Just got back from Japan and...

[krays]

...things seem so much slower here. I actually haven't had a computer for 2 months, so this is the first time I really had a chance to see what's happening back here. All the hoopla over the upcoming 750mhz Duron seems kind of strange, since I was eyeing the 800mhz Duron in Tokyo. One thing I love about Japanese computers is that they have so much better style than the usual beige computer case. It's hard to explain really, but the computers over there simply look very modern and as if they were transported from the future. And the cell phones! Simply amazing.

Not really a "put-down USA" type of message, but just kind of feel like I was pushed back a couple of years tech-wise once I got back. No offense intended.

 

[zippy]

Wow, thats pretty cool.

My dad just told me and my mom tonight that there are three places he really wants to go someday (soon? I hope so...): Hawaii, Japan, and more European countries (been to 2 so far I think...). Heh, this february we are going to San Jose for a conference he has...silicon valley baby! You'd think we travel a lot...but really we don't much...oh well...I guess he is seeing that he ain't so young any more and wants to get a lot of traveling in in the next 25-40 (pushing it...though possible...i hope ) years.

 

[Pocatello]

If we care about how our cases look, we'll be all Apple users.

 

[prontospyder]

krays:

post some pics of these "cool looking" computers...

 

[krays]

Zippy: hehe, funny, I live in San Jose.

I'll try looking for pics, hold on...

 

[krays]

im on my way out, so I don't have that much time, but here's a couple of ones from Sharp that I found:


Sharp PC Pic 1
Sharp PC Pic 2
One from Sony
Cell Phone from Sharp 1
Cell phone from Sharp 2
NEC PC Pic
Fujitsu PC Pic
PC Card Modem from NTT


These aren't necessarily the ones I saw, I just quickly pulled these off their respective web sites. I'll try to post some more when I can remember them. There were some more from Nec that was really cool.

 

[LXi]

Ever been to an arcade center? Those are awsome.
How about a software store? I heard that they have any kind of software available. God I wish I was there to pick up some PSX games.

 

[Soulflare]

LXi
There are quite a few reliable online stores that allow you to
import Japanese PSX games, such as NCSX

 

[LXi]

But for the price of my arm right?

Edit I just looked through some games, not as expensive as I thought it would be, but still very steep. Plus shipping&handling and tax, it'd be a lot.

 

[krays]

Pocatello: to each his own, for sure, but I have a different opinion on the matter. To simply dismiss "style" in computers doesn't really make sense to me. I remember when stereo components used to be those sharp-edged black boxes, but then manufacturers started adding curves and form to it. I think the addition of style to functionality is the next step of evolution for all manner of consumer devices. I have a friend who is in the graphic design business and she said that the western approach is "form follows function." Which means that, in general, the western population perceives style as detrimental to function. In Japan, for example, they do not have that philosophy. So they believe that adding style does not hinder function, and I think they've accomplished that very well.

Also, I think you'll find that even though we are all a bunch of power users, we still somewhat care about how our rig looks. At least, I know I do.

LXi: I spent a lot of time at the arcades and I even went to the Sega amusement park where they have all sorts of virtual reality rides. That was really amazing. I've been to the software stores. I'm not sure what you mean by having all sorts of software. Do you mean Win/Mac/PS1/PS2/Dreamcast/etc? Then yeah, they do. But is that really anything special?

Here's the Nec Model that I like. It has an aluminum looking case, layered on top with a kind of translucent glass. Comes with a remote control too hehe.

Nec Pic

 

[LXi]

Whats so special about Japan, is that game makers(PSX, PS2, DC...) make games that are only sold in Japan. And those games happen to be my favorite ones. They're very hard to get a hold of here in the states, and they cost a lot of money.

 

[krays]

LXi: oh, I see what you mean. I thought you meant it was special that they have a variety of software in the shops hehe

But yes, I agree with you. The more unconventional games usually do not see the light of day in the states. Especially the rpgs, since according to Japanese magazines, the US market is more action-oriented rather than story-oriented.

 

[LXi]

Yea, Americans like action, and Japanese like RPGs and stories oriented. Hey, I wouldn't mind going to some anime/manga store and come back with my wallet totally empty. Gotta go to Japan when I have a chance to.

 

[prontospyder]

krays,

Japanese computers are not the only ones with great style...American manufacturers from Compaq to IBM has come out with pretty nice looking computers.

Great Looking American Computers

But in a recent PC World Survey, 72% of PC Users says the shape of the PC doesn't matter to them. What's the point of a pretty box if it gets outdated quickly with no possiblity of an upgrade?

 

[LXi]

Yea, I assume those Japanese cases combine the stylish looks and upgradability. Which is really something we dont have here.

 

[Windogg]

So the pics on Akiba are true. I seems that anything that's a rumor here is onsale in Japan.

