Korean Job Discussion Forums

desultude · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:24 pm Post subject: laptop

I need to buy a laptop computer, and would love some advice.

First, what is the problem with buying one from the States and having it shipped? I went to the Korea tax info website and it says the import duty is 8%.

I want the best technology available for up to 1.7 million won, more or less. Any advice would be very welcome.

thorin · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

Don't buy a Sony. The fan on mine is louder than a leaf blower.

desultude · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:49 pm Post subject:

Funny you say that- my neighbor is raving about the Sony Vio.

thorin · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

Don't do it, man! Sony should have stuck to walkmans and TVs. My Vaio model has a desktop 2.6 GHz Pentium in it, hence the noisy fan. A lot of people complain that Vaios overheat and shutdown, or think that they're overheating (incorrectly) and shut down. I haven't had that problem.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Laptops are inferior to desktops - unless you regularly give presentations at conferences or are using your laptop in the classroom, there is no need for a laptop. Inferior speed, inferior computing power, lack of versatility, lack of expandability, rediculously small screen sizes and restricted to only 1 screen. Why anyone would want one, if they can have a desktop is beyond me.

desultude · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 1:37 am Post subject:

Wow!

Thanks for the energetic responses. That is what I was hoping for. I know way less than I should about computers, so I figured I would ask the opinionated nerds of Daves. Wink

Yes. well I was not seriously considering the Vio, I had heard bad things about it from others, but my neighbor is trying to sell me on it like it is her own creation.

I was considering a laptop because I don't really know how long I will be here (reality is, probably for years to come Confused

) and don't want to have a desktop to lug around. As it is I have an IMac in the States collecting dust.

So, it seems that the desktops are both cheaper and superior? I have someone here willing to go with me to have one built. That may be the way to go.

Any advice in that department?

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Just ignore my snarky comment from before - I must've been OD'd on caffeine or something.

desultude · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 2:03 am Post subject:

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I'd concur. I went from a laptop to a desktop -- twice the machine for half the price.

the saint · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Location: not there yet...

unless you reeeeeaaaaaalllly need the portability the laptop gives you, get someone to build you a nice desktop down at Yongsan or wherever less than half what you'll pay for a nice laptop.

desultude · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 7:18 am Post subject:

Thank you gentlemen, I will get one built for myself.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

First I'd direct you to my sticky post on this subject:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=32089

Laptops can generally match desktop computers these days in terms of performance, unless you're looking for a high end game machine. Laptops are more expensive, mind you, but I love being able to take my laptop to a Starbucks and write or do work.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Laptops will have a higher resale than a desktop.

Don't ship from the USA. I think duty fees are a lot higher than 8 percent. If you do buy from home, have a friend or family member ship it (opened in another box, possibly) from them and mark it as "used" goods. That might help you avoid fees.

the saint · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Location: not there yet...

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004