Mobile Computing
Mobile Computing: The Working Vacation How to take extended time off without missing an e-mail. James A. Martin Feature: How to Take a Long Working Vacation
1. A Large Display 2. An External Keyboard and Input Device
Attach an external monitor to your notebook, then position the notebook's keyboard so that your arms, when typing, are at a 45-degree angle and your neck is straight.
Attach an external keyboard and input device to your notebook, then position the notebook's display so that your arms and neck are as described above.
Attach an external monitor, keyboard, and input device for maximum comfort.
3. A Backup Plan 4. Internet Access 5. A Printer Other Considerations
Leave the fax machine at home. Instead, sign up for a free EFax account. EFax delivers faxes directly into your in-box, as file attachments. With a paid EFax account ($13/month), you can send faxes directly from applications such as Word.
Consider a portable scanner. If you use your deaktop scanner frequently, you can either lug it along or pick up a small portable model that's about the size of a paper-towel holder. Examples include Visioneer's Strobe XP100 ($200) and XP200 ($300) and Ambir Technology's new Visigo A4 ($150).
Most importantly, don't work too hard. If possible, limit yourself to no more than 4 hours a day. You are, after all, on vacation.
NOTEBOOKS & ACCESSORIESNews: Next Year, E-Mail Will Really Take Off News: Notebooks for Frequent and Occasional Travelers Best Buy: Toshiba Satellite 2455-S305 HANDHELDSNews: A PDA/Cell Phone Worth Waiting For? News: Instant E-Mail on a Palm News: Microsoft's Updated Pocket PC OS WIRELESSNews: Dude, You're Going Wireless
In Europe, many people spend practically the entire month of August on holiday. Instead of slaving in a cubicle, the typical European can be found sunning on a beach, with work pressures only a dim memory.
At least, that's the American perception of how Europeans spend the dog days of summer. By comparison, we're more likely to take a quick late-summer break, then get right back to the rock pile.
But it doesn't have to be that way. The fortunate among us have job responsibilities that can be fulfilled as easily in the East Hamptons as in a Manhattan office. All that's required is an understanding boss, a month's lease on a beach cottage, and the right equipment.
I can't help you with the boss or the lease. But I do have some advice on how to take your office with you on a long vacation. Following is a packing list of items you'll need.
For prolonged viewing, a screen that's smaller than 14 inches (measured diagonally) can cause eye strain. Small screens also cause you to use the mouse more than you would otherwise. For instance, to work on a large Excel spreadsheet that's displayed on a 12-inch screen is to scroll endlessly.
If your portable computer has a 12- or 13-inch screen, and you plan to work long hours during your holiday, consider packing a larger external monitor of 15 inches or more. An LCD monitor will be much lighter and therefore easier to pack (or less expensive to ship) than a CRT display, but most LCDs are also more expensive.
Screen resolution, determined by your notebook's built-in video controller, is another factor to consider. The higher your notebook's screen resolution is, the more information you can view on your notebook's display or an external monitor. For instance, a screen resolution of 1400 by 1050 displays far more cells of an Excel spreadsheet than does a screen resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels. So, for maximum benefit, make sure the display's top screen resolution is supported by your notebook. To check your notebook's display settings, select Start, Control Panel, Display and click the Settings tab.
Ergonomically speaking, your computer display should be positioned so you can view it at eye level, without tilting your head down while typing. That's not possible when you're typing on your notebook and looking at the notebook screen--a position that's bound to cause neck stiffness, eye strain, and other unpleasantness. So you need to do one of three things:
I've been dealing with a repetitive-strain injury for years, so I can't stress enough the importance of proper monitor, keyboard, and input device positioning. And while I'm on my RSI rant, don't forget about proper chair and desk positioning and lighting. All it takes is a month of bad ergonomics to set you on the road to ruin.
For more information about notebook ergonomics, read "Mobile Computing: Pain-Free Portable Computing." Also check out the Laptop Ergonomics section of Healthy Computing's Web site.
You're planning to back up your work while away from the office, right? Good. Now the only question is: how?
One option is to copy files to flash-memory media, such as a Secure Digital card. But unless your notebook has a slot for such cards (most don't), you'll need a flash-memory card reader--and that's one more thing you'll have to pack. External, portable hard drives are a good backup solution, too--but again, you're adding another peripheral to your packing list.
Keep it simple: If your notebook has a CD burner, just copy your work files onto a CD-R or CD-RW at the end of each work day. Don't have a CD burner? Consider using an online backup service such as Iomega's IStorage Online. If you really want to keep it simple (and cheap), just e-mail your files to a friend or colleague for safe keeping.
For more information on notebook backup strategies, read "Mobile Computing: Backup Strategies for the Road."
Speaking of e-mail, how are you going to get online from that beach shack or mountain cabin? Better figure that out in advance, or you'll lose precious time when you get there.
Ideally, there's a wireless access point you can hitch a ride on. If that's not an option, and there's no DSL or cable modem broadband link in the dive, uh, I mean cottage you're renting, then back to dial-up you go. Before you leave, get the local dial-up number from your ISP or IT administrator and test it from home to make sure it's correct, and that your modem is working properly.
For a guide to finding wireless access points, see "Mobile Computing: Guide to Wi-Fi Hot Spots."
