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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Del Norte
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I would not take my MacBook Air, nor even my iPad. Just my iPhone. With the right connections, you have enough technology to survive, in my opinion and experience. So, there you go, but in the end, whatever will give you peace of mind is worth putting into the backpack. As long as you don't have to leave it behind in an albergue gift box!I am use to traveling with a computer but not use to long distance hiking. My computer weighs 3 lbs. I would use it for booking the next night's stay or finding places to eat and maybe blogging. My wife and I are traveling in Europe before we do the walk so it would be nice to have but wondering if it would get too cumbersome and heavy on the Camino. What about trying to keep up a blog? Is it just as easy on a phone. I have an iPhone, iPad and a MacBook Air. Thanks.
Hotel would most probably keep it in hold without any additional fee if you book a room for a night or two with them. Especially in Santiago if you explain that you are a pilgrim (= walking with a backpack).One option you could consider if you feel it is a must have is to take it with you for your pre-travels and then mail it to the hotel you plan to stay at when you leave Spain. Generally there is a charge at the hotel to hold a box or bag, but you would not have to carry it while walking.
I'll be the token contrarian
If you must have a laptop, get a lighter one (e.g., SurfaceGo or Asus) or, better yet, a tablet. I have to carry mine (due to work - so for those who want to jump on me about the additional weight and not working while doing the Camino, please don't - it's unavoidable) and did so last year. It adds, as all the others have pointed out, a lot of issues (theft, bulk, weight, etc.) plus you have to keep it dry during rainstorms.
I carry an Asus with a keyboard (27.5 oz - about 800 gm) and mouse - my charger also works with my phone (which I also carry). I put it in a 2 gallon ziplock bag in the small pocket inside my Osprey pack (the pocket is most likely for a water bladder, but I use it for a tablet). I made the decision to carry the additional weight, and I'm okay with it. It would be nice not to have, but I found I can't work with my smaller tablet (and definitely not with my phone - been there, done that, ain't going back).
If you don't have a real need for it beyond booking beds/rooms and reading maps, then leave it behind. I would
Evidence of working on the Camino in the photo (it can be done).
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We have the same Asus tablet and also took it to Spain. Phil needed it for his month of language study in Santiago last winter. We did carry it with us when we were walking, but I could have mailed it to the hotel in Madrid along with all his school papers when we started walking. (We were charged 3 Euros per day at our Madrid hotel to hold things until we arrived there on our last days in Spain.) We put the tablet in a sea to summit sil nylon dry bag and also carried it in the water bladder pocket. I think it really depends on circumstances of the person who is walking.I'll be the token contrarian
If you must have a laptop, get a lighter one (e.g., SurfaceGo or Asus) or, better yet, a tablet. I have to carry mine (due to work - so for those who want to jump on me about the additional weight and not working while doing the Camino, please don't - it's unavoidable) and did so last year. It adds, as all the others have pointed out, a lot of issues (theft, bulk, weight, etc.) plus you have to keep it dry during rainstorms.
I carry an Asus with a keyboard (27.5 oz - about 800 gm) and mouse - my charger also works with my phone (which I also carry). I put it in a 2 gallon ziplock bag in the small pocket inside my Osprey pack (the pocket is most likely for a water bladder, but I use it for a tablet). I made the decision to carry the additional weight, and I'm okay with it. It would be nice not to have, but I found I can't work with my smaller tablet (and definitely not with my phone - been there, done that, ain't going back).
If you don't have a real need for it beyond booking beds/rooms and reading maps, then leave it behind. I would
Evidence of working on the Camino in the photo (it can be done).
View attachment 52802
View attachment 52802
Forget a computer, especially since you describe yourself as a novice long distance hiker. An iPhone will suffice.I am use to traveling with a computer but not use to long distance hiking. My computer weighs 3 lbs. I would use it for booking the next night's stay or finding places to eat and maybe blogging. My wife and I are traveling in Europe before we do the walk so it would be nice to have but wondering if it would get too cumbersome and heavy on the Camino. What about trying to keep up a blog? Is it just as easy on a phone. I have an iPhone, iPad and a MacBook Air. Thanks.
Definitely NOI am use to traveling with a computer but not use to long distance hiking. My computer weighs 3 lbs. I would use it for booking the next night's stay or finding places to eat and maybe blogging. My wife and I are traveling in Europe before we do the walk so it would be nice to have but wondering if it would get too cumbersome and heavy on the Camino. What about trying to keep up a blog? Is it just as easy on a phone. I have an iPhone, iPad and a MacBook Air. Thanks.
You are not on the Camino to do business as usual. Computers detract from the Camino experience. Some will argue, but I have walked the Camino twice without a computer and not only survived but enjoyed the experience and friendships I was able to make along the way as well, both of which take time, time that your computer will detract you from. I do everything I need to do on a cell phone.I am use to traveling with a computer but not use to long distance hiking. My computer weighs 3 lbs. I would use it for booking the next night's stay or finding places to eat and maybe blogging. My wife and I are traveling in Europe before we do the walk so it would be nice to have but wondering if it would get too cumbersome and heavy on the Camino. What about trying to keep up a blog? Is it just as easy on a phone. I have an iPhone, iPad and a MacBook Air. Thanks.
