BootsnAll Travel Community

I am going to be moving to Japan to teach English for about 8 months or so. I’m not sure what to do about keeping in touch as cost efficiently as possible with internet and phone. Is it worth it to get a laptop? Also what is the best/ cheapest option for phone calls? Thanks!

I would look into skype

www.skype.com internet telephony (phone emulator) program

-computer to computer = free
-computer to cell phone/landline = charge...depends on your
location and your contacts location

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if you are going to buy a phone. Look for a world phone (quad band 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz)

* 850 MHz (U.S./Canada/Latin America/Brazil
* 900 MHz (Europe/Brazil/Asia (except Japan and S. Korea))
* 1800 MHz (Europe/Brazil)
* 1900 MHz (U.S./Canada/Latin America)

For japan you will need 3G

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_phone

Further information: UMTS frequency bands

UMTS / HSDPA / HSUPA devices operate in the UMTS frequency bands 800/850/1900/2100 or 850/1700/1900/2100 MHz:

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as for laptops....the prices of laptops have decreased significantly.
now the most standard equipped e-machine laptop can run you as little as $500 USD, to as much well the sky is the limit.

I would go to a store in your area (BEst BUy or something of the sorts) and utilize the actual hands on experience and customer support to find a machine with in your needs.

I have had my current laptop for 2.5 years now and have traveled with it....i like the portability. the question is the weight. Since most of your computing will be mostly at a home base, weight isnt a GREAT BIG consideration.

i would look for something like
-15.4" LCD XVGA screen, non glossy
-no less than 100gb hardrive
-no less than 1 GB Ram (flash memory)
-AMD or Intel Dual Centrino processors are great,
(1.8 GHz or 2 GHz processor speed)
-wifi equipped network card (wifi internet capable)
-touchpad
-at least 4 USB ports
-decent battery life (4 to 5 hour minimum, set at optimization)
-solid keyboard, not bouncy feel
-windows XP prof or home if possible. No Vista, still has bug issues

most of the options will fill these needs

quote:

Also what is the best/ cheapest option for phone calls?

Skype is probably the best way to go.

As far as cell phones. You are going to have your best luck buying one in Japan. If you buy one outside of Japan there is a good chance that either because of cost or compatibility issues you won't be using it in Japan. Japan is kind of a pain in the arse when it comes to getting yourself setup with a cell phone plan.