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Traveling with MBP overseas

dornoforpyros

dornoforpyros

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Oct 19, 2004
3,070
4
Calgary, AB
Hey Kids,

So I'm planning on taking my MBP with me to Australia and aside from buying apple's overpriced power adapter kit I'm wondering if there's any else I need to be aware of as far as compatibility. I mean is it correct that wifi/network protocols are the same as in north america?
 
Cybix said:
we have everything, we are the best, welcome to our country.
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haha and that's why I'm coming! I realize I'm a few days late now but happy Australia Day! :)

I spent a year living in a ski resort with a pretty significant Aussie population and last year's Australia Day was a blast.
 
dornoforpyros said:
haha and that's why I'm coming! I realize I'm a few days late now but happy Australia Day! :)

I spent a year living in a ski resort with a pretty significant Aussie population and last year's Australia Day was a blast.
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sorry to drag up an old thread, but may i ask what resort?
i'm looking at going over to canada and do a working holiday in a ski resort.

hope you're having a blast here, obviously. :cool:
 
dornoforpyros said:
Hey Kids,

So I'm planning on taking my MBP with me to Australia and aside from buying apple's overpriced power adapter kit I'm wondering if there's any else I need to be aware of as far as compatibility. I mean is it correct that wifi/network protocols are the same as in north america?
Click to expand...

No, we use an Australia-specific wireless protocol called 802.11beer.

It always amazes me how many Americans ask the same sort of question "will this *insert normal device here* work in Australia?" we're a developed nation folks, it'll work.

And you don't need Apple's overpriced power adapter kit - just a simple plug adapter from the airport will work just fine, the power supply in all portable Macs is universal meaning it'll work just fine with our 240V system. So just grab a US -> Aus plug adapter at the airport for a couple of bucks and you're set.

Make sure you've got a good laptop bag and plenty of space for photos.

If you haven't already left that is...
 
BCains said:
sorry to drag up an old thread, but may i ask what resort?
i'm looking at going over to canada and do a working holiday in a ski resort.

hope you're having a blast here, obviously. :cool:
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I worked in Banff for a year with these guys. Do to change in management I wouldn't recommend working for them (at least not in the office). But any of the 3 resorts they make up are great with Lake Louise being my fav.

No, we use an Australia-specific wireless protocol called 802.11beer.

It always amazes me how many Americans ask the same sort of question "will this *insert normal device here* work in Australia?" we're a developed nation folks, it'll work.
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What? Are you sure? I had heard it was 801.11BBQ :p

It's not like I was asking if I could plug my laptop into a windmill or nothing, but given DVD regions and such I don't think a question about wireless protocol is unreasonable.

I actually leave a week from today! So I'm pretty stoked to stay the least!
 
dornoforpyros said:
I worked in Banff for a year with these guys. Do to change in management I wouldn't recommend working for them (at least not in the office). But any of the 3 resorts they make up are great with Lake Louise being my fav.



What? Are you sure? I had heard it was 801.11BBQ :p

It's not like I was asking if I could plug my laptop into a windmill or nothing, but given DVD regions and such I don't think a question about wireless protocol is unreasonable.

I actually leave a week from today! So I'm pretty stoked to stay the least!
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I worked for RCR at Lake Louise during the dark year of the NHL lockout. Bunch of nasty penny-pinching joyless freaks they were. Don't work for them.

Oh and the statement about the wireless protocols was a joke. Yes it was made at your expense but that's what we do down here. Our best friends are the ones we can heap crap on with reckless abandon and know that once we're done paying them out they'll still buy the next round.

Our worst enemies are the ones we don't pay out at all - you should be feeling pretty bad if after a short time an Aussie you've met hasn't tried to cut you down.

Whereabouts are you going on your trip? Business or holiday?
 
Chundles said:
Our worst enemies are the ones we don't pay out at all - you should be feeling pretty bad if after a short time an Aussie you've met hasn't tried to cut you down.

Whereabouts are you going on your trip? Business or holiday?
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haha no worries. This is just a holiday, I'm a freelance (aka: unemployed) graphic artist with some time off after my last contract so I'm taking a month off to travel. I'm doing Sydney, Brisbane(got buddies there), Melbourne and Auckland NZ.

I figure those destinations will change somewhat once I get there, but that's the rough itinerary at this point.
 
Thanks! I was looking into a couple along with Whistler, as its only 2 odd hours from Vancouver.

Also Chundles did you go through a program for job positions before you went over, or did you just find one whilst you were there?

Hell make sure you come down to the Gold Coast (1hr south of Brissy)!:cool:
 
BCains said:
Thanks! I was looking into a couple along with Whistler, as its only 2 odd hours from Vancouver.

Also Chundles did you go through a program for job positions before you went over, or did you just find one whilst you were there?

