Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PsykLaw]

I have realized for some time that I am getting bothered by having to tote a laptop around the world. I want to find something that allows a good combination of portability, productivity, and still retain the ability of making calls on skype.

Basically, I want to be able to setup shop anywhere there is a wifi. Recently, I have been looking at the palm tx, ipaq 6317, nokia 810 and for the ultimate portability (read non-brick) -the ipod touch (using google docs for productivity).

Recently, I have noticed that I am leaning towards the touch since someone now sells a microphone and it is known that voip can be setup on it to use skype. I recently played with an 8gb model and loved the wifi ability and the weight of it.

I had, for some time, looked for prices to fall on the palm tx. Simply put, there is something to be said for wifi AND bluetooth. The palm has enjoyed a lot of users touting it. However, just simply having the ability to make skype calls is enough as BT tends to drain batteries like a wife addicted to plastic surgery drains a bank account.

I'd rather get something here in Korea and I am well aware that in most every case pda's cannot change their language (regions). I am trying to learn korean anyhow. Although, english would obviously be preferable which is yet another reason I am starting to lean to the touch.

Also, does anyone have any experience with the sony mylo 2? I noticed one in japan last week and was curious what others think.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[the_beaver]

I hear you. I've never understood why anybody would buy a 'portable' computer with anything over a 10' screen.

I've have a Fujitsu LifeBook P1510 that I use for traveling and teaching. It's old now, and it was never a powerful (but what small machine is?), but when I carry it around I hardly know it's there (it's just under a kilo). When I get a new machine I'll probably get another LifeBook.
[url]
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1844478,00.asp[/url]

[rubric]

I've heard these are now available in Korea.
http://eeepc.asus.com/global/

[OneWayTraffic]

Frankly, you're kidding yourself if you think you're going to do anything more productive than surf websites or read email on an iPod touch. I have a little UMPC (google EVERUN) and though it's great for subway use and document reading, it's no laptop substitute. An iPod touch would have to be a lot worse. Go for the sub kilo UMPCs, there's quite a few available now. EVERUN, WIBRAIN (Korean made.) Kohjinsha models, and the Eee PC for lite use.

Just around the corner there's the Apsire One, HPs mininote and the new one from Dell.

[Bigfeet]

Ah, people are so jaded these days. Check out the first PC portable, weighing in at a svelte 28 pounds.

[bassexpander]

[OneWayTraffic]

[PsykLaw]

Thanks for the responses thus far. I actually ran up there yesterday to have a peek around. The two models that I was looking at carefully were the eepc *win xp* and the kohjinsha. The later had vista on it which, as I understand it, has a hack available to change the default language. However, one seller was willing to re-install an english version of xp on the eepc.

Being that I am more familiar with asus, I did lean in that direction. The 560,000 price tag was much appreciated when compared to the 890,000 tag on the kohjinsha. However, there are only two options for the hdd on the asus; 4gb and 8gb FLASH (via sd)! That's unheard of in this day and age!

A surprise contender weighed in as the fujitsu lifebook. I recalled the earlier post about it and saw the very same model. It sported xp and the seller was not willing to re-install and english version.

And yes, I have all but abandoned the preposterous thought of utilizing google docs on an ipod touch (although I still say the idea is sweeter than a room full of free hookers...maybe not).

That having been said, I poked around some newer pdas. I saw the hp 112 which I was fairly impressed with. However, the arm processors still haven't figured out how to scroll though a partially downloaded webpage. On a side note, I had to remind the seller that there is am hp service center in yangjae that could easily flash the rom and install an english os for me. This seemed like a good option except for the 360,000 price tag (The palm t/x is under $300). That has brought me back to considering the first three models I mentioned.

I'm going to go back today as I don't like to make snap decisions about these things. So, I am still open to suggestions here.

In a slightly unrelated matter, has anyone ever shipped an old laptop home?

[OneWayTraffic]

[the_beaver]

[dasmith2]

The eeePC seems like an interesting option. Can you put microsoft office on it?

[rocklee]

I have the eeePC and it is good for lounging around for a bit of gaming, internet or movies but not so good for office stuff because of the small keyboard and screen (only 7"). Now you can get an 8.9 screen which makes better use of the empty border around the old screen.

I have a lot of fun with it though playing the older games and watching movies from someone else's DVD drive wirelessly. Chatting on Skype was also pretty simple.

However I would wait for the 10" version to come out in Korea to appreciate a slightly bigger keyboard and improved screen. The resolution is also much bigger than the old one. The standard resolution wasn't really designed for Windows which explains the abnormality.

Battery wise its average though it should have been a lot better with a low powered CPU and no DVD drive. I heard that the newer models will have higher capacity batteries for up to 5 hours.

4GB of internal space doesn't sound like a lot (when Vista already takes up 4GB), you can easily make use of the SD expansion slot to fit in an 8 or 16GB card. It also has 2 USB slots for an external 3.5" drive (which goes up to 500GB). You can also make use of its wireless card to access another computer or network remotely. I've installed XP Media Center, Office, a number of internet software and a game which took less than 1.8GB. You don't need to use a swap drive as the flash drive is already fast enough and having one would reduce its life even further.

MSI, HP and MacAir are some of the other sub-notebooks so maybe wait for those before you decide. Dell has a 13.3 notebook which for a little more is a great buy in terms of cost per performance.

I'm an absolute gadget freak so seeing the Mylo 2 should have got my blood pumping. Instead it should have been the next PSP.

[Demophobe]

Engadget always has some neat stuff.

New Aspire:
http://www.engadget.com/tag/aspireone

Asus with projector?
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/05/mysterious-asus-laptop-with-projector-spotted-at-computex/

MSI Wind:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/03/8-9-inch-msi-wind-shows-up-at-computex/

Gigabyte:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/03/hands-on-with-gigabyte-m912-and-m724-convertible-mini-tablets/

Some words about the new Asus 901 and 1000:

[OneWayTraffic]

Small laptops are getting more and more desirable. They used to be at a real premium, the difference now is that since CPUs have gotten so fast, you no longer need to pay through the nose for one that's both capable of basic PC tasks and with low power drain. The Atom, for example, is plenty fast for everything you're likely to do on such a small machine.

[dc'79]

Since the mini laptops have been mentioned already...

The latest PSP (playstation portable) wouldnt be a bad choice. You have to make sure its the new slim version. With a proper sized memory card and a headset you can make skype calls off it. I believe they even sell skype psp bundles now.

If you can wait a few months, the new 3G Iphone should be available then.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/06/iphone-3g-iphone-firmware-leaked-tri-band-hsdpa-and-gps-are-go/

Sony and Apple should pay me