Laptop or no laptop?

[Laurie]

Hi there,
Would love some opinions on the question - I am currently debating on whether to take my laptop on our upcoming trip to Tulum. I generally bring it on holiday with me - to download photos, watch movies, and get online. Will be be more of a hassle than its worth in Tulum? We will be staying at Nueva Vida and Mil Amores - does anyone know if there are plugs in the rooms? I'm assuming there isn't internet access...Will I have to worry about it being stolen? etc. etc.
Just curious on opinions from others. Thanks in advance!

[PhyllisB]

I vote no. Avoid the theft risk, can't get online anyway, and I don't think I'd ever want to watch a movie in Tulum unless it was raining for several days straight.

Get your internet fix when you go into the pueblo for lunch/dinner - the internet cafes are super cheap.

For me, the whole point is to get away from everything, including technology, as much as possible. I know for folks with kids or parents they are caring for, that's a bit harder. But the spirit of Tulum sinks in a lot better when you come as you are, without the gizmos and gadgets.

[last minute]

I would also not bring the laptop, for a few reasons: at NV, there are no plugs in the room. And, although I felt very safe there, I would worry about it being stolen. (I used the room safe, but it's too small for a laptop)

However, I did bring my iPod Touch, which was Great! If you have a cellphone with internet access, you might like that. Most hotels have a wifi zone - beware, it's usually kind of slow - NV does in the lobby and you can also charge small electronics in the lobby.

I did like checking on my doggy by email and checking this site. Otherwise, enjoy the beautiful view out the window of your cabana!

[MakinHay]

That would be a negative. But that's just my opinion. I just love to get away for several days and not know what's going on in the world. And no movies, even if its raining. Like my Canadian brother says " if that lab top comes I'm going to use it for a boat anchor"

[minniemex]

I am going to side with the rest and also vote NO. For all the reasons listed. No need to worry about it while you are gone. I agree that the internet cafes are fun & cheap.

You will be glad you left it at home.

[chamba]

I always bring mine, but I work when I get here.
I would vote NO for you.
Sand, Surges, and though it probably wont get stolen you will be worried.
If Tulum has taught me anything...less is more.

[PhyllisB]

If Tulum has taught me anything...less is more.

Amen!

[MakinHay]

How true!

[tbpeaceful]

If Tulum has taught me anything...less is more.

That has to be the best quote I've read all year!

Happy days ~ T.

[pepper]

If Tulum has taught me anything...less is more.

Absolutely!

[heenan]

I'll voice the opposite view. I bring a laptop to watch movies and check in with home. Sometimes its nice to review pics in larger format too. I don't mine carrying it with me.

[nbumpo]

I would vote a yes. I find it very convienent to send emails etc.... Milamores does have internet when the power is on that can be accessed in the lobby. I cannot speak about NVR though. Enjoy your stay at Milamores it is one of my favorite places in this world!

[Margoinmexico]

at NV, there are no plugs in the room.

:wave:
Is that true? I could have sworn I plugged in my camera battery in Sue and Frans room…..maybe some have it and some dont?
I think that bringing a computer is pretty personal,
if it is just for photos, you can do that in the internet cafes if you bring a external hardrive or something.
Movies? Best show in the world is going on out side….even if you have kids. Teaching them to groove with nature is part of why you bring them, no?
Checking in at home can be done in the internet cafes too,
But if you do bring it, as said before, most hotels at least have a wifi zone if not wifi in the rooms which is becoming more common….
Also, several restaurants have it, LaZebra, Zahara (they have an internet café), Om, Zamas, La Nave(used that as my office MANY times!), El Rincon ,El Bistro…..Xamach Dos……..Probably lots more, but these are the ones that I know of….
All that said, I have started an essay on my electronic bad luck since being in Mexico…I’m on my 4th computer, 6th camera, er 4th ipod, 5th phone…..in 3 years!!!!! WOW!:eek:

[chamba]

i am happy to see so many agree that less is more.
I do love to have my own, and i get frustrated to use the internet cafes, because my CPU is already set up for my needs.
if you bring it...
PRO- you can bill pay from the beach and just not go home(nothing better than an unexpected extension on your trip), thats what happened to me many times.
CON- you worry bout it.
PRO- you can give a live trip report, and possibly hook up with the great people you have met here at Tulum.info
CON- SAND in your CPU
PRO- TELCEL has a plug in modem for $40/mo that works wherever you get cell signal.
CON- Surges, try to protect from surges from dirty electricity(another reason to go eco and collect your own from solar or wind.)

