Laptops from the U.S. vs Laptops from Japan

[SwiftWind]

Hey guys,
I'm thinking about selling my laptop locally and getting a laptop from Japan. I've gotten the impression that the laptops from Japan are a lot more upgradable with a lot more features, from what I've seen so far that is.
Some questions for those who've been in Japan or are currently living there:
1. Is this true? any difference in laptops in your opinion?
2. Are the laptops more expensive over there or about the same as here?
3. My current laptop is a Sony Vaio from the U.S. , and according to its power ratings it should handle 100v-240v, so in japan it should be just fine. Do Japanese laptops also come with universal AC adapters?
4. Know any good japanese websites where I can find some prices and specs on some laptops?

Thank you for your time.

 

[wbresson]

most laptops are made over there anyway, its just the specs that the retail business (ie Dell) gives the manufactorer

 

[AMDZen]

Actually, most laptops are made in Taiwan. And any laptop that you can get in Japan, you can also buy in the US - with a few exceptions. Most OEM's are the same for laptops. Take Clevo for instance, Sager, Alienware, Dell, all of these are just Clevo laptops. Even Apple doesn't make their own laptops, their all designed by some other OEM. Pretty much every laptop is based of a design of some Taiwanese manufacturer, and they're all pretty much the same.

 

[SwiftWind]

Really? For example, I saw a 500mhz laptop purchased 4 years ago that was completely upgradable , from Ram, to CPU. you name it. Perhaps it was just that model?

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: SwiftWind
Really? For example, I saw a 500mhz laptop purchased 4 years ago that was completely upgradable , from Ram, to CPU. you name it. Perhaps it was just that model?

You're basing your decision to buy a japanese laptop on a single model from 4 years ago?

 

[SwiftWind]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: SwiftWind
Really? For example, I saw a 500mhz laptop purchased 4 years ago that was completely upgradable , from Ram, to CPU. you name it. Perhaps it was just that model?

You're basing your decision to buy a japanese laptop on a single model from 4 years ago?

My point is that laptops here currently do not seem as flexible as that laptop was even though its 4 years old. I've seen other laptops as well from NEC for example, who seem to be a lot smaller and have a longer battery life.

 

[tm37]

My dell 600m I can upgrade the processor and ram.

Not sure about the video though

 

[Doggiedog]

Just remember, laptops in Japan come with Japanese Windows so you'll need to reinstall.

 

[tami]

my dell said "made in china"

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Oh for fvck's sake

 

[Pepsei]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Just remember, laptops in Japan come with Japanese Windows so you'll need to reinstall.

oh and they will probably have those funky japanese characters on the keyboard.

I had a hard time trying to post on a forum from the airport free interent access.

 

[Rogue]

Just about all laptops are upgradable, it's just a matter of opening them up and plugging in the right parts.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: Pepsei

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Just remember, laptops in Japan come with Japanese Windows so you'll need to reinstall.

oh and they will probably have those funky japanese characters on the keyboard.

I had a hard time trying to post on a forum from the airport free interent access.

Japanese keyboards are regular QWERTY. They also happen to have additional letters on them for katakana as well.

 

[Pepsei]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: Pepsei

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Just remember, laptops in Japan come with Japanese Windows so you'll need to reinstall.

oh and they will probably have those funky japanese characters on the keyboard.

I had a hard time trying to post on a forum from the airport free interent access.

Japanese keyboards are regular QWERTY. They also happen to have additional letters on them for katakana as well.

yeah, at the time, the keyboard was set to use katakana, and i couldn't figure out a way to change it. i forgot what i did eventually.

 

[preslove]

If you want to easily upgrade a laptop (excluding the video card) just don't buy new mac.
Processor, ram, hard drive, optical, wireless are usually pretty easy.

I think the newer dells have upgradable video cards i.e. insiron 6000 and 9200.

Oh, and Nik's right (for once) this would have a much better reception in sff & laptops.

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: Nik
Oh for fvck's sake

You are getting slow