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madowlspeaks
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Location: Somewhere in time and space
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 Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:41 pm Post subject: Buying a laptop in Korea, can I change the operating system? |
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I am a computer nincompoop and have a question, possibly a dumb one.
I need a new laptop and am having trouble getting one shipped from the states. Looks like I will have to buy a samsung or something here in the sunny ROK.
If I do buy it here, can I change the operating system language so that it completely runs in English? |
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thoreau
Joined: 21 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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If you buy Windows 7 make sure it is Ulimate or above. Then you can download English language packs which will turn about 90% of the OS into English.
You can get one shipped from the U.S., but you'll need to have it shipped to a friend or family member first and have them repackage it and ship it to you as used. |
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madowlspeaks
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Location: Somewhere in time and space
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| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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| thoreau wrote: |
If you buy Windows 7 make sure it is Ulimate or above. Then you can download English language packs which will turn about 90% of the OS into English.
You can get one shipped from the U.S., but you'll need to have it shipped to a friend or family member first and have them repackage it and ship it to you as used. |
Thanks.  |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: Buying a laptop in Korea, can I change the operating sys |
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| madowlspeaks wrote: |
I am a computer nincompoop and have a question, possibly a dumb one.
I need a new laptop and am having trouble getting one shipped from the states. Looks like I will have to buy a samsung or something here in the sunny ROK.
If I do buy it here, can I change the operating system language so that it completely runs in English? |
You CAN buy a laptop and change the O/S from a Korean one to an English one.
IF you buy a branded computer (HP for example) you can ORDER it with English windows on it.
If you just want a cheap alternative, you can buy a NEW, generic computer for as little as 200k (300k with monitor) won (built-while-you-wait) at the Seon-in Plaza in Yongsan. Then install (or have them install) whatever version of windows you want (XP/vista/win7) in the language of your choice.
map to seon-in plaza from yongsan station:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2200/2283113973_2ba7bc0f8d_o.jpg
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madowlspeaks
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Location: Somewhere in time and space
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| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks all.
Can anyone recommend a good English speaking computer place who could be able to install an English language pack?
We have one of those generic computers, and it has XP on it, but the XP is the Hanguel type. |
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madowlspeaks
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Location: Somewhere in time and space
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| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: Buying a laptop in Korea, can I change the operating sys |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| madowlspeaks wrote: |
I am a computer nincompoop and have a question, possibly a dumb one.
I need a new laptop and am having trouble getting one shipped from the states. Looks like I will have to buy a samsung or something here in the sunny ROK.
If I do buy it here, can I change the operating system language so that it completely runs in English? |
You CAN buy a laptop and change the O/S from a Korean one to an English one.
IF you buy a branded computer (HP for example) you can ORDER it with English windows on it.
If you just want a cheap alternative, you can buy a NEW, generic computer for as little as 200k (300k with monitor) won (built-while-you-wait) at the Seon-in Plaza in Yongsan. Then install (or have them install) whatever version of windows you want (XP/vista/win7) in the language of your choice.
map to seon-in plaza from yongsan station:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2200/2283113973_2ba7bc0f8d_o.jpg
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ttompats, where can I order it? I have tried looking on various sites and can't find anything that will ship here. |
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lost at sea
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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You can simply install an English OS on any computer regardless of where it comes from. These days drivers are everywhere, and if you have a driver issue it won't be with the motherboard or graphics cards, it will be with the webcam or something smaller. In that case after you install the English OS you can download the smaller drivers online and install Korean drivers for the webcam or what ever.
You can do pretty much anything with any computer. An OS is just how the computer interprets hardware. The hardware is the same all around the world, in fact most of it originates from Korea and Japan.
You could install Mac on an otherwise Windows based computer (hardware). Or, Windows on a Mac "computer."
