Headed To Bali - What Compu Equip To Bring?

[megabeast]

Hi All,

This is Megabeast's husband. She has been relaying me the messages about internet / trading etc. Thanks for all the help and advice. We leave next week and I was just wondering what computer equipment we should take with us? I will bring a couple of laptops and an LCD display. Are there other components / accessories that I will want that are not available cheap in Bali? UPS? Power converters? Routers, modems? Etc etc?

What is the shopping like in Ubud for electronics? Is it better to head to Denpasar? Are there big electronics stores in Denpasar?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks for the help. See you all soon.

Mr. Megabeast

[Pa_Yan]

Don't know to much about the compter electronics in the Ubud area. I think if you have special needs you should bring it. To give you an idea of what is available have a look at this site http://www.fastncheap.com/index.php
The Rimo center in Denpasar is probably the best place to get computer equipment.

[Sanurian]

Hi, husband of megabeast

...components / accessories that I will want that are not available cheap in Bali? UPS? Power converters? Routers, modems?...

All those things are readily available in Bali. You might even be surprised at what there is.

The RIMO computer centre in Denpasar should definitely be your first stop (Jalan Diponegoro, just before the Ramayana shopping centre).

Someone suggested looking at the Fast 'n Cheap web-site. That's OK to get a feel for what current prices are in general but you'll get cheaper prices at RIMO, for sure.

...What is the shopping like in Ubud for electronics? Is it better to head to Denpasar? Are there big electronics stores in Denpasar?...

I very much doubt that you can find quality electronics, etc, in Ubud.

Denpasar (RIMO) and Kuta (like the Discovery Shopping Mall including Electronic City) have most things you'd be looking for.

:D

[FreoGirl]

Are there other components / accessories that I will want that are not available cheap in Bali? UPS? Power converters? Routers, modems? Etc etc?

UPS - if you have a laptop you don't need a UPS. What you do need is a power conditioner like a votametre, which are very heavy so you would definately buy there.
Also - excuse my ignorance - but I think you're in Canada, right? Not sure what voltage you run on there. Your LCD might not be compatible with the 220-240v in Bali. Also, you might want to check your laptop's power adaptors - make sure you can get something appropriate in Bali for your laptop if the Canadian one is not suitable.
I already had a 220-240 power adaptor and just bought a new cable which plugged into my adaptor, so I had the right plug (saves using a plug adaptor).
Routers - you are likely to be on slow dial-up so what would you need a router for? What sort of router do you have in mind? Anything you can't get a Remo you should be able to order in.
Modems - don't you have one in your laptop? Again, talking dial-up.
In general, technology is 2-3 years behind in Bali, so you will still find old box monitors being sold, and wireless is pretty new - not much infrastructure avail yet for that either.
Hope you get to enjoy Bali and not spend too much time on the computer!

[Sanurian]

...if you have a laptop you don't need a UPS...

I disagree. You will have to connect your laptop sooner or later to the power grid to recharge your battery.

The available computer components and peripherals currently available in Bali are not 2-3 years "behind", any more.

:D

[Sanurian]

Oh, and nearly missed this:

...Routers - you are likely to be on slow dial-up so what would you need a router for?...

There are several wi-fi options available in Bali, depending where you are and if you can afford them.

ADSL is available, again, depending where you are. And one needs a router for this.

:D

The reason you don't need an uninterruptible power supply (ups) for a laptop is because a laptop will automatically switch to it's own internal battery if is running off mains power and the power is interrupted. A surge protector is a good idea and cost @ $50 or less.

ADSL requires a modem but not a router. A router is only required if you want to connect more than one computer directly to the broadband service.

[FreoGirl]

A UPS is a battery that a desktop computer switches to when the power goes off, to give you time to close down the desktop computer. A laptop will do that automatically. The good UPS's will also include a power conditioner. However if you have a laptop, all you need is the power conditioner - like a voltameter - you don't need to fork out for the UPS battery. BTW "Megabeast's husband", you should plan to put all your expensive applicances on a voltameter (fridge, plasma TV etc).

As Allan has also clarified for me, you only use a router if you are networking. And then there are routers and Routers - depends on what sort of networking Megabeast's husband is planning on doing - all is obtainable in Bali or ordered from Java.

2-3 years behind might have been a bit harsh, I purchased a new desktop in September this year and it was about the standard of what I would have bought (for the same price) in Australia say 18 months ago - except for the monitor which was the old box sort (which are just about unavailable in Australia now), an LCD being a bit pricey still.

A voltameter is an instrument for measuring electricity. I think "line conditioner" or "power conditioner" are the correct terms. :wink:

[FreoGirl]

You are right. What I had was a "Volto-metre servo motor" (as written on the side of the thing) which cost Rp175,000. It whirred away trying valiantly to flatten out the spikes and brown outs of my power supply. I'm sure my laptop would have been fried without one. I also had one on the fridge.