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Le Creature
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 40
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 Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:04 am Post subject: Are laptops a necessity? |
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If my visa is granted this Friday, then I leave for Nagoya in two weeks. I have been discussing buying a laptop with my parents but they truly don't see the need for it.
I'm unsure how often I'll be able to use a computer and access the internet so I do think a laptop would be a good idea. I just have to find one for a decent price!
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what it MUST have in order to keep in contact? I've heard about Scype (sp?) but I have no idea how it works. I'm stressing a lot over it and would appreciate any help. Thanks! |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:15 am Post subject: Re: Are laptops a necessity? |
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| Le Creature wrote: |
If my visa is granted this Friday, then I leave for Nagoya in two weeks. I have been discussing buying a laptop with my parents but they truly don't see the need for it.
I'm unsure how often I'll be able to use a computer and access the internet so I do think a laptop would be a good idea. I just have to find one for a decent price!
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what it MUST have in order to keep in contact? I've heard about Scype (sp?) but I have no idea how it works. I'm stressing a lot over it and would appreciate any help. Thanks! |
Skype works like a telephone except you talk to the other person over a LAN cable instead of a telephone line. You download the Skype software and by headset and microphone because you are talking over the NEt the call is FREE. I have spoken to a friend in Shanghai using Skype.
You can also use Yahoo IM where you type in messages in real time.
It all depends on what you like doing and what you think you might need it for. Some typical uses
watching movies, listening to music
word processing
spreadsheets (grades, drawing up budgets, calculations)
Powerpoint (presentations)
Photo albums
Editing
Internet/mail
setting up a webpage
Not all of these you can do at an internet cafe unless you save files to a hard disk or a floppy disk.
If you are at a conversation school chances are you wont use the Internt or a computer at work.
For keeping in contact you need a modem in your computer (most laptops are now built-in) and be connected to a server (ISP). Get connected with an ISP here and you are in business. Rates vary depending on your needs, speed etc. |
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Le Creature
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:39 am Post subject: |
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Wow, thank you for so much information in just one solitary post.
I regularly use MSN messenger on my home computer so I guess I'll be using that as opposed to Yahoo IM. I take it that Skype is to be used by both parties (hmmm, yes, stating the obvious there) and I highly doubt any of my friends use it or even know about it.
watching movies, listening to music
word processing
spreadsheets (grades, drawing up budgets, calculations)
Powerpoint (presentations)
Photo albums
Editing
Internet/mail
setting up a webpage
That's basically everything I'll be after in my laptop. Good list there! Jeez, I seriously hope it won't be too expensive.
Thanks for giving me a fair idea of what to look for. A built-in modem is what I'll ask for (god I sound so naive) ...but do I get connected with an ISP in Japan? Is it easy to organise? Does it cost a lot?
Thanks again. Muchly appreciated. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:53 am Post subject: |
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| Le Creature wrote: |
W
Thanks for giving me a fair idea of what to look for. A built-in modem is what I'll ask for (god I sound so naive) ...but do I get connected with an ISP in Japan? Is it easy to organise? Does it cost a lot?
Thanks again. Muchly appreciated. |
I use a Mac laptop (did used to have a Windows PC but got heaps of viruses) so again thats a personal preference
Providers are easy to find, usually they will find you. Yahoo BB (Broadband) AOL, Dion. Most computer stores can tell you who's good (or cheap) or just ask friends here what they use for servers. I use Yahoo BB. The LAN connects directly to your computer and a modem is already installed, No need to ask for it. Depending on your budget and needs you can shop around. I use a Mac G4 IMac and connection fee costs me about 4,000 yen a month.
PS. Rule number one. Back everything up on your computer. Mine crashed last month and I lost ALL my data and files when they re-installed the OS.
Rule number two OS software is in Japanese and you will need software that can read files with Japanese in them. |
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markle
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Posts: 1316
Location: Out of Japan
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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Buy the laptop here. Go hungry for a couple of months and you will never look back.
I'm like Paul I got a Mac. There is an Apple store in Nagoya with English speaking staff. Ask for the education discount. |
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womblingfree
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 826
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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Another vote here for a Mac.
They are really easy to change from Japanese to English. no seperate software needed, and that applies to the apps too. |
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seamonkey
Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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| aren't laptops more expensive in Japan? |
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markle
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Posts: 1316
Location: Out of Japan
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 1:03 am Post subject: |
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Than where?
The US? maybe but our lad's coming from Australia so no not really, anyhow my guess is his buying power is a lot better in Japan than it is there.
Laptops are only marginally more expensive if you do the price comparison is US /Canadian dollars. |
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Hoser
Joined: 19 Mar 2005
Posts: 694
Location: Toronto, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:14 am Post subject: |
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| Le Creature wrote: |
Wow, thank you for so much information in just one solitary post.
