Laptops UK
 
 

Travelling with a Laptop

Laptops are a great piece of equipment to have while on your travels. They can allow you to stay in contact with friends and family, listen to music, watch DVDs, check your email, or perhaps even keep up with some work!

Consider the following before beginning your trip with a laptop:

Security

  • Laptops are an expensive piece of equipment, keeping them safe while on your travels is a necessity.

  • When travelling, keep your laptop in sight at all times, and do not place it with your other luggage, as baggage handlers may not treat your laptop as a fragile item!
  • Take your laptop as hand luggage on your flight, or if your are travelling by bus, try not to store it in the overhead storage area as it will most probably get squashed and bashed about by other passengers.
  • Politely request security officers/customs to carry out a hand check on your luggage as metal detectors can cause damage to your laptop.
  • If you send email or check bank details while away on your trip make sure that your account is closed so that others can’t access your personal details.

Hardware

  • Make sure you have a multi power plug adaptor as there are 9 different power plugs in use around the world.

    You must carry a telephone adapter to handle each of the phone jacks you come across while abroad, as there are 39 different versions in use worldwide.
  • For both the above points carry out some sort of research to find what power plugs and telephone jacks are in use at your chosen destination(s).
  • Before leaving check that your chosen accommodation provides your room or any rooms with wireless or telephone facilities, and if not ask if there any rooms of that sort available.

Software

  • Modems can prove to be tricky when abroad as they don’t necessarily recognise dial tones from other regions. In order to avoid this and ensure you have web access from any region learn how to set your modem options so you can dial manually.

Documentation

  • When returning back from your journey make sure you have all original receipts or correct customs documentation handy, as you may need to prove that you laptop was not purchased whilst abroad. If for whatever reason you are not able to prove this then you may find yourself paying duty and/or taxes on your own laptop!

Laptop insurance

Ever since their introduction into the market in 1981, when the first portable computer became commercially available, laptops have become extremely popular with businesses and professionals.

It has now become possible to take your laptop with you wherever you travel, and just about everyone seems to have one. However this has made these extremely valuable pieces of equipment become more prone to the risk of theft.

Designed as small and easy to handle machines full of the latest computer technology, these devices are guaranteed to be a hit with thieves looking for a quick cash-in. The opportunist thief can quickly pick up a bag containing someone’s laptop. An estimated 100 laptops theft are reported to the police each day in Britain alone. For these reasons taking out cover on your laptop is highly recommended.

Insurance to replace stolen Laptops

When looking for insurance providers take note that not all household companies will provide cover for your laptop, and if they do the cover could be restricted.

Specialist laptop insurance companies are the best way of insuring your laptop from theft or accidental damage. But there will be certain exclusions from the insurance policy that you would need to be made aware of.

An example of this is: If you left your laptop on a train or on the station concourse, and out of your sight, then you would find yourself not entitled to making a claim.