Korean Job Discussion Forums

[My 2 Cent]

Hi ~

Am thinking of buying a laptop but I'm not really clued in at all ~ so hoping some of you guys know more than me.

was thinking of spending around 2mill+ for one in the next 3 weeks. essentially am just looking for speedy net access, watching tv, movies, downloads, burning cds and use programmes like powerpoint, flash etc.

Can anyone give me some tips on what are best models out right now? what processors should i be looking at ~ the centrino would be the most advanced right? i would like to have vifi wireless also.

what kind of memory/speed should i be getting?

How do you get around global voltage differences when i return to europe?

Should i go to nambu technomart for the best deals?

Would it be right to say u just can't go wrong with an Apple Mac?

Please forgive me tech ignorance ... hoping anyone can help!

Cheers ~

[kprrok]

I just bought a brand new TG laptop with a Centrino 1.4Ghz, 256 RAM, 40GB HDD, DVD/CD-RW, 14.1 XGA screen. Got lots of peripherals with it and it ran at 1.6 mil. I could have gotten a lot more, but honestly didn't think I'd need it. I'm using it for pretty much what you are and I'm happy. The only problem I have with it is that the sound card is a standard integrated with no surround option and the speakers suck!

But otherwise, I'm happy. I was also looking to get 512 RAM, maybe a bigger hard drive and a 15 screen, but the price jumps just didn't work out in my head. The other computer I was looking at was an HP 15.4 widescreen P4-M 2.0Ghz, 512 RAM DVD/CD-RW for 2.2 mil.

From what I've read, for DVD watching, most games, and TV stuff, 256 RAM is good enough. Also, a 64 MB video card is good enough. Any more than that you should probably be needing to do video editing and the like.

Good luck

KPRROK

[Thunndarr]

There's an HP with a 17 inch screen that goes for around 2 million. Granted, you won't want to lug it around everywhere with you, but it seemed like a pretty decent deal.

[Demophobe]

Most important to consider.....do you want a desktop replacement or true portability?

[mindmetoo]

Most laptops these days have an external power converter. You plug one end into your laptop and the other end into the wall socket. The socket cable is removable and you can buy a local edition. The powder converter takes the incoming power from the wall socket steps it up/down as need be for the laptop.

Remember, ask for English Windows XP. I keep seeing people who buy a local Korean computer, get the Korean OS installed, and think they can change the OS to English with regional settings.

Another rule: think about what price point you would jump at the laptop. $1200? And then add $500 and don't buy a laptop below that. Why? Cheap laptops are cheap. Slow, crappy keyboard, small hard drive, grr. After 6 months of use you'll wish you spent an extra $500 to buy something better.

[marista99]

You know, I love my ibook, but I don't recommend having a mac as your only computer. I have been endlessly frustrated the past few weeks with the websites that my computer simply does not display/operate correctly. It is really frustrating to write a long post for, say, and MSN discussion group, and then click send and realize that nothing is going to happen because your mac doesn't like the plug-in being used on the discussion board. At home I always had a PC around (a roommate's or family members) to fall back on, but now I have to hike over to the PC bang just to look at certain sites.

Macs are stable, more immune to viruses, and are the gold standard for music and video, but after 2 years with one I have to say I'm not sure these frustrations are worth it.

[T-dot]

depends what you wanna use youre laptop for.

lap tops cannot upgrade for the most part. i tried to get a good video card because the cannot be changed. 32 mb is good, but 64 is better.

256 mb is do-able but you can always buy a memory card to get 512..

all comaq-hp computers have an english/korean option on windows xp.

you might wanna try and check for service back in your home country.

tg is good but cannot do anything for you if you take it back home (canada for me)

Lg/ibm take care cause its not really ibm. was told that you cannot get service on an lg/ibm from an ibm distributor back home.

processors; i love centrino in my laptop. i have a 16 in. screen but is lighter than p4 laptops. ive been able to access internet at airports and other public places; in korea and abroad.

p4 is heavy in a laptop. you can always buy a wireless card though.

cheaper are celeron processors, gets the job done. athlon processors are a better deal. same speed as a pentium but cheaper.

i bought a hp/compaq in korea paid about 2.5 and has been running smoothly ever since.

and you ALWAYS get something free when buying something. i got a free leather carrying case, optical mouse and a free spare battery.

[ZUL]

my advice, learn the difference between portablility and mobility. once you figure this out, you should have a better idea as to which direction you want to go.