Job Discussion Forums

[Jojo]

Ni Hao,
Ok so I've signed my contract...Yahoo! I'm in the process of deciding what to bring. I don't want to bring my computer since it is so slowww and old. I heard that Electonics were quite cheap in China but, how cheap?
How much can I buy a laptop for and are they good quality? Is high speed DSL/Cable in most areas of China? How much are cd walkmans approximately? So many questions I know..I tend to think out loud.
Very much appreciated,

Jojo

[MyTurnNow]

Hey Jojo!

My boss just bought a new, pretty state-of-the-art laptop with DVD drive, etc. for about 11,000 RMB. You can buy a desktop system for somewhere around 4000-5000 RMB! (NOTE: 1 USD=~8.25 RMB)
The quality seems to be fine and the technology is modern.

Some sort of fast internet will be available in bigger cities and more developed areas. The further you deviate from that the chancier this becomes. Where ya headed?

I don't know the prices for a Discman but I gather they are pricey here. I've only rarely seen them and I've had several Chinese friends ask me to order them one from the States. This might be a good one to bring from home.
Most people here walk around plugged into MPG players...downloaded music.

MT

[Bertrand]

Electronic goods in China are getting better, though they are still somewhat of a joke. It's all pretty 1970s-ish. If I were you I would come to HK for all such goods; there is no tax and the variety and thus sheer choice is out of this world.

[Minhang Oz]

All prices are in local currency. There's 3 groups of goods:
*Made in China or O/S under a world famous brand name for export- same price as most Western countries.
*Made in China under a foreign brand name but for sale in China only.
*Local brands which are often exported and re-badged and sold in Western discount stores.
There are bargains to be had in groups 2 and 3. DVD players, a must for FT's here are good. Ours cost 600 a year ago, and has worked pefectly. New release movies are 7, or less when buying several.
Visiting Australian friends have bought these, USB memory sticks, MP3 players at prices around 50% of those at home. Chinese brands, good looking, no reported problems. Ditto for a CD/VCD/RW player [walkman] which I think was around 400. We're buying big items-fridge, TV etc to take back in 18 months as all specifications match.
In Shanghai, ADSL costs 80 a month for unlimited hours and downloads.
Digital cameras look a bit stone age, but they're cheap. A laptop fan friend doesn't recommend local products.
Of course, if close to HK go there; its a bit far for us.
On the consumer protection side, if you pay a bit more in a dept. store or electronics supermarket, and get the right paperwork, you're well covered with warranties etc-I've had no complaints that weren't attented to satisfactorily. We tend to buy from the second group above: pay a little more, but the original technology is better.

[travesty21]

Thought I would throw my two cents in. I am living in Dalian, China which is a pretty modern city. They have all the same stuff we have back home and the prices tend to also be the same, if not more. Of course if you can build your own computer you might be able to get some good deals, but this is also the case in the west. Laptop, a good one, is the same price as back home, same with desktops. Most people I know buy one in their home country and bring it to China, which is what I did. As for DSL at least here in Dalian it is easy to get. Install is about 400RMB which is about 50USD and 80RMB 10USD a month. Of course, I have had friends that have had problems with DSL, like slowing down for a a week or so, etc. CD players are easy to find and the same cost as home, digital cameras I hear should be bought in the US, Canada, etc. DVD players are cheap. I got a Sanyo for 600RMB.

[roaming kiwi]

And here's my three cents...

What's the voltage in China? And what exactly do the pins on the plugs look like.

kiwi

[Minhang Oz]

Yeah Kiwi, I heard you got electricity there recently! Voltage is 220/240, same as Oz, and I assume the same as NZ. There's different plugs, with a 2 pin parallel for smaller appliances, and the 2-3 pin job in a triangular configuration. You can buy plugboards here easily that convert all of these to each other [?] I've brought a VCR to China, no problems, small appliances from China to Oz, same deal.

[MyTurnNow]

[Jojo]

Thanks folks! Helps me at least start deciding what to buy/bring. I really want to get a good digital camera and wonder about buying it here or there. Sounds like with what Minhang has said, I may just wait on that one till I get there.
HK was mentioned for cheap good quality electronics. How much can I get a laptop in HK approximately? I'm going to Tianjin area and see that they have a Samsung business in the area. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Cheers,
Jojo

[MyTurnNow]

Jojo,

I can't help with your HK laptop question but want to pass on one thing.

I CAN'T RECOMMEND STRONGLY ENOUGH THAT YOU BRING A DIGITAL CAMERA HERE WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!

It's the smartest money I ever spent in my life. It's a good way to store your own memories...when I accumulate enough I burn them onto CDs. And it's also a fantastic way to share your experiences with folks back home. Your Mom can see your smiling face and rest assured that you haven't been arrested, maimed, or eaten.

Please bring one with you from Canada/Canada (to get both languages in) or pick one up in HK as you come. Get as many useful features (optical zoom, big memory, quick recycle time, etc.) as you can afford.
If you are using other people's computers, you might consider getting a camera that downloads via a serial port rather than USB. Serial is slower and sort of a pain in the ass, but it works on ANY IBM-type computer no matter how primitive it may be.

Regards to you and those fabulous blue eyes,
MT

[Minhang Oz]

I did some serious window shopping for a digital camera. There was a good range of brand names, and the bottom price for a 2MP Fujitsu was 1400- this is all you need for everyday snaps to send to Mum.
There were some Taiwanese brands, notably Premier, which is rebadged as Vivitar in the west at around 1000, which should be OK as they've been doing it for a while. Mainland brands started around 500- pay and take your chances I guess. Does your employer supply you with a home computer? Its probably what most local posters on this site are using.
CD burners are a good deal; 600 for a Sony, blank CDs 2 yuan.

[Jojo]

Quote:

MyTurnNow: Your Mom can see your smiling face and rest assured that you haven't been arrested, maimed, or eaten.

haha! Yeah moms biggest fear.

I'm hoping to get a digital camera once I get there, or maybe I'll get one as a going away gift. I am looking forward to taking loads of pics and making a journal once over there.

Cheers
Jojo

[Roger]

I do not have as much advice as Minhang and MyTurnNow, but a few small considerations:
- Appliances with mechanical parts made in China do not last long, or
present you with incurable problems.
For instance tape-recorders never fail to twist the tape when it is
being played. Their tape-decks often do not close well.

- BUy your equipment from a Friendship store. You will get a warranty
and after-sale service. Other shops often fold over night!

- In my home, the current's phase changes all the time, which adds to
the wear and tear of some sensitive equipment. For instance my
energy-saving electric bulbs bust within a short time (although they
are supposed to last for up to 4000 times turning on/off).

- Shopping in Hong Kong: Be careful! Many baits there, and unscru-
pulous dealers, especially in the touristy Tsimshatsui area!

[klasies]

JOJO

I have bought all my electronic goodies here, in small towns and biggish cities and have had no s hit whatsoever. They include the following: scanner, cd burner. webcam, flash memory 'stick', blank cd's, cd's, vcd's, dvd's, dvd player, vcd player, camera, digital camera, alarm clock, cd walkman, mp3 player, TV, cellphones, portable phone and a video camera. All of them were much cheaper than back home(South Africa) I had my vcr send from home and although I can watch video casettes I can't get the damn think to record! It records well but the sound is very bad!
Andre

[msBLACKgirl]

What is a VCD?