Where and how to buy an English laptop computer - Germany

hi - just wanted to know if any of you guys have had experience in buying a english laptop in germany - or at least the windows in english - any ideas of which stores i can go to - I have a specific laptop in mind. anyway -

Thanks
Tara

If you get a German laptop, the keyboard will also be German. You can switch the keyboard layout in Windows to behave like a US or UK keyboard, but it's harder to change the key labels. This is potentially a more permanent problem than German Windows, since that can just be reloaded if you have or buy another copy of Windows.

I don't know where to buy an English laptop, but perhaps others can suggest something. If not, you could always order one online from the UK, since you know the specific model you want.

If you are talking about a Mac, yes, but Windows XP doesn't normally have this choice. You can install English programs and set the input language to English, but the Windows interface will always be German if you installed the German version.

I think one of my former colleagues ordered one through Dell...he wanted a US keyboard and was able to get it through the German phone suppor I think...

Dell should be the guys to contact as they are actually based in Ireland (for the moment at least) so can easily build you an english language spec computer.
I agree that you may also be best to contact them by phone as doing something non normal is handiest if not the only way to do it.
Years back I ordered and paid for a dell compuer in sterling from the uk BUT wanted it delivered to southern ireland. The uk website didnt do deliveries to the republic, the republic site didnt take sterling, but one phone call with the callcentre sorted it all out!

Dell will supply English/UK specification (keyboard, software and documentation) systems in Europe, but not English/US systems. You are unlikey to get non-German spec (hardware OR software) systems in German stores, esepcially at domestic level, and you can only determine language on the higher end systems. It's straightforward to re-install English software on a German system, but clearly that does not sort keyboard issues. There is a major European PC rental house called Livingston in Darmstadt that re-sell ex-rental models (3-6 months old, typically) at bargain prices. They often re-sell UK and US spec systems which have been brought in for special clients. See here for details. You may have to contact them directly, however to see which models are available with non-German specs.

If its UK spec, let us know the laptop you want, and I'll see what we can do for you. We don't sell laptops as such, but have bought them in for clients. By the same token, software we do in English and German ( and other languages).

Try House of Notebooks at Landwehrstr. 35, Munich. I suppose they can order VAIO notebooks with English OS.

I got mine from DELL last year, delivered from Ireland, and had English keyboard and Win XP OS. You just had to do it over the phone. The best thing to do is to go online and pick what you want and then call them when you have the screen open in front of you and just list off all the stuff.

Order with Dell. You can get any software language and keyboard you'd like.

There are 2 computer stores down near Hbf. that can special order US/UK keyboarded laptops.
1. Bauers (Asus)
2. 3 doors down from them is a notebook store and they do, Sony and 1-2 other brands.

IMHO, Asus notebooks are better than Sony, and sofar havent had to recall defective batteries like everybody else.

My tuppence worth on this issue. Sounds like the crucial issue is getting Windows XP in English, not the keyboard.

When I first arrived with my UK keyboard it soon became a pain when occasionally needing the german keys (there are workarounds but they drive you bats). Typing English on a German keyboard is easy peasy - just the Y and Z swapped over. And to get the £ on mine is ALT163.

So you either go the Dell route, or I would say:

1. Buy the laptop you want, complete with local 2 year guarantee, german XP and german keyboard.

2. Wipe the hard drive.

3. Purchase an OEM version of Windows XP Professional Multilingual. Default language is English so that is pretty damn simple!

I did #3 and works beautifully. German keyboard - job done.

If you have a legit key for XP in German, you do not need to "Buy XP" again.. You only need to borrow an English XP CD, and use your German XP Key to install.
You can't upgrade (XP Home to Pro) you can only go to the same OS in a Diff. Lang. (XP Home German to XP Home English)

Just a note if you do call DELL you can haggle a bit on the price & if they won't give you any discount just say you will buy on line instead & they often relent as there are on commision. Also do a coupon search, there are several US sites for them & i'm sure there must be some UK & IE ones too.

Whatever you get, make sure to have the battery checked/replaced if it's from Sony. Otherwise your new Laptop could turn into a Fireball.

