Laptops In Japan

[aquamarine]

Well my departure date is coming up real quick and I'm in a bit of a quandry. I'm not sure if I should end up picking up a Laptop here in Canada or when I arrive in Japan. Over-all, are laptops (generally, let's not get into specific computer spec's) less expensive or more expensive in Japan (specifically Tokyo) or should I just pick one up here in Canuckville?

[emperor]

[Andocrates]

If you buy a computer here it will be all in Japanese. You might have a difficult time loading existing programs on it. They do sell computers with English OS but as you can guess that's a specialty item so it costs more.

People underestimate the complexity of functioning in Japan, Things you take for granted like ordering food and how to pay are extremely difficult, after a few days here you will (most likely) start acting Japanese (you can't help it) which means you will become reluctant to ask for anything, you will never look at people you pass, you will panic if you see another westerner. You will be in a daze for awhile. So I would buy your PC in Canada (or America, I forgot)

[Taro Toporific]

Over-all, are laptops (generally, let's not get into specific computer spec's) less expensive or more expensive in Japan (specifically Tokyo) or should I just pick one up here in Canuckville?

Saskatoon? It _might_ be $20-$100 cheaper here in Tokyo. Tokyo and the States: there's no savings at all and the hastle of a farkqued Japanese keyboard and switching over to a English OS.

Go to your favorate brand, let's say Dell Japan* and compare prices.
http://www1.jp.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=jp&l=jp&s=gem

However, USED laptops are a real bargan here (20-40% less than N American used prices).

Years ago there used to a HUGE savings buying computers in N America but today the prices are about the same (or 5% extra for Japanese software).

Bottom Line: I've bought a couple used laptops here over the years, but I mostly buy new laptops in the States.


*Warning: Japanese Dell destop products are sold with a crippled Japanese-only Windows OS.

[emperor]

anyone with feedback on "Prime PC"?

http://www.primepc.jp/goods_pc/goods_pc.php?b10=25

[Caustic Saint]

If you buy a computer here it will be all in Japanese. You might have a difficult time loading existing programs on it. They do sell computers with English OS but as you can guess that's a specialty item so it costs more.

Not if it's a Mac!

[Andocrates]

He probably wants a computer that he can use for fun and stuff, although for the right temperament keeping a Mac running can be fun.

:P

[emperor]

[Taro Toporific]

If you buy a computer here it will be all in Japanese. You might have a difficult time loading existing programs on it. They do sell computers with English OS but as you can guess that's a specialty item so it costs more.

Not if it's a Mac!

As mentioned by Ultra before, Windows XP switches over from Japanese to English. This is much the same as the OS X for Macs although the switchover is more elegant in OS X and you can set different OS languages for different users and change on the fly.

The problem in switching over Windows XP to English is the user must be able to read the Japanese Wizard screens to do that (and there are some systems sold like all my new Japanese Dell destops that are sold with a Japanese-only version of XP).

[Taro Toporific]

[emperor]

The problem in switching over Windows XP to English is the user must be able to read the Japanese Wizard screens to do that (and there are some systems sold like all my new Japanese Dell destops that are sold with a Japanese-only version of XP).

Would you happen to know if the Sony laptops are the same deal? (specifically FR-77)
the version i got didnt come with a back-up disc - WinXP was preinstalled with the option to make a back-up disc somewhere in there..

[Taro Toporific]

there are some systems sold like all my new Japanese Dell destops that are sold with a Japanese-only version of XP).

Would you happen to know if the Sony laptops are the same deal? (specifically FR-77)
the version i got didnt come with a back-up disc - WinXP was preinstalled with the option to make a back-up disc somewhere in there..

Somebody here was saying they switched over their fragile, butt-mutch Sony Vaio without a problem... Ultra or Wild Pink Kamome.
Rule of thumb from my purchases of PCs in large lots: if the PC is cheap or bought in lots of 20 machines like my Dells, they maker sells it with the cheap Japanese-only version of XP. All my crappy-corean Soltec machines won't switchover either.

[emperor]

fragile, butt-mutch Sony Vaio

Are you dissing my VAIO?!?!

...oh! ..please continue...Ive actually given up complaining about it myself

[Caustic Saint]

[AlbertSiegel]

Dude! Your getting a Dell!