[susan]

:wave:
Is that true? I could have sworn I plugged in my camera battery in Sue and Frans room…..maybe some have it and some dont?
--No we didn't have outlets either, if I remeber right camera batteries were being tried for compatability. We had to charge our stuff in the lobby….
All that said, I have started an essay on my electronic bad luck since being in Mexico…I’m on my 4th computer, 6th camera, er 4th ipod, 5th phone…..in 3 years!!!!! WOW!--- yes that is WOW!:eek:

I have never brought a laptop but will maybe bring one next trip so my son can keep up with his AP calculus class.

[Jazzyk]

Hey Chamba,

Your mentioned that PRO-TELCEL has a plug in modem for $40/mo that works wherever you get cell signal. I would love to know more about this. We will be there for about 2-3 months and it looks like we may be renting a small home with no internet access which will drive me crazy. Could I just get this modem?

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:I have this service, and it is actually $800 pesos for the modem and then $40 per month.....and you have to get it from the Tel Cel office in Playa del Carmen at the Centro Maya Shopping center...by Sorrianas. Works great, although I can't seem to get it to work at the beach, and I have to go to Playa to find out why.....:rolleyes:

[itsjustme]

If it weren't for business needs every morning. The laptop wouldn't go along on the trips!!

[Jazzyk]

Hhmmm....very interestind about the modem. It's a little pricey but it may well be worth it. Especially when adding up countless visits to the cafes. Thanks for the info! So is it exactly $40US a month or do you pay in pesos? I just noticed that the startup was in pesos.

Thanks again....

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:I don't remember exactly, I have only had it for a month....It is actually like buying a phone card, you can by so many gb's for so many days, for example I get 3gb and 30 days, which ever comes first. So at the end of 30days or 3 gb, I have to recharge it. You can pull the card out and use it in a telcel phone too...and do text from it like you are doing from a phone....

If you have an fm2 or fm3 you can just do it unlimitted by the month, and it also is around $40.

[Grasshopper]

I will vote no

[Jazzyk]

Thanks again for the information. I will probably just go to TelCel and ask them. Do they speak any English there? I know some Spanish and am working on learning more but I am not going understand all those tech terms in Spanish!!:eek:

[chamba]

when you transfer funds to your mortgage and stay for another month you will be glad you did!

[Jazzyk]

No transferring funds necessary. We have already spent winter out of the country twice for 6 months at a time and are only 32 years old and make about $30,000 a year. Don't ask. We are crazy.:eek: We just don't spend money on anything except cooking for our friends. LESS IS MORE! We have learned early on not to subscribe to the American way. And we also own a 2 family home in a city where houses are cheap but rents are not so cheap.

Chamba...we would rather come back next year than try to spend money we don't have to stay this year! But maybe next winter we could come for 4 months! WooHoo!!

That being said my husband and I both have MANY years experience working in higher end restaurants if anyone needs any help this winter season. It would be awesome to make a little extra money or to barter. But I guess that is not very probable in Mexico tho, huh? Mexicans need the work and we don't have the right paperwork. ;)

We may be mixing our own margaritas but I can't wait! Maybe we will catch a happy hour here and there. Us and our little white dog. I have a feeling you won't be able to miss us.

[chamba]

i look forward to seeing you!!!!!

[Margoinmexico]

cooking for our friends. .

:wave:Like this part....jajajjaa!

[Laurie]

Thanks for all the opinions! I thought I'd let you know that we've decided to leave the laptop home. First time ever with my security blanket - though I will have my blackberry so I guess that's kinda' cheating. Anyway, we've decided this will be the best way to shut off and have a brilliant holiday - though there is always the worry that once we shut off, we won't want to turn back on!

12 hours and counting til we leave London! We arrive at 3:30pm tomorrow. Any idea how long it will take to get to NVR from Cancun at that hour? Should we expect lots of traffic? And what time does it get dark this time of year?

Cheers everyone!

[manitou]

Cool. Good for you. I think you will love not having your laptop.


:wave:
Is that true? I could have sworn I plugged in my camera battery in Sue and Frans room…..maybe some have it and some dont? When we were there last month, Horizonte Perdido had no outlets while Hechizo de Luna did as well as Casa Mexicana.

[Shogun1011]

no laptop

[Kenster]

I've taken my laptop to Tulum only once or twice in eleven or twelve visits. I have an iPhone now that does most everything a laptop will do. I can't imagine wasting time watching movies. Rainy days are great for napping and reading a good book.

[chamba]

good for you! Less IS More. We will see you in Tulum.

[FrankRN]

We always bring our laptop, but then again we have always had internet access. Don't think I would bring it if no internet though.

Someone mentioned using the internet on your cell phone. Make sure you check the fees associated with this. I found out the hard way that my unlimited internet plan and unlimited texting was not valid while roaming in Mexico. My phone bill went up over $450 USD due to that mistake.

[minniemex]

My phone bill went up over $450 USD due to that mistake.



Ouch