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yorkii
Joined: 07 Mar 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Leeds, UK
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 Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:00 am Post subject: taking a UK PC to Japan questios |
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Hi,
In a month's time I am moving to Japan and want to take a shuttle with me rather than buying a laptop. By a shuttle i mean this:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/AMD_Shuttle.html
I have some decent components to put in it from my current desktop. My only problems are that the voltage in Japan is very different to the UK one. For example:
UK: 230~240V 50Hz
Japan: 100~110V 50Hz or 60Hz (dependant on area)
Now I have been researching on the net to see what possible problems may arise in taking a shuttle to Japan but i can't find much...
My question is this:
A laptop will handle any voltage and frequency worldwide because on the side (or wherever) of the laptop, it says 100~240V 50~60Hz. This basically means it will take voltages between 100 and 240V etc.
Is there a similar function with PSU's for desktops..? |
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JimDunlop2
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 2286
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:16 am Post subject: |
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Most desktop power supplies have a switch to toggle between 100/120V and 220/240V. Usually you just need to flip the switch and swap out the cord for one that will fit the plug...
However if you are not bringing a laptop, why wouldn't you just buy a desktop upon arriving in Japan? From what I hear about UK prices I think it may be cheaper... |
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yorkii
Joined: 07 Mar 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Leeds, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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| JimDunlop2 wrote: |
| Most desktop power supplies have a switch to toggle between 100/120V and 220/240V. Usually you just need to flip the switch and swap out the cord for one that will fit the plug... |
This is what I expect as well.... I'll have to get the ol' screwdriver out and ispect the PSU of my PC 
| JimDunlop2 wrote: |
However if you are not bringing a laptop, why wouldn't you just buy a desktop upon arriving in Japan? From what I hear about UK prices I think it may be cheaper... |
Jim, I already hae a shuttle PC. I was just including the pictures so that ppl knew what i was talking about. (It's a bit like a Mini-me version of a desktop  ) I will not be buying a brand new pc in Japan because i already have a v. powerful pc that will easily fit in my hand luggage, i am merely going to purchase a monitor when i arrive ( as i assume these can be bought fairly cheaply)
yorkii |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Be prepared for the first customs agent or airport security team to hold you for questioning. I'm not computer savvy, but that looks like nothing I've ever seen before, and I'm almost certain those people will be very fearful of it, thinking it is a bomb. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| Be prepared for the first customs agent or airport security team to hold you for questioning. I'm not computer savvy, but that looks like nothing I've ever seen before, and I'm almost certain those people will be very fearful of it, thinking it is a bomb. |
Im not that savvy either, but I think they will ask you to turn it on and boot it up if it looks suspicious. I think they have these things in Japan and they are about the size of your average bento lunch box. except thinner.
They would have no reason to suspect a bomb unless you told them (even as a joke, which is not recommended), or it gets picked up on x-ray. |
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yorkii
Joined: 07 Mar 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Leeds, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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| I think this is goona be the best way to go for me because, as mentioned, my computer is very small and will save me a lot of hassle re-purchasing a new computer in Japan. Showing the custom's officer that it is not a bomb won't be a problem... |
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JimDunlop2
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 2286
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 11:57 am Post subject: |
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Don't worry about it.... Can't speak for others but the pic you linked to is a fairly common modern desktop like I've seen in Akihabara. I don't think your average customs agent would be alarmed at all seeing it -- it's common these days.
I agree with Paul though... They may try to get you to turn it on -- but if you can show them that there is no battery (hence no power supply) then you should be OK.
My father once had a calculator in his suitcase. The suitcase arrived 2 days after we did, with airport security having opened it, and pulled the batteries out of the calc... It can't blow up if there's nothing powering it, right? |
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