Strange laptop question

[Woland]

I want to buy a lqptop for a friend in Russia. What might be a good laptop considering 1) It will be used in Russia 2) it can't cost an arm and a leg? I believe powe in Russia is 220. She said she might like a CD RW. I have never owned a laptop, so I don't even know if you can get one with a CD RW. Any other issues?

 

[WB_Rowdy_Yeats]

First, I hope you know this person very well. That is the big issue.

Microsoft's Windows XP Home operating system is English only. Windows XP Pro can be changed to Russian as well as perhaps a dozen other major languages. I assume that XP Home will be used and the user speaks English well. If XP Pro is used on a laptop with an Enlish language keyboard, you will need a separate keyboard with the Russian alphabet. Easy to find in Russia. Of course, the US laptop will need a keyboard port.

Most desktops and probably all laptops can switch from 110/120 to 220v via a red thingy at the back of the computer. The appropriate plug/cord should be easy to get in Russia. Dell does business in Russia. Here is their webpage for purchasing computers in Russia.
The Link
Here are some contacts for purchasing a computer in Russia from DellThe Link

If you want to just buy something refurbished or used here in the states and ship it over, I think that would be fine, but make sure that you photocopy and include purchase documents so there is no cost disagreement with customs. (Those Dell deals are unbelievable!) I think that the duty is less than 10%. Perhaps you could call Dell stateside and get them to build it and ship it from Moscow.

CDRW is readily available on a laptop, but it will put the price about $800 and up, refurbished, from Dell.

Since you can get a new Dell desktop with a CDRW for just over $350 w/o a monitor, I'd get that instead. It will hold up in the mail. 17" monitors are now $50-$100.

I am a low-tech person, so others may weigh in with better advice.

And this is Dell's factory outlet where you can get refurbished laptops:The Link And no, I do not work for Dell.

 

[idigTexas]

Most new laptops have a CD-RW as standard equipment and can handle the 220 current out of the box (there is usuall no current switch on laptops - the power brick autosenses the current and adjusts accordingly). The only thing you'll need is a plug converter.

When selecting a brand, I guess you may want to consider something that could be serviced in Russia if necessary. Check the service center locations of the brands you are considering. Dell may be your best option, as noted above.

 

[Woland]

I do know the girl well. My wife and I hosted her as an exchange student. She graduated last year from her institute (top of her class) and is now working for British American Tobacco, which would not be my choice, and strange for a girl who makes her father go out on the balcony in the middle of winter to smoke, but if you are offered a good paying job in Russia, you take it.

She already owns a desk top. The problem is that her new job sends her all over the place. For example, she is now in Moscow until September, but will return to Saratov after that. She is travelling a lot with this job, so comes the need for a lap top.

I will hand carry the computer into Russia this summer as a gift. She is thinking I can get one cheaper here, but I will check out those Dell sites. $800 for a computer with a CD RW is going to be out of her price range, so she will have to go without one I think (or maybe she is making that kind of money, I don't know and will have to ask).

That is all good solid info. Thanks

 

[dustin_c1]

Well, there are 2 issues that spring to mind:

1. Localization

Windows and MS office is localized. Everything sold here is in English. It might be a problem if she isn't fully fluent in English, or would rather a Russian computer. Laptops sold in the US have a keyboard layout designed for the US. There are ways to create documents in Russian from a US layout keyboard, but at the end of the day, it's still a qwerty keyboard, not a éöóêåí keyboard.

If she's ok with an english version of windows and a US keyboard layout it's not much of an issue (but she will have to configure her computer for Russian font support and such - it won't be autoconfigured).

If she would prefer a russian keyboard, buying a laptop in the US probably isn't a good idea.

2. Power

Power shouldn't be a big issue. If worse comes to worst, just buy a voltage converter. It will allow any 110 60hz device to be used with a 220/240 50hz outlet.

But that should be a second option, as you should look for an AC adapter that works with Russian electricity. If the adapter can handle 220 volts, a plug adapter like idigTexas suggests (small and cheap) is all you will need. However, if it can't handle 220 volts, you run the risk of a surge. Be certain you can use one before you get a plug adapter.

 

[WB_Rowdy_Yeats]

I travel to Russia quite often and would offer these observations:
1. Electronics in Russia are significantly more expensive than in the US, which is why your friend is interested in the laptop being purchased stateside.
2. Your friend has purchased a desktop, which means she could probably spring for a US laptop.
3. The Internet makes price differences readily available to users. Every Russian can convert rubles to dollars and back in his head.

It is logical for her to want a laptop picked up here.

 

[BrazilHorn]

Don't worry about the power, as long as she has a plug adaptor she will be fine. The AC Adaptors are geared for from 100-240v.

The keyboard will be the big hangup.