Hi, i want to buy a laptop in Taiwan, but can I get English Windows on it?
Thanks.
If you purchase a new laptop with Vista on it, during the first boot up you can select the language. I just got a new thinkpad last week 
[quote=“Connel”]If you purchase a new laptop with Vista on it, during the first boot up you can select the language. I just got a new thinkpad last week [/quote]Interesting, that. People need to make sure they get the right language, though–no going back if they get it wrong:
[quote=“http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/85e289ca-9fd8-4963-b06a-5ecc457006c71033.mspx?mfr=true”]Guide to Windows Vista Multilingual User Interface
…
Licensing requirements state that versions of the Windows Vista operating system can include only a single language, with the exception of the Windows Vista™ Ultimate and the Windows Vista™ Enterprise editions. For editions other than Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows will automatically remove all non-default languages from the computer after the end user completes the Windows Welcome.[/quote]
I suppose a complete re-install would work if you wanted to change the language, though. Do you still get OS disks when you buy a new computer these days?
Actually, on further reading, it seems that you can still change MOST of the interface to another language even if you don’t have Vista Ultimate/Enterprise:
Not sure why things have to be so complicated though. Surely it would have been easier just to make the full multi-user interface available for all versions.
get an apple
you can switch between languages at will
This is also true for Linux, plus your not tied to a corporation dictating how you use your computer.
[quote=“circleback”]This is also true for Linux, plus your not tied to a corporation dictating how you use your computer.[/quote]Instead you’re tied to a bunch of hippies dictating how to use your computer and their hatred of anything commercial.
[quote=“Joesax”]Not sure why things have to be so complicated though. Surely it would have been easier just to make the full multi-user interface available for all versions.[/quote]It would have been easier to have one version, but then they couldn’t make you pay extras for more features.
So, in conclusion, if i get a vista machine, then i can switch languages at my wish? Like full english cabability, as in complete english OS right?
Because that doesn’t work on XP, you can support different language displays on XP, but its still just Chinese OS.
my friend bought a laptop here and just asked them to install english XP instead of vista
For WinXP (and Win2000 I think) there is a Multi-Language Pack, but AFAIK this was only available with the business edition or something like that. You can then assign a different language to different users (dunno if there is a limit, but English and Chinese for example works on the same PC).
Nam can set you up with a laptop with any English software you need including the OS, and provides service in fluent English. See the Nationwide.com banner at the top of the Forumosa pages (the banners rotate) or PM me for his contact info if needed.
Wish I had know that when I bought my PC last year. However, I am getting an eeePC 9000 tomorrow, so hopefully the same will apply.
Does not appear to be possible to change Chinese to English, because neither of these appear in step 2 (Select your language).