The fact is, unless you're car camping, you'll literally be burdened by your ties to the modern world. If you plan to travel frequently, choose a netbook. Small, lightweight and with longer battery life, these machines are designed specifically for the traveler's lifestyle. Your pack, and your back, will thank you---and if you slip and break your computer, you're out only a couple hundred dollars instead of thousands.
Whenever you leave home with your computer, make sure your data is backed up. The dangers of travel are many, and you probably don't want to deal with a major information loss while you're on top of a mountain. Store all your data on another computer or portable hard drive that you leave at home. If you don't have another computer, purchase online storage space and upload all your files. Your peace of mind is worth the expense.
The great outdoors just weren't made for sensitive electronics. Make sure you have a padded, reinforced case to protect your laptop from bumps, as well as a sturdy, waterproof covering for the computer and any peripherals.
Thankfully, campgrounds, cafes, restaurants and hotels everywhere now offer Wi-Fi hot spots. If your idea of camping is more RV than rustic, one of the campgrounds at http://www.websbestcampingguide.com/wifi-campgrounds.php may serve your needs admirably. If your phone has Internet capability, you can perform basic tasks via the cellular network; check with your service provider for a coverage map.
If you're headed out beyond the tech cloud, you've got two options: Find a spot with direct line-of-sight connectivity, or schlep into town every so often to find an Internet cafe. Either way, you shouldn't have to go far to find a signal.
One of the best ways to stay productive while out of a Wi-Fi service area is to be prepared. Use Gmail or a POP3 mail client to download your email to your hard drive; save any important Web pages as complete files. The more preparation you do, the less you'll have to worry---and the more you'll enjoy that lovely campsite.
