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So this is my first Paizocon and Im sorry if this is a goober question, my Wife and I have become very dependant on Herolab and the awesome features it offers so we were considering bringing our laptops, we just wanted to know if there will be space for our stuff at the table or if its a no-no.
Thanks!
Wifi and/or cell coverage is another concern.
Cell is also often an issue depending on carrier and where in the hotel we are. I've been to cons where I had to go outside to get any data coverage.
PADDs are significantly better in a social sense, but small laptops fit just fine as far as table space goes. Without the hotel's special wifi plan, there is essentially no wifi coverage in the convention area itself.
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PADDs are significantly better in a social sense, but small laptops fit just fine as far as table space goes. Without the hotel's special wifi plan, there is essentially no wifi coverage in the convention area itself.
Love the reference Majuba
Imagine an area about a foot wide by about nine inches deep in front of each player.
That's all the space a six player table provides in most good conditions.
Unless the laptop is really small, it will get clumsy really quick.
In addition, laptops are kinda bad because they block line-of-sight to players and when players are using laptops they talk down 'into' them (at least, that's been my GMing experience with them at the table?)
Tablets are much better, but be sure to have some sort of 'hard copy' of at least the characters/chronicles you're using, just in case your battery dies -- access to power is exceptionally limited in the main room.
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I know some GMs have issues with laptops at the table. The space issue that The Wage Slave brings up is one. Also, there are very few outlets and running an extension cord across the room is generally frowned upon. Some of us like to kick off the slippers and go barefoot regardless of what the hotel staff tells us.
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I exclusively use my iPad and haven’t had a problem. Multiple games in a row can test the battery. Space is the primary concern; if you’re not encroaching on the space of others, a laptop shouldn’t be an issue. But as others have said, you can’t count on having access to power or wifi. I think Starfinder players using HeroLab Online may have problems.
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I agree on the laptop issue (with Wei Ji)... also, assume that you won't have access to power, so whatever you have with your laptop's battery is what you'll get. Power cords are typically not welcome, especially leading across the banquet hall becoming hazards.
I have not had a problem with my iPad (though if you have the 12" pro, that might be a bit* big at some tables as well).
As long as you give the GM as much space as they need and share the remaining space equally with your fellow players (or ask politely, if you need more), I personally would have no issue with laptops at my table(s).
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Herolab on a tablet works great, but you’ll want to bring an extra battery for recharging your tablet. I use my iPad, and it’s small enough to not be a bother.
Given how awful wifi is in the main ballroom, Herolab Online likely won’t work. Print a paper copy of your character.
I've DMed with my laptop the last 2 years at PaizoCon.
The first year, I brought my small laptop, a 10" netbook. This worked great, I had space for it in front of me at any shape of table.
The second year, I decided I didn't want to have to pull two laptops out at TSA and only brought my work laptop, one of those 15" gaming laptops with like the exhaust fins on the back. This did not work great and I would not advise doing this to anyone - I DMed with it on my lap for several games.
I've heard the hotel wifi is not great.
If you want to use a laptop MAKE SURE YOU BRING AN EXTENSION CORD, though. I don't know what the situation is like in the grant ballroom, I don't do PFS, but in any of the Cascade rooms, the tables are not arranged in order to maximize their closeness to outlets, so unless you're planning to arrive before anyone else and drag everything around so your cord will reach the table (this is a bad time and in rooms with multiple games you may end up at the center table where it won't be possible to make yourself adjacent to an outlet), you will need an extension cord.
Honestly, after brining laptops for 2 years to DM off of, I'm thinking about asking my roommate if I can borrow their tablet.
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If you want to use a laptop MAKE SURE YOU BRING AN EXTENSION CORD, though. I don't know what the situation is like in the grant ballroom, I don't do PFS, but in any of the Cascade rooms, the tables are not arranged in order to maximize their closeness to outlets, so unless you're planning to arrive before anyone else and drag everything around so your cord will reach the table (this is a bad time and in rooms with multiple games you may end up at the center table where it won't be possible to make yourself adjacent to an outlet), you will need an extension cord.
I think it would be safe to assume that you will not be able to stretch an extension cord around the room. This presents a serious safety risk, and unless taped down or otherwise secured, likely a violation.
While I don't have an issue with folks using a laptop at the table, DO NOT assume you will have power, and do not assume you'll be able to use an extension cord.
Tablets are great, and are better designed for such things. Plus, portable USB batteries are cheap (I just bought one on with 20,000 mAh on Amazon for about $20... I have tested it some, and it seems pretty solid!
Yeah, like I said I only have experience with the Cascade rooms. Extension cords work great there. The Grand Ballroom is a totally different story, and from the sounds of it, you're just going to have to be okay with no power.
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Thanks for all the suggestions folks! After much deliberation, my lady and I are considering getting a portable printer and just work on our characters in our room and then either print them in or say "F**k it" and transcribe everything the old school way, I dont mind doing this since this is how i enjoy doing it and I think it would be the easiest method.
If you’re using HeroLab, I think you should be able to print your characters to a PDF, save that PDF to the cloud, then use the hotel’s printers to generate the hard copy from those PDFs. In years past, Lone Wolf has had a presence at PaizoCon with several HeroLab workstations. I’ve never used them nor know how they’re configured, but it may be possible to save your HeroLab character file to a thumb drive, take it to one of those computers, and print it from there.
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If you’re using HeroLab, I think you should be able to print your characters to a PDF, save that PDF to the cloud, then use the hotel’s printers to generate the hard copy from those PDFs. In years past, Lone Wolf has had a presence at PaizoCon with several HeroLab workstations. I’ve never used them nor know how they’re configured, but it may be possible to save your HeroLab character file to a thumb drive, take it to one of those computers, and print it from there.
Interesting, i had no idea this was a thing, I'll bear that in mind, Im still getting the printer just for the back up XD
Lone Wolf will be present and I believe they will have the character creation station available but not 24 hours a day. At GenCon players were allowed to print from USB drives, you could also use the computers to level up etc. It was run on a first come basis though and sometimes the line was long, so do not wait until the last minute to generate or update your characters.