Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Adventurer]

I may have to buy a laptop. Would it be cheaper for me to get a used import through e-bay or to buy those 1 million Won Computers. And if I have get the Korean laptop that is an IBM think pad or compaq can I just install XP English windows to render it to something I am comfortable with? I wouldn't mind even an used Korean laptop, but wouldn't know where to go for one. What are my best options over here. I am tired of being in cyber cafes breathing cigarettes in such close proximity.

Basil

Cheonan..

[capebretoncanadian]

ask a korean co-worker or friend to help you....or even look at the buy and sell section of this site.

[Cigar_Guy]

Just wondering--why is a laptop necessary? Do you use it at work (in the classroom or office) or do you like to do work on the go?

[Hyeon Een]

A lot of people buy laptops for their apartments in korea thinking that they will take it home with them when they are done.. this is usually a waste of money. Most people would be better off buying a cheap desktop PC instead, which will be twice as powerful and half the price as a laptop.. then selling it when they leave.

If you have a real need for a laptop though go ahead.. most people I know who have bought a laptop though rarely/never take them outside of their apartment... you could buy a desktop now and another desktop after a year, wherever you may end up, for the same price as 1 laptop now.

[Qinella]

Yeah, if you're not needing specifically a laptop, you can shop around in the Yongsan electronics market and mix and match your own PC, then pay a guy to build it for you (unless you know how to put it together yourself). You'll be spending a lot less, and end up having a better machine.

Now, if you're wanting a laptop and only a laptop, think about it like this: the prices in the US and in Korea are marginally different. When you factor in shipping costs, it's going to be more expensive to get one from the US. Then, you're going to have to carry around a voltage converter with you. But if you get a laptop in Korea, there's a strong chance the entirety will be in Korean. User manual, Windows, everything.

[ttompatz]

[jacl]

I wouldn't go the laptop way either. They're too small and too expensive for what they are. I got 2 computers for little less than 2 million. One has a better CPU and more gig. Other than that they're more or less identical. I use one at school. The better one was 1.13 million. Has a 19" LCD monitor, wireless keyboard/mouse, 160 G, 7000 rpm, 512 MB. The cheaper one was only 830,000. I had them both made for me at a shop and they installed English Windows/Office for me. The only downfall is that the software is not original. Maybe pirated. Not sure. But they're just down the street and I get a one-year software and a 2-year hardware maintenances guarantee. They just come to my apartment.

Oh yeah, I have CD/DVD read/write combo in both and good speakers and a woofer with one.

The monitors weren't cheap (like 320,000 or something but that's already included in the above total costs of the computers), but well worth it. Just think. If you download a movie, do you really want to watch it on a 15-inch screen?

[Adventurer]

[jajdude]

A friend of mine bought a used laptop at the Electronics market in Seoul (Yongsan station) for 200,000 won. He was happy. He managed to change a few things to make it work better, but for that cheap, it's a good deal.

I think 300,000 may be enough for a reasonably good one there.

[ttompatz]