Hell make sure you come down to the Gold Coast (1hr south of Brissy)!:cool:
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Yeah, I went through Overseas Working Holidays. They were great in setting up interviews and stuff but once I was there they disappeared.

Probably would've been better off finding a job after I got there although it would've been tough due to the disgraceful snow season that year (we had more snow here than they did there that year).

Whistler is a good bet, being close to a major city like that is definitely a plus. We were somewhat close to Calgary but getting there was a problem because a: it was expensive when we were only paid ~CAN$6.50 an hour and b: inconvenient. The company promised us a number of staff activities which is why I chose it and the lower pay over Big White's higher pay but less stated staff activities. None of these things eventuated and we weren't given any explanation. The staff were so frustrated and fed up by the end of the season that when the resort did throw them a party (I had left for some travelling by then) the staff went crazy and they had to call in the cops from Calgary.

That, combined with the state of the facilities at LL due to the dire state of their finances at the time (the company was in receivership- still no excuse for not looking after your staff) ie. the place was in really bad shape, are the reasons I will not recommend them to anyone looking for work in Canada.

I reckon the best bet is similar to working in the snow here, save up and buy yourself a season pass and work for someone not involved with the ski company themselves. I worked here for a hotel just off mountain but within walking distance to the ski train and earned up to 4x what the resort workers got. I also had a room to myself, plenty of work regardless of the snow conditions and a lot of time off to ski.

I skied 5 days in 6 months at LL because the food and beverage workers didn't get lockers or ski breaks like everyone else (and I broke my arm really badly when the rain turned to ice and the whole mountain froze solid - everyone I knew who was skiing at the time broke something, the lodge was packed with people in casts) and that wasn't too uncommon.

End Rant.

It was a gorgeous place to live though, stunning scenery. But somewhere like Whistler would offer so many more options.
 
Chundles said:
The staff were so frustrated and fed up by the end of the season that when the resort did throw them a party (I had left for some travelling by then) the staff went crazy and they had to call in the cops from Calgary.
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haha I read about that in the crag & canyon my first week in banff! haha

Personally I'd say the best advice I'd have for Banff/ski resorts is DON'T live in staff accommodations. When you live in staff accom your employer just kinda has you by the balls a little too much. There's plenty of work to go around so if you lose/quit/get fired from a job you hate you can find another one without worrying where your going to sleep that night.
 
dornoforpyros said:
haha I read about that in the crag & canyon my first week in banff! haha

Personally I'd say the best advice I'd have for Banff/ski resorts is DON'T live in staff accommodations. When you live in staff accom your employer just kinda has you by the balls a little too much. There's plenty of work to go around so if you lose/quit/get fired from a job you hate you can find another one without worrying where your going to sleep that night.
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Ah the Crag & Canyon - soft, strong and thoroughly absorbent. ;)
 
Chundles said:
Yeah, I went through Overseas Working Holidays. They were great in setting up interviews and stuff but once I was there they disappeared.
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Would you still say they are a good bunch? Do they expect to take a cut?
I'm gonna attend one of their info session next week, but I'm expecting heaps of sugar coating and sweet talk.
 
Go there and just find a job. Seriously, these Working Holiday Visa businesses are for wusses. People usually find out that they don't need them. They think it's better, but if you're going there without a job, all they can do is help by telling you what jobs are available. Guess what? There are like 10 young students who signed up with the same company as you, and they're all applying for the same job. That's when you find out that the jobs these companies post aren't good enough, and that's when you grow a pair of balls and look for job postings elsewhere.

They do help with finding a place to live, but it's not THAT much more convenient, really. There's always someone who needs a flatmate.

Trust me, it's the same in every country.
 
Oz

I hear that aside from the locals, it's a lovely country.


Rather than buying apples adapter kit, perhaps pick up a $5 regular adapter from any store that sells any kind of electronics.. I am 99% sure that the voltage converter is built into the power supply.

Also, if you do want the more expensive version, get the Kensington one..

http://www.csctoronto.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3676

It's not white, but it has an additional adapter for a USB outlet.. supercool.

Mike
 
University of Sydney

Hey guys,

Since we're on the topic of Oz... I'm heading to Sydney in a week's time. Staying for 18 months to do a Masters of Design Science - Audio Design. I'm pretty psyched. Never been to Australia, so I'm not sure what to expect, although everyone tells me it's a blast. And of course, bringing my "new" refurb MBP C2D 15" 2.16Ghz.

So yeah, I'm looking for a place to stay in the Camperdown / Darlington campus area. Know any chill suburbs? I've heard of Glebe and Newtown, and am wondering what else there is.

And also, what are the cellular services like? I'm thinking of getting a card for express 3/4 slot... Maybe some sort of 3G. Carriers? Speeds? Prices?

Thanks guys!!
 
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