Hi all!!
I’m in need of some urgent help with buying a laptop in Taipei. As I don’t plan to buy Windows 7 Ultimate, I want something that comes with an English script only keyboard and an English OS (Windows 7). Also the less region-specific setting (i.e. in Chinese), the better. For the keyboard, I’ve learned that as long as this part of a specific model can be ordered from overseas ( sooner or later), it shouldn’t be a problem getting the keyboard changed with an extra cost. Asus can also change the keyboard either free of charge or at very little cost.
I’m more concerned with the OS and the preinstalled packaged softwares. I know that most laptops now come with either a bi or multi language option in Windows 7 allowing for switching to English during the first boot, but then some pre-installed softwares and ‘stuff’ may still be in Chinese, according to the dealers from Guang hua market and Nova. The problem is that they aren’t able to tell me what and how much will still remain in Chinese. Surely I’d prefer keeping the useful programs but in English! Calling the manufacturer customer service is of no help either.
So far, I’m looking at HP and Lenovo Ideapad, 11-12 inch laptops, with Asus as my last choice. Has any of you already bought one from these three manufacturers here and were you able to switch Windows 7 to English with very little to no trace of Chinese?
[quote=“Dragonbones”]Nam should be able to set you up with a laptop with the English-only software. Dunno about the keyboard. info@nationwide.com.tw
Tel: 092 676 3664[/quote]
Thanks for this. But at this stage i would be more keen in knowing others’ experience with switching windows to English (i.e. what still remains in chinese and how much).
As for the pre-installed softwares, I can always uninstall them or look for alternatives. But when the dealers told me that some ‘stuff’ will still be in Chinese after the switching, I suspect it’s the pre-installed softwares PLUS some internal settings that one cannot operate without - this would be more problematic if I had to stick to it everyday. Any clarification on this would be much appreciated.
Here is my personal experience…although I’m pretty sure that there are going to be people who won’t believe me. It’s really YMMV when it comes to reinstalls. I think it worked in my case because I was going from x86 to x64 and somehow activation by phone allowed it to go through.
Bought an Asus 1215N netbook from 燦坤 (it’s the chain store with yellow & black signage). Came with 32-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium Traditional Chinese.
Use Microsoft’s USB tool to turn a 4GB USB flash drive to make a bootable Windows 7 installer USB flash drive.
Used the USB to delete all partitions and format the stock hard drive to install the English version of Windows 7 Home Premium x64.
Entered the product key at the bottom of the netbook when prompted and continued with installation. When asked about wireless networks and whether to keep system automatically updated, I chose NO and made sure that setup did not automatically try to activate Windows over the internet.
Booted into Windows 7 and installed all the drivers downloaded from Asus USA support website. At this stage, all the drivers were in English because Windows 7 is in English. I also made sure that I used all Asus stock drivers and made no hardware changes to the netbook before activation to ensure that it would be recognized.
Tried to Activate Windows over the internet, and this step WILL FAIL. After getting the activation failed screen, I went ahead and chose to activate by phone. When prompted, choose US to get the number for NA phone activation center.
Called the NA branch of Microsoft activation center at the number provided in step 7 to manually activated product and it worked just fine. Be sure to use 009 calling instead of 002 because it’s cheaper by the minute.
I don’t suppose that I’ll win any kudos for saying this, but you could just download and install Ubuntu Linux for free, along with any of the 20,000 or so applications you might need. All in English, but other languages (including Chinese) can be added even after installation. If you’ve got two (or more) people using the same computer, you can create a login for one English-language user, another login name for the Chinese-speaking user, and you’ll be given the appropriate language interface. Even when logged in the English-language interface, you can still type in Chinese if you install the additional language support and input methods. I think that Windows7-Ultimate has that feature too, but I’ve never had a chance to test-drive it.
As for the (hardware) keyboard, I’ve never seen a problem using the Chinese keyboards with English-only software. I think that applies for Windows and Mac OSX, as well as Linux.
The only thing I can think of that’s encoded in hardware is the BIOS. Most people never mess with it, but every one I’ve seen so far in Taiwan has been in English. If someone has encountered a Chinese BIOS, I’d be interested to hear about that.
Good luck with the new computer, whichever one you buy.
I was planning to buy one from Guanghua too. Did your computers come with English ONLY windows or did you manage to switch the language from the first boot?
