Job Discussion Forums

nuchie · Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:33 am Post subject: Notebook/Laptop Advise

Hi
Just thinking of buying a laptop and if anyone can give me an advice where to buy a reasonable price with english OS.
And would it work in Australia if I take it back home?
do I just need a transformer or something?

Cheers!

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

A laptop will work worldwide but you'll need to get an adaptor for the plug differences.

Where you are in Japan might sway what advice we can give as it will show us what is reachable from where you are.

nuchie · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 5:34 am Post subject:

I'm in Osaka

If I buy a japanese version OS laptop can I just later back home install an English Version OS?
I've heard Sony Vaio models doesnt allow this conversion with their laptops?

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

I have a sharp mebius laptop. I got it with Japanese version Windows XP. I formatted and installed English Windows XP and it won't recognize the graphics card fully, everything else works fine. It's an annoying problem, and I would suggest purchasing a laptop with English version of Windows XP so you know it works.

I'm just giving up on Windows entirely and buying a Powerbook.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I have a Toshiba Satellite with an English keyboard and OS. I bought it from a store in Osaka, they always have ads in the Daily Yomiuri. It is the Toshiba store. Works great.

nuchie · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 5:50 am Post subject:

Im choosing between Sony Vaio English Version or Toshiba Dynabook, Dell?
dont know which model yet.
my price range is below 200,000 yen

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

IMO, go for the Dell or the Toshiba. Sony (Vaio) and Sharp (Mebius) are notorious for producing not-quite-standard, even completely proprietary products.

A friend of mine bought a Vaio recently in Akihabara -- it's driving him APE because of Sony's proprietary (and extra, expensive $$$) attachment required to output the display to a regular TV...

Steer clear of products that don't follow standards. If you want a good deal, check out Prime PC. I know many people who've done business with them. They seem to be quite reliable -- and you can get fully English OS and keyboard too. (Of course you can ALSO do Japanese, but it's not as annoying because all your menu functions and Windows messages are in English)...

Good luck.

DoctorPayne · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:01 am Post subject:

What about a Mac? I am thinking about getting a iMac myself since Windows and Microsoft related products really annoy me. Also, I have had good experiences with them in the past.

I have also heard that Macs are popular in Japan, can anyone vouch for this uneducated and ignorant supposition?

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

Macs are a beautiful thing. But aside from the fact that they cost a fair bit more than their PC counterparts, I have absolutely no idea what's involved in anglicizing a Mac. Given that ther hardware (other than the keyboard) is the same, I would tend to guess that the best solution would be to get an English mac in the first place. I would also venture to guess that you'd likely be able to order one directly from Apple (or your favorite Japanese electronicas retailer) for no additional cost... If not,l it's probably only a phone call or e-mail away to ask Apple directly whether or not it's possible to swap out the Japanese OS with an English version.

tokyorabbit · Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Tokyo, Japan

If you need a Windows system, I think Tokyo IT Services in Kamiyacho has pretty good deals on laptops with English software.

http://www.tokyo-it.com/index2.html