Travelling to Hong Kong with Thinkpad

[michael23]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has already been covered but I had a hard time locating any relevant topics using the search feature...

I'll be travelling to Hong Kong in two months and need some travel advice with regards to bringing my T40. Never travelled before so feel free to even give me the common sense type tips!

From what I researched, I should be fine with my power adapter. All I need is an adaptor to convert my Australian plug to the HK one? Or is that not recommended? If thats the case, then I'm not sure where I'll be able to pick up a British type plug that plugs into my power adapter.

I greatly appreciate any advice!

Michael

[JHEM]

All you'll need is a plug converter to accomodate your OZ plug. One can be obtained in almost any street corner shop in HK.

The power brick is multi-voltage (100V-240V) and can be used almost anywhere in the world.

Have a safe trip, don't pack your Thinkpad in your luggage and bring LOTS of money to HK.

Regards,

James

[GomJabbar]

It might be wise to declare it with customs when you leave your home country or enter your destination country. You don't want anyone thinking that you are trying to slip in something (at home or abroad) without paying duty. I may be off base, as I have not traveled to Hong Kong, but it may be worth checking out.

[michael23]

All you'll need is a plug converter to accomodate your OZ plug. One can be obtained in almost any street corner shop in HK.

The power brick is multi-voltage (100V-240V) and can be used almost anywhere in the world.

Have a safe trip, don't pack your Thinkpad in your luggage and bring LOTS of money to HK.

I thought so James, but I read somewhere people saying the plug converters sometimes causes sparking, particularly due to the poor quality of electricity (spikes, surges, etc) in HK.

I intend to carry my Thinkpad in a laptop bag on the plane but how does one keep it safe in a three star hotel? I do have travel insurance but will it be covered if stolen from my room? I know its a question for the insurance company, but just want some other points of view.

You mention bringing lots of money. Did you mean cash and then converting it to HKD? I know using my Visa card incurs a 1% foreign currency conversion fee but it probably won't if the merchant charges my card in my local currency ($AUD).

It might be wise to declare it with customs when you leave your home country or enter your destination country. You don't want anyone thinking that you are trying to slip in something (at home or abroad) without paying duty. I may be off base, as I have not traveled to Hong Kong, but it may be worth checking out.

It sounds like a sensible idea, but my laptop is nearly three years old. Will it still look suspicious?

Also just another question to anyone whose been to HK. What is the accessibility of wireless internet over there? I assume the Airport will have free internet access, but how about hotels? Would I have to pay? Or will I be able to use Netstumbler to search for a hotspot?

[ThinkPad]

I thought so James, but I read somewhere people saying the plug converters sometimes causes sparking, particularly due to the poor quality of electricity (spikes, surges, etc) in HK.

I have taken my TP to far corners of the world and have never had problems even with the cheapest plugs. Last year I was in Pakistan, where they have horrible power fluctuations. Sometimes voltage would drop below 100v and sometimes over 250v, the power brick suffered no damages and handled those odd voltages well.

HK is a relatively safe place so you should not have any problem, but do know where your belongings are at all times. If you leave your room, why not carry bring your laptop with you? For many casual travels I just carry it in a back pack and not worry about it.

[ThinkPad]

Also just another question to anyone whose been to HK. What is the accessibility of wireless internet over there? I assume the Airport will have free internet access, but how about hotels? Would I have to pay? Or will I be able to use Netstumbler to search for a hotspot?

Surprisingly HK does not have that many free hotspots. Major hotels offer high speed internet and some also provide wireless, but for a price ofcourse.

[vital-analitix]

Suggest that when you cannot get free internet access in Hong Kong you subscribe in Hong Kong to ATTGLOBAL.net as an ISP. You can always cancel after you leave (it is the old IBM ISP that ATT bought up).

When I initially started to travel I did declare the laptop on exit. Customs looked funny when I asked. But in my 500+ flights I never ever did it afterwards again. it is very common for people to bring expensive camera's and laptops with them. I did slip in my original invoice in my important papers (together with the CC slip) just in case. Never had to bring it out.

And no worries on mains power etc. They all work.

Marinus

[bill bolton]

It sounds like a sensible idea, but my laptop is nearly three years old. Will it still look suspicious?

If you are travelling on business you shouldn't have any problems not matter how new/old your ThinkPad is.

Also just another question to anyone whose been to HK. What is the accessibility of wireless internet over there? I assume the Airport will have free internet access, but how about hotels? Would I have to pay? Or will I be able to use Netstumbler to search for a hotspot?

There were few free hotspots, but there is plenty of WiFi coverage. There were some reasonably priced WiFi access deals available from local carriers last time I was there.... but I can't recall now how I found out about them!?! I suspect one of my HK based colleagues told me about them.

Cheers,

Bill

[KristianJ]

You can pick up a travel adaptor such as the following one at your local Dick Smith store:

http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.store ... View/M7312

Mains voltage in HK is the same as in Australia, I think, so you'll be fine on that regard.

