I am coming to Chiang Mai for several months starting in October. I think it is essential that I have a lap top computer while there. I am also hoping I can rent a place to live that offers wireless internet.
I am curious if I should bring a lap top from the U.S. or are they really inexpensive in Thailand and should I just buy it there?
If i was to bring a lap top from the U.S., I am wondering if the different electricity or electric outlets would be a problem. Please let me know what is best to do.
Reply to this Thailand won't specially be cheaper. But if you stop by Hong Kong, that's a bargain place. Just make sure you buy one with a truly international warranty.
These days, most good lap-top have an adaptor that is going from 110 to 240v, so no worries on that side. You may need different plugs depending of the countries you visit...
Wireless is all over the place in Thailand, so don't worry about that.
Reply to this You can purchase a laptop cheaper in the U.S. than in Thailand. Laptops are always on sale in the U.S. especially on the weekends! I would get one before I leave. Another problem with purchasing a laptop in Thailand and not staying there, is warranties! Your warranty may not be recognized after you get home. If you have lots of free programs on it they may be knock-offs and not supported by updates.
Check the plug end and read the info on it, usually it will say AC input 110-240V, 50-60HZ. If it does you will be okay. Thailand has outlets with bladed plugs like in the U.S. but they will be 240 unless there is a sign or plaque that says okay for 110V. Thailand also has pin plug outlets and outlets that you can plug a pin plug and a bladed plug into. The U.S. style bladed plug can be used with a cheap adapter. You can get the adapter in lots of places, even in some supermarkets where the hardware is sold, probably for around a buck.
Finding a cheap hotel or apartment with an internet connection if iffy! You might and you might not. The more you pay for your accommodation the more goodies you get. Lots and lots of cheap internet shops all over Thailand. I had no problem finding internet shops in Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Pattaya. Some McDonalds have free WIFI. Same for some other coffee shops. Some hotels have free WIFI in the hotel lobby but not the individual rooms.
If you only need a laptop for emails then leave it home and use an internet shop. If you want to save photos on it you may get by with an external portable hard drive. I use a password protected Flash Drive with (free) FireFox on it. (Notepad, Opera, ClamWin Anti Virus are also on it, all free downloads.) When I plug that Flash Drive into a computer in an internet shop I get the same home page and favorites that I have on my home computers. Same FireFox bookmarks, same layout - but it is all on a FD! A flash drive (and an external HD) will fit in your pocket or safety box - but a laptop won't fit in too many safety boxes! I have been traveling with that flash drive for years and really like using it overseas.
Good luck.
Reply to this I bring a 512 MB with me. It is a Memorex (traveldrive U3) brand with password protection. Even with all of these programs I still have half the memory left! When I am writing something using FF and need some info I use the Opera browser for reference, I can copy and paste from that to FF (Notepad too.) I use ClamWin Anti Virus to check the FD out every now and then so I don't take any virus bugs home with me and infect my own computer. Before I open that FD on my home computer I run another virus check with the Anti Virus program on my computer - lots of bugs in internet shops.
Have fun.
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