Using Japanese domestic only notebook in USA

[bookbinderbill]

I understand that if I were to purchase a notebook from Japan
the computer would contain Windows XP and a Japanese operating system
on top of it. Is this true? Would I have to purchase a US version
of Windows XP to use the computer? Any info and other suggestions
would be welcome. I really like the little 10 1/2 inch screen
notebooks and there are more choices there.

BH

[jabarnutcase]

Hi bookbinderbill....and Welcome!

Isn't this something you could ask the vendor? (Whether or not it will come with XP in Japanese).

Are you in (or traveling)to Japan? Or is this just a "great deal" you came across you can't resist?
I would certainly find out more from the seller before I forked out any hard earned cash.

At any rate, I believe you can download a language pack for English (or many other Languages for that matter)...Or maybe it's a Japanese language pack that gets downloaded to an English version?
And then there's the matter of activation.

Interesting question. Stand by for a while....There will be other replies from people who may be more familiar with this possible dilemma.

[bookbinderbill]

Actually I saw several neat laptops listed at a Japanese import site called Dynamism.com. Pricejapan.com also imports all kinds of electronics and at a discount they claim. Some of the laptops are lighter than anything in the US. The Fujitsu 3 and 1/2 pound
laptop in Japan has a DVD writer built in. The Fujitsu also has flash memory slots built in.
Nothing that I am aware of is available in the US that is that small and that can write DVDs.
I beleive one of Sony's Japanese laptops is under 2 pounds!

Since I have both Mac and PC my other option is getting a 12 inch
powerbook but I prefer the wide screen format and lighter weight of the 10 and 1/2 inch screen Fujitsu, Sony and Panasonic laptops. Ironically, the Apple Powerbook would cost less than the alternatives.

I check out some of the video info websites and I know that pricejapan.com is reliable. The big negitive is no warranty outside Japan on Japanese laptops.

BH

[malcore]

Originally posted by bookbinderbill
The Fujitsu 3 and 1/2 pound
laptop in Japan has a DVD writer built in. The Fujitsu also has flash memory slots built in.
Nothing that I am aware of is available in the US that is that small and that can write DVDs.

Have a look
here or here
3.8 pounds, 10.5" widescreen, dvd/cd writer, memory/flashcard slots, windows XP.
You can get fujitsu minis, Panasonic minis all in the US. The Fujitsu P5Ks are the US version of the Japanese T series. Although that black T70G is nice!!!

The systems from Japan would have the Japanese localized version of Windows. While you can install and use English programs on it, the OS GUI/menus/etc would be in Japanese and there is no way to change this to English.

Edit- actually, looking on the dynamism website the operating system is optional on those laptops. You could purchase your own XP English and install it yourself. Warranty is a concern though. Some cool stuff there. I love being in this part of the world, all the latest and greatest at your local stores.

Check out Kemplar too.