A flashpacker is an upscale backpacker who lugs around the latest tools of a computer nomad's trade: a laptop, PDA, digital camera and all the essential accessories.

The basic tool for most computer nomads is, of course, a laptop computer. Choosing the best one for you is critical to your financial success on the journeys that await you. Unless you expect to find computer employment at every destination, or you feel renting computers at Internet cafes will be enough, you will need to take a computer with you. Some procrastinate on the purchase of a computer, thinking that if I buy one now it will be obsolete in a few months and prices are coming down. That's true. But it will still be true if you wait until next year, or the year after that.

Choosing a Laptop Computer

If you haven't already got a serviceable machine, buy a laptop before you begin your nomadic lifestyle. Prices in most parts of the world are about the same as in the States. As of this writing new laptops start at around US$500. For that amount expect a perfectly functional computer with either a 1.6 GHz Celeron processor, 256 MB of memory and 40 GB hard drive. At the high end expect to pay up to US$3500 and get a Intel® Core™2 Duo processor, a 17 inch widescreen display, 200GB hard drive and 2GB of memory.

Part of the decision on whether to buy a low, medium or high end computer will depend on what you're going to use it for. If you're a writer and will be using it mostly for word processing, email and occasional web browsing, you might be satisfied for years with a US$500 system. If that's all you need, and you're on a tight budget, you can even find a refurbished or a used computer for half that price that'll get the job done. If you're going to do web development work, or sophisticated graphics. You'll need at least 512 MB of memory and an 80 GB hard drive. You don't want to have to worry about upgrading when you're staying in a chalet in the Chilean mountains. Get as much computer as you can afford.

PC or Mac?

Macs have a better operating system than Windows. They are easier to learn to use, and much simpler to troubleshoot. For graphics use the display to print output accuracy is superior. Macs are the preferred machine for desktop publishing and graphics design. The disadvantage of Macs is the selection of software is considerably less than the huge choice available for Windows. They also cost a little more. For the computer nomad, it is sometimes more difficult to find service and support for a Mac in out of the way places (like most of the underdeveloped world).

If you decide to go with Windows, consider sticking with a name brand like Hewlett-Packard, Sony, Toshiba, Compaq or IBM. Dell and Gateway are possible choices also. It might be easier to find parts and maintenance than with a lesser known brand. A big reason I prefer name brand computers, especially for frequent world travelers, is they have the biggest list of worldwide authorized service centers. Try matching the vendors list of international service centers with your planned itinerary for the next year or two to see if you can get service. You won't be able to make any money when your computer is down, although Internet cafes are a good temporary fix.

A lot of your decision will be the look and feel of the computer you choose.

Display Screens

The size of most standard laptop computer displays range from 11 to 17 inches diagonally measured. Sony now makes a "micro PC" with a 4.5 inch touch screen display if you're really into something tiny. I don't find that an inch or two makes that much difference, but many users feel the need for the biggest display possible. Some people think anything under 14 inches is not useable. Most laptops ship with high resolution TFT displays, but if you get a used model it may come with a passive matrix display. The older technology display is not as bright as TFT and needs to be viewed directly. TFT displays can be read from an angle.

Laptop computers start at under four pounds. Larger, full-featured "desktop replacement" models can run eight pounds. Remember that the larger the display, the heavier the computer. Frequent flyer computer users may prefer charging a battery or two and leaving the power supply in their luggage. Ultralight computers typically will not have as many features, such as media drives and connection ports, as larger models.

External Disk Storage and Backup

The best way to backup your precious data is too use a fingertip sized flash USB drive you can carry on your keychain. Not only will you always have your precious data handy, but can use the data at your local Internet café if you need to. Your laptop may also have a multiple format flash drive built in that can share the same tiny memory cards as your digital camera. They come in various sizes, up to 2 GB. If you have more data than that you must be a video developer or feel the need to backup everything, including applications. You can then opt for an external hard drive with at least 80GB for less than US$200. A slower, cheaper alternative is to use your laptop's built-in CD or DVD drive for backups.

Batteries

Your laptop computer will come with one battery. Most batteries last around three hours. Most laptop users actually spend little time running their computers off of batteries. If you use battery power often running the battery down all the way before recharging it can make it last longer. If battery operation is important, be sure to bring one or two spares since it can be difficult to find a replacement overseas. Heavy users can also purchase additional batteries.

