Buying a laptop in Poland with English O/S

As it happens my old PC finally crashed for good and I plan to buy a laptop to replace it.
However all laptops on sale in Poland seem to be with Polish Windows (which is of course normal). What to do about this? Buy online from abroad? Or is it possible to order English-language versions of the laptops they sell in Saturn, MediaMarkt...?

Windows is one thing, you can always get a copy in any of the available language versions later. But what about the keyboard?

The netbook I'm using came with a choice of English or Polish.

I imagine that that is because it is a mobile unit. Some laptops may be similar. You should be able to check what each model offers by doing a google.

I'm sure you'll find something.

Buy one there, format the HD and install your English copy of Windows on it. Shouldn't be so difficult to imagine now, isn't it?

M-G (that is, if you have an English copy - widely available on Inet, though)

You can configure your OS in any language you like, you just need to set the proper locale and keyboard settings.. that's just few minutes in Windows XP or Vista.. I hardly see any problem there..

What the missus means is the complete OS needs to be in English. What you write in your posting about XP is just altering the keyboard settings and layout and the input language. In Vista it's only in Vista ultimate pssble to change the language completely.

Best option is the one I gave. It's also the cheapest and the quickest.

M-G (or buy a machine with Vista ultimate on it)

Well it says here : windowshelp.microsoft.com

that changing system locale is possible with all Vista versions. And system locale is the only thing that changes nationality of the system so to speak ; )

From what I remember since XP or probably 2000 too it's possible to fully customize any OS pack into your language option.

It's very simple to change windows to any other desire language Just collect a windows xp CD or download a language pack from beqiraj.com/windows/2002/lip/index.asp

1.Go to control panel-Open Regional and Language Options.
2.Click the Administrative tab, and then, under Language for non-Unicode programs (System Locale),
click Change system locale. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator
password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3.Select the language, and then click OK.

To restart your computer, click Restart now.

I bought a HP PC some time ago in poland and I had the option to select Polish or English at the initial configuration of the PC. I was told that if i selected the wrong one, i would have to reformat and start again.(Not sure how true that is).

Point is...you can get come PCs with English OS...just ask in the shops.

It might be an idea to wait a few weeks and get the new version of Windows...think it is release the end of this month/start of next month.

Regards,

Vincent

The fact you're asking this question means you should just buy a cheap laptop online and install Ubuntu on it.

No need going to a retailer and buying a powerful machine with a bloated operating system when you can save yourself hundreds for something which'll do roughly the same job.

@yoyoyo
not necesarly. maybe he needs programs that don't run properly (or at all) through Wine? or he just don't wanna to learn new habits (and lose olds)

from the other hand- i'd rather suggest either debian or fedora :)