Yeah the start can be quite slow, they will keep coming in to check how strong and frequent your contractions are and turning things up to make them stronger.
I remember watching some of the rememberence day parade on telly, they will probably have a telly in the delivery suite for you too.

I'm sure you can take your laptop in with you. Sounds like a good plan with DP, if he's not far away then you will be able to get him when you need him as long as he is able to leave as soon as you call him.

PS mine was a 21 hour induced labour so you're right they can be long.