New Notebook: Need your help/advice again (-_-'')

[chochajin]

Hello again

So after all your great comments to my last entry I gave up on Acer.
I'm also not really fond of Sony anymore, but I don't exclude it yet.

Another HUGE problem is that I don't like glare-type (= with mirror-effect) displays at all!!!! I HATE THEM!!!
Okay, I have to admit I never used one, but I don't want to!!!
I guess that it would be rather annoying to always have something reflect in your display (especially when you want to watch movies), and that it's almost impossible to use it outside, especially in bright sunshine (not that I do that very often, but still).
Now, 99% of all notebooks sold in Japan have only those glare-type displays!!! WHYYYY????!!!
Even on the European market they're quite common now, but most business models still have non-glare type displays!!!

Just for fun I browsed some German websites using filters with my criteria and what happened?!
Quite a FEW awesome notebooks popped up that I'd buy immediately!!! Most of them cheaper, but definitely not more expensive than the ones here in Japan!!!
One of them is a Fujitsu Lifebook: Fujitsu Lifebook A530 (it has everything I want, plus a NON-glare type display and it's quite cheap, too!!)

The design is quite nice as well!

None of those are available in Japan!! Never were!!!
Actually I was shocked when I saw that! All electronic applications I bought so far (digital camera, DSLR, optical mouse, iPod etc.) were the same here and back home!!! This is the first time that not only the model names are different, but whole series are different!!!!
While you have a huge variety overseas, Japan only offers a very small selection!!! I'm disappointed!!!!

I'd immediately buy that Fujitsu above if only I were in Germany right now!!!
That's the first time that I'm actually mad about being in Japan! XD *sigh* ....

Well, I already told you that a family member will come to visit me in August, so basically I could order it in Germany and the they could bring it to me :)
This way I'd have no trouble with the customs or high shipping costs. BUT they do not offer international warranty, so if anything happens I'm doomed!!!!! :/
Plus I'd have to wait until mid of August and I'm not sure if my old laptop will last that long (or if I'm going to throw it against a wall soon when it's freezing again -__-; ...)


I asked in Japanese forums for help (yay, I can communicate even about that in Japanese now!! [insert desperate laughter here]).
It seems that there really are almost NO non-glare displays available right now :(
Some people told me about the very few models that have.
This (Sony F series) for example, but with almost 2000$ that's waaaaaaaaaaaay to expensive!!!!


The ONLY acceptable solution I found so far is this: Lenovo ThinkPad L512

The good thing about it is: it has everything I need, a non-glare type display and I can even choose if I want an English or a Japanese keyboard!!!! This special customize option is only availalbe until June 24th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to hurry up and decide!!!!!
Here's a test report in German, and one in English. It seems to be quite ok. Any experience with Lenovo Thinkpads??? Do they last long?
BIG MINUS: The design is the most ugly I've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *pukes*

That's extremely ugly, right??????? -___-; *sigh*


Talking about design, this would be my dream notebook: NEC La Vie S

Problem(s): Glare-type display, way too expensive (over 1000$) and NEC doesn't exist as notebook brand in Germany (so if I ever go back and that laptop's broken, I'm REALLY DOOMED!)

This one is extremely cute , too, and my number 2 if we're talking about design: Fujitsu LH Series

I can't buy it, though. The hardware is not what I'm looking for (processor too weak) and the display is too small (14'').

I also fell in love with this HP ProBook for around 800€:

Test reports and reviews are extremely good and the design is really nice as well.
Problem? Not available in Japan (-_-) ... would have to order it in Germany!!!!


So, what are my options right now?
Order either the HP or Fujitsu Lifebook in Germany, wait until August and risk not having warranty at all! Positive about it would be I'd have a German OS and a German keyboard :)
Or alternatively order one in Japan, no warranty issues as I'll stay here for at least 9 more months, OS language can be switched, and keyboard might not really be an issue.
Then, the question is whether to get a non-glare type display (the only option here is the Lenovo Thinkpad with the uber-ugly design ;o; ...) or get one with a glare-type design and maybe buy one of those protective films for the display that apparently improve the mirror-effect a bit (experience with that?). For this option I'm considering this Fujitsu: FMV-BIBLO NF (<- I think that's actually a Lifebook, but the model names are completely different in Japan?!?)