[Blah Pete]

Don't get a Sony Vaio. Bought one and regretting it. Among other problems I wanted to use English W2K but there is no Sony driver to use the J-Kbd.

There are some shops in Akihabara that sell used PCs cheap. Saw quite a few IBM, Toshiba, NEC models for under 80,000. Not sure what they were packing for power.

If you are moving from Canada you will probably have enough stuff to pack/carry without having to worry about a PC.

Software may be another issue. I usually order from websites in the US and pay about $50 for shipping by FEDEX...

[Evilhead]

This is laptop related so I'll post it here.

I just bought a new laptop, and now I hear from a former JET that the difference in voltage over in Japan tends to burn out computers. Is this true? Even with a voltage converter? As for the subject of voltage converters, should I buy one here or there? If here, where? Thanks!

[Caustic Saint]

I just bought a new laptop, and now I hear from a former JET that the difference in voltage over in Japan tends to burn out computers. Is this true? Even with a voltage converter? As for the subject of voltage converters, should I buy one here or there? If here, where? Thanks!

What country are you coming from? Japan has one of the lowest standard voltages (100v), so I can't see that burning anything out. The problems usually arise when you plug a 100-120v item into a 220-240v socket. That's when the sparks start to fly!

Anything from the US or Canada should work fine in Japan. (Except some digital clocks. If they depends on the Hz cycle of the electricity to keep time, they may not work right.)

[Taro Toporific]

[aquamarine]

So the bottom line is that I should pick up a laptop here in Canada. Hrmm... that works for me! Thanks folks!

[Bongo]

So the bottom line is that I should pick up a laptop here in Canada. Hrmm... that works for me! Thanks folks!

I know several people who bought laptops from this mail order site which is in English and they have English support.
The OS and indeed the systems are all English or Japanese if you desire it.

Just remember the display is not included on desktops, of course.
I think the prices are quite reasonable for Japan, not sure how that compares to Canada.

http://www.primepc.jp/goods_pc/goods_pc.php?b10=25

Hope this helps.

[GomiGirl]

So the bottom line is that I should pick up a laptop here in Canada. Hrmm... that works for me! Thanks folks!

Aquamarine - in your avatar are you standing in front of a display of dildo's and vibrators???

[Caustic Saint]

Aquamarine - in your avatar are you standing in front of a display of dildo's and vibrators???

I believe the correct term is either "adult novelties" or "marital aids."

[GomiGirl]

Aquamarine - in your avatar are you standing in front of a display of dildo's and vibrators???

I believe the correct term is either "adult novelties" or "marital aids." ]



Yep you are right.. Thanks..

[aquamarine]

Yes that is true. I'll explain why Im standing in front of a wall of vibrators/dildos/dongs if we ever meet up in Japan (that goes for any/all of you). Long story but I'd be glad to share in person.

[Andocrates]

Yes that is true. I'll explain why Im standing in front of a wall of vibrators/dildos/dongs if we ever meet up in Japan (that goes for any/all of you). Long story but I'd be glad to share in person.

Oh, I think we all know why.

[aquamarine]

Need I say more?

[gpvillamil]

... Among other problems I wanted to use English W2K but there is no Sony driver to use the J-Kbd....

Check article referenced in [url=http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/showthread.php?p=37324#post37324&highlight=#37729]this thread[/url] for tips on using a Japanese keyboard with English W2K or XP. Basically the keyboard driver is built-in, but is flagged as incompatible with English language OS. Tell Windows to ignore the compatibility check and you can assign the Japanese keyboard driver.

If that doesn't work for you, try the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator, which is *free*.

[Caustic Saint]

I'm bumping this up as I've been asked to be a laptop shopping guide this coming weekend. I've tried to steer my friend towards a Mac (she needs an English OS & apps, but good Japanese font compatability), but she's stubbornly sticking to Windows.

Anybody know a place in Akihabara that sells English OS laptops? New or used is okay, and used might be better since her budget's only about 80,000.

[Kuang_Grade]

http://www.harmful.org/homedespot/newtdr/NEWtdrARCHIVE/RANTING/computerhell.htm

While it doesn't answer your question, a useful cautionary tale from William Gibson's new bud....He might point out the places you don't want to try.