Job Discussion Forums

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

The sad fact is that the cost of transporting computers in a manner that won't damage them is rather extortionate. I contemplated it myself when I moved to Japan, and it turned out cheaper to sell my old one and buy a new one when I moved here. Laptop computers of course can be taken as hand luggage.

Having said that, if you can take it with you, the issues are:

- Software. Don't expect to get anything other than Japanese-language software. Compatibility will depend on your operating system.

- Internet. Id suggest buying your modem/ethernet card in Japan new to simplify connections and socket issues.

- Power supply. Desktop computers that are not made for export don't adapt at all well to foreign power supplies. Laptops have a huge advantage on this point. You'd have to check the specifics of the voltages and frequencies of both countries, and Japan has two different power grids with different ratings, just to confuse you.

bohinj · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 30

My first time over in Japan I brought my desktop CPU and had a student help me set it up and get me connected with an internet service. I bought a cheap monitor ($50) when I got there.
My second time in Japan I bought a cheap English language system ($600)and sold it for the same amount that I paid for it.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Someone else recently posted a similar quesion. I have adapted the answer I gave them to relate to you more specifically... Otherwise the same info applies....

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2003 4:28 am Post subject: Plugins and whatnot....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My laptop is an American-made HP... The adaptor says: 100-240V (1.3A) 50/60Hz input.

This means it will work anywhere in N. America, Asia and Europe, as well as many other places.

For this reason, I wouldn't even worry about buying any kind of adapters unless you know for a fact that you need one. Japanese plugs are just like ours: flat (not like the British round ones) so as long as it doesn't have a 3rd prong for a ground wire, you're set to go.

Of all the things my wife and I have brought with us to Japan, the things that WON'T work here properly are: anything with an electric motor, as you won't get the proper RPMs due to the lower voltage, hair dryers, microwaves, larger appliances. Anything else like shavers, electronics, radios, computers, TVs, etc... etc... should be fine in 50 OR 60Hz territory.

SO....

Here's what to look for. Take a look at the power supply -- (where the power cord comes out of).. Somewhere next to the fan there may be a little switch that says 120/220V. If you can't see it, crack the case and take a look at the power supply from the inside. Most modern power supplies have this feature.

If, for whatever reason you DON'T.... Then you will just need a new power supply when you get to Japan. No big deal... Make sure (by reading the users manual) that you don't need to do anything on the motherboard to switch voltage (e.g. a jumper or dip switch)... But you shouldn't have to..... Motherboards I'm certain don't take anytwhere near 100V but a lot less....... so it shouldn't matter one bit what the input voltage is. The output voltage is what matters and that I believe is standard... It's been a while since I've bothered to build my own machine, seeing that pre-made ones are usually much cheaper nowadays...

Hope this helps/

JD

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

Contact Packard Bell. If anyone should know about it they should. I imagine an adaptor or special power bar should do it.

The main issue, as previously mentioned, is transporting it without damaging it. How will those baggage handlers treat it?

The ethernet card costs about 800 yen and you could instsall it yourself or get it done at the store.

I'd bring it over. If you are heading to Tokyo or nearby I'm sure you won't have a problem. English software is also available in Akihabara or online.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2003 11:45 pm Post subject:

Even if the power supply is switchable it's not, IMO, worth the hassle of bringing it over.

If you want, simply rip the HDD out and bring that, buying a new machine here and slotting the HDD straight in. You can get complete English (or most other laguages) setups if you want them and they're cheap enough to make shipping a desktop system internationally a pointless exercise.

Personally, given the mobile nature of the profession, I'd think buying a laptop is the obvious way to go. Then you take care of the problem once and for all.