Buying a New Laptop in Korea

(I had a search around and couldn't find a suitable discussion. If there is one please could you link me too it^^)

I'm in the market for a new laptop - current one is five years old, cumbersome, and impractical. The wireless internet is slowly disintegrating. I actually bought it in Korea through one of the the tv home shopping networks. As a computer it has been fantastic. At five years old I've never really had any major problems but for the occasional key falling out, but I need (or maybe want) to get something a little more portable and which is easier to type on, which is what I do mostly on it.

It's a work and home use computer that is essential to what I do. What I do has been limited by the fact that this current computer has no battery life, and is far to inconvenient for anything but sitting at the kitchen table.

When I bought the computer it was in Korean, which I consider a major problem. I don't understand computer language at all, so having to understand it in Korean is an even bigger problem. So, I don't think I can buy the computer online. Unless I'm mistaken. Previously when I bought it, it came loaded with what seemed like everything, including windows vista, so I formatted it and put in an English version of windows XP - that was in 2008.

I am considering an ultra-light computer, monitor about 13" and I'm willing to pay around 1 million won. I suppose I just use it for general usage but it would be nice to have a computer that works quickly and isn't loaded with all the random Korean software (media players, anti-virus software etc.) that gets in the way of doing what I actually want to do. I have an idea of a few models I'm interested in. There's obviously the macbook, but I don't really fancy it ....

So, where should I go? Is there any online outlets? Should I find out a few models I'm interested in and go shopping in local stores? What about Yongsan? I bought products (mostly cameras) there before and was not very satisfied. Is the computer scene different? Surely there is a strategy to approaching these guys, right? Are there any other suggestions you could make?

Does anyone know what will happen if I buy a computer abroad and get it posted over?

Thanks again folks!

Tags: buy, computer, help, korea, laptop, yongsan

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Permalink Reply by Wally Nes on January 19, 2012 at 11:14am

Regarding the OS language, windows 7 will ask you which language to install it in when you do it. So even if you buy it here, as long as it is not pre-installed you should be able to choose whatever language you want.


As for where to get it . . . I got my gf one flown in from the US. A Samsung laptop which was cheaper to ship in from the US . . . go figure.

A friend of mine got one from Yongsan and has been happy with it. Couldn't tell you which shop within Yongsan though.

Permalink Reply by Conor O'Reilly on January 19, 2012 at 11:35am

Thanks Wally,

The thing about the online bought computers is that the OS is always pre-installed, and to change it you need to upgrade. Did you get landed with any taxes or charges for getting your US bought computer sent over?

I think Yongsan would be best but because of the size of it, I get the impression that you really have to know what you're looking for. Or bring someone who knows...

Thanks

Conor

Permalink Reply by Philipp Grunwald on January 20, 2012 at 12:58pm

Regarding price comparison I would go for shopping.naver.com and afterwards briefly check on opendays.co.kr if you find it or a similar model cheaper (than on GMarket), but I doubt it!

Recommendation based on your specs:

You can sure go to Yongsan, but they mostly sell desktops, custom-built and hardware there on the "flee market". Depends on you if you love this adventure and need the haptic experience or if online shopping and lurking around the nearest mall would suffice...
 

PS: You notice it will be quite hard to get a laptop for your price!! For your price I'd unfortunately expect a netbook...esp. at 13", the smaller a laptop the pricier!...except when you go down in specs (power) = netbooks.

Permalink Reply by IL-YONG CHUNG on January 20, 2012 at 2:08pm

Hi,

Hansung Computer sells their products without OS (or any software) pre-installed. I recommend a model of SLC350-i5. The price ranges between KRW 600,000~680,000 at online shopping malls. Generally, I don't want to recommend Yongsan, but if you don't like to buy the computer online, you might want to go to Yongsan, tell them the model number of SLC350-i5 and ask the price. If the price is within the above range or a little higher, that may be good.

I've never used this model, but I am using a small netbook from Hansung Computer. It has been no problem so far. But, since the compuer does not have CD-Rom, you have to install the OS through USB.

 

SPECS (Click the link for more details)

- CPU: Intel i5-24100 (Dual Core, 2.3GHz)

- Turbo Boost

- Display: 13.3"

- Ram: 4 GB

- HDD: 640GB

- ODD: None

- Two USB 2.0, D-Sub, DHMI, LAN, Bluetooth

- Thickness: 15-28mm

- Weight: 1.95kg

- OS: None

 

 Hope it helps. 

Permalink Reply by Darren QX Bean! on January 20, 2012 at 6:19pm

Regarding where to shop, with major purchases I recommend a chain store because if something goes wrong and you have to return it you're not trying to hunt down a single small "booth" owner but can exchange things easily in any town.   Has anybody here tried to return things at Yongsan?  What was it like?

Also I must say I'm a Macbook fan--OS operating language is easy to change at will (but someone else said Win 7 is easy as well) and if you need Windows you can install it via "Bootcamp"  That said, though, you would run into compatibility issues with some websites and documents.  (Microsoft pulled Hangeul support in Word a few versions back and also support for Mac Internet Explorer (which seems destined to remain Korea's default browser) a few years ago.)

