When I travel, I take my laptop with me. Nothing makes it easier to stay in touch with family and friends, make spontaneous itinerary changes, blog and even work while I’m on the go. Naturally, I want to protect my computer when I’m traveling, and I'll bet you do too.

With these tips, you can keep yourself and your laptops safe while traveling.

Keep It From Breaking
A broken computer won’t get you anywhere, but most travel-related problems are easily preventable.

Always use a surge protector with your plug adaptor. For most countries, this’ll be all you’ll need.

Different countries use different voltages. Most computers handle 100-240 volts, but check to see if you’ll need a voltage converter in your destination.

If the electrical current is varied or unreliable where you’re going, use a voltage converter for extra protection.

Don't jostle or put your laptop in checked bags if possible. Treat it gently, or you could suffer a hard-drive failure (which is sometimes a fate worse than death).

Avoid temperature extremes. Laptops, like this author, don’t like extreme heat or cold.

If Something Happens
If your computer is stolen or your system crashes while you’re backpacking in Bavaria, here are things you can do before you leave to make handling the unexpected easier:

Be sure your laptop is covered by your renter's or homeowner’s insurance if it gets stolen.

Back up your hard drive. If there’s room in your luggage for a small external hard drive, back it up regularly while you’re traveling.

Call your laptop’s customer service to ask whether there are service centers abroad. Keep in mind that not all computer manufacturers provide service outside of the United States.

Don’t Tell the World You Have a Laptop
It’s great to become acquainted with the locals while you’re in Madrid, but you don’t need to advertise that you’re carrying a valuable computer. Always keep your laptop with you and hidden.

Never leave your laptop out in plain view in a hostel room, even just for a minute while you run to the restroom.

When you’re going through airport security, don’t send the laptop through the x-ray machine ahead of you—it could be snatched while you’re being patted down. Hold it until just before you walk through, and then grab it as soon as it reaches the other side.

Be vigilant while using it in crowded places, which could be traps for ID theft. Even at a coffee shop or internet café, lock your laptop to the table.

Thieves are attracted by purpose-made computer bags. Use a padded laptop sleeve that you can hide inside your purse, backpack or messenger bag.

Things Always To Have With You
Make room in your luggage for a few items that will make your trip a lot easier:

International toll-free customer service number for your laptop’s manufacturer. If the company has one, it’ll be useful should you need to spend an hour on the phone asking why your computer won’t turn on.

Receipt for purchase of your laptop. Customs might ask you to prove that you bought your computer before you left. Most travelers have no problem getting into another country with their computers, but taking it back home might give you problems.

Sometimes a receipt is not enough to prove prior ownership. To make sure you don’t have problems, register your laptop with Customs Service. It’s free and simple to do: either request Form CF4457 the first time you pass through Customs or download it beforehand (pdf). You can keep the same form and use it in the future (and for other items) as long as it remains legible. ■

( views)

______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Raised in Texas, Stefanie Peters caught the travel bug in college--flying to NYC on her own only two months into her freshman year. A year later, she studied abroad in London for three months and spent nearly every weekend traveling. This year, she is back in London working on a master's degree in Shakespeare.

For information on Stefanie's travel, food (which in her opinion, should always go together) and creative writing, visit her website.