Job Discussion Forums

[Morgareets]

Thank you all so much for your posts!!! Right now i have a desktop, but i will probbaly buy a laptop before i go. The price for internet access seems to be the same as it is here in the states. Thanks again!!!!

[Prof.Gringo]

I went without a computer for two and half years here in Mexico. I never had a problem finding an economical and convenient internet cafe near me. That being said, I am very happy that I have bought a laptop. I can work at home, use it to communicate and play games. The availability of "copied" aka pirated software is also a nice plus. Paying 80 pesos for a program that costs 500 USD is a big reason to own a laptop.

I also don't carry my laptop around with me everywhere. Laptop robbery is a problem and you need to be aware of where you use your laptop. I only use "secure" locations like Vips, El Porton or another location inside a building. I believe that using a laptop outside of a restaurant or in any other public location is just inviting someone to try and "convince" you to give them your laptop. I still use internet cafes when I am out and about and I don't feel like bringing my laptop with me.

One other positive to owning a laptop in Mexico. They are much more expensive here than in the states. You can always resale it for at least what you paid for it, if not more. I could sell my laptop for almost double what I paid for it. In fact, I think that might be a nice side business. Every time I enter Mexico, bring another laptop with me and resale it, brand new.

[Guy Courchesne]

[reddevil79]

Hey Guy,

I reluctantly stuck with Vista after buying my new laptop. At first, it wasn�t even compatible with some legal software/programmes (Messenger for example ), but things have slowly improved. In fact I quite like it now, but it will use up your battery a lot faster than XP.

As for illegal software, I�ve found no problems as yet, but then I don�t have that much illegal stuff on there. I have found though that Media Centre will refuse to play some songs that it considers �illegal�, which is quite annoying as it won�t play some songs that were purchased legally.

All in all Ok though.

[MELEE]

I'm pretty sure you can only have one laptop with you--keep your fingers crossed for that green light Guy.

I used to bring a new (refurbished) laptop every year before I stopped going home. I would keep the new one, sell the old one for the same price, so I wasn't making a profit, but each year I had a nicer computer!

As for software--I've just recently become a born again open software user!

We got a new desk top at home that came with Vista (not an original!) and we had nothing but problems with it for a month, not to mention the Office 2007 files can't be opened on older versions of Office ! So our neighbor loaded Ubuntu, a Linux operating system onto it for us, and it's true OPEN OFFICE IS NOT ONLY AS GOOD AS MICROSOFT---IT'S BETTER!!! MUCH MUCH BETTER! Why pay any money for software, original or pirate, when there is better software available for free???

[robertpablo]

Buy it. Bring it.

If you are a bit careful about where you pull it out of your non-descript bag, there should be no problem with theft. Of course if you leave it unattended on a bench in the metro while you wander off to get a torta...it certainly won't be there when you get back.

I've travelled with mine and never encountered a problem. Make sure you have wireless or a wireless card and you should be able to a cafe or a hotel that has a connection.

[el_teacher]

I lived in Mexico City 3.5 years ago, and then nobody took their laptop around- especially on public transportation- obviously for fear of it getting stolen. Is that the case now? I will be moving back to Mexico City in two months, and NOW I have a laptop. Do you think it's safe to tote them around on the Metro or the buses?

[Guy Courchesne]

I've been toting mine around for several years that way. No problem. I use a subway line every day that is always packed with students and suits and many have laptop bags slung over the shoulder.

Perhaps the difference now and 3 1/2 years ago is that so many more people have laptops.

[mosquito]

[MikeySaid]

i'm not canadian. so if i make poutine it.s with homemade (baked) fries package gravy mix and cheddar cheese. don't know if you can get curd at Soriana.

a Laptop is nearly essential while abroad for a long time . they're great for media and communication.

get a cheap one that's durable

[Guy Courchesne]

Durable is certainly key. Mexico City's climate is very moderate but if you want to travel anywhere outside this place, you'll deal with either way too much dust, way too much heat, or most likely a combo of the two. That stuff kills laptops very quickly.

[mapache]

Bring it definitely. Although I live in a rural area I have DSL with a pricing package that includes high speed wireless access and local telephone for about 60 dollars a month. Most of the professionals who are my students have wireless access in their homes and offices so I use my PC all the time for interactive, on-line activities.

In Tuxtla, which is supposed to be backwards by US and Canadian standards, there is free wireless access in the library and in a student park complete with tables and electrical outlets.
Many restaurants including Burger King offer free wireless access.
Mexico is very computer savvy and young people who don't have their own or internet access commonly frequent numerous internet cafes in their neighborhoods (although there usually is no coffee)

[Jetgirly]

The "free" internet at the Starbucks by my apartment in Guadalajara hasn't worked since the end of March. I read on Consumerist that now you need to have a Prodigy Infinitum account (which I think is the normal Telcel account) to use the internet at Starbucks. I don't know if this is true or not.

[raulyn]

Last Xmas I debated about bringing my laptop, so I brought my little Nokia N800 internet tablet. It was a godsend. I used it all over D.F. and Chiapas. All the hotels, even in tiny towns, had wifi. I used Skype to call the U.S. and had no problems connecting to the internet. I ended up buying 3 more and sending them to friends in Mexico, since they couldn't buy them there until recently (at a huge markup in price). VIPs, Starbucks and other places have free wifi. I even used it just walking around D.F. In NYC there are so many buildings that have a connection - apartments, offices, hotels, etc. Finding a connection is very easy. So, it would make sense that if you were in a populated area, you could find a connection in D.F. ; and I found that to be true.

I also read this online last year.

[sledgehammer]

hello all,

I'm flying in from Canada in 2 weeks and I was wondering what customs would do if they found 3 laptops in my bags. Would they confisicate 2 of them, or make me pay a load of customs on them? They are all used, out of their boxes.

cheers