Korean Job Discussion Forums

slashnunn · Joined: 11 Jun 2007

I am coming to Seoul to teach in a few months. I need a laptop computer. Would you reccomend buying it here and bringing it, or wait and buy one in Korea?

Thanks

Capo · Joined: 09 Sep 2007

buy it at home its probably marginally cheaper and you won't accidently turn on hangul all the time, unless u want to type hangulthen buy it here....

cibomatto · Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Location: NY

I would absolutely recommend you bring one from your home.

PeteJB · Joined: 06 Jul 2007

Just make sure you have the abiltiy to store it in your carryon.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

If for some reason you need the portability of a laptop, then bring it from home. It will be marginally cheaper and have English windows on it.

If you do not need the portability of a laptop you can get a very decent desktop machine here for under 600k (including the LCD monitor) and entry level computers start at 200k + monitor.

In regards to the poster above and carry-on allowance.... laptops are considered "FREE" extra carry-on allowance and are in addition to your allowable carry-on so it doens't have to go "in" your carry-on bag.

reactionary · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: korreia

while desktops are cheap here, i'd still recommend getting a laptop from home. chances are for many that after a year in korea you won't be staying longer, so then you'll have to sell that desktop for maybe 50% of its worth.

a laptop you can at least keep for a couple years or more. these days in the states there are plenty of perfectly functioning laptops in the $500 range.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Bring it from home, but go with a brand that can be serviced here:

HP, Dell, Toshiba, etc.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Check the sticky on laptops in the tech forum for a batch of answers and tips.

elliemk · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Sparkling Korea!

I bought my Gateway laptop at Office Depot a couple of years ago, but I hardly used it, because I had my desktop.

I love having my US computer here, because it defaults to English.

jen_the_great · Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Location: Gangnam, Seoul

A friend of mine had some trouble getting a Canadian Dell laptop serviced in Korea. Laptops encounter a lot more problems than a desktop, so make sure you get a good international warrenty. I've had my macbook serviced here with no problems.

slashnunn · Joined: 11 Jun 2007

Is it possible/easy to have a Gateway serviced in Seoul?

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

You can get it serviced, but it's doubtful there is a warranty place. I've seen gateways for sale at random shops at Techno-mart, but they were all used machines.

I'd steer away from Gateway if you're coming here with it.

Get a Dell with an international warranty. Or an HP with the same. There are lots of HP computers around here. Toshiba can be found, as well.

Don't get anything less than an AMDx2, or Intel CoreDuo or Core2Duo. If it has XP, you need at least 1 gig of ram. If it has Vista, you need 2 gig. If you must get Vista, make sure it has Vista Premium (not home). The Home version of XP is ok, but the Home version of Vista is severely crippled, and you'll find yourself paying another $100 later to upgrade.