9 Things to Set up on Your Laptop Before Your Next Trip

Not all vacations are meant for sipping mojitos in a beach bar, maybe with a book in your hand and a nap calling your name. Unless, that is, you’re taking your laptop because you want to watch your Netflix in bed after said mojito on the beach.

If you need to take your laptop on your next trip, there are likely a few things you haven’t thought about that could affect how you use your device. Read on for nine things to set up on your laptop before your next trip.

A VPN For Safer Online Browsing

It’s always recommended to use a VPN whether you’re traveling or not. A VPN creates an encrypted, private connection between your device and the internet. While it’s recommended to use a VPN 24/7, it’s especially important when you’re traveling, since you’re likely to connect to unsecured public networks.

It’s easy to get a downloadable VPN free trial for Windows that adds an extra layer of security. If you know you’ll be cafe and Wi-Fi hopping, or even just using hotel Wi-Fi and you’re not sure about the network, a VPN is a great security investment. Well, technically, if you use a free trial, it’s a freebie.

Disable Auto-Connect for Wi-Fi on Your Laptop

Similarly, you don’t want auto-connect enabled for Wi-Fi on your laptop. Not every laptop has this enabled, but you might not realize it until you check. You’ll see it clearly labeled as ‘auto-connect’, or something really similar if it isn’t those words, when you go to your Wi-Fi settings.

It’s a simple fix that prevents your laptop from automatically connecting to open networks that might not be very secure. If it does autoconnect, a VPN at least adds a layer of protection.

Offline Availability for When You’re Not Connected

You’re not guaranteed a connection when you’re on a trip, but if you’re taking your laptop because you’re working, having a way to work offline is ideal. In Google Docs, you can do this by going into the settings of the individual Doc you’re working on, and you’ll see ‘Make Available Offline’. 

You’ll need to do that for every Doc that you want to work on. You can do the same in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, although the exact wording of the offline feature toggle may differ.

Get a Backup Mobile Hotspot or eSIM Plan so You Can Be Online

If being offline isn’t an option because you need to browse the internet for work or connect to apps that need it (like Teams or Slack), a mobile hotspot or eSIM plan is a lifesaver. They’re cheap and flexible to buy, and you only need one for the duration of your trip.

Keep in mind that using an eSIM for Wi-Fi, then browsing and doing what you need to do on your laptop, will drain your data allowance. An eSIM with unlimited data is the best option, even if it costs slightly more.

Download Anything You Need for When You’re Offline

Another simple one, but it’s always so gutting when you forget. Whether it’s a Netflix film or series for the plane, or anything you can download to work offline, it doesn’t take long. Having what you need ready before you travel saves you the hassle of doing it when you arrive.

If you’re unsure about anything, just Google ‘how to download x so it’s available offline’, and you should find a guide.

Backups For Your Laptop Data

Always back up the essentials on your laptop! You never know what will happen. You never know what will happen whilst you’re away. From accidentally leaving your laptop on the plane and waiting days for it to be delivered, to a random issue that wipes your data, a backup is essential.

For maximum security, back up to an external hard drive. That way, if you lose your laptop or it breaks, you can still plug it into another device, like an internet cafe computer, and access any essential files.

You can also back up what you need to the cloud.

Check That All Your Software and Apps Are Up to Date

Again, another simple one, and not one that you should only do because you’re going on a trip. You should run software and app updates as regularly as they need it. You’ll either get a notification when an update is required, or you can check automatically.

Again, to find out how to update software and apps, you can Google ‘how to update x,’ and you’ll find information on where to check for updates.

Setting Up Longer Battery Life

Battery saver is obvious, but you can do a few more things to extend your laptop’s battery life in case you’re not always somewhere that you can use your charger:

• Lower your display brightness by at least 20% to 50%.
• Set your screen to turn off after 1 to 3 minutes of inactivity.
• Put the laptop to sleep after 5 to 15 minutes.
• Change your screen refresh rate to 60Hz in your display settings.
• Check your Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to close resource-heavy apps.
• Disable Bluetooth and turn on Airplane Mode if you are working offline.

Check That Your Cords, Adapters, and Laptop Accessories Work

Finally, check that your charging cables, adapters, and laptop accessories work so you don’t arrive at your destination and have to find a shop that sells exactly what you need.

And if you can, pack a backup charger, and always take more adaptors than you need so you can plug in multiple devices, like your phone and laptop charger, at the same time.

Whatever your reason for taking your laptop on a trip, it’s sensible to take some time to make sure you can actually use it as you need to. There’s nothing worse than feeling the stress of either not having your laptop working when you need it to or trying to find a solution when you’re in an unfamiliar place or away from home.