I want to switch!

[plasticparadox]

Ever since my girlfriend bought a 12" powerbook and I finally for the first time got to use OSX, I've been saving for my own. I grew up using Apple computers - first with the old IIe's, the going to Mac LCIIIs, Performas, and then I bought a Windows 95 computer. Currently I'm using Windows XP. My laptop is about 18 months old, and I've probably had to reinstall the OS about 6 or 7 times. On top of that, there are benefits to using a system that has a lower market share. Among them, immunity from most computer viruses, spyware, and Microsoft.

Now, I broke up with my girlfriend, so the need to get my own Mac is stronger than ever. The only problem is, I'm from Canada, and I live in Japan. If I buy from the Japan Store, everything will be in Japanese. I can switch the keyboard, and I won't need the instructions, and I know I can switch the OS language over (I love that), but I want to get the MS Office promo ($200) and I'm not sure how the other bundled programs will work in English.

Can someone inform me as to a good online merchant that ships English language 12" Powerbooks internationally? Or, can someone confirm if the Japanese Powerbook's bundled apps are multilingual?

TIA

[maradong]

1 welcome on the boards
2 :( @ girlfriend
3 happy to hear you want to buy an apple :D
what about apple.com to buy computers ?

[plasticparadox]

I use Apple.com frequently to... well... to gaze at my future Powerbook. It's like porn for me.

But, they don't ship overseas.

[Nermal]

It seems that all the apps that came with my iBook are multilingual (note that I have deleted some that I don't use). So it looks like you'll be able to pick up a Japanese PB and still have everything in English using the OS language switch you mentioned. However, Office doesn't seem to be multilingual :(

[Abstract]

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/salespolicies.html#U.S.%20Sales%20Only

Your Terra Soft link is great, but it says specifically that they only sell to people within the US.

I'm not in the same boat as Plasticparadox, but I figured that I can get an iBook for cheaper than it is in Canada if I purchase it through Terra Soft and have it delivered to Canada. Are you sure I can convince them to deliver outside the US?

Also, if I were to purchase Applecare through them as well, is the Applecare warranty only valid if I'm in the US, or is the Applecare warranty valid across the world? I only ask because I may move to Australia for an entire year, which is why I'll need to get a laptop. I wish to buy it while I'm still in Canada (in case there are any issues), but I want my Applecare to protect me while I'm overseas.

[plasticparadox]

I suppose I'll end up buying it from the Apple.co.jp store - I can always have someone in Canada buy Office v.X for me.

I don't see why Apple can't be more flexible on this issue.

Thanks for your input!

[Schiffi]

Yeah, if anyone has tracked one's order with FedEx one'd see that PowerBooks are shipped from Taiwan. In my case it went from Taiwan>Alaska>Taiwan>California>Tenn>Missouri

Why? I don't know.

[Abstract]

Firstly, why was the reply with the Terra Soft (http://http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/store/) link deleted?

Secondly, it says that you can get a quote from them for International orders, so I guess I was wrong. Its somewhat confusing since they say they follow Apple's sales rules, but aw well. Don't buy at the Japanese Apple site. Just buy it from the Terrasoft site. ;)

[Nermal]

I removed the Terra Soft link cause after re-reading the original post I saw he wanted the Office promo, which Terra Soft doesn't offer.

I bought my iBook from them 3 1/2 months ago and they definitely sold internationally back then, maybe they don't now? Haven't looked in a while.

[Nermal]

Originally posted by Abstract
Also, if I were to purchase Applecare through them as well, is the Applecare warranty only valid if I'm in the US, or is the Applecare warranty valid across the world? I only ask because I may move to Australia for an entire year, which is why I'll need to get a laptop. I wish to buy it while I'm still in Canada (in case there are any issues), but I want my Applecare to protect me while I'm overseas.

AFAIK the standard warranty on a desktop is valid only in the country of purchase, but is valid worldwide on a laptop. I believe AppleCare is valid everywhere. I'm not certain though, can someone confirm this?