Pros and Cons of taking my laptop with my to Australia

Reasons to take it:

I am teaching classes with online components and will need to check in on the students while I am gone
I wouldn't have to worry about running out of memory card space for photos
The Hyatt does have Wi-Fi in public areas and wired high speed connections in the rooms
Would be able to look area information up online rather than having to take travel guides

Reasons not to take it:

Could be damaged
Extra things to carry (keeping in mind that I am taking camera equipment with me though not sure about the tripod)
Not sure about how secure it would be in the hostel the first two nights and I do NOT want to carry it with me at the zoo


For folks who have travel more than me -- what else should I consider?

It does seem to be compatible with the power system there as long as I buy an adapter for the plug

General information:

Leaving on July 7 with several hours sitting around the airport at LAX
Staying 2 nights in Noosa at a hostel
Staying 5 nights at the Hyatt Regency for a conference
There is a pretty good chance Dawn and I will still be working on the paper on the flight and the first couple of days in Australia
Getting two and from airports requires 1.5 to 2.5 hour bus trips on both ends of the trip but that should mean being dropped off at the terminal door at both end point airports

(no subject)

I will be very glad when my campus grows up enough to have true high speed internet. Things are soooooo veeeerrrrrryyyyy slllllloooooowwwwww tooooodayyyy.

Help me figure out where to shop

To the photographers on my list, any recommendations for online store (good or bad)? I need to purchase a few accessories and there are no local camera stores. Especially useful would be those that carry Canon.