I assume the only trouble you will have is if you buy a netbook without a CD/DVD drive. Then you will actually need some computer intelligence to install an OS from a flash drive instead of a dvd. Other than that, you will have an easy time. Just get an English OS and pop it in. Restart the computer and click next until it's done. |
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madowlspeaks
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Location: Somewhere in time and space
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| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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| lost at sea wrote: |
You can simply install an English OS on any computer regardless of where it comes from. These days drivers are everywhere, and if you have a driver issue it won't be with the motherboard or graphics cards, it will be with the webcam or something smaller. In that case after you install the English OS you can download the smaller drivers online and install Korean drivers for the webcam or what ever.
You can do pretty much anything with any computer. An OS is just how the computer interprets hardware. The hardware is the same all around the world, in fact most of it originates from Korea and Japan.
You could install Mac on an otherwise Windows based computer (hardware). Or, Windows on a Mac "computer."
I assume the only trouble you will have is if you buy a netbook without a CD/DVD drive. Then you will actually need some computer intelligence to install an OS from a flash drive instead of a dvd. Other than that, you will have an easy time. Just get an English OS and pop it in. Restart the computer and click next until it's done. |
Please tell me where to get/buy an English OS.
I have been looking on the net but can't find the CD (or download??)
that I need in order to simply pop it (if you are referring to the O/S CD) in.
Rememeber, I am a nincompoop when it comes to computers....  |
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lost at sea
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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Downloading an OS can be illegal if it's Windows or Mac but it's possible. Check your PMs.
There are free OSes like Linux which you can find and download and install.
http://www.ubuntu.com/
You need to know how to burn a CD or DVD in any case though. |
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SMOE NSET
Joined: 25 Feb 2010
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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| I bought my copy of Windows 7: Home English version in Sunin Plaza in Yongsan. Just ask around, they can speak English there or can figure out what you're looking for. Just ask "Windows 7 English?" and they will find one. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: Buying a laptop in Korea, can I change the operating sys |
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| madowlspeaks wrote: |
ttompats, where can I order it? I have tried looking on various sites and can't find anything that will ship here. |
At one of the "Branded" computer stores around town or again, at one of the branded shops in Yongsan.
I got a Thinkpad with English (factory) and recently picked up new Lenovo with English as well..
You won't be able to order it on-line unless you can read enough Korean to navigate on the the sites like danawa, gmarket or auction. |
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Confused Canadian
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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Both my HP laptop and Hp netbook had the option to choose the operating system language the first time I powered them up.
My laptop is running Vista Home Edition in English and the newbook is running XP in English.
I ordered both of them off of Gmarket.
I can't guarantee that this will be the case for all HP computers, but it has been my experience. |
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gobbledygook
Joined: 18 Feb 2012
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Buying a laptop in Korea, can I change the operating sys |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| madowlspeaks wrote: |
ttompats, where can I order it? I have tried looking on various sites and can't find anything that will ship here. |
At one of the "Branded" computer stores around town or again, at one of the branded shops in Yongsan.
I got a Thinkpad with English (factory) and recently picked up new Lenovo with English as well..
You won't be able to order it on-line unless you can read enough Korean to navigate on the the sites like danawa, gmarket or auction. |
Hi, just emailed you about buying a thinkpad in korea. How did you get a lenovo laptop to work in English? I'm considering buying one in Korea, but would only buy one if everything's able to run in English. |
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nahanni
Joined: 21 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 11:25 pm Post subject: |
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I'm looking to buy a Samsung laptop (NP900X3B) but don't want any language hassles. Someone mentioned that you can change 90% of the OS into English but that's not good enough.
Suggestion? Best for me to have someone ship from home or is it possible to get what I want while in Korea? Contacting Samsung directly an option? |
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Boffo97
Joined: 08 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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If you do get Windows 7 K, Google up a program called Vistalizator. It is free, and changes Windows Vista and 7 language files with official, freely downloadable Microsoft English language files.
I did it for my computer and the only problem I have is that if I want to use the Updater, I have to briefly switch the computer back to Korean. But that's fine since Automatic Updates works just fine anyway. |
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