Moving to Dubai soon need some info

[amcinnis]

Hey everyone,

I'm so happy to have stumbled onto this group. Looks like a friendly and well informed group...


I'll (me and my family) be moving to Dubai in August for a two year teaching contract. I've recently bought a macbook pro and so far have been loving it.

I've been using Avid Liquid for a few years now, and since I've bought the mac, want to make the move to Avid MC or Final Cut studio 2. (since they both run on mac), but I'm leaning towards FCS2.

What are the prices like for those products over there?

Will I be able to buy an adapter for my mac and actually be able to use it? (this is very scary for me... it wasn't cheap, and I don't need a new paperweight)

Is there an apple store in Dubai?

Okay that's enough for now.

Looking forward to chatting with you all.

A.

[fangpyre]

I am sure you will love it here.
I don't know the prices for those products, but generally Apple products are more expensive here than other countries.
Especially Europe and the US.

There is an Apple store here owned by Apple's VAD.
Its just as good minus the Genius Bar.

You won't need a power adaptor.
Apple's charges work worldwide.
But you might need to change the plug, or buy a plug converter.
FYI, power here is 220V.

[greenSubmariner]

You could get the worldwide plugs from Apple. Stuff will cost much more here. If you are planning on using that extension that came with your computer, you likely won't unless you buy a power bar that has the global plugs.

[amcinnis]

Just so I'm clear, I should buy the kit from apple, great.

Can I buy a power bar there that will allow me to plug in a 2nd monitor/external hard drive also??

Will I need a power converter for one or both?

Thanks.

[greenSubmariner]

Apple products have always been able to accept 100-220V 50-60Hz. Double check your screen. You have not made any mention of your screen so I don't know if it's a Cinema display or a Dell. You can buy power bars at Carrefour here (It's a Walmart) for abour 75-100AED (25-35USD) depending on how many ports you need. This would be a winner at home.

While you are on the road or at a coffee shop, you would need the Apple plug changer, if not another one which will convert UK to whichever you need. All wall plugs here are UK standard, while most appliances you buy are W. Europe plugs. It is a little odd that they are different, but most have many converters at home.

Where are you coming from?

[amcinnis]

Thanks for the info. That clears up a lot. I guess it would be worth buying the apple kit.

I'm coming from Canada. We're moving mid-August. My wife and I are both teachers.

Can you tell me if I'd be able to get a copy of Final Cut Studio 2 at the apple store there? (or any other location) and a rough idea of the cost. It's $1500CDN, and about $1100USD in the States.

I'm trying to get the lowest price I can and if it's worth it I'll hold off on the purchase.

I use Avid liquid now, and want to move up. Avid Media Composer is over $2000USD so FCS2 is a better deal (granted without BlueRay)

Thanks again.

Talk to you later.

[greenSubmariner]

Cool beans. I'm heading to Toronto next week, actually. I go to Edmonton the following week. I just ordered FCS2, about 2 months ago, and it was about 899CDN. You would honestly pay more for it here than there and if you were to get it here, you would likely have to wait for it. I have not seen a store carry something that heavy duty. There is a store on Sheikh Zayed just after change 1 that sells more higher end stuff.