Just bought a laptop and plan on bringing it on future trips...but wonder if airport screeners send them thru those xray machines? Will that damage a computer?
laptops and airport xray machines??
- Thread starter breadman
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Breadman,
I am glad you brought this topic up, as I have been looking into getting a lap top to bring with me on future trips. Are there any particularly good models? I was very impressed by a state of the art Dell that I recently saw, with all of the bells and whistles, but I don't even know what bells and whistles I need. I guess what I would be looking for is a laptop with remote access to my computer at work, and a very good monitor. Audio is less important. What should one reasonably expect to pay for a very good laptop? Can anyone tell me about the models they have bought and what they are pleased or displeased with?
Also, I have been advised that certain hotels charge guests who use their lap top for Internet access. I guess it depends on the server that is being used. If I get a lap top and bring it to Montreal I would hope to be able to plug it in and use the Internet for free and not get charged by the hotel. Can anyone offer some advice as to how this works? Under what circumstances does one get charged a fee?
I am glad you brought this topic up, as I have been looking into getting a lap top to bring with me on future trips. Are there any particularly good models? I was very impressed by a state of the art Dell that I recently saw, with all of the bells and whistles, but I don't even know what bells and whistles I need. I guess what I would be looking for is a laptop with remote access to my computer at work, and a very good monitor. Audio is less important. What should one reasonably expect to pay for a very good laptop? Can anyone tell me about the models they have bought and what they are pleased or displeased with?
Also, I have been advised that certain hotels charge guests who use their lap top for Internet access. I guess it depends on the server that is being used. If I get a lap top and bring it to Montreal I would hope to be able to plug it in and use the Internet for free and not get charged by the hotel. Can anyone offer some advice as to how this works? Under what circumstances does one get charged a fee?
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Dee,
I have heard that the Hyatt, notwithstanding that contention, has charged guests for plugging in and using lap tops to access Internet, but it could be because the ISP did not provide a toll free number away from the home base. This is an issue for the out of town hobbyists............frankly, I don't know whether my ISP provides a toll free number out of town but I will now ask them.
I have heard that the Hyatt, notwithstanding that contention, has charged guests for plugging in and using lap tops to access Internet, but it could be because the ISP did not provide a toll free number away from the home base. This is an issue for the out of town hobbyists............frankly, I don't know whether my ISP provides a toll free number out of town but I will now ask them.
Internet access pricing
EB,
When I'm in Montreal with my laptop I usually use the high speed connections in the room because I can't stand the slow speeds of dial up. The pricing I've incurred is as follows
Hyatt- High speed in room connection $9.95/day
Vogue- " " $14.95/day
Delta- " " $Free
Le Faubourg soon to be Holiday Inn Express- High speed in room is Free
Novotel- High speed in room connection $9.95/day I believe
Clarion Suites on Maisonneuve- High speed in room is Free
Hope this helps.
SK
EagerBeaver said:
EB,
When I'm in Montreal with my laptop I usually use the high speed connections in the room because I can't stand the slow speeds of dial up. The pricing I've incurred is as follows
Hyatt- High speed in room connection $9.95/day
Vogue- " " $14.95/day
Delta- " " $Free
Le Faubourg soon to be Holiday Inn Express- High speed in room is Free
Novotel- High speed in room connection $9.95/day I believe
Clarion Suites on Maisonneuve- High speed in room is Free
Hope this helps.
SK
Laptops are ok as long as you can power them up. Expect them to swab it as well - make sure no contaminants get on it. A few years ago an industry associate missed my short course, it turned out he had been on site before flying and had a trace of explosives on his laptop. Imagine explaining that one away ...
Several years ago, before 9.11, I brought an instrument as carry on. They buttoned for the bomb squad. Fortunately multiple xrays convinced them it was real. It was hard explaining it, as I had developed the instrument and was taking it onsite for its first field trial.
Most airlines have a special goods check in - go early, tell them what it is and they will treat it like gold. I wish I knew that before putting my sensor through security.
Several years ago, before 9.11, I brought an instrument as carry on. They buttoned for the bomb squad. Fortunately multiple xrays convinced them it was real. It was hard explaining it, as I had developed the instrument and was taking it onsite for its first field trial.
Most airlines have a special goods check in - go early, tell them what it is and they will treat it like gold. I wish I knew that before putting my sensor through security.
I'll vouch for the Toshiba. The office had some, I took them into the mill to log data, wrapped in saran wrap in a hot, damp environment, vibration severe enough to make me tape the mouse down. They would run days like this and never quit on me.
Laptops
I've always been a Toshiba man myself, they are indestructible and very reliable machines... I'm not a big Dell fan, I just don't think they are that great a deal once you tally up all the extras they charge you + S&H... I also worked with a Sony Vaio. I must say I am really surprised at how much I liked it. It was also very well built and sturdy (I am not always carefull when carying it in the car and all over the place). I did not have any problems with it.
I've always been a Toshiba man myself, they are indestructible and very reliable machines... I'm not a big Dell fan, I just don't think they are that great a deal once you tally up all the extras they charge you + S&H... I also worked with a Sony Vaio. I must say I am really surprised at how much I liked it. It was also very well built and sturdy (I am not always carefull when carying it in the car and all over the place). I did not have any problems with it.
I myself have taken my laptop w/ me on my most recent trips. The only hassle that I have had to deal with was that I was asked to take it out of the laptop case and put it onto a tray separately from the rest of my carry on items. Fortunately for me, I have not been asked to power it up for whatever reason.
As for your return to the US from Montreal, expect for them to carefully scan your computer with a special cloth/swab that could detect traces of specified chemicals/explosives. They also asked me for my boarding pass in all of those instances, and then they typed something into their computer and said, "OK, here you go. Thank you," and off to the departure I went.
As for hotel charges, Special K was very detailed with his description.
Hyatt charges $9.95 (before taxes) for high speed connection in your room. Otherwise, you could request to use the computer lab for free for 15 min. or less.
Delta Hotel is free connection in the room, usually in rooms on floors 16 and above.
Hotel Suites Le Faubourg has free hi-speed internet connection.
Four Points Hotel offers free connection if you wireless capability with your laptop, i.e., you need to have/purchase a wireless PCI card. (I recommend you buy this card to give you wireless access to the internet.
As for your return to the US from Montreal, expect for them to carefully scan your computer with a special cloth/swab that could detect traces of specified chemicals/explosives. They also asked me for my boarding pass in all of those instances, and then they typed something into their computer and said, "OK, here you go. Thank you," and off to the departure I went.
As for hotel charges, Special K was very detailed with his description.
Hyatt charges $9.95 (before taxes) for high speed connection in your room. Otherwise, you could request to use the computer lab for free for 15 min. or less.
Delta Hotel is free connection in the room, usually in rooms on floors 16 and above.
Hotel Suites Le Faubourg has free hi-speed internet connection.
Four Points Hotel offers free connection if you wireless capability with your laptop, i.e., you need to have/purchase a wireless PCI card. (I recommend you buy this card to give you wireless access to the internet.
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