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mnhnhyouh
Joined: 21 Nov 2006
Location: The Middle Kingdom
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 Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 8:23 pm Post subject: Buy Laptop at home or in Korea? |
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I am wanting to buy a laptop. Nothing flash, and wanting to spend below USD$1000. The only special feature I want is to have a SD memory card slot and I would like a DVD burner, single layer will do.
Should I buy in Australia, on my way through Singapore (this depends on layover time) or in Korea?
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Muramasa blade
Joined: 26 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm not sure about Australia, but almost any electronics you buy in Korea will be more expensive than in the States. And this should probably be in the technology forums. |
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freethought
Joined: 13 Mar 2005
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| Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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| buy it else where and you'll certainly get it cheaper. Just remember that Korea is 220v so if you need a power adaptor bring it along. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 10:37 pm Post subject: |
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| freethought wrote: |
| buy it else where and you'll certainly get it cheaper. Just remember that Korea is 220v so if you need a power adaptor bring it along. |
You do NOT need a power adapter for a laptop (at least not one built in the last 5 years).
Laptops are made for travel and most of the planet is 220v (unlike North America). Even North American laptops have multi-voltage / variable frequency power bricks built into the power cord.
Just for your general information, a midrange desktop with DVD burner and LCD monitor can be purchased here for about AUD$700 WITH English windows. Low end systems can be had for as little as AUD$400 and and a DVD burner is only AUD55 at Yongsan subway station.
Unless you have some great need or want for a laptop, it is NOT good value for your dollar.
If you are dead set on having a laptop, then buy it in Australia. You will get English windows and be able to get aftermarket support (even if you have to ship it home) for an RMA.
It will be ALMOST impossible to get support for a computer bought in Singapore if you have some hardware problems.
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ChopChaeJoe
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 3:14 am Post subject: |
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| You could buy an "outboard" DVD burner at Yongsan pretty cheap and connect it to your laptop via USB. |
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amberflannery
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 8:22 pm Post subject: adaptor |
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i plan on bringing my laptop, its a dell latitude d505, i dont know anything about this voltage stuffs... so i dont know if it has the multi voltage thing... i'm from the states...so i should bring an adaptor or just pick one up when i get there...i'm clueless  about this technical stuff- any advice? |
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freethought
Joined: 13 Mar 2005
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: adaptor |
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| amberflannery wrote: |
| i plan on bringing my laptop, its a dell latitude d505, i dont know anything about this voltage stuffs... so i dont know if it has the multi voltage thing... i'm from the states...so i should bring an adaptor or just pick one up when i get there...i'm clueless about this technical stuff- any advice? |
HI Amber,
You'll need an adaptor. You can buy a small one with a surge protector at circuit city or its equivalent for about 20 bucks. You definitely want one with a surge protector, but don't let them fool you into buying some big contraption. If the adaptor is bigger than your hand, don't buy it. |
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amberflannery
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 8:32 pm Post subject: thanks |
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thanks so much freethought 
theres one less thing to think about before i move  |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: adaptor |
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| freethought wrote: |
| amberflannery wrote: |
| i plan on bringing my laptop, its a dell latitude d505, i dont know anything about this voltage stuffs... so i dont know if it has the multi voltage thing... i'm from the states...so i should bring an adaptor or just pick one up when i get there...i'm clueless about this technical stuff- any advice? |
HI Amber,
You'll need an adaptor. You can buy a small one with a surge protector at circuit city or its equivalent for about 20 bucks. You definitely want one with a surge protector, but don't let them fool you into buying some big contraption. If the adaptor is bigger than your hand, don't buy it. |
Did you take your stupid pills, are you just functionally illiterate or have you not had a laptop build in the last 5 years?
If you look on the brick (power adapter on the power cord) of the laptop it will clearly state that the thing will accept inputs of 110-240 volts and 50 or 60 hertz.
She does NOT need an adapter for a laptop.
AND as an afterthought, the little power adapters that fit in your hand usually CAN'T handle the 3-4 AMPS of current that a laptop typically wants to draw. |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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Mmm Ttompatz, I don't really know, but I think he is just referring to a plug adapter, not a power adapter. You can't plug a NA plug into a Korean socket. I don't know why he is recommending the surge protector.
Actually, I just read it again and I think you are right. However, you WILL need a plug adaptor, but just buy it here. Plug adaptor in Canada = $6, in Korea = 30 cents. |
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freethought
Joined: 13 Mar 2005
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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i have an iq above 150, so no, i'm not functionally stupid. I meant plug adaptor, with a surge protector.
Take a chill pill. |
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EMKAYES
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:29 pm Post subject: |
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Hey mnhnhyouh,
I bought my laptop from the UK while back home inbetween contracts. It seemed to work out cheaper.
Also you should check out your countries VAT laws or Tax on retail products. I know in the UK, if you can prove you will be out of the country for at least 12 months (after buying the laptop) you are entitled to get the VAT (Value Added Tax) back. I got arount 17% back from the Government, which enabled me to go for a better model!
I suppose this would also apply at duty free shops at the airport.
Happy shopping. |
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spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:04 am Post subject: |
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| Laptops are "internally" switchable, you can plug into any voltage... |
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