Is also available in black (the design is by far not as cool as the German version, but not really super ugly either. Could live with that). A lot of you recommended Fujitsu, right? :)
96.800￥ (~860€) <- much more expensive than the German one!!!
EDIT: It is possible for some Lifebooks to choose between glare-type or non-glare type (+3000yen wtf!!) / See here. So I could get a custom made Lifebook, but have to pay around 120.000yen (x___X) *dizzy*

Or this Asus: ASUS K52F

Nice design. Have yet to find test reports about it, though....
74.500￥ (or 84.000￥with a slightly stonger processor..) (~662€)
The Fujitsu Lifebook would probably last longer, I guess, but it still hurts that I could get a better one so much cheaper in Germany ;o; .....

As for the glare-type displays. Of course there's the option to buy protective films, but I don't know how well they work. Looks quite good here. Anybody experience with that?? But they CAN get quite expensive!! (20$+)


PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR OPINION EVEN IF YOU DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT COMPUTERS AT ALL!!!
I'm completely at a loss here!!! I have no clue what to do

I use my notebook every single day, I work my notebooks hard, so I really need a good one that I'll be satisfied with!
I mainly use it for office works such as internet, e-mails, photoshopping, studying, managing photos etc., but also to listen to music (via earphones) and watching movies (just .avi-files no DVDs or Blu-Ray disks so far!).
Right now I use it as desktop replacement, so I don't need a strong battery and it doesn't need to be that light.
I'm used to the 15'' display I have and I think something in that size would be nice again. Now that I'm not using it as mobile notebook anymore, a little bit bigger display might be possible as well.

ANY SUGGESTIONS ARE HIGHLY WELCOME!!!

I'm sorry to bother you yet again (-__-'')
Please, let's get done with it, so I can move on, ya? *sigh*

P.S.: Why does looking for new electronic applications suck out all my strength always and makes me feel like crap?
P.P.S.: Finally started planning my trip in summer, nothing set yet, but on my list are Nagoya, Gifu, Inuyama and Ise so far (not sure if I can go to all those places, so, and am not yet finished planning, halfway through at best!)
P.P.P.S.: Germany AND Japan both lost their last games. Maybe I should stop watching their games, maybe then they can win again (I didn't watch their first game!! XD)

Thanks so much!
Much love friends!

Comments

[nicki-ez.livejournal.com]

Hi.
Firstly, do you go back to Germany every year? Or do you have people who you are close with who go back and forth to Germany every year from Japan?

If the answer is yes for either one, then I highly recommend that you buy your laptop in Germany.
I'm currently studying abroad myself and my laptop broke down once. A friend of mine who was going back to our country took my laptop back there and brought me the new laptop my parents bought for me. My laptop doesn't have international warranty too but thankfully, my current laptop hasn't been much of a b****. haha

If you're confident in the brand that you're buying, then I say that it's okay for you to take the risk of not having an international warranty.

OR

since you said that your laptop is a stand-in for a desktop, then I suggest you get the non-glare with the bad design. yes, it is not that nice-looking but i guess you'd get use to it. plus, you'd only be using it at home, yes?

i don't like glare-type laptops myself but i didn't have any other option when i got my laptop. i would have gotten a non-glare type if i could.

good luck with choosing which laptop to buy.

and nagoya is really nice. i realllllly love it. i wish i'd have the opportunity to go there again in the future.
have fun planning your summer trip! :)

[angelbott.livejournal.com]

I agree with you about ugly design laptop. xD When I saw it like eww. xD I know when I was young my dad had it so ugly and old. :P but he threw it away finally 'cause it's broken.

