How Your PC Can Help You Improve Your Vacation

jayacom357

When you go on vacation, the last thing you want to think about is all the tech you need to lug along with you. But aside from your smartphone, the most important piece of tech you can bring along on your vacation is your PC. 

Believe it or not, when you go on vacation your computer could be the most important ride-along you have. It can help you access the Internet with faster speeds, give you an opportunity to find the best restaurants and hotspots, and perhaps most importantly, give you the productivity boost you need if you’re away but still fielding questions from co-workers. As nice as it is to unplug, it’s not always reality in an increasingly connected and remote workforce. 

So, if you plan to bring your laptop with you on your next vacation, Acer has you covered with some tips that will help you improve productivity and get more out of your vacation experience. And yes, if you want to have some fun along the way, there are some things your computer can help you out with to boost your travel plans. 

Get a mobile hotspot 

You’ll undoubtedly bring your smartphone with you when you travel, but trying to be productive while on-the-go can be difficult without your PC. And in a world that’s increasingly connected, work may not leave you alone regardless of where you go. 

That’s why it may be a good idea to invest in a mobile hotspot before you leave for vacation. In some cases, your phone may have a hotspot built-in, which should suffice. But if you don’t have a hotspot or you’re concerned that your wireless carrier won’t deliver the kind of connectivity you need, consider buying a mobile hotspot from another provider. From there, you can easily connect your laptop or two-in-one hybrid to the hotspot and stay connected from afar. 

As always, speed matters here, so if you can get a hotspot that connects to faster 5G networks, that would be preferred. If not, opt for LTE connectivity wherever possible. 

Download the right travel apps 

Whether you bring a Chromebook or Windows laptop with you on your trip, there’s a nearly endless supply of outstanding travel apps to help you get more out of your travel experience. 

The TripAdvisor app is a fine choice for looking up hotels or locations. It’ll also help you find attractions and its guides will give you insight into where to go while you’re out and about.  

XE Currency is another handy Windows travel app that keeps you updated on current currency conversions. You can input the amount of cash you want to convert and it’ll provide the current conversion rate. 

Of course, the Internet also provides a wealth of valuable information for accessing information about the best restaurants and pubs, where you can get the best museum experience, and so much more.  

Accessing files remotely 

Whether you forgot an important file at home or someone at the office needs your help with something, having a connection to your files at home could save you when you’re on vacation. 

Before leaving, consider adding important files to a cloud-based storage service for easy access. Or if you have a desktop at home with important files on it, use a remote desktop service that connects both your laptop and desktop so you can easily find the files you need. 

If it’s work files you may need to access, be sure you have a VPN installed on your computer so you can easily access the corporate network from afar. 

There are plenty of ways to store content in the cloud if you opt for that method. You can use popular cloud-based services like Box, Dropbox, or Microsoft’s OneDrive storage. If you’re a bit more tech-savvy, you can also buy a network storage device that you can make accessible through the cloud. 

On the remote desktop side, there are plenty of outstanding options, including TeamViewer, Splashtop Remote Desktop, and RemotePC to help you access your files (and even your entire computer) from afar. 

Going on vacation isn’t for the faint of heart. As fun as it might be when you’re away, the logistics and ensuring you didn’t miss a step can be trying. But if you bring your PC along and prepare for it ahead of time, you’ll quickly find ways to reduce your stressors — and make it easier to enjoy your vacation.