A Backpacker’s Dilemma
It’s a question that has plagued many backpackers.
I just returned from a 3-month trip across Europe and one of the biggest questions I had while preparing for the trip was: Should I bring a laptop or will I regret lugging it around my backpack? Is it worth the hassle?
In this blog post, I’ll delve into the pros and cons of packing a laptop for a backpacking trip, and elaborate on the factors you should consider to help you make a decision.
But first, let’s cut right to the chase.
Should You Bring a Laptop on Your Backpacking Adventure Through Europe?
My answer: It’s 100% a personal decision, and depends on your individual needs and preferences.
I know, it’s probably not the answer you’re looking for. But it truly is up to the individual person and their preferences. There are people who never travel without their laptop, and others who see it pointless to lug one around.
Let’s Outweigh the Pros and Cons
The Pros of Bringing a Laptop
- Useful and versatile tool: You can do practically anything on a laptop. Catch up on a tv show? Sure. Journal your travel experiences? Certainly. Run a demanding video software? By all means
- Convenient: A laptop is easier for a multitude of things because it has a big screen and powerful processors.
- Work: If you’re working while traveling, a laptop is essential, especially if you need to stay connected via video calls, emails, and programs.
- Photography and videography: If you’re a photographer or videographer, a laptop is critical for editing your content. I use Lightroom to edit my photos and it is important for me to have a big screen and processor to do so.
The Cons of Bringing a Laptop
- Weight and size: The most obvious con is that laptops can be heavy and bulky, taking up valuable space in your luggage.
- Security Risk: It’s a valuable item and there’s always a chance it can get lost, stolen, or damaged. You will need to be cautious and regularly aware of your surroundings.
- Expensive: If you lose or damage the laptop, it can be expensive to replace it. An option to protect yourself from financial loss is insurance, which can also add costs.
- Distractions: It’s easy to get caught up in the digital world and get distracted from enjoying your travels. A journey without a laptop means more motivation to go outside and explore what’s around.
- Digital Security: If you’re using public wifi during those three months, you have increased exposure/chances of being compromised by hackers.
Are you thinking of traveling with just a carry-on? You might find this helpful:
Full Packing List to Backpack Europe for 3 Months
Questions to Consider in Determining if You Need to Bring Your Laptop
Purpose of the laptop: What do you plan on doing with it? Work requirements and videography are a couple reasons to bring a laptop.
Weight: Does the extra weight on your back outweigh the benefit?
Space: Do you have space to pack a laptop? For me, the Cotopaxi backpack had a separate slot specifically to carry a laptop.
Security: Can you afford the chances of your laptop from being stolen? Consider theft risks and if you can afford to bring it on your trip.
Usage rate: Do you use your laptop a lot at home? If you use your laptop constantly at home then you’re likely going to miss it on the road.
Wifi: Will you have wifi and/or will you need it? If you need wifi and you’re going into areas without wifi, you may not utilize the laptop enough to be worth it.
Alternatives to Bringing a Laptop
Intermediate Option
A middle ground option between a phone and a laptop is a tablet. A tablet is portable and offers a bigger screen than a smartphone, but is less bulkier than a laptop. Some tablets have detachable keyboards that can mimic a computer. My husband brought his iPad, which was a great alternative for him.
A couple drawbacks of a tablet versus a computer is limited processing power and less connection compatibility (no USB ports). For some, this problem is insignificant. But for me, it was necessary to have additional ports to transfer my photos from my SD card to my external hard drive, which could not be achieved on a tablet.
Lightest Option
Nowadays, it’s rare to see someone without a smartphone.
A smartphone is an all-in-one device. You have the benefits of the internet, mobile apps, GPS, and a camera. It’s essentially a pocket-sized version of a laptop.
I absolutely love my phone and use it everyday, but it has functional restrictions which prevent me from doing certain tasks efficiently. Similar to the tablet, it also has limited ports.
The Cons of Using a Phone vs a Laptop
- Phone’s screen is significantly smaller: A laptop has a larger screen, therefore, provides a better viewing experience
- You can’t multitask as efficiently on a phone: On a laptop, you can have multiple windows and programs open at the same time
- You can not run any demanding softwares on a phone: A laptop is capable of running high processing applications like video editing softwares
- You can’t connect to many external devices on a phone: A laptop usually has multiple ports to allow connection to other devices. For me, I need extra ports to connect to my external hard drive.
Keep your Computer Safe
Laptops are considered valuable electronic devices. As a result, there is a risk of theft. You may have heard stories of laptops being stolen in hostels or in public, but there are precautions you can take to prevent that.
Strategies to Keep Your Computer Safe
Personally, I didn’t encounter any security concerns while traveling with my laptop. My husband and I mostly stayed in private hostel rooms and AirBnB’s where the rooms were secure with a lock. And I didn’t have any issues in public.
Regardless, here are some precautions you can take (some of which eased my mind) to keep your laptop safe:
- Hide the logo: Most laptops have a logo visible smack dab in the middle of the front cover. I hid mine with a computer case and stickers.
- Get a laptop lock: A laptop lock is a device that uses a cable to secure the laptop to a fixed object. It can be a great security gadget when you are away from your laptop.
- Enable device tracking: Certain laptops have features like “Find My” which helps locate your device if lost or stolen
- Use a back-up program: Do you have any valuable information or documents on your laptop? Consider a backup service like the cloud while traveling.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Avoid taking your laptop out in crowded areas or leaving it in unattended public places, including public transportation. When we boarded large buses, I kept my laptop with me instead of in the luggage compartment where bag theft is possible during stops.
- Stay in safer places: Safer places generally have lower crime rates, reducing the risk of theft
- Use password protection: Encrypt or password protect your laptop so only authorized users can get into the system.
- Trust your instincts: If something feels off or if a stranger is acting strange, trust your gut
My Decision and Experience
For me, it was essential to bring a laptop while backpacking because I use it extensively for editing photos, journaling, planning travels, booking hotels and transportation, researching activities, watching movies, transferring photos to my hard drive, and general browsing.
For a short trip, I would reconsider bringing a laptop because I prefer to immerse myself in my travels when time is limited. However, given the length of our Europe trip, it was necessary for the reasons listed above.
This wasn’t my first time bringing a laptop on a long haul trip. Prior to this, my husband and I backpacked around Asia for 4 months and I brought a laptop then as well. Although I brought a rolling suitcase then, I learned how essential a laptop was for me, and that determined my decision.
The ‘hassle’ was worth the benefit.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the decision is a personal one and I recommend weighing the pros and cons to determine if it fits your needs. Regardless of what you choose, you’re embarking on an incredible travel journey. Whatever decision you make, it’s sure to be the right one for your unique experience!
Happy Travels!