I am use to traveling with a computer but not use to long distance hiking. My computer weighs 3 lbs. I would use it for booking the next night's stay or finding places to eat and maybe blogging. My wife and I are traveling in Europe before we do the walk so it would be nice to have but wondering if it would get too cumbersome and heavy on the Camino. What about trying to keep up a blog? Is it just as easy on a phone. I have an iPhone, iPad and a MacBook Air. Thanks.
Couldn't agree with you more. Do you like the ASUS tablets? Would you recommend them? Thanks,JeffI'll be the token contrarian
If you must have a laptop, get a lighter one (e.g., SurfaceGo or Asus) or, better yet, a tablet. I have to carry mine (due to work - so for those who want to jump on me about the additional weight and not working while doing the Camino, please don't - it's unavoidable) and did so last year. It adds, as all the others have pointed out, a lot of issues (theft, bulk, weight, etc.) plus you have to keep it dry during rainstorms.
I carry an Asus with a keyboard (27.5 oz - about 800 gm) and mouse - my charger also works with my phone (which I also carry). I put it in a 2 gallon ziplock bag in the small pocket inside my Osprey pack (the pocket is most likely for a water bladder, but I use it for a tablet). I made the decision to carry the additional weight, and I'm okay with it. It would be nice not to have, but I found I can't work with my smaller tablet (and definitely not with my phone - been there, done that, ain't going back).
If you don't have a real need for it beyond booking beds/rooms and reading maps, then leave it behind. I would
Evidence of working on the Camino in the photo (it can be done).
View attachment 52802
View attachment 52802
Couldn't agree with you more. Do you like the ASUS tablets? Would you recommend them? Thanks,Jeff
I think there are less insulting ways to express opinions than asking the OP if he or she is crazy. That's the kind of thing that you can say in person without insulting anyone, perhaps, but in writing without the body language context, it's rude. Taking off my moderator hat, my own opinion is that if you only need the device for booking and blogging, then a phone is sufficient. If you don´t like the small keyboard, I remember that @Kiwi-family got a foldable keyboard that she could use with her phone.
Buen camino, and welcome to the forum, Laurie
If it allows you enough time away to walk the Camino, it is certainly worth it!No offense taken martyseville. It is what it is, and as is so often said, we each do our Camino our own way. That is my way
minority here please don't judge. I'm a self employed cpa and need to stay in touch. I brought a surface pro but found it was too heavy to carry. used transport services for the laptop and a few other things, carried the rest. I won't be retiring for at least another 5 years. If I'm lucky enough to go back I'll have to do the same until I do retire.
NO!I am use to traveling with a computer but not use to long distance hiking. My computer weighs 3 lbs. I would use it for booking the next night's stay or finding places to eat and maybe blogging. My wife and I are traveling in Europe before we do the walk so it would be nice to have but wondering if it would get too cumbersome and heavy on the Camino. What about trying to keep up a blog? Is it just as easy on a phone. I have an iPhone, iPad and a MacBook Air. Thanks.
No. You should not. Try some tech free living!I am use to traveling with a computer but not use to long distance hiking. My computer weighs 3 lbs. I would use it for booking the next night's stay or finding places to eat and maybe blogging. My wife and I are traveling in Europe before we do the walk so it would be nice to have but wondering if it would get too cumbersome and heavy on the Camino. What about trying to keep up a blog? Is it just as easy on a phone. I have an iPhone, iPad and a MacBook Air. Thanks.
I say bring whatever you want if you are willing to carry it after all it’s your backpack. Go for the tablet as it is lighter and if it becomes necessary you can send it forward to Ivar if you complete your work or if it becomes too much to carry. It’s always good to get the opinion of others but your own best judgement is the one worth following, and remember no one know your needs better than you. Buen Camino!Hey everybody, thanks for the input on this question. I figured that your responses would be what they were but thought I would pose the question anyway. Based on your responses, I will try going it without a computer. I may if anything bring a tablet but probably not. By the way, no, I'm not daft and I don't think bringing a lightweight computer is any comparison to bringing a boombox.
Why would you defeat the very purpose of your EXPERIENCE? At most, cellphone with maps.I am use to traveling with a computer but not use to long distance hiking. My computer weighs 3 lbs. I would use it for booking the next night's stay or finding places to eat and maybe blogging. My wife and I are traveling in Europe before we do the walk so it would be nice to have but wondering if it would get too cumbersome and heavy on the Camino. What about trying to keep up a blog? Is it just as easy on a phone. I have an iPhone, iPad and a MacBook Air. Thanks.
divest yourself. Leave it all behind. If you can't....you're not ready.I've walked with a laptop a couple of times. Sometimes, the work keeps going in your absence and it's better to have Camino+work than no Camino at all. The main thing I learned: don't bring a Mac. On one trip, my Macbook stopped working at some point and it was pretty much impossible to get it serviced. Small tech shops on-route couldn't touch it. The lone Mac shop anywhere near me, in Oviedo, said they'd still have to ship it off and face a one-week turn-around.
On the bright side, I did find a number of libraries along the way where I could get computer access for a while...
Maybe a personal example will explain why I am so bothered by these kinds of comments. (And the two subsequent ones you posted). When I was planning to walk the Camino Olvidado, at the time there was a 55 km stretch without any accommodations. I posted something on the Spanish language Camino forum, asking for help trying to find a bus or a taxi or someway to get from the Camino to some nearby accommodations and then back again the next day to continue walking.Why would you defeat the very purpose of your EXPERIENCE? At most, cellphone with maps.
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