German Laptops

hotdojumpin

Hello all. I'm justing looking for some advice on buying a laptop from www.amazon.de. This one to be more specific: (http://www.amazon.de/Lenovo-Notebook-Intel-Pentium-500GB/dp/B005I2BL1C/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1317510858&sr=1-2)

Can anybody foresee any compatibility issues arising from buying an American conceived, Chinese born and German raised laptop? Is it possible to change/set the default language of the BIOS and Windows 7? I can speak a little bit of German but I don't want to be spending the rest of my days translating and guessing my way around the laptop.

Can you think of anymore problems that might arise from buying a German machine? The keypad seems okay. What about connectivity and the wiring slots (USB, Ethernet, HMDI, etc)? Would there be any problems with ripping/burning/playing DVDs and CDs?

Also can anybody comment on the processor? How does it compare to an Intel Pentium Dual Core P610 or an i3?

Any input is welcome. I need to find a reasonably priced laptop (~EUR360) quite soon. And this is the best I could muster.

St. Leibowitz

The keyboard is different. Not majorly, but it is different. The Y and Z are transposed. There are extra A, O and U characters for the umlats. I wouldn't like to use a german keyboard all day, or switch between an "irish" one at work and a german one at home.

Actually, I just googled for a photo of a german keyboard to confirm the differences I remembered, and found this. http://eddieindeutschland.blogspot.com/2011/05/german-keyboards.html Might be worth a read for you.

hotdojumpin

Thanks for the reply. I think I could easily get used to a QWERTZ keyboard. But I'm not 100% sure that the above laptop has one, in the picture of the keyboard there is no umlaut keys, a strong "S" key, and the "Y" and "Z" are where they should be. But in the small print it says "mit deutschem Tastaturlayout" (with German keyboard layout). I might have to write to amazon to clarify this for me.

Hal Emmerich

hotdojumpin, with this budget you are really spoiling us.:p

You mustered well..........:pac:

Ok, I don't know for sure about compatability issues, I think it's just the Keyboard that may cause problems as mentioned above, looking around, this Acer is the best I can find with your budget, €373 delivered.

It has Dual Core P6200 which is same spec as your B940, GPU not as good as yours (fine for DVDs) but if you don't get definite answer on Compatability may be an option.

CPU comparison site (Use Ctrl + F)
GPU comparison site (Use Ctrl + F)

darragh o meara

Could you not buy the laptop and pick up a replacement qwerty keyboard on eBay ?

hotdojumpin

^ I'm not too worried about the keyboard. I study German in college and I have to do an Erasmus there next year. So a German keyboard might come in handy. It's the compatibility issues that are bothering me. Will I be able to change the default language of Windows 7?

Hal Emmerich wrote: »

hotdojumpin, with this budget you are really spoiling us.:p

You mustered well..........:pac:

Ok, I don't know for sure about compatability issues, I think it's just the Keyboard that may cause problems as mentioned above, looking around, this Acer is the best I can find with your budget, €373 delivered.

It has Dual Core P6200 which is same spec as your B940, GPU not as good as yours (fine for DVDs) but if you don't get definite answer on Compatability may be an option.

CPU comparison site (Use Ctrl + F)
GPU comparison site (Use Ctrl + F)

Thanks for the suggestion I will certainly consider it if I can't get a definite answer about compatibility. But my heart really is set on the lenovo for some reason.

hotdojumpin

hotdojumpin wrote: »

^ I'm not too worried about the keyboard. I study German in college and I have to do an Erasmus there next year. So a German keyboard might come in handy. It's the compatibility issues that are bothering me. Will I be able to change the default language of Windows 7?

Yes you can easily change the default language in Win7, you can switch back and forth between say ENG & GER with ease, regardless of the key layouts.

hotdojumpin

^ I did some research on this and it turns out you can only change your language with Win7 Ultimate or Enterprise, meaning I would have to buy an upgrade which I can't afford, MS strike again! :rolleyes: I might just forget about this wild dream of trying to find a decently spec'd machine for 360 and get a refurb or second hand laptop.

hotdojumpin

I'm just looking for some more advice now on a different laptop. Can anybody comment on the specs of this machine: (http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00509MFC2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF) and maybe compare it to the above Lenovo or Acer.

Also I'm planning on installing Ubuntu as the OS and then maybe wiping that and installing Windows at a later date when I have some extra cash to squander. Can anybody see any problems arising from doing this? I know Win7 requires a clean install and I'm not even sure what that means.

