Take a laptop or leave it home?

patr · Post by **patr** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:50 am

Okay, so our rental has wifi. Does that mean we HAVE to take the laptop?

My hubby wants to keep up on e-mails from work, so his inbox is not overflowing when we get home. He just found out that upon our return, he's off to France and Italy, so he's extremely stressed about being on vacation and falling behind with work. I could go along, but it seems that I squandered all of my time off on St John.

But gosh, we're going on VACATION, my way of thinking says, no work should be allowed.

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:55 am

I would not sign on to work or it's not a vacation but I'a love to hear daily trip reports. You also could precheck in on the airlines for your return trip

promoguy · Post by **promoguy** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:59 am

As a two person business, both travelling at the same time, it is mandatory I be able to do PO's and be available to clients. Unfortunately, it isn't a choice.

If he feels better taking it I see no reason not to take it. He's still on vacation.

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 12:25 pm

DELETED

lpowmacback · Post by **lpowmacback** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 12:35 pm

I would imagine he would be more stressed out if he could not check in on work-related issues while away - since you just stated he's stressing already - it's a no-brainer to me.

Bottom line is - He needs to do what makes him most at ease so he can enjoy the vacation.

ENJOY!

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 12:44 pm

I bought a laptop specifically to take to STJ so I could download my pictures every night and title them while I still remembered what they are! But now I've decided not to lug it along. It has so much of my life on it's little hard drive that if ANYTHING happened to it (stolen, dropped, whatever) I'd just die.

Plus I started envisioning lugging all my junk from the airport to STJ and the ferry and everything, and the computer just seemed to be one more thing I didn't want to have to carry. We'll go buy some extra cards for our cameras and I'll just have to take notes.

When it comes to the forum, I think you'll live without me for a week, and I'm sure Jorge will keep me informed over a few beers, right Jorge? And when it comes to printing our boarding passes for the trip home, there's always Connections or someplace like that. Besides, I seriously doubt that our villa has a printer anyway.

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 12:59 pm

I'm likely taking a laptop for the first time ever this trip. I get up earlier than my lover (oh, but I do enjoy waking her up) and I like to write in the morning. I've done this on paper in the past, but I'm spoiled.

Plus, being a small business owner I like to check in once a week while I am on holiday. It's just easier to use my laptop than an Internet cafe's computer. Though, likeley I'll use their connection. I do have a Cingular wireless broadband card, but I don't expect to get service in Coral Bay. I will NOT sit at the beach bar with my laptop for internet service!

As for backing up a laptop, Norton Ghost and a big cheap external hard disk are the way to go.

Cheers, RickG

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 2:05 pm

This will be our first year taking them on vacation and only because we HAVE to. With Pete opening up his own firm (sole practice) we have to. But, of course, I'm gonna bring mine, too. I intend to use it to write my daily reports which I used to do by hand.

Marcia

Pete (Mr. Marcia) · Post by **Pete (Mr. Marcia)** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 2:57 pm

What my lovely wife said, above.

I really don't have a choice this year. I just left a mega law firm and started my own practice. I do need to check in and be available to my clients. Kinda sucks, but I'd rather be checking my emails in STJ than in the office.

I'm an early riser...I'll get all of that out of the way while the coffee is brewing and Marcia still is sleeping.

As an aside, Kathy at Island Getaways got the villa owners to install a wireless internet connection after I expressed my need for one. Thank you Kathy, and thank you Villa Owners, whomever you may be.

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:09 pm

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) wrote:This will be our first year taking them on vacation and only because we HAVE to. With Pete opening up his own firm (sole practice) we have to. But, of course, I'm gonna bring mine, too. I intend to use it to write my daily reports which I used to do by hand.

Marcia

At least we know a good lawyer for Jorge when he gets himself in big trouble!

Bill L. · Post by **Bill L.** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:40 pm

We take ours to download pics from our digital camera and to keep up with current events in CT

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:42 pm

we take one, Charlie does what he does in the morning before I rise and at the end of the day I do the photo thing. It works ok for us and neither one of us is glued to it like we are at home. If it puts him at ease for vacation I say so be it. Charlie even had to field one phone call while we were on St. John. I was a little aggravated but it was brief and it was information only he could have given to those back in the office. Such is life!

njhdrider · Post by **njhdrider** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:43 pm

I am not even bringing my electric razor.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:52 pm

I would like to bring it for pictures and real time trip reports but Chip says no.
I do have to agree with him though. If we brought it I would spend an hour or two a day on work e-mails, so it is best left at home.
I can post a trip report from the Quiet Mon.

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:53 pm

Xislandgirl wrote:I can post a trip report from the Quiet Mon.

Now, that's the spirit! Some Rum spirit, Tequila Spirit... good excuses to hang out at the pub.

Cheers, RickG

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