I wrote an article about this topic for Microsoft a while back, and got an e-mail from someone with some tips that are actually pretty useful (rare for one of these sales-type articles). Here ya go:

Tony,

One in five people pack a laptop with them when they travel on vacation (AP-Ipsos poll) and as technology advances and wireless mobility increases, more and more employees are able to work remotely or travel while staying in touch with the office. However, this dependency, while convenient, can become stressful if the technology isn’t working correctly. 

No one wants their vacation ruined because they missed an important deadline due to a slow connection. support.com, a leader in remote tech support services for consumers, has the ability to fix any tech headaches without the hassle of sending the laptop away to be fixed or waiting for someone to come to the rescue in-person. Within minutes, a support.com solutions engineer can be on the phone, guiding consumers through their issues, guaranteeing there are no missed deadlines - or missed boats to the next island.

Here are a few tips:
1. Make sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date and check that you have a firewall installed.
2. Power down all non-essential functions.
3. Set up message filters in your e-mail system so you can separate messages that can’t wait.
4. Give your computer a tune-up by defragmenting your hard drive so it performs at its best.

A press release is below with more information.

Small Business Owners Most Likely to Take Laptop on Vacation; support.com Offers Tips to Avoid Computer ProblemsREDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 17 — One in five people is now packing a laptop on vacation(i). Small business owners are especially likely to bring their computers on vacation, with 75 percent checking in by phone or e-mail at least once a day while on vacation(ii). In addition, nearly half of small business owners consider downtime a guilty pleasure, forcing nearly one third to check in by phone or e-mail several times a day while on vacation(iii).

“As a small business owner, I bring my computer on vacation out of necessity,” said Nancy Sartanowicz, president of Workplace Strategies, LLC in Medford, Mass. “The last thing I want to deal with while on vacation is a computer problem. What’s worse, small business owners like myself often don’t know where to turn to have their computer problems solved, especially when they’re away from home on vacation.”

Whether you’re taking your computer on vacation out of necessity or enjoyment, encountering computer problems during precious leisure time can be even more annoying than usual. support.com, a remote tech support service which provides consumers with Instant Technology Relief(SM) from their frustrating computer issues, offers tips to people who want to spend more time enjoying their vacation and less time dealing with computer problems.

support.com recommends consumers and small business owners alike take simple steps to work smart and stay safe:

    1. Take precautions against hackers when accessing wireless networks or “hot spots” on the road.  Make sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date and check that you have a firewall installed on your computer.  As an extra precaution, password-protect sensitive files and turn off “file sharing” on your computer.

    2. When you do have downtime to work, make sure your laptop battery doesn’t give out on you.  To extend the life of your battery, power down all non-essential functions, such as DVD players and wireless network cards.  In addition, most laptops have other power saving functions which can be accessed by simply double-clicking on the battery icon on the toolbar.

    3. Make the best use of your valuable vacation time by focusing only on the e-mail that must be addressed immediately.  Set up message filters in your e-mail system so that you can more easily separate and identify messages that can’t wait from those that can.  Consider setting up an automated e-mail message that shows you’re out of town and will be responding only to urgent messages.

    4. Make sure your computer is performing its best to help avoid problems. Give your computer a tune-up by defragmenting your hard drive, getting rid of any spyware or malware, and deleting any programs you don’t use which might lengthen boot-up time or decrease performance.

“Some people take their computers on vacation so that they can have more leisure time to surf the Web or communicate with family and friends. For others, such as small business owners, it’s a choice between taking their computer on vacation and not having a vacation at all,” said Eleanor Lacey, vice president of corporate development responsible for support.com. “No matter the case, the last thing that anyone wants to do is deal with a computer problem while on vacation. These steps can help ensure that they can enjoy as much of their leisure time as possible.”

About SupportSoft and support.com
SupportSoft is a leading provider of technology problem resolution software and services. The Company’s solutions reduce technology support costs, improve customer satisfaction and enable new revenue streams for companies reaching 50 million users worldwide. The Company has expanded its offerings and now provides Instant Technology Relief to frustrating technology problems directly to consumers at http://www.support.com/. For more information about the Company and its corporate offerings, visit supportsoft.com; for Instant Technology Relief(SM) to consumer technology problems, visit http://www.support.com/ or dial 1-800-PC-SUPPORT.

     (i)    AP-Ipsos poll, June 1, 2007
     (ii)   OPEN from American Express Small Business Monitor survey, April
            2007
     (iii)  OPEN from American Express Small Business Monitor survey, April
            2007