If you do take it, however, a waterproof case like the Pelican 1470 (prices starting at about US$130 at www.sailnet.com) can go a long way toward protecting your laptop from moisture and salt air. And a sturdy folding work surface like the Lapstation Pro (US$79.95 at www.intrigo.com) will keep your machine off your lap (and the sand).
If you manage to avoid sand and water but can't escape the sun, Private Eye Cases (privateeyecases.com) makes a carrying case (US$129) that folds out and creates a tent-like structure around your laptop. If you need to check your office e-mail, the Sierra Wireless AirCard 510 (www.sierrawireless.com/ProductsOrdering/510nb.html) fits into a laptop's PCMCIA slot and can connect to the Internet via Sprint's CDMA wireless phone network. The AirCard 510 sells for about US$400 plus monthly service fees.
If you are leaving your laptop at home, a Blackberry RIM pager (US$400 plus a monthly service fee) can provide e-mail and Web access, and its enclosed design makes it less vulnerable to the elements. And a digital voice recorder like the Sony Voice File ICD-BP100 digital recorder (US$200) can hold up to 168 minutes of your ideas, which can then be uploaded as WAV files for transcribing or plugged into speech-recognition software on your computer back at the hotel.
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