I wrote an earlier post about getting on the Internet while camping that looked at the options for getting the connection. Obviously the connection is only half the story, you also need a device to connect with. There are a few options but that beige box with it's keyboard and mouse and monitor that you probably use at homeis not one of them.

So what are the alternatives. Well that partly depends on how you connect, but they basically fall into the following categories, smart phones, PDAs, handheld games consoles, netbooks and laptops. Of these the first two are pretty much merging now into one category of small-fits-in-your-pocket devices that you can use like a phone but that will also connect to the web and has some sort of web-browser. Although it's possible to surf the web using a handheld games console, like a PSP, it's not what they are designed for and it's not their prime market. So don't expect it to be easy. Netbooks are the new kid on the block, more powerful than a phone, but lighter, smaller and less power hungry than a fully fledged laptop.

Comparing the 3 main contenders: phone, netbook and laptop leads to a pretty easy choice for those wanting to surf while camping.

Phones

Phones are small light and easily stowed. They have a long battery life and can be recharged from all manner of clever devices, even wind up radios and solar chargers. So I'd say they are the perfect choice for the backpacker who has limitted space. There downside is their size, the screen is small and the keyboard awkward to use and probably not a full QWERTY one. So they are fiddly to use and hard to read, but they do allow you to get the info you want. It's not quite surfing the web but it does allow access.

Netbooks

Netbooks are quite new but offer all the functionality of a laptop at around 1/3 the size. The current models will run off the battery for several hours and those with Solid State Drives (SSD) boot up and hibernate very quickly (we're talking 10-20 seconds form a cold start). Apart from their size they offer all the same functionality of a standard sized laptop, so you can not only truly browse the web but also edit Word files, listen to music, edit photos, use Skype, etc. etc. Again the downside is there size. they are too big to put in a pocket and so for a backpacker they woudn't be a good choice, but they would be ideal for car campers. Their smaller batteries should charge from the car charger while on the move quite well I'd think.

Laptops

Laptops offer the most functionality but are the largest and hardest to carry and store, they'd be Ok in a caravan I'd guess but I wouldn't want one in a tent, it would be too prone to being stood on or otherwise damaged. You also really need an electrical hook up to charge them properly.