Using a Mac in Korea

March 5, 2005 2:21 PM

I was going to be traveling to Korea shortly, and wanted to bring along my Mac. I was wondering if it's possible, using my regular iBook G4 with Airport, to access the Internet if the hotel (or somewhere else) has an open wireless network in place. Or are there all sorts of compatability issues? I'm guessing I also need a power/plug adapter (I'm in the U.S.) thanks...
posted by jgballard to Computers & Internet (10 answers total)

Wireless internet is wireless internet.

As far as power goes, the power brick included with your iBook works as a voltage transformer. Apple has their own adapter plug kit with different snap-in ends for the plug on Apple's adapter, but any plug adapter should work fine.
posted by nathan_teske at 3:23 PM on March 5, 2005

a copy of whatever the apple equivalent of netsumbler is, is a useful thing to have when travelling. if you get a good room (high, on a corner) you can often pick up a nearby open network, even if the hotel service is pay for use.
posted by andrew cooke at 3:28 PM on March 5, 2005

actually, i guess you don't really need netstumbler, just get the system to list all available ssids. sorry.
posted by andrew cooke at 3:30 PM on March 5, 2005

I've used both a G4 TiBook in the past and now a 15" Aluminum PowerBook all over Africa and The Middle East. You shouldn't have any issues in Korea.

About the only possible problem would be if the wireless provider is locking down on MAC address (i.e., a unique hardware identifier). In this case you'll have to ask them to add your iBooks MAC address to the list of permitted devices.

Obviously you should use SSL or SSH when possible. I'd also recommend avoiding any banking or personal brokerage during your visit sites as well. Or maybe I'm paranoid from spending so much time in Lagos...
posted by Mutant at 3:35 PM on March 5, 2005

a copy of whatever the apple equivalent of netsumbler is

iStumbler. Full of gooey (and GUI) Cocoa-y goodness.
posted by jbrjake at 4:16 PM on March 5, 2005

Or KisMAC or AirStumbler or MacStumbler, if the site is still active.
posted by Mo Nickels at 5:12 PM on March 5, 2005

No. The Apple Store has very stuff that does.
posted by cillit bang at 6:22 PM on March 5, 2005

Power plugs in Korea are the two-round-prong kind.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:53 PM on March 5, 2005

odinsdream - before shelling out for an airline in-seat power cord, check SeatGuru to ensure your carrier actually has seat power in your booking class. Most US carriers only offer in-seat power in business class or higher, but a lot of non-US carriers have it back in economy.

No sense in shelling out $40 for a special cord if you can't use it.
posted by nathan_teske at 9:58 PM on March 5, 2005

I was just at the Banpo Marriott in Seoul. They have a 3-prong outlet (and the Korean 2-prong round) next to the desk, so I didn't even need a converter. I think they had wireless in common areas, but the in-room broadband was something like 400 won/min (about $0.40 at the time)., capped at 25000 won/day. Don't know where you're staying, but it's a data point. Korea seems somewhat expensive, at least for my business travel.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 11:53 PM on March 5, 2005