[beeblebrox]

It sounds like a sensible idea, but my laptop is nearly three years old. Will it still look suspicious?

If you are travelling on business you shouldn't have any problems not matter how new/old your ThinkPad is.

Also just another question to anyone whose been to HK. What is the accessibility of wireless internet over there? I assume the Airport will have free internet access, but how about hotels? Would I have to pay? Or will I be able to use Netstumbler to search for a hotspot?

There were few free hotspots, but there is plenty of WiFi coverage. There were some reasonably priced WiFi access deals available from local carriers last time I was there.... but I can't recall now how I found out about them!?! I suspect one of my HK based colleagues told me about them.

Cheers,

Bill

You certainly won't have to declare your notebook. There are sooo many notebooks being checked in and out at the airports.
BTW: you could do as a friend of mine sometimes does: just bring your hard drive along and a Windows CD. Buy in HK the newest model at a discount that you wished to buy anyway and put in your hard drive (plus some windows fixes for that model). Customs will never notice. However customs never ever checked anyway, at least on my hundred flights the past few years.

[michael23]

Thanks everyone for all your replies and clarification on my concerns.

I found some information regarding free hotspots in some shopping malls. I might have to resort paying for it at the hotels since I'd prefer to spend time online during the night when the shops are closed. I hope they have reasonable rates. Does anybody know how hotels charge for broadband? Based on time or traffic?

My only other concern is what to do with that laptop whilst I'm out...

HK is a relatively safe place so you should not have any problem, but do know where your belongings are at all times. If you leave your room, why not carry bring your laptop with you? For many casual travels I just carry it in a back pack and not worry about it.

I'll be doing some sightseeing as well as going to some of the theme parks so as light as the T40 is, its probably a bit over 3.5kg including my laptop bag. It's a bit on the heavy side to lug around all day? Not sure - haven't tried it before!

[Rick Aguinaldo]

Your OZ plug should fit into the former British colony's electrical convenient outlets. We have been there lately and I had to buy a universal plug adapter across the street to fit our two laptops' U.S. plugs into the British sockets. The hotel (Metropole) provides internet access to our room via the wall socket but we have to rent the ethernet cable from them. We left the laptops in our rooms (we prefer to travel light to maximize the sightseeing experience) but stowed away in our suitcases to minimize any temptation.

[vital-analitix]

When I was working in Asia I stayed for extended periods in Hotels (actually almost 6 years continously....) It was worthwhile to get your own dial-in (with modem) subscription, worked out lots cheaper than using the hotel's service.

( I made sure that the deals that I had included free local phone calls )

Marinus

[bill bolton]

Your OZ plug should fit into the former British colony's electrical convenient outlets.

No, definitely not!

Australia, New Zealand, PNG and some Pacific Islands use a quite different style 240V rated 3 pin plug, which has blade style connection similar to North American power plugs. Since mainland China uses an almost identical design based on the Australian type, sooner or later it will be the most widely used one of all ( ).

Cheers,

Bill

[michael23]

Since mainland China uses an almost identical design based on the Australian type, sooner or later it will be the most widely used one of all ( ).

Why do you roll your eyes Bill! The Aussie plug isn't that bad is it?

[ThinkPad R]

I have a question too, but about traveling to Korea.


I hear that they use different plug for power from those in the US.

I've always seen converter for Korean plugs to be used into US plugs,

but never converter for US plugs to use on Korean power outlets.

Does anybody know where to get it? Thanks.


I read from one of the posts that my ThinkPad would be safe with the current adapter I have. Right? Thanks.

[bill bolton]

On the topic of global power sockets, this site has good information...

http://kropla.com/electric2.htm

South Korea uses type C (2 contacts) and type F (3 contacts) sockets, both of which are also widely used in other parts of the world. I'm sure you will find adapters from US type A (2 contacts)and type B plugs (3 contacts) are readily available at travel goods (and similar outlets) in the US and at major international airports.

Cheers,

Bill

[vital-analitix]

Bill

You certainly won't have to declare your notebook. There are sooo many notebooks being checked in and out at the airports.
BTW: you could do as a friend of mine sometimes does: just bring your hard drive along and a Windows CD. Buy in HK the newest model at a discount that you wished to buy anyway and put in your hard drive (plus some windows fixes for that model). Customs will never notice. However customs never ever checked anyway, at least on my hundred flights the past few years.

Having lived in Hong Kong for a few years this is something I would advise most strongly against.

There are a lot of retailers that are really targetting the tourist for this kind of purchase. When you get home you'll discover it was either a parallel import or sold without warranty leaving you holding the bag. They also do not turn their nose up at selling you a dud.

On more than one occasion I have done dealing there that when I pulled out the HK ID card (just to let them know I live in HK) that they mentioned that they would get a new box from the back, unopened and the one shown was put back on the shelf again..... Once in a camera store I traded a few lenses that i had bought a few months earlier. I was asked if I still had the boxes because then he could still sell them like new because there was not a mark on them.

