Originally Posted by
bikenh
I use a laptop because I want the flexibility in being able to easily modify my route each day. I don't want to nit pick where I place the dot on the map when I choose a point. Pretty much all the apps won't let you move lines around on the the screen, so you better nit pick your point placement when choosing a point. If you don't know the area then you better hope your right. I always move the lines around, because I can, because I use a laptop. I also want the laptop because I have several program that I use daily which I have written myself and the only place to get them is on my computer.
Yes, when I'm tripping, I'm riding 115-125 miles a day at 14.5-15 mph average speed. This still gives me 3-4 hours a day to plan out the route for the next day and do other surfing online.
Cell phones are way too limiting, and tablets aren't much better.
No I don't use the laptop for reading books. Mostly for checking the weather forecast so I can route myself around the weather so I can stay as high and dry while I am gone as possible. I also use it for staying in touch with family and friends. Some people won't let you get disconnected, unfortunately or I would go disconnected. Mostly I use it for route planning as my trip plans always blow up in my face right before I leave and I have to start over from scratch the second I leave from home, so I am always planning on the fly from one day to the next.
I will be honest, I am really struggling on this one. I am lost without at least a laptop for long periods of time. My laptop is hooked up to a 40" screen. Theoretically, I feel like if I can take my bike and laptop with me anywhere, I will be fine. Like everything else is secondary to those two things, and maybe I just answered my own question. I like having a laptop at the least because of how fast I can navigate a computer, type, etc... the most versus a smart phone or tablet. When voice recognition gets to a place where we no longer need keyboards at all, that's a different story, but for the most part, I hate being without a keyboard and regular mouse. What makes it worse is that I use an
Ergonomic Keyboard no less and fumble a lot on regular keyboards. That's just getting too much to carry though, but that's my normal setup.
Part of touring to me, will be moving around touring and if I find a place I want to stay for a few weeks, months, whatever...then setup base camp for a while, explore the area in more depth, and then move on when done. I would like to figure out a compromise so that if I was in a place for a couple of weeks or in a tent at night, I am content with what I have. I don't plan on having a central place to return to so I will be indefinitely wandering so to speak. I don't have personal items that I am worried about losing, disposing, and starting over, but I would like to keep a core of electronics with me that I will be content with in all situations.