iPhone Vs PC (or Mac) for Travel, Pros and Cons?

GOCAT9 on 22/04/2024 - 08:26

I’m wondering what people experiences are in trying to travel with ONLY an iPhone (or android device) instead of ALSO carrying a windows computer (or Mac) like a Microsoft Surface GO for example.

I’m currently in Mexico after having come from Chile and Argentina. One of my most important uses is booking tickets online. I have found that a number of websites do not play well when booking from my mobile phone device but work fine when using a windows platform. Drop down menus can be particularly problematic, for example.

When using Safari on the iPhone, even requesting the desktop version of the website does not always solve these problems. Going to the trouble of finding a Windows computer, the website works perfectly.

I would be interested to know if other people have encounted these problems, and what solutions you have found to overcome them.

I’m beginning to believe that I probably need to travel with a very small windows tablet/laptop like a Microsoft surface.

Would love to know your experiences. Safe travels.

Travel Computer Laptop Mobile Phone

Comments

  • AustriaBargain on 22/04/2024 - 09:10

    Plenty of young people do it.

    • GOCAT9 on 22/04/2024 - 14:27

      This is not a XXX website!

  • Xetrok on 22/04/2024 - 09:53
    +1

    I usually take a laptop (either surface or gaming laptop) when I travel.
    It's handy to not only do planning/bookings with, but also for downtime, being able to stream on a larger device is nice.
    A surface will probably do you well, being quite light in terms of weight.

  • GordonR on 22/04/2024 - 09:53

    My globe-trotting brother uses an iPad.

  • Lordsina on 22/04/2024 - 10:19

    " When using Safari on the iPhone, even requesting the desktop version of the website does not always solve these problems" , Have you tried chrome or Edge to see if those websites work well under desktop mode there?

    • GOCAT9 on 22/04/2024 - 14:26

      Good suggestion, but yes I did with same problem. For example using Edge, and choosing the birthdate, the only years displayed in the dropdown menu are 1924 to 1959! No later years. I tried it on a windows platform and it works fine!! If I enter data manually it works, but drop down menus don’t appear to work correctly!

      • sumyungguy on 22/04/2024 - 14:31

        Adults are 12—59, seniors 60+

    • AustriaBargain on 22/04/2024 - 16:21

      Modern responsive design doesn't check what device you are using, well often it doesn't, it checks the browser width in pixels. You are seeing the desktop version (if you narrowed the browser window on your desktop to the same pixel width as the phone). If you click the "ᴀA" at the bottom of safari then tap "ᴀ" to basically zoom out, then you may get the desktop version. Maybe.

  • sumyungguy on 22/04/2024 - 10:21
    +1

    Some of us use MacOS/iOS/iPadOS wihout ever accessing an MS Windows browser. I make all of my own bookings and have travelled extensively (internationally, including South America) with my phone plus an iPad - for the bigger display, light weight and battery endurance. I only take my MacBook on domestic trips,

  • footscrayvic on 22/04/2024 - 10:39
    +3

    On a recent trip to Europe I used an iPhone for everyday use (including photos) and took an iPad mini for making bookings, streaming and reading books etc. I left the iPad in my accommodation during the day. This worked well for me.

    Also, I normally don't pay extra for iCloud but I did while overseas. This meant that my photos were backed up to the cloud each night on wifi (from the accommodation) and I then saved them once I returned home, then cancelled extra iCloud services.

  • Nillionaire on 22/04/2024 - 13:26
    +1

    I have found that a number of websites do not play well when booking from my mobile phone device but work fine when using a windows platform. Drop down menus can be particularly problematic, for example.

    When using Safari on the iPhone, even requesting the desktop version of the website does not always solve these problems. Going to the trouble of finding a Windows computer, the website works perfectly.

    Have you tried using the apps of those airlines and websites?

    • GOCAT9 on 22/04/2024 - 14:16

      When available I do yes, but often, example booking train tickets in developing countries, they only have websites, no apps.

      Try https://chepe.mx. This website is for booking train tickets on the famous Copper Canyon train. Drop down menus ( for birthday) don’t work on iOS. Yes, you can enter data manually. But other train booking sites in Indonesia for example don’t seem to work at all on iOS.

      • sumyungguy on 22/04/2024 - 14:24

        What version of iOS are you using? Birth date drop down works for me in Safari, both MacOS and iOS.

        • GOCAT9 on 22/04/2024 - 14:32

          iOS 17.3.1

          My drop down in Safari for that website only displays 1924 to 1959, no later years!!

          Luckily I was born in 1954!!!!!!

          • sumyungguy on 22/04/2024 - 14:35
            +1

            @GOCAT9: Depends on what ticket you choose: adult, child, senior. You're having a software/interface problem, nothing wrong with your hardware. A good percentage of international tourists are using iOS so it will be tested and functional.

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