Carefull shopping in HK. In China there is lots of counterfeiting going on and it does find its way into HK, particularly in the touristy areas. If you do want to buy there are a few shops in Mong Kok that I used to frequent but it mainly caters for the locals and you may run into a shopkeeper speaking only Chinese.

Marinus

[snip]

Your OZ plug should fit into the former British colony's electrical convenient outlets. We have been there lately and I had to buy a universal plug adapter across the street to fit our two laptops' U.S. plugs into the British sockets. The hotel (Metropole) provides internet access to our room via the wall socket but we have to rent the ethernet cable from them. We left the laptops in our rooms (we prefer to travel light to maximize the sightseeing experience) but stowed away in our suitcases to minimize any temptation.

Kensington lock cable anyone? They are not that expensive and quite secure really.

//J

[JHEM]

Kensington lock cable anyone? They are not that expensive and quite secure really.

Welcome to the Forum!

Sorry, the Kensington lock can be opened with the cardboard tube from a bog roll.

Regards,

James

[snip]

Kensington lock cable anyone? They are not that expensive and quite secure really.

Welcome to the Forum!

Sorry, the Kensington lock can be opened with the cardboard tube from a bog roll.

Regards,

James

Thanks,

I see. I was not aware of this. Well in that case I have no further advice to add None that does not involve measures which most people might find inapropriate that is.

//J

[bill bolton]

Sorry, the Kensington lock can be opened with the cardboard tube from a bog roll.

There are a few different Kensington models with differing types of lock. Are you saying that are all easy to defeat?

We use the Kensington MicroSaver model extensively and I'm not aware than any device secured with one has ever been pilfered.

Cheers,

Bill

[JHEM]

None that does not involve measures which most people might find inapropriate that is.

Extremism in the defense of our Thinkpads is no vice!

(JHEM - 1997)

Regards,

James

[w0qj]

...Having lived in Hong Kong for a few years this is something I would advise most strongly against.

There are a lot of retailers that are really targetting the tourist for this kind of purchase. When you get home you'll discover it was either a parallel import or sold without warranty leaving you holding the bag. They also do not turn their nose up at selling you a dud.

On more than one occasion I have done dealing there that when I pulled out the HK ID card (just to let them know I live in HK) that they mentioned that they would get a new box from the back, unopened and the one shown was put back on the shelf again..... Once in a camera store I traded a few lenses that i had bought a few months earlier. I was asked if I still had the boxes because then he could still sell them like new because there was not a mark on them.

Carefull shopping in HK. In China there is lots of counterfeiting going on and it does find its way into HK, particularly in the touristy areas. If you do want to buy there are a few shops in Mong Kok that I used to frequent but it mainly caters for the locals and you may run into a shopkeeper speaking only Chinese.

Marinus

Living in HK, all I can say is stick with the "larger" computer retail store chains (usually in one of those major computer malls in Mongkok, Shumshuipo, StarCity_in_TsumShaTsui, etc.) or consumer electronics chains (Critical, Broadway, Fortress)... don't go for any of those independent ones...

Sounds easy, but hard to figure out if you're a visitor to HK...


BTW, I regularly carry my notebook computer to/from HK/China unstopped (both airport & railway links) and never declare it--it just goes thru X-Ray machine and they don't even bother to see if your notebook computer can be turned on...

[gearguy]

I am going to HK in July...

I was going to take my Thinkpad with me, but I'm not too sure.

[jagged]

I travel to HK for business several times a year and bring my laptop with me all the time. I usually stay in a 3-star hotel and for the plug, I usually borrow a universal plug from the concierge and they don't charge me for it. I just promise to return it after upon checkout. For internet service, I buy prepaid internet cards from the front desk.

I live in Manila, Philippines so HK is VERY safe for me. Like any country, just be careful with your belongings so you won't attract pickpockets' attention. I wouldn't suggest carrying your laptop everywhere you go though since you will walk alot in HK for sure. I would suggest you stay at least in a reputable 3-star hotel if on a budget and just lock your computer in your luggage.

One thing first timers to HK will notice is that many HK people will surely seem rude. Personally, I think its a combination of fast lifestyle, cramped living conditions, and lots of pressure that makes them impatient especially on store fronts. Don't expect to get Western-style service unless youre in very high end stores.

As HK is a famous shopping destination, there will be lots of cheats like those in tourist trap areas like Tsim Sha Tsui . I would suggest you shop in chain stores and famous computer malls like Mongkok Computer Centre, Golden Computer in Shamshuipo, or Windsor House in Causeway Bay. Its easy to detect a "cheat" shop as these usually don't display prices and salesmen speak unusually good English hehe.

Oh yeah, just like the other guys said, I wouldn't suggest declaring your laptop cuz I notice its usually more troublesome if you do especially if you don't really have much to declare.

Have a good time in HK!