I love this pink notebook with Japanese Kanji words. xD It look really easy to me. xD I like your dream design. And I don't know about glare-type what's it mean? o.o;; sorry.
Well in my opinion That's nice for your family get it for you in Aug. :]

[prismatic-star.livejournal.com]

Hey,

I've used the Lenovo Thinkpad. My university uses it so it must be quite durable since there's like thousands of students using it everyday. It's ugly yes, but boy it's really good.

[midnightbanshee.livejournal.com]

ThinkPads last forever and ever and ever and ever and you could drop it on the floor AND IT'D STILL LIVE ON. Just that they're ugly imho lol.

My heart doki doki at the NEC one. It's so cute!

*cough*

I would go with the Fujitsu you linked up there, and then buy a protective display to make it non-glare (which is what I did for my current Fujitsu). But my second choice would be to go for the ThinkPad because it is indestructible hahaha.

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

*lol* That sounds great!!!!! Maybe that's why they're so ugly? XD
I don't wanna heart ThinkPads feelings, but UGH!!! (>_>'') ...
Can I mix the NEC one with the ThinkPad?? That'd be awesome (*___*)v
Or can some other maker (some maker that's availabe overseas, too) quickly produce another pink or lightblue one for me?!!! (*__*) *puppy eyes*

Well, the glare Fujitsu and ugly non-glare Thinkpad are ALMOST the same pricewise.
Like I said there's also the option ot go cray and get a custom made Fujitsu, non-glare and all, but that would cost me a looooooot more (>_>'') ............
Of course you have that custom-made option with other makers, too (Jesus, I researched A LOT today ... *exhausted* - but most others will get waaaaaaaaay too expensive then x__X ...)
Well the good thing is that limits things down a bit, ne? ^-^;;

Thanks for your comment!!! <333

Meanwhile I dream of the lightblue NEC one (*_*)b

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Sounds really good! If only it was not so ugly!!!
Can I mix the lightblue NEC and the ugly ThinkPad please??!! (*_*)
... XDDDD
Thanks for your comment! :D

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

It's really ugly, yeah?! So if I have to work with such an ugly notebook every day how will I feel?
It would feel like heaven to work with the lightblue one, I guess (*_*)

glare-type means the display has a mirror-effect. It reflects everything around it. You can see your face in the display, light from windows, sunshine .. which is why it's annoying! sometimes you can't see things on your display not properly anymore x___x *sigh*
thanks ^-^

[ame-no-uta.livejournal.com]

Also ich hab nen Fujitsu Amilo und bin sehr zufrieden, also muss jetzt nicht unbedingt der Amilo sein, aber generell ist Fujitsu ne gute Wahl, find ich (^^)

Was laptops angeht hab ich ja festgestellt... je besser desto hässlicher D:
Will auch nen süßen pinken laptop (>o<)

Aber ansonsten, ich würd nicht so aufs Design achten, wenn dir Leistung wichtig ist. Ist ja nur ein Laptop kein... Handy xD

Ich wusste gar nicht, dass es Bildschirme gibt die nicht spiegeln... oder ich hab mir noch nie gedanken drüber gemacht?
An sich find ichs auch nicht sooo schlimm, kommt drauf an wie sehr sie eben spiegeln...

Und wegerm Zoll, wenn dir jemand den Laptop mitbringt kanns sein, dass du den trotzdem verzollen muss, wenn er neu ist... ich hab weger meinem extra gefragt und die ham mich gefragt wie alt er ist und ich meinte 2 Jahre, drum wars Ok, aber bei neuen muss man aufpassen...