I regularly use MSN messenger on my home computer so I guess I'll be using that as opposed to Yahoo IM. I take it that Skype is to be used by both parties (hmmm, yes, stating the obvious there) and I highly doubt any of my friends use it or even know about it.
watching movies, listening to music
word processing
spreadsheets (grades, drawing up budgets, calculations)
Powerpoint (presentations)
Photo albums
Editing
Internet/mail
setting up a webpage
That's basically everything I'll be after in my laptop. Good list there! Jeez, I seriously hope it won't be too expensive.
Thanks for giving me a fair idea of what to look for. A built-in modem is what I'll ask for (god I sound so naive) ...but do I get connected with an ISP in Japan? Is it easy to organise? Does it cost a lot?
Thanks again. Muchly appreciated. |
Sounds like you're more interested in the software than hardware and if you want to be able to use programs like that it would probably be better to buy your comp in your own country. That said, it's very rare that computers will come with all that software. It sounds to me like you need Office XP or something which you will probably have to buy seperately and will probably run you $200-$300 or so. |
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callmesim
Joined: 27 Oct 2005
Posts: 279
Location: London, UK
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:33 am Post subject: |
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If you're coming from Australia, I'd advise looking into the Tourist Refund Scheme.
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4366
You might be able to save yourself some money that way if you buy it before you leave!! 10% in fact.
I arrived at the beginning of the month and brought my 12" Apple Powerbook me and I'd be lost without it. Of the 9 people in training with me, I think over half of us brought laptops. |
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womblingfree
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 826
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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| seamonkey wrote: |
| aren't laptops more expensive in Japan? |
You'll be able to get it tax free if you show your passport.
Even if you're on a three year working visa most places will let you buy tax free. No more expensive than Oz. |
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isanity
Joined: 05 Nov 2004
Posts: 179
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Hoser wrote: |
Sounds like you're more interested in the software than hardware and if you want to be able to use programs like that it would probably be better to buy your comp in your own country. That said, it's very rare that computers will come with all that software. It sounds to me like you need Office XP or something which you will probably have to buy seperately and will probably run you $200-$300 or so. |
OpenOffice. Free.  |
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Reisender
Joined: 27 Jul 2004
Posts: 45
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| Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 5:14 am Post subject: |
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Wait a couple of months and you can get an Intel iBook with Mac OSX. It will be preinstalled with a Japanese system but the install dvd in the box will allow you to do a fresh reinstall with an English system. It will already have all the software you need for the requirements you listed and they will do a better or at least as good a job as the Windows stuff that is around. You will also be able to install Windows XP on it for software you feel you must have.
For a small saving, but more headaches and lower quality, you can find non-Mac laptops that will boot anything other than OSX. Toshibas are excellent but probably more expensive than the Macs will be. Generally, you get what you pay for. There is no need to buy any software for that either. Between OpenOffice.org and the Google pack with various other Google services, you can still fulfill all your requirements.
As far as Skype is concerned, it is a free download and calls from Skype computer to Skype computer are free. If you setup an account with them, you can make very cheap calls to actual phone numbers for very low costs. I believe it's less than 10 Euro cents a minute to Australia now but I haven't checked in a while. Greenhouse, a Japanese company, are releasing a handset that plugs into the USB port of your computer in 2 weeks. It makes Skype as seamless as using a regular phone but at Skype prices. |
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japan_01
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Gifu Ken
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| Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:10 am Post subject: In same position as Le creature.. |
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| Just to add to this topic... I am in the same position as Le creature however I am currently in Japan. I was looking at purchasing a laptop during my stay here and of course bringing it back home to Australia. However, I am scared about the whole software and warranty situation. If I purchase a Sony VAIO in Japan, I cant get warranty outside of Japan. I was thinking of purchasing an apple however I love Microsoft Word too much. The main reason for purchasing a laptop in Japan was to save money (as they are cheaper in Japan compared to Australia) and to get the Japanese characters as I intend to study Japanese at university when I return to Australia. Any suggestions?? |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:20 am Post subject: Re: In same position as Le creature.. |
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| japan_01 wrote: |
| Just to add to this topic... I am in the same position as Le creature however I am currently in Japan. I was looking at purchasing a laptop during my stay here and of course bringing it back home to Australia. However, I am scared about the whole software and warranty situation. If I purchase a Sony VAIO in Japan, I cant get warranty outside of Japan. I was thinking of purchasing an apple however I love Microsoft Word too much. The main reason for purchasing a laptop in Japan was to save money (as they are cheaper in Japan compared to Australia) and to get the Japanese characters as I intend to study Japanese at university when I return to Australia. Any suggestions?? |
You can use Microsoft word on Macs. i have a Mac and use Microsoft Office for Macs which has Excell Powerpoint and Word. Problem solved.
Japanese Macs have both English and Japanese on them. I took my laptop to the UK for 3 weeks last year and used it no problems. |
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