Photos: The top 10 gadgets for business travellers

When you need to get your laptop online, data cards could be just the thing. Unlike using wi-fi, 3G data cards will give you internet connectivity just about anywhere you care to think of, even when there's no hotspot nearby - on trains, buses, even a park bench.

Outside of the main urban areas, you may find the cards slip back to GPRS access and speed dips accordingly. Inside 3G coverage though you can expect speeds of 384Kbps and, as HSDPA (that's souped-up 3G to you) is rolled out this year, you'll be clearing 1Mbps easily.

If you do find yourself often outside the UK's population centres, it's worth bearing in mind that Orange is rolling out its EDGE network. EDGE - which is faster than GPRS but slower than 3G and is used in the regions that are unlikely to see 3G coverage any time soon, if at all - makes downloading docs that little bit faster.

Another point to bear in mind: 3G data cards are fiendishly useful abroad but also fiendishly expensive. Make sure you check your roaming rates before you get on the plane.

Photo credit: Vodafone