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Post by annamariaxenno on Sept 25, 2011 8:33:27 GMT
o everybody, I'm flying out end of October from the UK. Very excited etc except I cannot make my mind up about whether to bring my computer on the plane, buy a lap top or wait and buy a computer out there! I am worried that if I buy a computer in Saudi all the menus will be in arabic. Is this true? I don't really want to buy a laptop and wonder if I take a "box" in a hard case in the hold of the plane .. will the computer make it in one piece? All answers greatfully appreciated, Kindest Anna  |
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Post by vpainter on Sept 25, 2011 20:18:34 GMT
We brought our desktop computer over in an ebox. I don't know if you get one of those from the UK. Packaged well, it should make the trip ok - the airline can mark it as file.
You can buy computers and laptops over here. They come with English.
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derekg
Senior Member
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Post by derekg on Sept 26, 2011 4:21:09 GMT
You can do whichever options makes the most sense. Prices for computers here are high by US Standards, but seem to be comparable to Europe. You can get most models here, but it can take some looking if you have specific needs. I brought both a laptop (carry on) and a desktop (checked bags) here so it can be done with no difficulties and both computers made it here safely - make sure you protect them well from damage either in a box or surrounded by clothes. Just be aware that anything you bring here is subject to search should the customs inspector wish to do so. Another consideration if bringing a desktop as checked luggage is that some airlines have very high fees for extra bags and you need to weigh that cost versus a new computer.
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Post by Twofeets on Sept 26, 2011 10:06:34 GMT
Forgive me if I missed it, but is your current computer a laptop or a desktop?
As was mentioned, you can buy computers here with english. As an added bonus most seem to come with a normal english keyboard but also have arabic script as well, so if you're looking to learn arabic that will help A LOT. Computers here do seem to run about 10-15% higher here than in the states though.
If you bring a laptop carry it on the plane with you. I always always always took mine as carry on, except once. On a Continental flight from Florida to Houston (for hiring) a flight attendant made me check my laptop case. I had carried that same case on flights for 2 years without a problem. When I got off the plan my laptop screen was destroyed. Continental told me they would not cover it. Apparently standard airline policy is to only cover international flights and then only if you report it immediately after leaving the plane. 1) my flight wasnt international and 2) I waited till I got to the airport.
The tech who fixed my computer said that screens commonly crack in the cargo hold due to changes in pressure, so even if you pack your screen in clothes you run the risk of damage. Not always, but it is there.
Good luck!
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Post by azraeil on Sept 27, 2011 10:05:37 GMT
I just brought in an iMac 27" via the normal checked in baggage. No problem whatsoever and the computer came back in one piece. I checked it in using the box that came with it and actually added those Styrofoam bubbles into the box. Gulf Air checked it in and taped a couple of file stickers on it, I checked it in via the oversize luggage area (as the counter told me that doing that will allow the "luggage" to go straight to the airplane instead of going around the carousel area etc.
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Post by annamariaxenno on Oct 22, 2011 0:56:51 GMT
o again everybody, Thank you for your posts on the subject of computers on planes. I feel much better now. I have bought a "large" suitcase (a nice hard one) and will surround the box with a quilt and lots of clothes and then just hope for the best. I have the Adobe Creative Suite on my computer (enormously expensive) and have lost the discs to replace it on a new computer  hence my need for it to arrive in one piece. I will certainly buy a computer in Saudi and think that arabic on the keyboards will be very helpful since I do intend to learn some arabic if I can. Once again .. thank you for your kind responses and see you there! I can't wait!!!! Anna |
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Post by Carolina on Oct 24, 2011 12:13:39 GMT
o
Having travelled a lot please do hand carry your laptop as other posts have advised - yes you will have to check it through security etc but much better - I personally would never ever put my laptop in my luggage - but this of course is such a personal decision.
My husband too always hand carries his laptop for business etc - he too would never put it in his luggage.
Hope this helps
Carolina
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Post by Carolina on Oct 24, 2011 12:19:18 GMT
o again
Ooops have just read your first post and my answer would be to buy your lap top in the UK and hand carry it over - yes as everyone has said you can buy one here but believe me you will be so very busy at the beginning i.e. going straight into work and having to deal with all the numerous paperwork that you will have to adhere to as a new hire that you will need your lap top - yes you can go to the library and use the internet facility for free but again this will take up your valuable time when you are trying to settle in - so if you have time left buy a laptop and hand carry it.
If not we have a small spare one here that you can borrow - hope that may help?
Kind Regards
Carolina
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Post by Chikano on Nov 10, 2011 9:20:28 GMT
they told me that in the airport ur laptop will be searched to see if there is any illegal stuff. well, i dont have illegal stuff on my laptop but it would take alot of time if my laptop will be searched forlder by folder, my usb, my cds. .... is it true ?
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Post by Carolina on Nov 11, 2011 3:41:12 GMT
My husband and I when travelling always hand carry out laptops and we have never had any problems as you have mentioned - obviously our lap tops go through the security device with the rest of our hand luggage - where did you get this information about lap tops perhaps being checked i.e. files etc? just wondering.
Hope this helps to put your mind at rest before you travel.
Kind Regards
Carolina
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Post by soverydeb on Nov 11, 2011 7:38:27 GMT
What I understand is that they'll test the laptop surface for explosives residue. They don't get into the files and information stored in it.
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Post by Hadia on Nov 11, 2011 14:55:41 GMT
When we came through Dammam recently, we had three laptops in our carry-ons. They weren't even opened. Had I known, I wouldn't have spent so much time removing family photos, etc. and saving them onto media that we left behind. The info they give new hires really scares you about content issues. I now regret so many things we left in stoe or got rid of. Since arriving, I've been told by residents here that the guidelines we were given were very old, so we truly erred way too far on the side of caution regarding content of all of our household items, including computer files. I know, I know...it all depends who's on duty at the customs desk, what they decide to look at in terms of computers, music, DVDs and books, etc. Turns out, not one of those items was looked at during our arrival. The only thing that was of interest was my elry that I hand-carried in my purse. The guard gave it a quick peek, and that was that.
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Post by vpainter on Nov 11, 2011 19:05:06 GMT
I hope everyone understands that at orientation they must be cautious about what is said can be brought in and what cannot be brought in. If they were to tell someone that they could bring in all their  and it was taken, people would be really upset having been told it could come into the country. Then there would be an outcry, we should have been told! Once you are in the country and you feel comfortable and you want to bring in things, you do. You know custom's could confiscate things, but you learn very quickly you can bring in many of the so called "forbidden items" with minimal risk of confiscation. New hires I email prior to coming. I always say: it could be taken, but we've had no problems. The reality is: if you were to get a very strict custom's agent, he could take/destroy/censor anything he wanted to. My son's CD case was taken one time in the Dammam Airport. We all had to go to the inspection office in the airport while custom's agents went through his CD's - actually loading them up on a computer and checking the contents. He did get all his back. Unfortunately for the man in the office with us, he was being told his were not allowed and they kept them. The items listed in the relocation guide and talked about at orientation lets you know these things could be taken in custom's; you bring them at your own risk. It could say that, but instead it says these things should not be brought in. Once living here, you do feel the orientation is outdated; I even think that at times. But I also understand why they still say the same things, because should I have come here having been told I could bring my certain possession in and it was taken, I'd be furious as would most people. |
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hence my need for it to arrive in one piece. I will certainly buy a computer in Saudi and think that arabic on the keyboards will be very helpful since I do intend to learn some arabic if I can. Once again .. thank you for your kind responses and see you there! I can't wait!!!! Anna
