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Need to buy a new laptop for under $600 - Advice?

 
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spacechase



Joined: 21 Nov 2009

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 5:30 pm    Post subject: Need to buy a new laptop for under $600 - Advice? Reply with quote

I'm helping a friend of mine buy a new laptop here in Korea. Nothing too fancy, just enough for email, internet, MS Office, and enough space and memory to hold some music and photos. As far as specs, I'm thinking:

2.0GHz Processor
2-4GB RAM
250-500GB hard drive
13-15in display
Video/Graphics card doesn't matter

Simple. Thing is, she wants to keep it under $600 if possible.

Where are some good places to start looking?
Would buying online be cheaper?

I'm thinking about Yongsan but don't want to chance getting ripped off. Advice?
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sadguy



Joined: 13 Feb 2011

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

they have a korean brand at costco for 499,000. i forgot the name, it's something like jooyon__ something. not sure how reliable that company is though.
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sadguy



Joined: 13 Feb 2011

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i just googled it, i think it's jooyontech
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Yaya



Joined: 25 Feb 2003
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought a great Toshiba notebook for around 650,000 won including a few extras on Interpark.com, but the site is entirely in Korean.
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:55 pm    Post subject: Re: Need to buy a new laptop for under $600 - Advice? Reply with quote

spacechase wrote:
I'm helping a friend of mine buy a new laptop here in Korea. Nothing too fancy, just enough for email, internet, MS Office, and enough space and memory to hold some music and photos. As far as specs, I'm thinking:

2.0GHz Processor
2-4GB RAM
250-500GB hard drive
13-15in display
Video/Graphics card doesn't matter

Simple. Thing is, she wants to keep it under $600 if possible.

Where are some good places to start looking?
Would buying online be cheaper?

I'm thinking about Yongsan but don't want to chance getting ripped off. Advice?


Look on-line for model and pricing.

Then go to Yongsan.
Do NOT stop above the station.
Go across the tracks to the Seon-in Plaza building
If you are looking over the tracks it is the building to the right of the blue building. It has the big "Gigabyte" sign on it.
Prices will be competitive with what you find on the internet and brands that you are familiar with.

I picked up a samsung with an i380 (2.53GHz), 500gb HDD, DVD burner, 14" screen and 2gb ram for 450k won.

.
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Tallgesse



Joined: 06 Sep 2011

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 7:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have you considered a netbook? In the US you can get one for just over 200 USD with those specs. People under estimate them but mine hasn't failed me for three years. I know this hardly matters as your in Korea though I'd think even getting it shipped (provided you could wait for the shipping) you'd be able to come in way way under budget.
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spacechase



Joined: 21 Nov 2009

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks all for the quick responses and info.

I did consider a netbook, but the friend I'm helping didn't like the idea. And she has her heart pretty set on a Samsung, so Yongsan / Seon-in Plaza it is.

ttompatz, do you know the model you bought?
The specs you listed are almost exactly what she's looking for. Thanks.
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jackdaniels



Joined: 13 Feb 2008
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sadguy wrote:
i just googled it, i think it's jooyontech


They are a smallish company that sells franchises too.
499 Good price but then again all their computers are Korean only.
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Yaya



Joined: 25 Feb 2003
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

spacechase wrote:
Thanks all for the quick responses and info.

I did consider a netbook, but the friend I'm helping didn't like the idea. And she has her heart pretty set on a Samsung, so Yongsan / Seon-in Plaza it is.

ttompatz, do you know the model you bought?
The specs you listed are almost exactly what she's looking for. Thanks.


I'd avoid the Korean brands, even Samsung. Samsung makes good TVs and DVD players but computers? I got the Toshiba because it has the highest reliability record among laptops.
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sadguy



Joined: 13 Feb 2011

PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i have one more advice for you...

if you have a military friend, they sell US priced laptops on the base...
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DaHu



Joined: 09 Feb 2011

PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a Samsung computer, i7, even. I give advice to people not to make the same mistake I did.

"She" has her heart set on a Samsung, but your advice should be not to get one. Why does she want your advice if she's already decided what to do?
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Swampfox10mm



Joined: 24 Mar 2011

PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That was a pretty nice snag, ttompatz
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

spacechase wrote:
Thanks all for the quick responses and info.

I did consider a netbook, but the friend I'm helping didn't like the idea. And she has her heart pretty set on a Samsung, so Yongsan / Seon-in Plaza it is.

ttompatz, do you know the model you bought?
The specs you listed are almost exactly what she's looking for. Thanks.


I bought a end of line (new) RV4.
http://m.samsung.com/in/consumer/pc-peripherals-printer/notebook/NP-RV409-S01IN/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=specification

I am happy with it.

.
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spacechase



Joined: 21 Nov 2009

PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 1:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Huge thanks for the advice, ttompatz and everyone else. We went this past Saturday and picked up exactly what she wanted for 500k. Seems like the further away you get from the station the cheaper the prices!

Thanks again~
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jazblanc77



Joined: 22 Feb 2004

PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This seems like e pretty big no brainer: go to a store you trust, find the inventory that is less than 600K in price, and buy one that you like.
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