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VISA Tip |
Laptop:
An Ethernet connection is available in your dorm room that will allow you to have access to the internet. The campus does provide computer facilities that are open to all students. However they do keep set operating hours, so the labs are not available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All that is needed to connect to the network is a network card, Ethernet cable, and filling out a short application form and returning to the Computer Service Center so that they can create an account for you.
Hong Kong power outlets operate at 240 volts, whereas the common US outlets operate at 110 volts. Laptops are usually built with the notion of international travel in mind, so a separate power transformer for just your laptop shouldn't be necessary. To make sure, take a look around your laptop near where the power cord connects to it. You should see something that looks similar to this:(110v ~ 240v). This symbol means that your laptop will operate on any voltage plug between 110 and 240 volts. However...chances are you will need a different power cord that will give you the prong set that Hong Kong uses. If you have ever traveled with your laptop to the UK and have a power cord that will plug in to a UK outlet, you're in luck! You'll be able to use that cord in Hong Kong as well. If you are not this lucky, don't worry. You'll be able to buy a power cable for cheap in Hong Kong.
If you don't currently own a laptop and don't really want to buy one just for this trip, that's fine. City University provides a laptop checkout service for its students. You able to checkout a laptop from CityU for 48 hours, free of charge. These Windows based laptops come with a wireless LAN card that will allow you to access a wireless, high speed internet connection from almost anywhere on campus. Just look for the round wireless LAN logos. The laptop also comes with a modem. This will allow you to have dialup internet service in your dorm via the telephone jack in your room. It will be much slower compared to the wireless LAN connection, but the wireless LAN is not available in the dorms. Dial up connection is free also. If you'd like to take advantage of the laptop checkout service and be able to connect to the internet via the Ethernet port so you don't tie up your phone line, there is a solution. What you can do is go buy a USB Ethernet adapter. They're fairly cheap, maybe around $10 USD. One of these, along with an Ethernet cable will allow you to set up the laptop you check out to be able to use the Ethernet connection.
Note: Buying a Laptop and accessories in Hong Kong
If you've been itching to buy a laptop, wait until you get to Hong Kong. That is, if you can wait. You'll get a whole lot more "bang for your buck" in Hong Kong. One thing to keep in mind if you do decided to buy a laptop in Hong Kong is to be sure to ask about warranty coverage. If you find a laptop deal that seems too good to be true, make sure it offers warranty in the United States. A lot of the time laptops are so cheap because the warranty only applies to Asia.
If you have a laptop that does not currently have an Ethernet port built in, and you would need to buy a network card for it to be able to connect your laptop in the dorms at City University again, wait until you get to Hong Kong. You are almost guaranteed to be able to find it for cheaper than the States. |