Permalink Reply by Philipp Grunwald on January 21, 2012 at 1:29am

Oh yes! And definitely

(a) pay with (better your foreign) credit card, so that you'll always have a (digital) certificate of the purchase!

(b) keep the original invoice

(c) be sure to check if there is any guarantee card and for gods sake keep it!! 

My experience: Because I am currently still trying to get my money back or a replacement for a simple $35 headset which broke after one year. I bought it in a (in Korea) well-known brand/chain store within one of the most famous Korean department stores! Result: Because I threw away the guarantee card or left it in Germany (as I've never in my life needed to keep those for guarantee over there...), they initially said it is impossible and even now (after complaining), it still does not go over the shop but some strange, totally unknown 3rd party (the manufacturer / company of the product?!) which refuses to pick up the phone, while I (!) am responsible to call them as customers, because the stupid chain store says their employees are not responsible for handling this!! So instead of me being able to at least pick up a replacement (while the possible replacement items hang on the shop wall !!), I have to run after some murky company! WTF customer service?

Korea is still in the 20th century concerning replacement and warranty of goods bought in retail as far as I can see! And I still didn't return another broken thing... 

Permalink Reply by Darren QX Bean! on January 21, 2012 at 9:50am

Wow that is worse than I could imagine.   I bought my camera at Hi-Mart in one city and returned it for warranty service in another without a hitch.  I think it was serviced by a third party but they took care of everything for me, and quickly. 

Permalink Reply by Conor O'Reilly on January 21, 2012 at 2:03pm

Thanks for all the advice! 

I am gradually coming around to realising I'll probably have to pay a little more than I'd like, which is fine. I did have my eye on another Levono ideapad model that was very positively reviewed against the macbook, and that samsung model, 900x3a, also looks very good - it's twice the price outside of Korea from what I can find out.

Still, I worry about the OS language. If it's Windows 7 K it might not have a language change option - my home computer doesn't and thats its OS system :(

Permalink Reply by Carl Kwan on January 22, 2012 at 4:34pm

You're finally getting a new laptop!! :)

Windows 7 Korean can be changed to English. Windows 7 supports multiple languages no problem. From what I remember, you need to download the language pack from Microsoft and install it. I remember it being quite painless, but that was switching from English to Korean.

By far, Macs are the easiest in terms of language and they come with useful apps instead of all the crap you generally find on a Windows PC.

Depending on what you do, I'm assuming it's writing and you want to do it anywhere, I suggest you look into an iPad plus an external keyboard. 10 hours battery life, light weight, apps for everything and with the 3G models you've got wireless access everywhere. The iPad 2 3G model is 790,000. Probably another 100,000 for a keyboard/case combo.

If I didn't need to edit video, I'd go with the iPad option myself. And as you know, I love my 13" MacBook Air. But I can't use it on the subway, as it's too big when there are people sitting on either side of me.

Good luck! Always fun to be shopping for new toys!

Permalink Reply by Philipp Grunwald on January 22, 2012 at 7:32pm

Indeed switching the language is really painless. And even if you have problems:

Just ask here or PM one of us!! :)

For the iPad, I disagree. Slate tablets are horrible working tools! If you can get the same "horsepower" for 300.000 - 400.000 KRW in form of a netbook, why buy an iPad??

Samsung (and Sony) has several nice netbooks, I mean I say that even though I disregarded Netbooks earlier, but I have to admit Samsung does a good job and as Mr. O'Reilley wants to save money and has no big demands (as far as I can see), I'd rather go with a netbook or some other random Samsung laptop!

Permalink Reply by Carl Kwan on January 23, 2012 at 12:40am

Netbooks don't have the battery life of an iPad and the trackpads are pretty useless when compared to a touch interface like the iPad. The iPad gets 10 hours of battery life no matter what you do.

Also, the screens on netbooks are so small and uncomfortable to work on for an extended time. Not to mention the less than full-sized keyboards.

The iPad is so different from the slate tablets that run Windows or Android. I'd actually argue the iPad has more "horsepower" because the apps and technology are optimized for the device.

Plus, the iPad uses flash memory so there is the reliability, too. Netbooks run physical hard drives that are prone to failure. 

Have a look at this article about someone that switched from using a laptop to an iPad: http://technologizer.com/2011/12/05/how-the-ipad-2-became-my-favori...

I use a 13" MacBook Air because I have to edit video, so I need the larger hard drive, software and processing power. 

Permalink Reply by Philipp Grunwald on January 23, 2012 at 8:07am

Ok, that are actually good arguments!

But my opinion is, I couldn't or wouldn't want to do it!

Without a proper OS, everything is for the waste.

Even if you install the new ICS or Cyanogenmod 9.

And after all if you lack Wifi, it will all go on your 3G/4G bill!

Because you can say goodbye to LAN speeds forever! Thus I would only go for a 4G tablet, if at all, but giving up LAN (ok maybe you got a desktop at home) I find especially silly, considering we are in Korea.

And I am pretty sure that are netbooks out there that reach 10 hours.

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