Hey guys i am moving to the states at the end of the year and was wondering should i buy a laptop here in Oz or in the states cause i am gonna want to upgrade it. So will American Video cards, ram and stuff will work in an australian laptop?

Thanks

Jonathan

They are produced on a standard worldwide. Unless the specifications of the standard are different(btx vs atx, agp vs pcie...ect), it will work. Dell and some other companies have proprietary standards and not much can be done with aftermarket components in some of those computers, yet you still might be able to upgrade add-on cards such as video cards.

Ohh cause i was thinking more for the power needed for the components. since australia and america use different power wattage i was wondering if that was a factor

So does anyone know if the power voltage will make the component blow up or something?

Nah, that would be in your PSU. There's a switch on the back that allows you to change between the two standards. Some PSU's do it automatically so you don't have to worry about it.

He's buying a laptop, not a desktop. i don't know of many laptops that have the little red voltage switch.

Depends on how long you plan to be in the states. If a long time, then yes, pick up a laptop in the states. if not and only visiting, pick up a laptop from the land down under and buy a power plug adapter.

Anyways, most PSU's nowadays are switching PSU (meaning the power switches when it senses a different voltage.

OK, Thanks Guys

I'll just get one in the states
God Bless

Jonathan

For laptop, just make sure your AC adapter says something like "AC 100-240V 50/60Hz" and you are good to go.

For desktops, not sure how that switch on back handles frequency. I believe Australia uses 240V/50Hz. I would check with the manufacturer or get a local power supply on arrival.

You can also buy wall adapters for different countries for like $10-$20. I didn't know he was buying a laptop. Don't expect to upgrade your video card in a laptop. You can either buy a separate charger for Australia or just get a wall adapter.

Either way, you'd be better off getting a laptop in America because of the price.

Why cant i expect to upgrade the videocard in a laptop?

quote Damascus_Dude

Why cant i expect to upgrade the videocard in a laptop?

And there are a FEW that you can replace the one you have, and MAY, and I mean MAY have a chance of trying another one in its place, but...

The point is, get a laptop with the GPU you want in it from the beginning. If you don't game, it almost won't matter. What do you want to do with your laptop? If you plan on gaming, list the games.

Well Gaming is one of the things i am gonna be using it for.... And theyre high end games like PES 2009 (when it comes out) GTA IV, Guitar Heros... that kinda graphics power i'm gonna need, and i am also gonna do some Photo and video editing and designing so i am gonna need a good graphics card

What do you recommend?

and i can upgrade the ram at least cant i?

This message was edited by Damascus_Dude on Aug 24 2008.