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Creeface
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
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 Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject: should I get a laptop? |
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Is buying a laptop before coming a good or bad idea? I currently own a desktop but eff that.
Im starting SMOE next month, can anyone shed some wisdom? |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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Depends on your budget. If you want to get a lower-budget style with a turionx2, then you'll save money buying in the USA.
This is all assuming you're American.
Basically, most models at $1,000 or below will be cheaper in the US. And they come with English Windows. They can often switch-out the windows on notebooks here, but different sellers will/won't provide you with a backup disk in English should problems arise later. |
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Creeface
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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gracias, gracias...
whats the wireless like over there? Is it easy to pirate of off people?  |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Generally, but depends on where you live, of course. Getting your own internet and cable TV together in one package runs around 30,000 a month in my area for both. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:58 pm Post subject: Laptop |
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If I were you, I would consider Yongsan Market area. I know people have their own personal feelings about the place, but we have bought our last two laptops there, and the merchants were very helpful. They install the English Vista or XP for you and it doesn't void the warranty.
The cost was right around $550 (cash) for the HP dual processor with built in camera and 2 gig RAM, 120 gig hard drive, and 16 inch screen.
It took a while to find the best price and we shopped for the better part of a day until we found the merchant that would work with us. They all say they have bottom prices, but that isn't true. It is a numbers game. They know if they sell more and give people a break it will benefit them in the long run.
The service center is also right there in the Yongsan E-Market area so it is possible to get work done on your computer if and when you need it.
My advice, but people have to make their own decisions about location, quality and cost. Yongsan was not a bad place for us, but I am sure it was and will be for others.
One more thing, the merchant did give us a full compliment of backup disks along with a valid serial version of the operating system as well. It was good buy for us. |
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zpeanut
Joined: 12 Mar 2008
Location: Pohang, Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: Laptop |
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| tob55 wrote: |
If I were you, I would consider Yongsan Market area. I know people have their own personal feelings about the place, but we have bought our last two laptops there, and the merchants were very helpful. They install the English Vista or XP for you and it doesn't void the warranty.
The cost was right around $550 (cash) for the HP dual processor with built in camera and 2 gig RAM, 120 gig hard drive, and 16 inch screen.
It took a while to find the best price and we shopped for the better part of a day until we found the merchant that would work with us. They all say they have bottom prices, but that isn't true. It is a numbers game. They know if they sell more and give people a break it will benefit them in the long run.
The service center is also right there in the Yongsan E-Market area so it is possible to get work done on your computer if and when you need it.
My advice, but people have to make their own decisions about location, quality and cost. Yongsan was not a bad place for us, but I am sure it was and will be for others.
One more thing, the merchant did give us a full compliment of backup disks along with a valid serial version of the operating system as well. It was good buy for us. |
Ya I also recommend going to Yongsan to have a look. Some may find the merchants a little pushy and rude, but thats due to the competition. If you can, bring along a korean person with you.
if not.. a good way to get a cheap price is to tell them you're after a package; laptop, memory, any other accessories. They usually give you a free mouse tho..
As mentioned, go to all the merchants and bargain for their best price. I would look on the internet for what prices are there.. sites like Daum etc. Then you may quote these prices and ask them to beat it or at least match it. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:27 pm Post subject: Yongsan |
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Definitely take a Korean person with you. My wife is Korean and she obviously has the whole system down about negotiating. Funny, a couple of guys see her with me and don't realize we are married then the guy or gal starts talking crap about foreigners, and then she unloads on them. Funny as hell to see their expression once they realize they are making disparaging remarks about her husband rather than the token foreigner.
We got one guy down to $400 dollars on a computer, then my wife walked away, just because of the way he was commenting about me. 
At any rate, take someone you can trust to negotiate good bargains for you, and you can really find the right deal for electronics of all kinds at Yongsan. Like I said, we have been very pleased with the results we had. |
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Creeface
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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haha tob55, its good to have a woman that sticks up for her man...
anyway thanks for the advice, much appreciated. |
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KYC
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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wow good deal Tobb!
I would definitely recommend getting a laptop. I'm not an internet junkie but I need access to my emails and such whenever I'm home. Internet is only 30,000 a month anyway.
I had a great desk top back home so I had little money left for a laptop. I ended up buy a USED one on ebay for 300. It aint great but it gets what I need done.
Man I miss my desktop. |
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michael5799042
Joined: 16 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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You should definately buy one at home before you come. It will be cheaper at home and it will have windows installed in English. It will also have a warranty that will be honored.
I bought one before I came and when I moved into my apartment it already had high-speed internet. I just plugged it in and it worked right away. |
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hugekebab
Joined: 05 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: should I get a laptop? |
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| Creeface wrote: |
Is buying a laptop before coming a good or bad idea? I currently own a desktop but eff that.
Im starting SMOE next month, can anyone shed some wisdom? |
Very good idea, get a Dell XPS M1530 (search the internet for current coupons and deals, you can get some amazing rebates int he US I've heard.)
Defo worth forking out for one of these; get the lcd display too. |
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PeteJB
Joined: 06 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Yongsan is scary for poor students like myself. Too many eager sales people trying to sell things to a person with no money. Don't think I'd ever buy a computer there because even the best price is not low enough for me. So, that's why I use Gmarket. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject: Gmarket |
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| Post some Gmarket prices and links so people will understand where you are coming from. Thanks |
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