Try looking on kakaku.com they have some decent laptops and stores that could ship to where you are. There are some very nice windows laptops that have come out recently. You could try the dell xps studio or there`s this new one the hp envy 14 that is awesome, but I don`t think it`s in japan yet.

So as there's been some netbook discussion going on, I wanted to ask, how long do they last? A netbook seems perfect for me in every way; the most demanding thing I do is watch movies, I want something portable, I don't play games, I don't have an iPhone or anything like that so I could use it for Anki pretty much everywhere, etc etc. The only thing stopping me is that I've heard you can't really count on them to last for more than a year or like, two years tops. Is it only an issue if you use the netbook a LOT or if you buy a non-dependable brand? I was planning on getting an Asus, since I've heard (especially in this thread, heh) that they make quality stuff.

Edit: Thanks for the answer, caivano! I've decided to get me an asus netbook after all.

I have an ASUS eeepc 4G, one of the original ones, that I have had for over 2 years and it has lasted amazingly well. I've carried it around with me in my bag 4/5 days a week the whole time with no case and it's still in really good condition. I honestly didn't expect it to last this long given that it was being used and carried around so much. Only thing that has gone is the battery with only lasts about 2 hours now.

I'm not sure how well built the newer ones are but would def go with eeepc again if I was gonna get another netbook.

nest0r Wrote:Just a followup to the capacitive stylus thing, I haven't tried it, but apparently it's real simple to make your own, you just need a pen/pencil/whatever, some aluminium foil, and some tape if you want. Plenty of videos showing how to make them in a few seconds, and here's on of many articles: http://artofjoe.blogspot.com/2009/09/diy...tylus.html

Apparently anything conductive and at least 1/4" will work, plus ideally you want the end smooth to avoid scratches. I'll test out the tin foil version tomorrow.

I don't have a 'bic' pen, ha.

Well, I can now verify that the Targus capacitive stylus, which is the same as the Boxwave and Griffin styli, does not work for my laptop's touchpad (Asus G73JH). I had limited success with the above DIY version, though. I guess I'll just use my iDevice as a tablet for that sort of thing. Or I can start doing reviews with my netvertible, hmm...

I don't understand. Are you getting both an iPad and a HP-something?

astendra Wrote:I don't understand. Are you getting both an iPad and a HP-something?

I procured both a handheld/pocket and netvertible. One is a glorified notepad, the other is a glorified notebook. ;p

I know Im really bad at picking suitable threads but its late and Im lazy. Anyways, Im going back home to Canada next month and I want to bring back this hot plate appliance thingy with me. Now you may ask why I would want to bring back a hot plate with me all the way to Canada, but this isnt just any hot plate. It comes with 4 different surfaces. A flat plate for yaki soba and okonomiyaki, a grill plate for yakiniku, a takoyaki plate and a nabe pot. Seeing as how Im sure I cant find a similar thing in Canada and I really wanna have nabe parties this winter Im dead set on buying this. However the first time I spotted this thing at the department store they guy side I just needed to buy a quality adapter and I'll be good to go. But when I went to go buy it yesterday they young kid behind the counter warned me against bringing it back to Canada, although he looked like he was just trying to cover his bases to avoid liability. Anyways, the question remains, do you think an electric hot plate if used with an adapter will be ok in North America?

just check the voltages and current. It'll be written somewhere on the package. If the range is compatible with whatever is supplied at the powerpoint in your city in Canada, then you're good to go.

Even if it is outside of the range (hypothetically speaking) wouldn't an adapter compensate for this?

A transformer yes, an adaptor no. An adaptor just changes the number/configuration of the pins.

Cool, thanks for the help. Just did a little research and found out Japan, North America and some parts of northern South America use a voltage between 100 and 127 V. It looks like it might work out. Fingers crossed.

[Katsuo]

Japan is 100 volts
Canada is 120 volts

As the voltage is 20% higher, I would check the manufacturer's specifications before buying. Some appliances are designed to work with a range of voltages, but as this kind of product is aimed at the domestic market it may be 100 volts only.

If it is 100 volts only then you'll also need a (step-down) voltage transformer that will convert 120 to 100 volts. Note that you'll have to get a fairly big one – cookers use a lot of power, so the transformer would need to be able to handle that (check the cooker's power rating in watts and make sure the transformer is equal or higher). A suitable transformer will probably cost 10,000 ~ 20,000 yen and weigh 3~5 kilos.

Just the kind of advice I was looking for , thanks. Well i went today to check it out and from what I understand there's no range. 100 v is the limit. I also found out that the voltage in Toronto is 110 v. Suffice is to say I cant use it back home (without a transformer) even though its a 10 v difference?

[Katsuo]

Most sources I checked have the electricity supply in Canada as 120 volts, but a fair number of others state 110 volts. It's probably best to check it with a reliable source based in Toronto. (I believe the USA changed from 110 to 120 a few decades ago.)

It may be that the cooker will work fine as is, but I would try to confirm that directly with the manufacturer. If they say no, or if you are unable to contact them, then I'd get a transformer to be on the safe side.

On the page tokyostyle linked to above I'm guessing the VT 2000J (2,000 watts max) would be the best bet. What is the wattage of the appliance you are interested in?

Well Im not sure about the specifics on the hot plate but take my rice cooker for example.

100v
50/60 Hz
280W

How do I work out if its safe to use based on this information?

[Katsuo]

The first thing to check is the 100 volts. Look at the user manual and see if it is rated at 100 volts only, or if it will work at a range of values. If you don't have the user manual then Google the model number and check its specifications, ideally on the maker's own site.

If it turns out it can only use 100 volts then you'd need a transformer. The appliance is rated at 280W, so referring to the linked page of transformers the 500W would probably do (but choose the 1,000W one if you really want to be on the safe side).

The frequency rating isn't important for most things, and anyway the specification says this rice cooker can be used with both 50 and 60 Hz, so no problems there.

Some devices rated at 100V will probably work ok on a 120V supply, but it would be taking a risk. Possible consequences include blown fuses, damage, overheating, fire and shortened product life, so it's best to check with the manufacturer and/or use a transformer.

@Katsuo Your comment "A suitable transformer will probably cost 10,000 ~ 20,000 yen and weigh 3~5 kilos." Did you add an extra zero in there? Looking at this site it says they're only $20-$25. If so then it makes my decision a lot easier.

[Katsuo]

I'm presuming that the appliance you want will have a power consumption of 1,000 ~ 1,500 watts, i.e. several times higher than your rice cooker. That means the transformer will need a large capacity and therefore be heavy and expensive.

Ok I got you now. Thanks.

@dusmar84
Looking on amazon.co.jp hotplates seem to use 1300W so I assume yours will use about the same amount.

Yeah I just checked it on on the yodobashi website, all of them are pretty much 1300w. Not worth it enough to me to buy one of those transformers. Well thanks anyway everyone

If you mainly want to have nabe parties can't you buy the nabe pot and get a portable stove to put on the table?