I was just thinking more about the portable computing gear that a person can carry while traveling.
Palm Pilot type device. Dont go for some massive battery hog, an old handspring or palm with mono screen will give you several weeks on AAA batteries which is nice when you forgot your charger. The handspring can use a wifi pod which has its own internal battery. Palm, sony and several other manufacturers make.
Last year in Israel I had to survive with my Handspring visor deluxe (reall old even then) including modem, wifi card, mini keyboard, and smartmedia reader. I did quite well, used friends computers instead of my laptop and likely enjoyed the visit because I didn't have my face in a laptop all the time.
The big thing to remember is unless you have a good warranty or feel comfortable finding and installing a new LCD in your laptop guard it well, you paid for it and decided you needed it on your trip so dont break it.
I have had several ideas of having a stainless or aluminum plate cut at a shop to velcro to my laptop lid. it could be removed once you arrive and the feais of air turbulance or overturnde laptop bags is reduced.
Be smart dont pack your laptop bag with small hard things against the outside of the LCD.
  ¶ 2:50 PM (0) comments

  I just want to plug the use of HAM radio gear in travel situations. Most developed places in the world will have 2M radio repeaters often open to the public. This is a great way to keep in touch with your party, repeaters usualy cover a 10-20 mile circle. In less developed places you can use HF radio gear to contact home keep in touch and if using the right software or hardware send and recive e-mail at 1980's modem speeds (up to 2400 baud). This also gives you a community with something in common to tie into. Most HAM's know a little english. Check arrl.org to see if your US HAM license is acceptable in the place you are visiting.  ¶ 10:41 PM