Windogg

 

[krays]

prontospyder - that's really great news. I, for one, am all for the coexistence of style and functionality. You are completely correct about the lack of upgradability, which bothers me too, since after all, I am an anandtech reader hehe. However, I guess it's simply because Japanese are much more likely to buy new products than americans are. Having lived there for a good part of my life, it's actually not hard to see why. New products, such as new md-players, new models of computers, game software, have billboards and tv ads which resemble the movie ads here ("Coming Soon!", etc). Practically every month there is a new electronic product.

I suppose my point is that IBM and Compaq are certainly making new stylish computers, but in Japan, they are the norm. The PC World magazine poll doesn't seem that surprising I suppose, since the magazine probably caters to power users who would want power more than anything else though.

PS. I found one of the things I was looking for! Actually, I really don't know if this type of thing already exists in the US or not, but when I saw it I thought it was really cool. It's basically a cordless modem that connects to the PC Card slot of your laptop pc. It's about the size of a normal pcmcia card, but cut in half. You stick it in, then pull the small antenna upwards, then you're set. Here's a small photo (best I could find): NTT Pic

I've been adding to the list of good-looking comps in my earlier message, so scroll back up and take a look if you're interested.

 

[Sunner]

Maybe Im old fashioned, but I think all those pics looked like $hit(well the stuff oin the pics, not the pics themselves). And the cellphones, looked like something that would fit in perfectly in a barbie house, they looked so damn plastic, if someone stuck one on my face, Id expect to get water splashed in my face

I like the good ole "scientific" look of beige cases and my good ole Ericsson T28 cell

 

[fow99]

Wow. I like that NEC one. Really stylish.

 

[fow99]

Krays:
How much will that Nec one cost you?

 

[Doggiedog]

You guys brought up something interesting that someone mentioned to me a couple days ago.

I met the CEO of a semiconductor company that does a lot of business with Nokia and they told me that the thing that scares the daylights out of Nokia is not some hot new phone with WAP capability and all the bells and whistles from Motorola or Ericsson but stylish phones. They said they had the biggest acceptance rates for their phones due to their detachable faceplates not due to functions. I guess thats something to think about when you talk about form.

 

[LED]

People, People, My family is and currently live in Japan...My Cousin works /does Fuji Film and I contact him often...sure the ingenuity is advanced but for the price. He travels to Akihabara often (available for the world) and all is @ one Premium and or Capatalism.

 

[krays]

fow99: I really can't remember the price, but I'd say that it would most likely be slightly more expensive than a system of comparable specs here in the states. one thing about the states is that things are incredibly cheap, in terms of hardware..and well, food too, but that's a diff topic altogether hehe.

Sunner, Red Dawn: Yes, I'm sure that there are people who do not prefer this kind of look. If everybody had the same taste, then the world would be so boring, eh? I personally prefer some attempts at adding style to functionality. Also, I'm sure this aspect of style is very widespread in Japan because the Japanese culture values aesthetics very highly.

Doggiedog: that's a cool story you got there. So why doesn't Nokia simply begin adding more style to their phones? It certainly is something to think about, since I think that since humans are primarily a visual-oriented species, then naturally looks will always have an important appeal factor.

I actually don't keep up with cell phones, but what I think is really cool about the Japanese cell phones is that first they are small, display colors, can play mp3s, can view webpages, and can send/receive e-mail. I'm notsure if that is pretty standard in the world of cell phones today, but seems pretty amazing to me. Just out of curiousity, is that anything special?

LED: yeah, you're completely right. Perhaps I find this stuff so appealing because I am Japanese myself. You won't believe how fast I ran through my cash when I was there just this last time hehe. Living there is kind of different, in the sense that it feels like you are in the epicenter of capitalism. It's hard to explain, and can only be truly understood by someone living there.

I'll add some more to the list of pics as I can find them. Here are the ones I already posted:

Sharp PC Pic 1
Sharp PC Pic 2
One from Sony
Cell Phone from Sharp 1
Cell phone from Sharp 2
NEC PC Pic
Fujitsu PC Pic
PC Card Modem from NTT
A Tivo-like device from Sony which uses a HD to record tv programs, etc
Sony USB Jog Wheel for Movie Editing
Sony Music Clip Portable Mp3 Player
Sony Webcam

 

[SSP]

Those systems look cool. Specially the Sony one (with LCD screen on the case.. wow). I saw a similar one in the Sony store (same color, design but w/o the LCD screen and the big buttons). Damn, why can't we have that kinda cases in North America. Those cases blow the pants off of those Mac cases.

Gotta love those Japanese for all the Anime I get to download... err I mean watch.

 

[LED]

krays...living there ...well enjoy (not for me) and howabout posting us some prices for rent/fruit/meat/gas/ and formost Taxis?

Culture vs Posture
No kachimbo here