- i do not mind a german keyboard at all. Unfortunatly i do not already own a german windows -
someone said it might not be possible to load an english version on a laptop.

anyone going to england soon? hehe - funny but it wold be an option.
heres a link to the comp I would like.

http://www.it-shop.t-systems.de/tsystems/t...rticleid=204934

thanks for all the help.

If you have a LapTop with German Windows and all the original installation CDs then it is as good as certain you can also load the English version (which you would need to borrow from a friend in the first place), so long as you know what you are doing. Better to do this at the outset on a new machine, before you even switch it on, as to do it later may mean (personal) data loss unless you are very careful.

YL6

I bought a Medion laptop here in Essen two years ago. I had a guy half the hard disc and bought an English XP Home edition on Ebay and installed it on the other half of the hard disk. The keyboard was no problem as you can choose the language format with XP Home.
Only thing I don't have is the pound sign, but this can be gotten around quite easily as someone else has just posted. Easier and faster to just say " quid ".

hi tara,

I have a dell laptop with an english OS and an english keyboard. Its quite new, i have bought it only a month and half before. Well i have recently started my job at a software company and they have given me a dell laptop. So i want to sell my dell laptop, are u interested. if u r just mail me at: anuragchukka@gmail.com.

bye, cheers anurag.

Would be nice to know what model, what specs. and how much you want for it first...

My local laptop place: http://www.notebook.de/ does quite a few different models and you can ordeer with different keyboards as I order for my customers around Europe from there (although most seem to want a US keyboard.)

If you have the German version pre installed you can't just switch languages. You will have to reinstall it as they said above.

If you have the International version, which i'm told is the English version with the international pack added, then you can switch between languages at will. Different users can set a different language for when they log on.

Hi Folks!

I was looking for a laptop with english keyboard.Found one good seller in Ratingen. The best thing is he exchanged the keyboard with US layout without any cost. He also provided XP Home edition english recovery CD at very reduced cost. However i didnt need to install Windows XP Home as I reinstalled all the application of German Windows XP with english version ( i.e. Internet explorer and Media player ). Cood be a good option if somebody is interested in ASUS or any other model. Website is www.lapxpress.com

Akash

I am looking to buy a new laptop with english software.
I bought my computer and the whole works with it from Dell as that was the easiest at the time for getting everything in English.
My German is not that bad but I am not too technically minded so would rather have the explanation in English.
I want a fast computer with a big memory. I read somewhere there is a good one from Sony. I don't want to go for Dell again I would rather have the choice of the open market but need everything in English but with a German keyboard.
Any suggestions?
Thanks you alll in advance!!!

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My Acer laptop came as an international version. When I first set it up I had to choose my country / language (but this is something you only get to choose the very first time you set it up) so maybe try to look for that. The only thing is I am not sure if they label laptops so you can tell one has an int'l version of Windows on it... maybe ask at a store. I bought mine at Kaufhof.

Do a search for "laptop". There are some very useful threads with information on recommended makes, where to buy, etc.

Thanks Kay, the 'laptop' search revealed lots to me. Still not sure though!!!

It might be worth skipping over the border to Holland - they usually have English language laptops, QWERTY etc..

Heres some info. for those in the Frankfurt Area..

I happened upon Laptop Computer on the Zeil on my last trip.
These guys specialize in all things laptop. They have many models in stock from 4-5 of the big makers
and can order anything they don't already have. This includes getting (or in some cases stocking)
Laptops with English Keyboards and OS. If they don't have it they can order it..

They also offer Vista to XP "Upgrades", and a full laptop support/repair dept. All in English.
They've been around for 20 or so odd years, so they must be doing something right..

Laptop Computer GmbH
Zeil 115, 1st floor (Next to Saturn)
RMV: Hauptwache
www.laptop-galerie.de

In Munich try Magic Devices They have all makes, internet prices and special and used offers.
Many of these have been "germanised" by them. As they come with US windows and keyboard. So call them and ask for an English version. The website lists the special offers.

get a mac from their online apple shop and you can order it with an international english keyboard
that also allows you to change your system's language to whichever language you prefer once it's installed.