How to Use Your Laptop in Mexico

A relaxing trip to Mexico can be the perfect way to forget the worries and obligations of work, but a vacation isn't always relaxing. Being away from work can cause stresses of its own, and bringing a laptop can give you peace of mind by putting you just a click away from your responsibilities. Here's how to use one while visiting Mexico.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Surge protector
• USB cable
• Ethernet network cable
• Phone cord and adaptor
• Transformer
• Laptop
• Insurance policy

1. Purchase a short-term insurance policy for your laptop before you travel to Mexico. If your laptop is stolen, this plan will cover your loss (see Resources below).
2. Prepare for differences in electricity. You may need an adapter plug to accommodate for type "A" plugs in Mexico. Check the voltage capacity of the transformer block on your laptop. If it cannot handle 127 volts, buy a transformer.
3. Pack an Internet connection kit that contains a spare phone cord, an extra Ethernet network cable, a phone adapter and a surge protector.
4. Choose a hotel that provides a data port for laptop modems and free high-speed Internet access. You'll be able to connect to the Internet right from your hotel room and won't have to spend time or money finding a connection solution.
5. Locate Wi-Fi hotspots to use wireless Internet access on the go. Search a directory of Wi-Fi hotspots to find connections in Mexico (see Resources below).
6. Use an encryption program to back up sensitive data in case your laptop falls into the wrong hands. TrueCrypt is an easy, free program that encrypts data automatically in real-time (see Resources below). The correct password will decrypt the data for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Download your photos to your laptop daily so you don't run out of memory on your camera.
• Don't forget to charge your laptop battery pack each night.
• Make sure that the phone line in your hotel room is analog before connecting to the Internet. Digital phone lines are not safe for your modem.
• Back up all important data before you go to Mexico in case your computer is stolen.

Who Can Help:

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