I cannot help with the rental side but I can make a recommendation about which Asus EeePC to buy - if you decide to go that route.

I bought the 10 inch screen Asus EeePC 1000H with Windows XP and the 80Gb hard disk drive and recommend it because:

1. All your familiar programmes can be installed and run without having to search for, and learn to use, the excellent but unfamiliar linux alternatives. I am not knocking linux in any way, but if you are a regular Windows user, then you are more likely to want to just "point and shoot" when you are on vacation.

2. With the 80Gb hard drive you will have space to store whatever you want (at home as well as on vacation) - if you only buy the small solid state drive then, sooner or later, you will find yourself wishing you had bought the bigger one. The Asus is so good that you will be using it at home as well as "on the road".

3. This model has a bigger battery that lasts much longer between charges. It really does make the Asus usable when away from a mains supply. Of course it depends what you are doing, but mine often runs for over 6 hours while browsing the web before I remember that I haven't switched the charger on!

One "extra" to mention:

I had to buy a usb CD/DVD drive to install all my extra programmes - but now I can also play DVDs on the Asus.

I also bought a wireless laser mouse. The Asus touchpad works perfectly - but I just prefer a mouse.

My only slight duh is the need to scroll down the screen because it is wide but shallow. But hey, I wanted a small computer!

Colin

you could also load programs using the usb port and a usb flash drive which you put your programs on. There are many sites that have "portable apps" just for carrying around on a flash drive they are immensely handy.

I want a kindle so bad but they are priced too rich for me thus far, I had been hoping they would come down in price but it does not look like it. Sony also has something very similar to the kindle you might check out. I have no idea where you might rent one though.

here are some of the portable apps sites, putting them on a flash drive is a great idea then when you travel you have then at hand for any pc you might use.

PortableApps.com Suite
Free Portable

Here is a link that might be useful: portable freeware site

I looked into the possibility of renting a laptop for a couple of weeks here in western Washington last summer and ran into a brick wall. It seemed that there's just too much "maintenance" involved between renters to make it a viable business offering. I even asked the folks I called if they knew of anyone else who might be renting laptops, and I drew a total blank. I might have well been asking if anyone rented toothbrushes.

Of course, my experience is just that. Other locations might have laptops available for rent. Good luck!

The idea of a longer lasting battery is a good idea to consider. I'll check out the apps stuff too, but I keep swearing I'll use it only for surfing and I can use gmail's documents section for light stuff. We have flash drives all over the house; time to acquire one of them for myself. Heh heh road to good intentions.

Seattlemike, I did find online vendors, but they usually ended up costing about as much as a netbook itself, so why bother when I really need the portability instead of a brick.

I'm also looking into alternate Mobipocket readers like Palm pilots, but I think the screen might be too small. There must be products in between! google, google, google.

Check on the cost of access to the web.

I haven't been to Europe for a couple of years, but...

Even in the US, unless one stays in an econo-hotel (HI Express) you have to pay for Internet access, usually around $10 a day, last time I checked. I was in a big name (Hyatt) only once last year, but I do recall there was a charge.

I have been "off shore" to hotels that provide a few public access computers that can be used to get on the Internet.

Seems to me I've seen a Eee at the local club (BJs) for under $250. This would work for email...I don't remember it that had WiFi capabilities. May not for that price.

Raven, It is impossible for me to travel light and only use portable apps! (big grin) I just have to have my old faithful MS Office 2000, Memory Map, Paperport, etc etc etc. so it was impossible to resist clicking the CD/DVD Buy button next to the EeePC one!

In reality, much of my time is spent working with Excel but as its macros aren't compatible with the bundled Open Office I changed packages. I was surprised that the Open Office files took up about 650Mb but Office 2000 was only about 180Mb despite having just about all of the suite installed.

I hadn't looked at Kindles until you said you wanted one and now I see that they are completely different items.

The 10 inch EeePC is considerably bigger than the Kindle and isn't something that you could hold in your hand to read like a book. Also the extra weight of the larger battery on my version means that I wouldn't want to carry it around for too long.

Colin

Thanks all. I'm starting to research getting a cell phone over there too and it seems some of the go-phone type handsets might do browsing. Prepaid SIM cards etc. I don't need any applications, just surfing (email, google).

This site might be worth browsing regarding tips and costs involved when buying/using cell phones in Europe. It is one of the most honest and highly respected consumer financial advice sites in the U.K.

I have read that it may be best to buy SIM cards in each country when you get there rather than use the one you use at home.

Colin

Here is a link that might be useful: Martin Lewis - Money Saving Expert

bee4mee, check out this website. Carphonewarehouse is apparently one of the biggest cell retailers in the UK. I just have to figure out which phone, which SIM card. I can place my order and pick up my phone(s!) when I get there from the store of my choice, closest to whatever hotel I'm staying. For the price - $21 for a phone with a bit of airtime on it - I might buy two to use as 'walkie talkies' and top off as needed!

Most advice says to 'rent' a phone in the States so you have it with you. I knew there had to be equivalent mobile stores like we have here, from Best Buy, Target, heck even my grocery stores sells phones so it had to be possible to buy a go-phone in London. Took me a bit but I found one (several, but carphonewarehouse seems to be the daddy). I'll figure out later if I keep the phones for friends who travel, future Europe trips (buying SIMs as necessary) or just sell 'em on ebay.

Anyone have a tutorial on web access through a cell phone? My eyeballs are crossed. My DH has an iphone so I know that we have unlimited 'data' for the $20 or $30/month. I'm getting confused with charges per day, per minute, MB bundles.

Thanks all!

Here is a link that might be useful: Pay as you go cell phones UK

I have to be careful what I say here.

No No No! They are my home telco and ISP.

Biggest yes but .... my experience is on a par with those in this link: 65 pages - I didn't waste more time posting here (but I could have).

I only use my basic cell phone (Tesco retailer on the O2 network) for a few calls and texts so I cannot recommend any particular supplier/network for internet access.

Here is a link to a very recent tv item that is worth checking out: No mobile signal coverage

Colin

Oh. My. God. Thanks for the warning. It did seem too good to be true.

I'll look into Tesco/O2 since truly I just want the phone to do what you do, a few calls and probably no texts. We will find wi-fi spots or use accomodation internet with our laptops (we know the drill).

If you find any other reputable retailers/proiders for pay as you go mobile, I'd appreciate it. I really don't want to shell out $50 - $100 for a cell rental from the States. We are probably going to stay in the UK and do Paris another time.

Yikes!