electronics

[Dihult]

I will soon be relocating to SG and need a new computer and other electronic gadgets.

Is it better to wait and aquire these in Singapore or purchase them in the US.

I would imagine Singapore runs on the PAL system. I know the voltage is 220 but most electronics these days can be switched.

What about cell phones. Better to bring from here or purchase there.

Any and all advice on the following would be appreciated.

[doggmeister]

As the electronics hub of the Asia Pacific region( most electric products are either manufactured or distributed from here) yo';re most likely to find anything you need and with mosre features than you would in the US though the US does have it's fair share of good electronics products too. I only shipped across parts that I knew I would need..i.e hard disk from my old computer to obtain data from it..anything else you can buy very cheaply here..

For a price guide to hardware here check out www.hardwarezone.com  which gives you prices for computer goods and parts. Cell phones are the same everywhere..pay a small amount towards the phone and the rest over the contracted period to your service provider.

[Daniel A]

Your mobile phone in the US won't work here.

[Paul N]

Here are the stock answers to the majority of computer/electronics questions originating from North America.

CPU Power Supply:  Check the computer's case adjacent to the power cord.  There you will find marks listing the model and serial numbers, and acceptable power inputs.  If your unit accepts 110-240v, 50-60hz you are in luck.  You need to find the small red or black slider switch on the computer's power supply.  It may be necessary to remove a portion of the CPU case to get a clear look at the metal box which is the CPU's power supply.  You will find the switch to be marked with 110v.  Move the slider to the opposite pole, until 240v becomes visible.  The computer's CPU is now set to work on 220-240v 50-60hz power input.

Monitor Power Supply:  Same drill.  Find the marks listing acceptable power inputs.  If the monitor lists 110-240v 50-60hz, you probably will not have to do anything further.  I believe monitors actually run on 240v, and use a transformer when plugged into 110v.  When plugged into 240v, the transformer kicks off-line and the monitor powers up without any further adjustment by you.

Surge Protectors:  Leave your 110v surge protectors at home.  Even with a converter they will fry.  They do not like 50hz power.  You can by surge suppressors here for 220v 50hz power input.

Printer power supply:  I found it easiest to just buy a 220v power supply for my HP Deskjet.  HP has a site here with a very helpful tech support line and parts department.  They will deliver the power supply to your doorstep.  If you don't have an HP printer, check with your vendor.  You will probably find the power supply will not work with 50hz power.  I learned that after I burned a hole in the floor after plugging my North American power supply into a converter.

Internet access and faxing...all else is identical to doing it in North America.  Cable modem service is available.  56/mo for broadband access, and 46/mo for the cable modem.

Stereos bring 'em and buy a good transformer here.  

TV and VCR, leave at home, they won't work here, different tuner.

Look at your electronic device near where the power cord plugs in to the housing. Find the marks in the case or on a metallic plate which list model numbers, serial numbers, and acceptable voltages. Look to see if your unit will accept 50hz power input. (If your unit uses an in-line transformer in the cord, the information will be stamped on the transformer.) If it does not accept 50hz power input, then no, it will not work even with a transformer. The transformer knocks the voltage down to 110volt, but can do nothing about the frequency. The frequency affects the speed at which the electrical device functions. If you use 50hz power on an electric motor, the motor just turns a bit slower, no harm done. If you put 50hz power to an integrated circut, it smokes.  You may check with the manufacturer and see if they have a power supply which will work on 220v 50hz power.

If you need additional assistance drop me a note at pnewcomb@pacific.net.sg

[ciess]

Yeah, definitely get your phone here. Bandwidths are different, so US provider won't work here. Anyway, the phones here look a LOT better than the ones there ( and they aren't so heavy--I think the ones in the US were manufactured by like BOEING or something!  ) and are completely cheap enough--especially if you agree to a two year plan or so. Service providers here allow you to use your phone in most other regions in the world though as most of them (outside of Japan) use either 900 or 1800 BW. (US = 1900).
I've found, though, the selection of cmputers here is much smaller than in the US. I GUESS they're cheap enough, but nothing overly special as far as I've found. I guess because in the US you can buy a refurbished computer (harder to do here) or some other brand (besides, Toshiba, IBM and Acer) for less. (Of course there are more than three brands, but most of the computer shops have the same stuff and until you find out more places to go looking, you're pretty much limited to what they have.)
Of course after writing all that, I think a lot of it has to do with where you are coming from. If you live in a major city in the US, you may actually find stuff here pretty reasonable.

Also, Paul always seems good for information!

[Casper]

I'm surprised that people think that buying a mobile phone over here is cheep.  In the UK, an ericsson T28s is free and you only have to sign up for a 1 year plan on a cheep tariff.  over here, its over $300 when signing up for 2 years.  Is that the same around the world?  I'm intrigued

[Local]

go to Sim Lim Square for computers etc; shop around for prices
Better yet, bring a local to help you bargain

[ciess]

Casper, you have a point. Phones in the US sometimes come free when you sign up with a plan. However, other phones you do have to pay for. but regardless of whther or not you pay for the phone, the actual service plan, at least the ones I knew of an used in the US were a lot less user friendly. For US$20/month you got minimal minutes paid for. Emergency calling only plan was US$13/month. After the 30 or so free minutes you got, per minute harges weren't cheap making the phone more a device for emergencies and "important" contact rather than what they are often used for here!

Anyway, using the phone here won't break the bank...  

[Matt S]

Casper, the phones may well be 'free' in the U.K. but the cost of the calls are far more expensive, somewhat of a false economy don't you think? The only way your better off is if you bring your old UK phone to SG! As for bringing a phone from the US, don't bother as a)it won't work and b) the cell phones in the US look like the ones that were around in the early nineties and weigh more than a fat baby. One thing to bare in mind is that Ericsson and Motorola both sell Tri-band phones that will work in Asia, Europe AND the US, good for when visiting home etc..  

[This message has been edited by Matt S (edited 24-01-2001).]