricks on how to find electric outlets in airports
- Strategies for extending laptop battery life
- Don't be tricked into replacing your PDA Battery before it is necessary
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- Telephone and electrical adapter charts
- E-mail by satellite coming of age
- Laptop keyboard adds flexibility for office use
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- Services help travelers receive fax messages while on the go
- Free services that convert Email to fax messages
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