Laptop or no laptop...that is the question...

see_delight · Post by **see_delight** » Mon 17th Jul 2006 10:25 am

Hey guys, my friend who's in Amsterdam who I was planning on staying with seems to still be apartment hunting (or not? probably just getting stoned), and I didn't want to end up without a place, so I decided booking a hotel would be the best thing to do. Even if he does have a place by the time I arrive, I'd rather have my own bed than have to sleep on someone's floor.

So I'll be staying at Hotel Piet Hein, I thought the location was nice, close to Vondelpark and Ledseplein and a short tram ride up to the center of the city. (got a wicked deal on bookings.nl also) This hotel has a toll wi-fi network in the hotel but I've read reviews for it that said they were able to pick up on a free signal...soo..I'm trying to decide whether or not to bring my laptop. It would be nice to be able to post on the forum and put up pictures and whatnot throughout my stay. Anyone else travel with a laptop to Amsterdam? Is it easy to find people's wifi signals around to mooch off of?

I think for some reason I happened to find myself at Bill O'Reillys blog. (blech) he had posted from Amsterdam and I was curious what he was going to complain about..and he mentioned that wifi seems to be everywhere there...true?

I hope this post doesn't sound ridiculous, I'm a little tanked. I just don't want to bring my laptop with and then not be able to use the net....you understand...right?

Doog · Post by **Doog** » Mon 17th Jul 2006 10:39 am

One of my mates has got a PSP (Playstation Portable) and he says that you can go to places like McDonalds/Burger King etc and they have Wi-Fi ports at the tables and it doesn't cost you anything to use it (as long as you buy something to eat or drink)

I must stress that this is in the UK, but surely other countries with these franchises will have the same modern facilities.

Boner · Post by **Boner** » Mon 17th Jul 2006 11:52 am

I personally wouldn't take a lap-top but thats because when I'm in Amsterdam using any means on pc is the last thing on my mind, but theres loads of places that have free wifi The Dolphins coffeeshop is one for definate, I'll see if I can find the link for you that has all the wifi spots in Amsterdam (google is probaly a good place to start if I dont get back to you soon)

Doog tell your mate he should be able to use the wifi at McD's from the car-park and that way he doesn't have to poison himslef on their food

Punkindrublic · Post by **Punkindrublic** » Mon 17th Jul 2006 01:46 pm

Connecting to the net whilst in McDonalds..
I bet there's someone uploading a picture of a squashed up Big Mac as we speak. Just because.
Technology.. a wonderful thing.

Rev · Post by **Rev** » Mon 17th Jul 2006 04:45 pm

I normally take mine with me, theres quite a few unsecured networks about, never very fast though. Just normally use mine for charging my Ipod and for chilling out watching movies/shows.

Tall Guy · Post by **Tall Guy** » Tue 18th Jul 2006 07:06 pm

http://www.hotspotamsterdam.com/IndexFlash.html

Rez · Post by **Rez** » Tue 18th Jul 2006 07:11 pm

Nice link TG

see_delight · Post by **see_delight** » Tue 18th Jul 2006 09:58 pm

Tall Guy wrote:http://www.hotspotamsterdam.com/IndexFlash.html

Damn..that looks pretty good, too bad my hotel is just outside of their service area.

sonicblue · Post by **sonicblue** » Wed 19th Jul 2006 06:20 am

I bring mine mainly to watch movies. I posted a pic of me watching a movie at The Greenhouse a few months ago. I also like to view the pictures I take with my camera on the laptop. The laptop is WiFi enabled but rarely use that feature.

I also enjoy (really I do) the extra security I get at the airport. One visit to Amsterdam I kept my laptop in a briefcase. Upon a 2nd screening (which happens often) I opened the briefcase and the latches snapped open loudly dam near giving the TSA agent a heart attack. It was funny and sad at the same. I felt sorry for the woman.

711 · Post by **711** » Thu 20th Jul 2006 06:08 am

sonicblue wrote:I bring mine mainly to watch movies. I posted a pic of me watching a movie at The Greenhouse a few months ago. I also like to view the pictures I take with my camera on the laptop. The laptop is WiFi enabled but rarely use that feature.

I will be bringing mine for exactly the same reasons. Watching movies, chill out music in the apartment, storing pictures and clips i take on the digital camera, and blogging. =D

I'd say a laptop would be an invaluable resource in dam.