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one computer enough ?

Internet Access and Computers

inca started this discussion 11 years 1 week ago

i intend to have free WiFi in my hostel ,would it be a good idea to have a computer available for those people that do not have one and would one be enough ? bearing in mind that my hostel will be in Peru and there are internet cafes everywhere

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Rucksack Brian

11 years

I think it would be a very good idea to have a computer available for your guests. Luckily, not EVERYONE travels with tech devices.

How big is your hostel? Depending on how many guests you have, one computer would probably be enough. I ran a 43 bed hostel with 3 guest computers, and they were all constantly in use. I also ran a 50 bed hostel with 1 computer, and it rarely caused problems when people wanted to use it at the same time. Everyone just had to cut their facebook time short and join the rest of us for real face time instead.

The fact that there are internet cafes everywhere means that if someone is really desperate to use the one computer while someone else is on it, you can offer them an alternative nearby.

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Uli

10 years

In our 48-bed-hostel on Crete we have got free Wifi and one public computer. The usage is free of charge, but we ask people to limit the usage to 15 min so that others get a chance, too.

While a few years ago it was almost permanently in use the situation has changed quite a lot. In the last season it was ususally used by 2 or 3 people a day mainly for printing boarding passes. Almost every traveller has got at least one device for accessing the internet. A good and fast working Wifi is mandatory.

So I would recommend one public computer with a printer connected.

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inca

10 years

thanks for the replies, i guess i should have said i am looking to open a hostel in Miraflores Peru
while there are a lot of hostels i am miraflores i am sure there is always room for one more

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bluealmondhostel

10 years

i stayed in a hostel in NYC that had free very fast wifi, but would charge the usage of the computer.
it kind of made sense.

I personally have only one computer for 15-20 people and is not that heavily used.

whatever you do, just make sure you don't give them administrator rights to the PC, otherwise the lifespan will be very short!

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John Moriarty

10 years

I have a 20 bed hostel with free wifi but no computer.

I think someone asked me once or twice for a computer and I had an old spare laptop that I left them borrow.

If they want to print anything they email me and I print it.

If you are just starting I wouldnt go out and spend a lot on a computer.

Try maybe source one second hand.

Instead spend money on a good router and if needed a repeater for coverage throughout the hostel.

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