I was planning to buy one from Guanghua too. Did your computers come with English ONLY windows or did you manage to switch the language from the first boot?[/quote]
The shops install English Windows.
I was planning to buy one from Guanghua too. Did your computers come with English ONLY windows or did you manage to switch the language from the first boot?[/quote]
The shops install English Windows.[/quote]
I just bought an Acer notebook at Guanghua market (Zhongxiao XinSheng Exit 1). I brought it home and fired it up. As soon as it booted, I was given the option of having Windows Home Premium in English or Mandarin 中文. So, I picked English and sure enough, the OS was in English. Granted, the keyboard has both English and bopomofo characters on it, but that’s no big deal. If you aren’t so picky about the English-only script, Acer seems to be a good choice for letting you choose your OS in either English or Chinese. You won’t have to waste money getting a copy of Windows in English.
I purchased a new Acer laptop about a month ago and asked them to set it up for me in English, which they did (Windows 7). Since then everything is in English, apart from the extra Chinese characters on the keyboard. I’ve been able to install Windows updates and other MS software without any problems. No complaints.
You may get issues such as Google defaulting to Chinese, but that has to do with your IP settings and can be easily fixed, and not whether your computer is set to English or not.
I’ve bought several computers during my time here, usually from the Nova complex at Taipei main Station… all were from the Acer store there and they’ve been able to install the English O/s for me within 30mins, free of charge. I’ve also bought one from one of the yellow 3C stores which had Chinese o/s and took it to the Acer service centre (at the time was in the basement of K-Mall but now is inside Nova) and they were able to change it to English o/s for about $500… no hassles
The big brand names offer a choice of Chinese or English, but the smaller brands usually don’t. It’s not guaranteed to the be the case for every model though, so make sure you check with the shop before you buy.
As for English keyboard, are we talking US or UK layout? As the keyboards on all notebooks in Taiwan as the same as US keyboards, just with the extra Chinese characters overlayed as well. You won’t find notebooks with other keyboard layouts here though, but it’s possible that some shops can get them on special order for more money.
Do note that notebooks aren’t really cheap in Taiwan and if you’re in/from the US, get one there if you can instead.
Vistalizator doesn’t work any more, if you use it with SP1 for Windows 7 you get an error message saying you’re using a pirated copy of Windows.
There’s also an update for Windows 7 that causes the same problem prior to SP1, so either your wife hasn’t updated her system properly, or that update hasn’t been installed.
[quote=“dou”]Hi all!!
I’m in need of some urgent help with buying a laptop in Taipei. As I don’t plan to buy Windows 7 Ultimate, I want something that comes with an English script only keyboard and an English OS (Windows 7). Also the less region-specific setting (i.e. in Chinese), the better. For the keyboard, I’ve learned that as long as this part of a specific model can be ordered from overseas ( sooner or later), it shouldn’t be a problem getting the keyboard changed with an extra cost. Asus can also change the keyboard either free of charge or at very little cost.
I’m more concerned with the OS and the preinstalled packaged softwares. I know that most laptops now come with either a bi or multi language option in Windows 7 allowing for switching to English during the first boot, but then some pre-installed softwares and ‘stuff’ may still be in Chinese, according to the dealers from Guang hua market and Nova. The problem is that they aren’t able to tell me what and how much will still remain in Chinese. Surely I’d prefer keeping the useful programs but in English! Calling the manufacturer customer service is of no help either.
So far, I’m looking at HP and Lenovo Ideapad, 11-12 inch laptops, with Asus as my last choice. Has any of you already bought one from these three manufacturers here and were you able to switch Windows 7 to English with very little to no trace of Chinese? [/quote]
Anywhere, really, especially Guanghua. When they install the OS, just ask for the English version.
If you bought a new one, your warranty will cover the change. 2 months ago, bought a 10000NT Acer netbook. Took it to the local Acer repair shop, signed a piece of paper, and 3 hours later…viola! English XP installed! The electronics building at Taipei Main Station, opposite ShingKong Mitsu (shopping center) has Acer’s, Assus,and possibly MSI’s repair center on the top floor. If your machine’s a lenovo, then you’ll have to go to Zhongshia dunwha. Sorry for the spelling errors, not sent from an iphone.
It’ll be good to do a little googling for your brand’s local repair center. OK,hope that helps.