Most likely, you'll need to print several documents during an extended trip. If that's the case, you can either pack your desktop printer--which may be a hassle, given how large many printers can be--or you can invest in a portable model.
Hewlett-Packard's DeskJet 450CBI is a slickly designed portable ink jet that produces high-quality color images and decent text, and it can run off batteries. It's small enough to fit into a carry-on bag. The 450CBI usually sells for about $350; check the PCWorld.com Product Finder for the latest prices.
HP has a model that's less expensive, but doesn't include the battery. The 450CI sells for about $300; our Product Finder has the latest prices on that model, too.
The Canon i70 Color Bubble Jet Printer produces stunning text, graphics, and photos, says PCWorld.com reviewer Dan Littman. Go to our Product Finder for the latest prices (about $210 and up).
Before the end of 2004, you'll be able to send and receive e-mail on any domestic flight in North America, predicts Tenzing Communications CEO Alan McGinnis. Tenzing provides in-flight messaging technology and services to airlines. Unlike Boeing's competitive in-flight broadband service, Tenzing's service can run over passenger telecommunications networks many airlines have already installed, such as Verizon's.
Hewlett-Packard has two new notebooks for your consideration: The Nx7000 is designed for occasional travelers, while the Nc4000 is meant for those who hit the road often.
The Nx7000 is based on Intel's Centrino package, which includes the Pentium M processor and Intel's Pro/Wireless 2100 chip for 802.11b Wi-Fi networks. A basic model ($1699) comes with a 1.4-GHz Pentium M, 512MB of DDR SDRAM, a 40GB hard drive, a DVD-ROM drive, and a 15.4-inch wide-screen display.
The Nc4000 notebook weighs just 3.5 pounds and comes with Intel's Pentium M processor. The base configuration doesn't include a wireless chip, but you can opt for a tri-mode wireless chip that connects to three Wi-Fi wireless standards (802.11a/b/g) or an 802.11b/g chip from Atheros. A basic model ($1699) includes a 1.4-GHz Pentium M processor, 256MB of DDR SDRAM, a 40GB hard drive, and a 12.1-inch display.
Looking for a near-perfect desktop replacement? Check out the Toshiba Satellite 2455-S305, a recent PCWorld.com Best Buy. It's speedy, stylish, and generously equipped, with a rewritable DVD drive, software for creating DVD movies, a comfy 15-inch (1024 by 768) screen, a Secure Digital card slot, a FireWire port, and three USB 2.0 ports. All that, and it performs well too: In our tests, the 2455-S305 earned a PC WorldBench 4 score of 117. Battery life is strong, too, at just over 3 hours. For the latest prices, check our Product Finder.
I've held off from investing in a combo phone-PDA device because they're either (a) too expensive; (b) make a decent cell phone but a poor PDA, or vice versa; or (c) all of the above. But what I've read and seen so far about Handspring's recently announced Treo 600has me counting the days until it's released. (I haven't tested the product, however.)
The Treo 600 is the first Palm 5 OS-based hybrid device. But that's just for starters. Rather than using the flip-up gray clamshell design of earlier Treos, the 600 looks like a silvery candy bar, says PCWorld.com's Yardena Adar. Among its features are an integrated QWERTY thumb keyboard, a powerful ARM procesor, a built-in camera (for 640-by-480 images), a Secure Digital card slot, a new version of Handspring's Blazer Web browser, and the ability to play music files.
The Treo 600 will be available this fall in CDMA and GSM/GPRS versions. Sprint will offer the CDMA version; expect to pay $500 or less. Handspring is discussing distribution arrangements with other carriers as well, the company said.
Blackberry devices have earned the nickname "Crackberry" for their addictive, always-on access to e-mail. With the introduction of MessageXpress, owners of connected Palm devices may soon become messaging junkies, too.
MessageXpress is a new e-mail client and service from Visto and PalmSource that will become the standard Palm e-mail application. Desktop MessageXpress software sends a copy of incoming messages from Lotus Notes, Microsoft Exchange, POP3, or IMAP accounts to Visto servers, where it is stored securely for relay to your Palm device. The service is $99 yearly; free trials are available now.
Microsoft has updated and renamed Pocket PC 2002; the next version is called Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PCs. The new operating system will be used for Pocket PC PDAs and Smartphones. But Microsoft promises more than just a name change, including improved Wi-Fi connectivity and data security (including a virtual private network client), support for Windows Media Player 9, some features of the Microsoft Plus Digital Media Edition for Windows XP, and some minor datebook and calendar tweaks.
Vendors expected to offer devices running the new OS include Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, JVC, Toshiba, and ViewSonic. No word yet on which Pocket PC 2002 vendors, if any, will offer firmware upgrades to the new OS.
Dell is now offering its notebook customers the ability to get a wireless connection via AT&T Wireless Services and a tri-band Sierra AirCard 750 Wireless cellular modem. The Dell-AT&T offer provides price incentives to sign up for a wireless wide-area-network service plan. WWAN data service is often slower than a wireless LAN connection (such as a Wi-Fi hot spot) but has a far greater range. In short: WWAN is like a cell phone connection; a WLAN connection is more like a walkie-talkie connection.
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