[B Gallagher]

Hey all,
I'm picking up a PB in Japan in a couple of days (just waiting to see what the announcement on the 12th brings).

I've been looking online at a lot of software I want to get, and most of it reads 日本語版, which means "Japanese (Language) Version".

If I buy these versions of the softwares, and use them with an English version of OSX, will I have to use the specific applications themselves in Japanese, or will I be able to use them in English, even though they are the "Japanese Version"??

Thanks!!

[wataru]

There is no such thing as an "English version of OS X." All OS X installations are the same; the only difference is the preferred language setting in System Preferences.

If you buy the Japanese version of a piece of software, it most likely will not come with English interface support. If you need English, make sure to get an English version. This is stupid, yes, but that's just how the software houses do it.

[CaptainHaddock]

Wouldn't most applications still come with all languages included? OS X applications (aside from games) very rarely come in separate localized versions, even if the box and manual are in another language.

I suppose smaller applications developed in Japan might not be internationalized yet, but any big software application should have all languages built in.

[Randman]

Make sure that the keyboard fits your needs.

[CaptainHaddock]

Good point. Any computer you get from an Apple store in Japan will have a Japanese keyboard – which is perfectly usable, but some of the punctuation and symbol keys are in different places, and "Return" is a different shape. My wife doesn't mind it on her Japanese-bought iMac, but it would drive me nuts.

[JoshuaZ]

Yeah, a Japanese keyboard would probably drive you nuts. If you really want you can always use amazon.com to get 'English' software sent to you place in Japan if you want to be sure its in English. Shipping is really cheap. Nothing is more annoying then having software issues and not being able to read any of the Japanese error messages. God I hate my office Japanese Windows laptop. Horrible.

[wataru]

I believe you can request a standard US English keyboard if you buy from an Apple Store in Japan.

And no, many apps do not come with all languages, at least the last time I checked. Examples include: All Adobe apps, MS Office, etc. They only come with the language for the locale you purchased it in. Perhaps if you buy the Japanese version you could request or trade in for the English one, but I imagine it would be easier to just buy English to begin with.

[B Gallagher]

yeah... I can BTO and get an English layout keyboard no problems. I guess I'll go down to Ginza tomorrow and talk to someone at the Apple store.

Shame.. as Apple software is really cheap here in Japan (at least compared to NZ - and I need to update my location. )

[wataru]

In general it should be more expensive in Japan than in the US. At least that was the case for the few things I bought there that are sold in both countries. I guess NZ is doubly screwed then.

[JoshuaZ]

I was looking at random tech stuff and prices down here in Hiroshimaken are about the same as in the US. An iPod Shuffle is $3 more after recent conversion. Not too bad really.

[CaptainHaddock]

All Adobe apps, MS Office, etc. They only come with the language for the locale you purchased it in.

That is rather silly of them, but in these special cases, I guess it's because the regional versions are actually different programs (unlike the vast majority of software). In fact, I've heard a lot of designers get the Middle-eastern version of InDesign because it has the best text layout tools.