Traveling with a computer

[Kilroy]

Hi Everyone,  For those of you that tour long distance and carry a computer for whatever reason.  What special precautions do you take to protect the computer from the road vibrations and bumps?
Thanks for any ideas you might have.

[Willow]

Almost none.

I keep mine in a computer bag which is enough to absorb whatever shock there may be.

Different notebooks have differing tolerances to shock.  When you buy intending to travel by motorcycle be sure to mention that.

[Grumpy]

Not a whole lot, I carry my laptop on most long trips, I have it in a heavy canvas case that protects it very well. For a worst case, 2 years ago going to Inzane in Bellaire I got t-boned in Saginaw, MI. Knocked the bike down and on its side, the trunk popped open and the laptop went sliding about 20 ft to the side of the road, absolutely no damage to the computer. Kind of scuffed up the bag, so I replaced it with another new bag.  

[olddog1946]

I just stand mine on end in the case, between the backpack and the backrest. It got twisted out of shape a bit, but works fine. Had temp up in the triple digits as well.. Just using a cheapo ACER laptop and it's still going.

[Sodbuster]

I don't use/bring a computer but have carried with a 7" tablet. It uses a flash drive which would prolly be more robust than a HDD. I use the tablet to monitor the weather and check email, etc. via Wi-Fi which is pretty much available just about everywhere these days.

[NCGhostrider]

I have carried mine many miles in either the trunk or one of the saddle bags of my I/S.   I generally don't carry one anymore since I have retired from I.T. related work.  My smart phone or kindle suffices these days. 

I used a compact laptop bag and made sure I directed the screen side where nothing would get against it and possible crack it (not that I have ever seen that happen -- LOL). 

see ya,

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[Serk]

I just toss my notebook in the saddlebag and try to make sure other stuff is packed around it so it can't rattle around in there.

Other than that, make sure it's fully powered off so the hard drive isn't trying to run while you're in motion, and you should be good...

[cookiedough]

For those who haven't tried one yet, the nook color or nook non-color with Wi-Fi works good for internet access and can even access email thru my internet service providers website.  I'm sure the kindle fire would do the same thing but we have the nook color and works very well.  I could carry our 15.4" cheaper laptop with us on cycle and we have a laptop backpack with very good padding specifically designed to carry laptops with velcro straps to secure the laptop in and pockets all over very well constructed.  This specifically designed laptop backpack would fit in either the side hardbags or I/S trunk I think but take up a lot of room.

[flamingobabe #44]

We use a net book... only has a 10 gig hard drive , but it is a solidstate drive with no moving hard drive parts, not fast... but it works.  Been using it several years to check email, boards, and pay bills on the road.  
  Also have the shop manuals for our bikes loaded onto it.  pretty handy....

[WamegoRob]

My laptop goes in the backpack and gets bungee-corded to the backrest everyday for the 45 mile ride to work.
That same spot suits my wife pretty well... and I wouldn't dare put either of them into a saddle bag.

[Madmike]

I fly lots by small plane - usually several times a month.  I recently gave up my laptop for a tablet because of weight.  My 10" android tablet has 32 gig of drive plus a 32 gig micro sd card, has 2 cameras and everything but phone., the dock gives it 20 hous of battery, more SD plus a USB port and keyboard with mouse.  Get a good storage bag an you are set at about 3 pounds.

[tank_post142]

Madmike: i need to connect with you, i've been looking at making a run to your area in 2013. it would be great to hook up with riders from the great white north!!

[Chattanooga Mark]

For a laptop, I'd be certain to turn it off instead of being in "Sleep" mode. Other than that, just like others have done who posted above. They obviously fair better in a decent case.

I nearly always have my iPad with me. It's in a Zagg Folio case protector with a built in keyboard and has traveled very well for many 1000's of miles in the car, a plane, a boat, a bicycle, on my Moto Guzzi and on my Interstate.

All the best,

Mark

[Reb]

I usually throw mine into my travel pack. It survived the dust and dirt of Afghanistan for 8 months, so I'm betting some road vibration won't bother it.

[BamaDrifter64]

iPad!   

[CISE]

I have travelled on a 78 GL an d2 Valk I/S cross country (Canada & US) with several different laptops and have never had any issues. I have even thrown a Gateway laptop into a 4x4 and went offroading many years ago!

I just make sure they are packed as well as if they were camera equipment (if not in a case, then wrapped in TShirts or a towel).

I have used Gateways, Dells, and an Acer Netbook (HATE the Netbook).

[RainMaker]

Took an IBM ThinkBook in a small case to Inzane last year, just stuffed in the saddlebag.  No problems and it is working well now.  I use my Blackberry as a wireless modem when wifi not available.

[Ice]

Carried mine last year in the saddle bag with its case, as we traveled from VA to UT and back, no problem and we had every extreme of temp from blistering hot to I wish I had heated gear, rain and the works, no problems whatsoever.

[Momz]

HP mini notebook

Cheap and tough, 12 GB, and long battery life.

[dragon_slayer_129]

I bought an acer netbook last year that I've taken on vacation in the car/truck as well as on the bike.  I have a sleeve that has air pockets top and bottom to protect it from getting to shook up when traveling.

I took it last year on our bike trip to the dragon and it traveled just fine tucked away in my duffle bag with my clothes.  It even survived the monsoon we ran into on the way to luray caverns in VA.....not to bad for a $200 netbook.

Dragon Slayer 129

[MrArn]

Acer Netbook with extra battery in a water proof case in the saddlebag. It's gone everywhere with me for years. The Windows install failed on me a couple years ago and now I'm running Fedora, but the hardware is still going strong. 

[Fudd]

I've carried a 10" ASUS Eee PC in my saddlebag for 2 years.  It has 250 Gigabites of memory and does everything I need it to do.  I connect it to my iphone's 3G hotspot anywhere a wi-fi connection is not available.  Personally, I much prefer this to a ipad.