Blackberries etc. The phoney kind not for eating!

[diamond lil]

Talking on an American forum today about living without elect. A few of them do - but they seem to have whopping great generators instead, which isnt a lot of use to me. But one thing we were talking about was cutting down your useage and dependence - and they say a smart mobile phone like the Blackberry lets you go onto the internet without needing a PC or laptop or router etc etc. I have never even SEEN a Blackberry, do you think they do the same job as a PC , for forums and news etc ?

[Carrot Cruncher]

I have a blackberry Lil, and while it is good for receiving and sending emails when you are out and about, the internet access is really only any good for when you need to use it when you are without a pc. You certainly wouldnt want to use it all the time for general surfing. An iPad instead of an iPhone is definitely workable (i love mine) but it is obviously not as small. The iPad is also (imo) a lot better than a "Netbook" or small Lap Top, the problem is that they start at around £400 for the basic model, although iPhones themselves aren't cheap.

Edtited to add that surfing the web on the blackberry for just an hour will nearly empty the battery

[diamond lil]

O drat. Ta Every time I find what I think is a good idea, it isn't !

[Bladerunner]

The advantage that a mobile phone has over a PC is if you have a solar charger. You could never run a PC off the smaller solar chargers but you could with a mobile phone.

They are not the best for surfing the net but they do work. My daughter does all her internet stuff off her mobile and swears by it. She has a Samsung Galaxy which has a great screen. I have an HTC Magic which is also nifty when it comes to trawling the net.

Downside is you have to have a contract with the phone company which still costs money (but you can shop around for good deals) and if the power goes down, chances are the phone masts are going to be down as well so it is catch 22.

Be lucky (and connected)

[Technik]

Had a couple smartphones - Blackberrys are only good for emails, Iphone and android based like HTC are very straightforward and great for everything, including internet.
When it goes to netbooks/laptops/Ipads my choice is a hybrid of all of these - my HP touchscreen laptop - it's as small and compact as a netbook, touchscreen like the Ipad and the brain power and data storage of a laptop.... brilliant

[Bladerunner]

I imagine that a small laptop could also be charged from a portable solar charger.

Maplins do some good chargers which won't break the bank. Here is link to one I have been looking at.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/12v-24v-13w-sol ... ase-228539

It's 60 dabs which if you think about it, isn't too bad if it can suply you with power for a few years totally gratis after you buy it.

The beauty with a laptop is you can put all your suvival books and dvd's on it and still use it after all the power fails if you have solar. It would also be great for keeping the kids occupied watching Dora the Explorer and Postman Pat while wifey is baking bread and you are fighting off the hoardes of zombies at the front door with your machette and home made flame thrower.

Be lucky (and a little bit whacky)