Korean Job Discussion Forums

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

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 · Joined: 20 Feb 2005

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

Cigar_Guy · Joined: 05 Dec 2005

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 · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

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 · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

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

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

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 · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

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

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

This has been done to death...

Laptop vs. Desktop.

Boils down to power, size and portability.

1. Do these things matter? If no, get a desktop. "Smokin'" desktops run over 1 million, that's for sure....depends on how you define "smokin". Laptops will cost about 1.5~2.0 million for 1GB of RAM, a DVD/RW, an actual graphics card (not onboard), a powerful CPU and a 200+GB HDD.

2. What do you want to do with the machine? If you surf, use Office, do some minor photoshop...then a 1 million won laptop is fine. Or a 700,000 won desktop. If you game and want the machine to run todays' games well, that's a big ticket item then. A desktop replacement laptop will cost a lot....a lot!! And with that comes weight and a greatly diminished battery life.

Basic laptop: 1 million +/-
"Smokin'" laptop: 2 ~ 2.5 million. (this can probably go much higher)

Basic desktop: 700,000 +/-
"Smokin'" desktop: 1,500,000 +/- (this can easily go much higher)

When one speaks of a powerful laptop or desktop, they are speaking of things within their budget. I could put together a 4 million won desktop that is "Smokin'", and yet, not over the top in terms of power. This would be a system without compromise; a truly "current model" machine.

Think before you buy. Why get a 17" monitor with a 7900 GeForce, for example. Think synchronicity. 7900 512MB GeForce needs a 21"+ monitor to even begin to stretch its' legs.

2GB or more system RAM, dual-core CPU, fully-featured mainboard (Fatal1ty-type), top-end graphics (minimum 256MB), 500GB HDD (x2 in RAID), dual-layer ODD 20"+ LCD or CRT, Lian Li case, aftermarket cooler for VGA and CPU, wireless kbd/mouse...this all puts you into a crazy-high price range, but that will be a truly "smokin'" machine.

No Laptop can compete with this a still be considered a laptop, in the terms of portability (it will weigh a ton) nor battery life. (it will last maybe an hour)

So, buy what you need and can afford. The sky is the limit with high-end tech, so it's rarely a question of "What is out there that is the best?". but more "What can I afford?"