Thanks for all the help so far in this thread and thanks in advance for any further advice.

PS: How can I thank other posts?

Hal Emmerich

hotdojumpin wrote: »

I'm just looking for some more advice now on a different laptop. Can anybody comment on the specs of this machine: (http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00509MFC2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF) and maybe compare it to the above Lenovo or Acer.

Also I'm planning on installing Ubuntu as the OS and then maybe wiping that and installing Windows at a later date when I have some extra cash to squander. Can anybody see any problems arising from doing this? I know Win7 requires a clean install and I'm not even sure what that means.

Thanks for all the help so far in this thread and thanks in advance for any further advice.

PS: How can I thank other posts?

If your a student or know one you can get Windows cheap here on Software4Students.

Komplett sell "No Operating System" Laptops I think aswell, if I have time I'll check later.

I was thinking will you run in to "shi* Creek" with Drivers down the road but translated.....

Highlights

Target audience: your indispensable partner and access to mobile working
Specialties: 802.11b/g/n Conf-Cam, Intel HD graphics, gigabit LAN, WLAN, Bluetooth V2.1, spill-resistant keyboard with number pad, 4in1 card reader, Express Card, 3 x USB 2.0, HDMI, microphone
Software (preloaded): No Operating System
Warranty: 1 year Bring-In Service
Delivery: Notebook, battery, AC adapter

product features
Model: LifeBook A530
Operating System: No Operating System
CPU: Intel Pentium Processor P6200 (2.13GHz, 3MB cache)
RAM: 4 GB DDR3 1066MHz (2x 2GB)
Chipset: Intel Chipset HM55
Disk / drive / RAID: 500 GB SATA hard drive, 5400 r / min, 2.5-inch, DVD SuperMulti
TFT: 39.6 cm (15.6 "), LED backlight HD, 1366x768 glare with Conf-Cam
Interfaces: 3 x USB 2.0, VGA, HDMI, microphone, audio in, audio out, AC adapter 19 V / 80 W, Li-Ion Battery (6 cells)
Other features: Intel 802.11a/b/g/n HD graphics, gigabit LAN, WLAN, Bluetooth V2.1, spill-resistant keyboard with number pad, 1 x 4in1 Card Reader (SD / MS / MSPro / MMC), Express Card
Additional Software: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Nero 9 Essentials S, Norton Internet Security, CyberLink YouCam, Drivers & Utility DVD
Weight: 2.5 kg
Size: 378 x 252 mm x 35,7-38.4
Warranty: 1 year Bring-In Service

it comes with Driver DVD so you should be sound there. Looks fine at first glance.

You can't "Thank" untill you have 10 or 15 posts.

Hal Emmerich

You may not have to be a Student to use that site.....maybe someone can confirm.....e-mail them maybe.

hotdojumpin

The Windows available on Software4Students is upgrade only, I can't install it without having a preexisting form of Windows already installed on my computer. But thanks anyway.

I've taken the plunge with the Fujitsu. I'll just use Ubuntu for the time being and hope that everything runs smoothly, compatibility wise.

I will be sure to update the thread if I have any problems or need some help. Thanks again for all the help and advice.

Hal Emmerich

hotdojumpin wrote: »

The Windows available on Software4Students is upgrade only, I can't install it without having a preexisting form of Windows already installed on my computer. But thanks anyway.

I've taken the plunge with the Fujitsu. I'll just use Ubuntu for the time being and hope that everything runs smoothly, compatibility wise.

I will be sure to update the thread if I have any problems or need some help. Thanks again for all the help and advice.

slave1 wrote: »

You don't need any OS on the system already, just install and when it asks for the W7 key don't input anything, it will default as a trial version, then once loaded activate with your student W7 key and you'll have a fully operational death star W7 install

frozenfrozen wrote: »

**It will work as a fresh install**


Do a fresh install with the upgrade disk which will end up being a 30 day trial, but you can install again over that and it will be the full version.

.

These two posts look correct, found this site.

Ask in Windows Forum to be sure.

Wipe Linux at that Custom part as it needs to be installed after Windows or else Windows wipes the Linux bootloader (I think it's called) file.

hotdojumpin

^ thanks a million for that. You just saved me at least EUR100 and I will be sure to ask if it actually works on the Windows forum. Thanks again.