I am making the move to a GPS, considering a computer for daily uploading/downloading, emails, blogging...
I'm not a "puriest" nor am I a Luddite. But if I'm carrying my own gear, I'm carefully weighing everything in terms of mass, utility, and criticality. Criticality evaluates investment, replacement cost and availability on the road, likelihood of failure, subjective potential for theft or loss, and some idea of necessity.
I carry a cellphone for my wife's sake, not mine; I'd prefer to be unreachable for a few days. Until I got my iPad, I would never consider carrying a tablet on a tour but it's an interesting device. Not because it communicates on wifi but because it plays Go. That means it would only be fun to have along; it satisfies none of my criteria and I'd really hate to break it or have it stolen. The hassle of keeping track of it outweighs any utility.
Still, I have to have to ask, what is your perception of the value of the data you are collecting? Is it necessary or interesting to anyone but you? Is there anything these devices provide you that analog workarounds cannot, like, say a notebook and postcards? Is the mass and the threat of loss worth being online as you travel across the country? Why can't you just unplug for a few days?
The MacBook Air is the lightest full-function machine you can own and--bonus--you get the MacOS. As others have pointed out, a good smart phone is a touchtypist's nightmare but you get used to thumbing quickly. A good phone will have a decent camera and eliminates another electronic jewelry item. Solar recharging will add significant mass and can be unreliable. Dynamo hubs are cool and practical but add mass and pedaling resistance as well as another piece of hardware and wires to connect your devices.
Hope you will come back after your trips and let us know how your choices worked out. You will be able to help answer this same question with practical experience. It comes up often.
david boise ID
