anyone here: currently live in/been to/worked in Japan?

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Rickyohead

Member
Dec 6, 2004
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I'd consider this off topic....

I'm moving to Japan for a year at the end of August. I need a laptop since my desktop is too big to bring along [and I've always wanted a laptop :)]. I'm debating waiting to buy a laptop until I get there, basically because they always have the sweetest technology out first.

Questions:

Does anyone know if Turion 64 MT-xx laptops are out yet in Japan? (They keep getting delayed in the US)

Are computer prices similar to in the US? If I go to a big computer store in Tokyo, will employees know "computer spec english acronyms?" (RAM, ghz, HD rpm, etc.)

If the computer is loaded with a Japanese version of Windows, is it easy to change back to English?

Will I have issues charging a Japanese laptop when I'm back in the US? (I read that electrical outlets are very similar in Japan, but haven't figured out the details)

-- arigato gozaimasu!
 
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Kaieye

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,275
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Buy it here in the US. I did check out the prices at Akihabara(Tokyo)last month for computer parts such as a Athlon 64+ cpu and found out that I can get it cheaper here in the states. But I thought I saw a few good deals for used laptops because a lot of Japanese do not buy used stuff. There are many stories about foreigners rummaging thru discarded garbage to find a perfectly fine running PC or electronic goods. Remember to eat a lot of beef before you go to Japan because it is EXPENSIVE !!!
 
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Sex Smurf

Golden Member
Oct 13, 2004
1,384
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In answer to your title question: yes.

In answer to your other questions: computers in japan are up the butt expensive and you won't find the deals you have here. But they DO have some nice systems in their large electronics stores (Bic Camera, Yodobashi Camera). I'd just buy a laptop here and bring it over.
 
nakedfrog

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
61,964
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I lived there, but it was so long ago that I have no relevant advice to add.
 
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Rickyohead

Member
Dec 6, 2004
58
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thanks for the wide range of suggestions. looks like it is best to buy a laptop here and take it over.

wasserkool: not funny. I think I'll be safer in Japan than in the US when it comes to nuclear fallout.
 
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kami333

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2001
5,110
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76
Definately buy in the states, especially if you buy online or on sale. I only buy my laptops in Japan because I get a tax write off that way.

Things you find in Akihabara and Nipponbashi are cheap by BB and Compusa prices but are more expensive compared to Newegg or Hot Deals.

Plus trying to reload it with English Windows is a hassle, especially when dealing with some drivers.

The forums at japantoday.com is a pretty good place to find some information, its full of wannabe Japanese and whiney expats but can be a good resource.
 
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Rickyohead

Member
Dec 6, 2004
58
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Originally posted by: kami333
Definately buy in the states, especially if you buy online or on sale. I only buy my laptops in Japan because I get a tax write off that way.

Things you find in Akihabara and Nipponbashi are cheap by BB and Compusa prices but are more expensive compared to Newegg or Hot Deals.

Plus trying to reload it with English Windows is a hassle, especially when dealing with some drivers.

The forums at japantoday.com is a pretty good place to find some information, its full of wannabe Japanese and whiney expats but can be a good resource.
Click to expand...

thanks for the advice. uhhhhhh. unloading Japanese drivers. sounds like fun. LOL. I registered at japantoday to ask questions about work visas, and got the same sense of a "whiney, ex-pat community" as well.
 
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ski2slow

Senior member
Jan 26, 2003
244
0
0
I have lived and worked in Japan. In fact, I was recently on a 4 week assignment in Hiroshima for my company. What will you be doing in Japan?

I would definitely recommend buying your notebook here in the states unless you are going to be using Japanese. The keyboards on Japanese laptops have a few extra keys that make it harder to use if you are used to a standard English keyboard. Only thing you want to make sure is that your warranty covers the computer to be fixed in Japan without shipping it back to the states.

Good luck!:beer:

 
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Ninjja

Golden Member
Sep 4, 2003
1,552
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japan is awesome. i would love to live there for a year or so one day. the electrical outlets are exactly the same as the US ones - that was a great help to me when I was over there. man, i love japan.
 
EagleKeeper

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
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AndrewR just came back from being stationed in Japan.
 
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Rickyohead

Member
Dec 6, 2004
58
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0
hey all...followup:

my wife was offered an english teaching position. I will be looking for some graphic/web design opportunities (contract or possibly full-time work) while I'm there. If nothing works out, I will go for the teaching route. There are so many opportunities where Japanese schools want to hire native English speakers.

We will be in Yokohama very close to a good friend who is helping us with the transition. It's going to be an adventure, we're young and this is probably our last chance to get up and leave the country.

I'll be picking out a laptop soon to take with me to Japan. I'm leaning toward the acer travelmate 4400 since it is a nice price ($1300) for a turion/x700/100gb/wifi multimedia machine. thanks for all the feedback.
 
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dc

Diamond Member
Nov 26, 1999
9,998
2
0
go eat chinese food in yokohama, enjoy the japanese experience.
:confused:
 
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