Macbook Pro 13 in US spec for use in UK

dhobibag · dhobibag #1 (**permalink**)

04-16-2012, 12:14 AM

Hi

I'm brand new to the forum. I'm looking to buy a 13in Macbook Pro and have the chance to purchase one from the US military PX at a substantial saving from UK prices. I intend to use the notebook in the UK. Are there any potential difficulties I should know about before I buy? Thank you.

DB

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

04-16-2012, 02:02 AM

You'll have to change the language from US English to UK English. Also the layout of the US keyboard is slightly different from the UK layout but it won't really matter. You can always compensate. Perhaps one of our UK members can give you a better run down but I believe I covered most.

chas_m · chas_m #3 (**permalink**)

04-16-2012, 02:12 AM

As a former UK resident, I think all you'll need to do is change the language/dictionary to UK. You can get used to the four key being a $ instead of £, right?

dhobibag · dhobibag #4 (**permalink**)

04-16-2012, 04:02 AM

Thank you for your quick replies. It is reassuring that it will be ok in the UK. I can live with the dollar symbol at 4. Hopefully I shall get out to the PX in the next few days. Regards

DB

AliOop · AliOop #5 (**permalink**)

04-16-2012, 09:55 AM

Something I just thought of, what about A/C power? The electrical system is standard across the U.S. I don't know anything about U.K. or European electrical systems. Should this be something this person should keep in mind?

vansmith · vansmith #6 (**permalink**)

04-16-2012, 10:02 AM

AliOop has a good point - you'll need to account for outlet differences. Make sure to ask for the proper adapters when you purchase the notebook.

Ctrl-Opt-Del · Ctrl-Opt-Del #7 (**permalink**)

04-16-2012, 02:41 PM

In addition to the other points raised, you may need to change the country settings on the WiFi to get it to connect; but, even if so, that'll be easy enough

vansmith · vansmith #8 (**permalink**)

04-16-2012, 03:20 PM

One thing to note is the use of DVD regions (see here). In essence, DVD videos are set to work only in particular regions - this was done so distributors could control global releases. You can change the region on your machine but can do so only 5 times. And, as you've probably guessed, the US and the UK are in different regions (1 and 2 respectively). This is only an issue if you play DVDs and intend to purchase DVDs in the UK while still watching your American produced ones.

AliOop · AliOop #9 (**permalink**)

04-16-2012, 04:46 PM

I came across that very same problem when my son was deployed to Iraq. He purchased some DVDs at the base PX. I had to do some hoop jumping to view them here in the US. Doesn't that just chap you? It does me. Why should it matter where one purchases a DVD? Why can't we just ... Never mind. It is what it is. We just have to deal with it.

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,968 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	04-16-2012, 02:02 AM You'll have to change the language from US English to UK English. Also the layout of the US keyboard is slightly different from the UK layout but it won't really matter. You can always compensate. Perhaps one of our UK members can give you a better run down but I believe I covered most. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

vansmith #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,283 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	04-16-2012, 10:02 AM AliOop has a good point - you'll need to account for outlet differences. Make sure to ask for the proper adapters when you purchase the notebook. Important Links: Community Guidelines : Use the reputation system if you've been helped. M-F Blog :: Write for the blog :: M-F IRC Channel - Chats every Sunday at 8PM EST.
	QUOTE Thanks

Ctrl-Opt-Del #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 14, 2011 Location: Brighton, East Sussex, England, GB Posts: 254 Mac Specs: Not got one, yet...	04-16-2012, 02:41 PM In addition to the other points raised, you may need to change the country settings on the WiFi to get it to connect; but, even if so, that'll be easy enough For my purposes as an engineering undergraduate; Windows is respectable (& generally necessary), Linux is admirable (& often useful), OS X is enjoyable (& requires no further justification, although plenty could be given)!
	QUOTE Thanks

vansmith #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,283 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	04-16-2012, 03:20 PM One thing to note is the use of DVD regions (see here). In essence, DVD videos are set to work only in particular regions - this was done so distributors could control global releases. You can change the region on your machine but can do so only 5 times. And, as you've probably guessed, the US and the UK are in different regions (1 and 2 respectively). This is only an issue if you play DVDs and intend to purchase DVDs in the UK while still watching your American produced ones. Important Links: Community Guidelines : Use the reputation system if you've been helped. M-F Blog :: Write for the blog :: M-F IRC Channel - Chats every Sunday at 8PM EST.
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How I went from an iBook G3 to a brand new 15" MacBook Pro for $50.	TeeJaye	Apple Notebooks	7	03-20-2013 12:44 AM
Macbook Pro 13 - What spec for running parallels 7	sameerp	Apple Notebooks	5	11-27-2011 04:49 PM
Apple MacBook And MacBook Pro to get redesigned..	spookymulder	Apple Rumors and Reports	226	06-17-2008 01:25 PM
MacBook or MacBook Pro: Newbie needs help ?	fld777	Apple Notebooks	8	03-29-2008 07:41 AM

Macbook Pro 13 in US spec for use in UK

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

dhobibag #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 16, 2012 Posts: 2	04-16-2012, 12:14 AM Hi I'm brand new to the forum. I'm looking to buy a 13in Macbook Pro and have the chance to purchase one from the US military PX at a substantial saving from UK prices. I intend to use the notebook in the UK. Are there any potential difficulties I should know about before I buy? Thank you. DB
	QUOTE Thanks

dhobibag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 16, 2012 Posts: 2	04-16-2012, 04:02 AM Thank you for your quick replies. It is reassuring that it will be ok in the UK. I can live with the dollar symbol at 4. Hopefully I shall get out to the PX in the next few days. Regards DB
	QUOTE Thanks

AliOop #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 03, 2009 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 110 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro.	04-16-2012, 09:55 AM Something I just thought of, what about A/C power? The electrical system is standard across the U.S. I don't know anything about U.K. or European electrical systems. Should this be something this person should keep in mind?
	QUOTE Thanks

AliOop #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 03, 2009 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 110 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro.	04-16-2012, 04:46 PM I came across that very same problem when my son was deployed to Iraq. He purchased some DVDs at the base PX. I had to do some hoop jumping to view them here in the US. Doesn't that just chap you? It does me. Why should it matter where one purchases a DVD? Why can't we just ... Never mind. It is what it is. We just have to deal with it.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)