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cactusg
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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 Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:34 am Post subject: Technology Costs in Korea |
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| I'll be going to S Korea for the first time soon and was looking to buy myself a new Macbook and MP3 player for my trip. But I was wondering if it was worth waiting until I got to Korea, I'm aware that it's a technology heaven so would I be better of waiting until I got there? Are things like laptops mp3 players etc any cheaper in Korea than back here in the UK? And if i was to go and buy a laptop in Korea would I have difficulty buying one with a western keyboard? |
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drunkenfud
Joined: 08 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:54 am Post subject: |
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Mac - import tax, more expensive.
Most Korean or Chinese made electronics are cheaper here than they are in the UK. I don't know about the US.
MP3 and MP4 plaers - dirt cheap.
LG laptops - competative prices compared to the west.
Try searching for what you want on gmarket.co.kr for an idea on prices. |
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strange_brew
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:04 am Post subject: |
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| The one thing that you should remember that is if you do buy a laptop here, then your operating system will be in Korean. I know you can change the language, but at the same time, I knew a guy who had a fancy phone, and when he changed the language, many of the more complicated subfeatures were still in Korean. Not sure if that is how it would be with computers. |
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Xuanzang
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Sadang
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:26 am Post subject: Re: Technology Costs in Korea |
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| cactusg wrote: |
| I'll be going to S Korea for the first time soon and was looking to buy myself a new Macbook and MP3 player for my trip. But I was wondering if it was worth waiting until I got to Korea, I'm aware that it's a technology heaven so would I be better of waiting until I got there? Are things like laptops mp3 players etc any cheaper in Korea than back here in the UK? And if i was to go and buy a laptop in Korea would I have difficulty buying one with a western keyboard? |
it`s only tech. heaven for Korean gadgets. Anything Western will be more expensive or unavailable. The MP3 player would be cheaper if you dont mind an IRiver or some Korean brand. Mac will be pretty much the same price. You might even save a bit by buying it here...at least you would have months ago when the exchange rate was at its lowest point. Buy the Macbook back home. |
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giraffe
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:19 am Post subject: |
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Browsing through the apple korean website. Macs are a bit more expensive there. I was looking to buy a sony camera in korea and it turned out to be cheaper to buy in canada. Korean electronics are cheaper than back home.
If you like korean brand and want to save a bit of money, buy it in korea. Only problem is the menues will be in korean. |
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eamo
Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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Korea is by no means tech heaven. Far from it.
Laptops and MP3 players are definitely cheaper in North America. Even Korean brands. |
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greedy_bones
Joined: 01 Jul 2007
Location: not quite sure anymore
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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| eamo wrote: |
Korea is by no means tech heaven. Far from it.
Laptops and MP3 players are definitely cheaper in North America. Even Korean brands. |
Agreed. There is a lot of tech out here, but it mostly costs more. I'm not sure why a Samsung Mp3 player costs more in Korea than in the states, but it does.
Computer parts and peripherals seem to cost a little less though. |
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seoulsucker
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="greedy_bones"]
| eamo wrote: |
| I'm not sure why a Samsung Mp3 player costs more in Korea than in the states, but it does. |
Protectionism at its finest.
Koreans will tell you it's because the products that are sold here are "better" than the ones sold in the US, but really it's because the taxes and tarrifs on imported goods are so high they can charge more for domestic goods and they will still be cheaper. |
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Robot_Teacher
Joined: 18 Feb 2009
Location: Robotting Around the World
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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| eamo wrote: |
Korea is by no means tech heaven. Far from it.
Laptops and MP3 players are definitely cheaper in North America. Even Korean brands. |
Yep, I was in Emart and seen computers for like 1 million won with the same tech specs as my notebook I bought 10 months ago for $550! It was a display model, the last one, which retailed last Spring for $749 at Office Depot. And Emarts systems were smaller; not wide screen like mine nor have English OS. Their small lightweight portability makes them expensive. It's last years tech in smaller packages with recent high tech spec models for 1.5 or more.
I also noticed the monitors were $200 to $300 more. Buy your notebook at home if possible. |
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ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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Getting a Mac in Korea is a bad idea. All that would get you is a laptop with Hangeul lettering under the Roman numerals. The extra charge would be $200 for what you get on a sticker set that costs $15.
Worse yet if you have it shipped: Customs will charge tax on it even though it is is for your own personal use. If you must ship it, take it out of the packaging first  |
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