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

No, I've been back to Germany only once so far. It's just too freaking expensive (1400$+++) to get back home. Same vice versa. That's the first time a family member is coming over!
I think it's better to get a Japanese notebook after all, huh? x_X

But ... it's REALLY ugly!!!! I might really puke and then it's broken before I get to use it O_O ... *lol* XD ... I don't care too much about the design but it's sooo ugly!! XD
Apart from that everything else is exactly how I want it to be (x_X)
Guess I have to make a pro/con list with my options after all x_x ....

do you use a protective film on your display?
what brand of notebook are you using now? :)

Thanks so much for your comment ^-^
And I've never been in Nagoya before, so I'm looking forward to it ^-^

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Ich tendier auch stark zu dem Fujitsu, aber de Lenovo hat auch alles was ich will .. ist halt nur hässlich ...

benutzt du einen Film auf dem Display? Das soll ja angeblich etwas entspiegeln.
Naja, als ich meinen 1. Laptop damals (2005) gekauft habe, gab's noch mehr matte als spiegelnde Displays, von daher .. ^-^;; ... und ich liebe matt und hasse spiegelnd ... ich würd auch lieber wieder 15'' statt die krummen 15.4'' oder 15.6'' haben, die's ja jetzt gibt :/
Naja ....

Alle Hersteller sollten ab jetzt jedes Modell auch in pink und hellblau herstellen! *Schild kritzel* XD

Das ist schon klar! :) Aber die Wahrscheinlichkeit ist geringer. Und jetzt wo ich weiß, dass es die Modelle ja nicht mal in Japan gibt, wird es für die japanischen Zollbeamten auch etwas schwerer festzustellen, ob das Ding neu ist oder nicht ;)

Aber momentan bin ich doch eher auf dem Tripp, das Ding jetzt doch in Japan zu kaufen :)

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Oh, I forgot to ask. It seems to be difficult to find fitting films for specific displays/brands.
How did you get yours?

[midnightbanshee.livejournal.com]

LOL seriously, I always wonder why ThinkPad can't just get some better designers....with the quality and affordable pricing, they could kill off their competitors if their stuff would just LOOK CUTER. XDDD;;;

Oh, HK has some computer malls selling computer accessories....that's how I get my matte film. Usually they're just based on size, so all I just needed was a size 16 inch matte film.....the shop assistants even stick it on for you if you have your computer with you. ^^v

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Well, if I can't find it at all in Japan (aka I'm too stupid) THAT'S something I can order in Germany and get sent here without any problems XDDDD
Or I just go to an electronic store and ask XD

Yah, really! What's wrong with them?
Maybe only old men work as designers for them! XDDD

[midnightbanshee.livejournal.com]

I guess you can go into one of those huge electronics stores to ask? I think I've seen them at Tokyu Hands before.....

[shiinait.livejournal.com]

At this stage, maybe is better if you buy a glare-type pc.
And then the protective film for the display...

The pink pc is so cuuuuuuuute!

[nicki-ez.livejournal.com]

I don't use a protective film on my laptop but I'm considering using it.
I'm using a Dell Inspiron 1420. It's not a great laptop, it shuts down when it gets too hot. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but then, I don't know what other laptop is better. :P
and you're welcome. :)

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

I just cancelled the Epson from my list although it was my favorite, but Epson notebooks don't exist in Germany, so once I go back I'd bee doomed.

Now it's basically between the Fujitsu and the Lenovo.
And I fear it'll be the ugly Lenovo in the end unless I find a better solution.

I can't bring myself to buy a glossy-type display :/
If it's not raining too much tomororw before work, I'll bike to the local electronic stores and have a look at the current models. Maybe that helps a bit :)

[meister-quitte.livejournal.com]

Ich kann es auch nicht verstehen, warum soviele Laptops immer diese spiegelnden Displays haben >.< In den Kuafhäusern sieht das immer gut aus, weil das Licht immer nur aus einer Richtung kommt, aber ich hasse auch Fingerabdrücke oder sonstige Spuren die IMMER sichtbar auf solchen Oberflächen sind... Wegen des spiegelnden Displays, es gibt Folien dafür.. aber ich habe kein Händchen für das richtige auftragen ohne Blasen usw. Das Folien-Kleben reicht schon beim Nintendo DS ^^;

