Korean Job Discussion Forums

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Hi all-

I'm a grad student in the U.S. and am in the market for a new laptop computer. My old one is over 4 years old and has got to weigh more than 12 pounds. I need a lighter, smaller, faster model.

I'm really considering buying a Macbook since the price has come down (especially with student discounts), but I will be doing my dissertation fieldwork in Korea 2009-2011, and I'm concerned that I won't have the customer support I would need there. Although I've heard that ipods are taking off in Korea, I've heard that Apple as a whole really hasn't yet, and most Koreans still have PCs. Is this true? If so, is it a safe bet that more people will have converted to Macs by 2009? I am really thinking of buying a sleek, sexy Macbook, but if that just won't do in Korea I could be convinced to buy a comparable PC laptop...

Advice is appreciated!

Gnawbert · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Location: The Internet

I use a little black macbook I bought a month ago back right before arriving here. Outside a few teachers at my school, I haven't seen anyone else with one. I have, however, been told numerous times how superior PC's are to mac's, especially Korean PC's.

The only problem I did have with my mac is that my ISP needed my M.A.C. address (no relation) in order to get my internet hooked up, and it took them a few days because they couldn't conceive how someone wasn't using a PC with Windows XP.

As an added bonus, the kids I teach go absolutely CRAZY for the built in iSight and Photobooth in all macs. If I ever want to get them to behave I'll tell them that we'll do "Funny photos" at the end of class if they settle down.

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

How much support do you need for a MacBook? That's one reason I have one, because I never need to call a service tech.

My ISP can handle Macintoshes now (I've been bugging them about it for over a decade,) and if they couldn't, I'd choose another ISP.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

The only time I have problems with my Mac is when I need to use a Korean website. And since most Korean online sites require you to have a Korean national ID and be Korean, it doesn't even matter and I have to use a Korean for their PC and ID numbers.

Unless you want to run Korean software, Macs will work fine. Tech guys, like Internet company guys, will need help navigating Mac OS, but Macs are so easy to use, you can do it yourself if you can convince the tech guy that you do know what you are doing.

And anyone who says Korean PCs are superior to anything is full of Korean pride. Korean PCs are no better than other PCs and Korean software and Internet programs are horrible. Now if you feel a PC is better than a Mac, then a Korean PC might be better than a Mac, but being Korean has nothing to do with it.

crescent · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: yes.

In the last few months, I've been seeing a lot of Macbooks on coffee shop tables.
You know Koreans, always trying to be 'in'.

But, listen, the whole idea of buying a Mac is because you prefer it's operating system over Winblows, or you want to use the Applications that come with it.

Now, with the Dual-core chip, Macs can run Winblows. You can boot it up and use it as your operating system if need be. (Just make sure you install virus protection for that.)

However, don't buy a Macbook. Spend the extra and get yourself a BookPro. It's worth it. If you want extra RAM memory, buy it from another source and slap it in yourself. Mac memory is overpriced more than their computers are, but it's super easy to drop in a chip.

victorology · Joined: 10 Sep 2007

beepbeep · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Location: Shiwa, Siheung

I bought a black macbook off a korean website in January and have had no problems. Connecting to the internet etc. was actually easier than with the dell I brought with me. It came with english software too. I think it would be cheaper to buy in the US especially with your student discount, but as I'm from the UK i made a pretty big saving Smile

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

i have a mac too, no problems at all. unfortunately i have to work with a PC at school so it sucks when you're used to a mac.

Becka · Joined: 28 Sep 2005

I had a PowerBook G4 for five years and never had a problem. It actually still works fine, it's just slow.

My husband and I now each have desktop iMac computers. He bought his at a store called "A#" in the Co-ex, and I bought mine at the authorized reseller at Yongsan. There is a service place across the street from the Co-ex (hubs had a prob with the DVD drive), so an actual service DOES exist in Korea. Dunno if you'd have a problem servicing a mac that wasn't purchased in the ROK, though.

ETA: My only opposition to getting another lappy model is that none of the HDs run at 7200rpm, which you'd need if you were planning to do any semi-serious video editing. I got away with a lot (editing-wise) on my old PowerBook, but it was limited. Lotsa dropped frames. Not sure if this is relevant to the OP but figured it'd be worth putting out there.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Apple has worldwide support.

You might have a bit of trouble with the communication, but I doubt that. The last notebook I had a problem with was a Sony...the frontend girls at the service center couldn't speak English, but the techs in the back could. I am sure Apple is the same way.

Macs are getting popular in Korea. My wife bought one, and from what I've seen by the increase in Apple stores throughout Seoul...they must be selling a lot more than they used to.

As some ppl have said, Mac's are superior to most PC notebooks for the price. The new macbooks can use 4GB of ram now. I'd suggest just get the standard package in your home country. When you get to Korea buy the ram here. I paid like $20 for each 1GB chip I bought. In Canada they wanted $100 for that (yeah I know, talk about rip off).