When I go on vacation, one of the questions I often find myself wavering back and forth on is whether or not to take my personal laptop. We live in a wired age. Even if I were to leave my laptop behind I have email and internet connectivity via the Blackberry and my back up iPhone/iPod.(1) However, for me, the laptop is a combination tool and entertainment device. I use it to upload pictures and videos from my cameras, which is necessary on long or image intense trips and I use it to do incidental web surfing, play the occasional game, or watch a movie. Where I end up wavering is it seems that about half the time I carry the laptop with me on a vacation, I never really use it. I might flip it open once or twice to play with it, but that is about the extent of it. I often think I am going to use it, but end up not using it – but, the nature of the beast is that if I need or (or perceive I need it), then I definitely want it with me. Of course I travelled for years without a laptop – before they were invented, or before I owned one. I guess what I like is the feeling of having the option to connect with as much convenience as possible. So, as I am getting ready to travel once again, I find myself hovering around the question – do I take the laptop or not. I am inclined to say not – but I am also subject to changing my mind repeatedly in the next couple of days before I leave.
(1) I have an iPhone that I use mostly as an iPod and entertainment device. I often describe the difference between the Blackberry and the iPhone as the difference between a tool and toy. The Blackberry is an excellent tool. The iPhone is a better toy. This distinction has been known to send Apple fanatics into spasms.
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