Schon mal daran gedacht, einen "richtigen" PC zu nutzen? Also einen festen und keinen Laptop, wenn du ihn eh nicht "mobil" nutzt. Die Tower sind mittlerweile ziemlich klein geworden (und leistugnsstarker als ein Laptop) Laptop und Photoshop gehen nicht wirklich gut miteinander -denk ich ^^ Hier sowas meine ich
Klick Und jetzt nicht auf den Preis schauen, es geht hier nur um die Größe und Leistung.. viellecith gibt es das ja auch in Japan.. kleine Haushalte = kleine Rechner XD

[kevinsensei.livejournal.com]

I like that Asus you had at the end there. My NetBook is an Asus, and I love it. (^__^)

(edit for correct model. ^^;)

[leviosa8.livejournal.com]

I am not very up to date with laptops, and I use computers for the same purposes you do. I pruchased a SONY Vaio in one of the main electronic stores in our city there ^__- and it costed about 135.000 yens, perhaps? It's still working alright after all these years.

Even if you don't want to travel with it, I'd still try to go for lightness rather than a bigger screen. You'll have to travel with it sooner or later, and it'll be a biatch if it is too heavy or too big to fit it in a backpack. I had to choose between a heavier but better sound and screen for movies, and the VAIO: lighter and widescreen.

You can get good laptops in Spain for 300-500 Euros. Maybe not as last generation as those you can find in Japan, but... The International Warranty is something to consider, of course.

Considering options for purchases is so exhausting!!! Perhaps that's why I just went to what looked better and cheap and nice and was recommended. I am not very demanding re: computers.

Good luck!!

[nighstar.livejournal.com]

.....i was about to say that the screen on my Sony is great and i can see it from all kinds of angles with no reflection, but then you said "except the F Series".... mine's an FW.

also, when i ordered my Sony online, i had the option of getting an English Keyboard (although i don't really see the point, unless you just dont like hiragana on your keys).

anyway, i would put price aside and get what you most want, whether it be the Asus or the Fujitsu. it is a long term investment. make sure that in the end you are happy with whatever decision you make. the warranty thing for the German computer is an issue if you really think you'll be in Japan for a while to come.... my Sony's warranty wont cover my laptop outside of Japan (booo), so i'm just going to have to try to take reeeaalllly good care of my comp and hope nothing beyond my control goes wrong....

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

I think I remember that when I checked it it said that my Toshiba had international service (or warranty) in all countries, BUT Japan!
And I think I know why. The export models and the models available in Japan are just too different. You won't get any replacements for any parts if they just don't have those models at all in Japan and vice versa. ..... makes me kind of scared. Am not sure if that's really true, though.

The thing is that so far I didn't find any laptop I'd be happy with ... I think.
Maybe I just should wait a few more weeks?! ... *sigh* :/

I'll try to go to an electronic store ASAP and have a look at some current models - maybe that helps, too :)

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Und in Japan ist das mit den glänzenden Displays noch viel schlimmer! ;o;
Da haben selbst die Business-Laptops einen Glanzbildschirm. Ist ja auch erwiesenermaßen für die Augen bei längerem Arbeiten anstrengender .... *seufz*

Darüber hab ich natürlich schon nachgedacht. Allerdings hab ich mal die Desktops gecheckt, die meine Ansprüche an Hardware erfüllen UND ZUSÄTZLICHEM Bildschirm und das wird insgesamt dann sogar noch teurer -_- ... zudem muss ich das ja auch alles irgendwie nach Deutschland zurückschleppen, da sind Notebooks schon besser....

ARGH!
Vielleicht wart ich doch noch ein Weilchen ab bis mein Toshiba komplett verreckt oder ich ihn gegen die Wand schmeiß ^^;; ....
Ich lüb meinen Toshiba ja ... er ist nur schon seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehr alt XD

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Thanks a lot for your coment :)

Actually I'm a little bit worried about compability anyways.
Most models are only available in Japan and nowhere else and vice versa and I remember that my Toshiba warranty said something about international service worldwide, excluding Japan!!!!!!! And that makes sense. If they have completely different models, then getting any replacements might be very difficult-impossible ..... Do you know anything about this?