Portable Printers

You can probably get by without lugging around a portable printer. Most work is going to be transmitted over the Internet anyway. Faxes can be sent without paper, either directly from your computer through a telephone line or through service providers on the Internet. Even so, it can be more convenient to fax a paper printout in hotels where the telephone lines are just impossible for your computer to deal with. You're likely to have access to Internet cafes or a hotel printer for getting an occasional hard copy printout. Even though they're "portable," it can be like lugging another laptop around with you.

There are several portable printers available. Hewlett-Packard and Canon both make portable printers with a rechargeable battery. I can't think of too many instances where I'd want to print things where there isn't any electricity. Their portable or mobile printers are wireless, weigh four to five pounds (about the same as a slim laptop) and cost around US$200. I wouldn't want to use one on a plane, but consultants needing to work late in a hotel room and have something printed for a client the next morning may find one indispensable.

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)

Also called handheld computers, these handy gadgets are great for frequent travelers. There is a wide range of handheld PDAs. You can go with a simple, US$20 device that includes the basic stuff like a calendar, calculator, to-do list, and address book. The better PDAs can even replace a laptop computer for basic functions like spreadsheets and word processing. All you need to do is plug in an optional keyboard if you can stand the tiny screen for short periods. I draw the line between the high-end PDAs and actual laptop computers at the point where the keyboard gets big enough for a touch typist. For entertainment, there are countless games for download and you can use it as an MP3 audio player or even watch movies on a high quality color screen.

A nice feature for the frequent traveler is a PDA with built-in Wi-Fi so you can use the Internet to browse and check your email. An increasing number of bars, restaurants and coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi. Travelers who make frequent use of email and fax will find them handy. A pocket-sized PDA you keep with you at all times is useful. They can fit into a coat pocket or a small bag strapped to your waist. I used to always carry a fanny pack for my Palm TX PDA, but with all the shorts and pants with huge, multiple pockets I don't need the pack anymore.

You have access to important data. Important ideas and contacts can be noted wherever you are without pencil and paper. When you get back to your hotel you can transfer the data from your PDA to your computer via the direct PC link that comes with most PDAs. Better yet, go wireless with a Bluetooth equipped PDA. Handwriting recognition is built in so you can enter data by writing on the screen. Keep in mind that you have to learn how to write the particular kind of block letters that the PDA recognizes. This may take an hour or two.

Alternatively, use the simulated keyboard and just tap the keys with the stylus. I have used both keyboard and pen methods and find that it is faster to tap the simulated keyboard than writing in block letters. Or use the foldable, pocket sized keyboards for data entry. Some PDAs have a physical keypad, but the keypad takes up space that could you have been used for a larger display.

Test the look and feel of a PDA before you purchase. Make sure you can read the display screen easily. Some can be difficult to read, especially in direct sunlight. If you are going to use it in dimly lit areas, you will need a backlit display. Newer models are coming out with color displays.

Think about which features you will be using the most. Some have mini-spreadsheet capabilities, for example. If you are going to make use of its number-crunching capabilities you may need a device with a keypad rather than trying to enter numbers by hand on a pen-based system. Other useful programs that may come standard or as options on PDAs include world clocks, check book balancing and sales expense tracking.

Some of the more well-known PDA manufacturers are Palm, Dell and Hewlett-Packard.

An Ebook Library

Other than note-taking and contact management, I find the most invaluable function is serving as an ebook reader and library. I keep numerous ebooks stored on the 1 GB flash card in my PDA. I've read everything from Moby Dick to the Holy Bible on my PDA. I keep hundreds of books on it. I'm never without my CIA World Factbook and the Koran. It solves the problem of reading under the 20 watt light bulbs often found in cheap hotels. I can read in the dark, and it's a less disruptive light if you have a sleeping companion. Being able to carry around a small library of books is a boon to the avid reader, light packer and frequent traveler.

And to top it off there are thousands of ebooks available free for at sites like Gutenberg.org.

Smart Phones

You just might want to leave that laptop at home.

Multifunction PDA/cell phone hybrids include the Nokia Communicator, the Blackberry and the Palm Treo. This is a good idea for many, including those who want to reduce the number of gadgets to carry around. I carry both because I need the larger display of a dedicated PDA for images and as an ebook reader.

They do much more than a cell phone. These all-in-one performers allow you to send and receive calls, faxes, and e-mail around the world. A built in browser lets you surf the web on the fly. The personal organizer helps you keep track of meetings and contacts. These phones typically offer hands-free function with features that also include SMS, contacts, notes, calendar, clock, world time and an alarm clock.