Sigi Rindler wrote:

> a) Buy a computer with the Japanese version and exchange the Japanese 
> version with the English version.

This is probably not a good idea if you are buying a laptop or a desktop 
with proprietary hardware or software (such as a Sony Vaio). OTOH, if 
you buy a machine with all generic hardware (such as a Dell), everything 
will probably be fine.

> b) Find a store that sells the computer with the English version. It's 
> probably cheaper to do proceed with a).

Both Bic Camera and User's Side in Ebisu sell English-language versions 
of popular computers. I'm sure there are lots of others as well.

> c) Get a computer without the OS and buy the expensive English version here.

Or buying a piece of hardware like a hard drive and then purchasing a 
legitimate OEM version of English Windows XP. The contents of the disc 
is identical, but the price is only Y8,000 or so.

> d) I also have an English "Chinatown" version. and found out that Microsoft 
> offers to purchase online a "Windows Genuine Advantage Kit" for the English 
> version. The price is Yen 18,625.00.
> 
> MS promises to supply a new product key to convert the bootleg copy into a 
> genuine one. On top of it, MS will also send you a CD by mail! 
> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/faq.aspx

Yup! Very nice of them.

> This option is actually much cheaper than buying a genuine boxed version.
> 
> Has anybody ever gone this path? Is there a catch?

I don't think there is any catch. Basically, what you are buying is the 
key code. For example, when I bought the OEM version of English XP some 
time back because my old key code stopped working (for reasons I won't 
go into here), I didn't even need to open the shrink wrap. I just 
entered the new key code and everything has been fine since then.

> e) Somebody mentioned a while ago that Dell was selling some models with 
> English OSs pre-installed instead of Japanese ones. Is that true or is it 
> more likely a personal favor by somebody at Dell?

They used to sell some of their business models with the English OS 
preinstalled. It is hit and miss, though, and most likely you will not 
be able to find the particular model you are interested in offered with 
the English OS option.

Your best bet if you are considering Dell would probably be to call them 
on the phone and ask if they can do it for you.

> Happy for any input on this one since these questions have been asked by so 
> many who are living in Japan..

And will continue to be asked, no doubt, until Microsoft offers the 
ability to change interface languages in its operating systems as a 
standard feature. (I'm not holding my breath.)

-- 
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Scott Reynolds                              scottreyn@gmail.com