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)
Asus is not my number 1 right now, but right now I'm lost anyways, so .. yeah.
Trying to visit an electronic store ASAP (difficult during rainy season and without a car) and maybe that helps to decide :)

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

130.000yen-ish is what I probably HAVE to pay for a non-glare type display model here anyways. I think I'll have no other choice :/
Still not sure what to do because so far I haven't found any model that would be good enough for that much money ... Maybe I should wait some time longer.
It's not that my Toshiba is dead yet :)

It IS exhausting. Especially when you're supposed to plan a trip at the same time and you're already too late with booking the hotels and everything -_-
I want a break from all that, please?! x___X

Trying to get to a local electronic store ASAP (difficult during rainy season with only a bike ;P) and see if that helps a bit :D

Thanks for your comment! <333

[nighstar.livejournal.com]

regional crap is a bitch and Japan sits on the thrown of regional crap.

yeah, you should take your time deciding. try to not let a sale rush you into a purchase unless it's a purchase that you're confident in making. playing with computers in stores is FUN! go to as many stores as you can, play with as many computers as you can (even those outside of your price range), and have fun while narrowing down your choices into a final decision. :]

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

There are only 2 stores here anyways XD Inaka! XD
But yeah, I will!
Not sure if it'll help me decide, though.
It didn't really help when I was looking for my DSLR XD

[nighstar.livejournal.com]

aww.... well atleast you know more already about laptops than DSLRs, right? :]

goodluck! i hope the 2 stores there have decent selections.

[fireflyeness.livejournal.com]

If it was me, I'd buy one of the last two- either the FMV-BIBLO NF or the ASUS K52F, because they were close to my budget, easy to purchase (as far as convenience), and not hideous.

However, I'm just a college student who would want a new computer ASAP, with as little hassle as possible.

Good Luck!

[amvn.livejournal.com]

Well, warranty is really important IMO when buying a new computer, so there I would buy a Japanese one. Glare screens are really annoying, and I agree the Thinkpad is not the best looking laptop I've ever seen (looks like one of our old IBM laptops - great computer, hideous design!)
I guess I'd go for one with a glare screen, and then maybe invest in an anti-glare filter, even though it might be more expensive you'll end up satisfied and buying a new laptop is such a big deal I'd say it's worth the investment ;)

Ise is such a pretty place! I picked up a travel brochure on Ise last year while at a Japanese travel fair in Singapore, and so I'll be going there when I'm in Kansai :)

[lunatic-shadow.livejournal.com]

Hiya!

This seems to be a really tough choice. It all comes down to if you stay in Japan long enough to wear this new computer out, then I would go with the Fujitsu one in blue =)

I myself have a Fujitsu computer (http://uk.ts.fujitsu.com/home/products/notebooks/amilo_pi_3560.html) an AMILO notebook. I love it to bits, I have had it for almost two years now and if it broke down, I would cry. It does have the glare-type (no one other type avalibe :,( but I like it anyways =)

So I recommend Fujitsu as a brand, they are reliable and their support (here in Sweden) is really good. Took a while for me to figure out some of the new buttons this one had comparing to my old Dell one. But now I love it even more ;P

I know you'll make the right decision in the end =)

Big hugs!

[ladysevsnape.livejournal.com]

I have an Asus EEE pc (small netbook) but I've got friends who have the larger notebooks from Asus and everyone agrees that they're awesome. :D Mine is tiny so not what you're looking for (it fits in my purse it's so small) but the larger models are good as well. Mine, even though it's small, is amazingly fast and I've been using it for most of the year, typing term papers (5+ pages each) and it's not slowed down yet. That's just my 2 cents worth though! Good luck!