Computer compatibility - US vs UK
 

Good day,<BR><BR>Although not strictly a travel question - although there is travel involved, so it may qualify. Will be spending 4 years in Scotland and am just about to buy a new laptop computer. Silly questions is - other than for voltage compatibility that would need a convertor, are there any substantial differences in computers that would dictate that I purchase one in Scotland versus the US before leaving.<BR><BR>I spoke with Dell, who sells laptops in the US and the UK, but even when I go to the source, there is this inaudible shrugging of shoulders followed by an "I don't know".<BR><BR>Can anybody help.

PC software and hardware are pretty much an international standard, dominated by global companies.<BR><BR>I cannot imagine ANY differences of any consequence between US and UK machines. <BR><BR>Chances are, You probably will NOT need a voltage converter, either. The typical power supply "brick" is rated 110-220 volt, 50-60 Hz.<BR><BR>All you would need is a physical plug adapter, as US style plugs will not physically fit into european receptacles.<BR><BR>If you opt for a separate dial-up modem PCMIA card, make sure it is a variety that "world" compatible, it will have fewer hiccups in recognizing local dial tones, etc. If the PC has a built-in modem, chances are it is software configureable for any country. At most you will need a physical plug adapter, for US style phone plugs to mate with whatever the european phone receptacle is.<BR><BR>The electricity and modem physical adapters are found in most stores nowadays alongside other "travel accessories".

One major difference in buying laptop in Scotland verses US is in the price. You'll pay less in America, spec for spec. Most software is useable, perhaps with a change in language setting from American English to 'International' English (for British spelling in letters etc). Things like MS Money or Quicken are pretty country-specific, but only costs around &pound;25-30. There may be warranty problem with US-sourced hardware. Dell sold in UK has European-wide but not world-wide warranty support. Voltage and modem issues are as discussed in the previous post. Instead of using an adaptor, you can just get a lead with UK plug which plugs into your universal AC/DC box for a few pounds from computer shops. Modern internal or card modem has software support for global dial-up. Again you can buy UK-spec for &pound;20 or so. Telephone cable with UK RJ-11 plug is only &pound;2 or so. You can get a cheap laser printer like Samsung ML 1210 from just over &pound;100. Try www.dabs.com

You must keep the mouse on the left.

i brought over my laptop when i moved from the US to london. <BR><BR>all i need is the plug adapter and a phone socket adaptor when i use it. i think most laptops and pc's are dual voltage anyway.<BR><BR>other than those two little things (which i bought from a travel accessory place) it's perfectly fine.<BR><BR>we hve a dell desktop, when i asked about it working in the US i got the same reply. oh, well.<BR><BR>*:)

Don't buy a DVD drive - DVDs here won't work in it.

Keith - unless it's a mutli-region DVD. I bought one from TINY (mistake), the dvd is a bit gimmicky but you get 5 chances to watch non region-2 dvd'd before it blocks any other region dvd's other than the last type you had in. Silly, really. I ended up buying a multi-region standalone. <BR><BR>I'm doing the reverse - will the modem socket things in the back of my laptop accomodate US phone/ISDN cables?

A laptop from TINY, not a dvd player.

I compared prices on Dell laptops before moving to the UK. The UK prices were slightly higher, but really not that much more. Maybe 100-200 pounds, which surprised me. In the past computers in the US were always much cheaper, but looks like the UK is finally catching up there.<BR><BR>If you're going to be in Scotland for 4 years, I'd advising buying your laptop over there, as it will likely be obsolete by the time you come back to the US.