By Kevin Chandler Translated by Blankie Hsu

      Technology shopping shouldn't be a chore but, with all the different vendors and models scattered all over Taichung, your state-of-the-art product could be a glorified paperweight by the time you find what you want. However, narrowing your search to a few key locations will help speed things along significantly. If you're looking to drop several thousand NT dollars on the next big thing, visit these technology hot spots.
Computer Alley For those of you that like to weigh your options carefully and then haggle like a madman, "Computer Alley" (known in Chinese as "Electronics Street") is the place for you. In a three-block area next to First Square (Di Yi Guang Chang) building near the train station there are literally dozens of tiny shops, each selling an eclectic variety of computer components. You can find a shop selling printers and scanners next door to shop lined with computer cases which sits across from a monitor store. With so many vendors, nothing is impossible to find, although it may take some wandering around to find what you need. Computer Alley used to have a rather seedy atmosphere but, thanks to the efforts of the Taichung city government, the roads have been closed to cars and have been paved with red tiles, which gives the area a more legitimate feel. Prices vary from shop to shop, but never vary for the same item by more than a couple of hundred NT. Haggling is allowed and a good negotiator can knock off a fair amount from the sticker price.

Technology shopping

      A word of warning: Computer Alley can be hard to handle for the casual computer shopper. A single product is often sold in 10 different locations, each for a slightly different price, so it is hard for layman to feel like he or she is not being fleeced. Service can also be a problem because not only do you have to haul your hardware several blocks for repair, but you have to trust that the vendor knows what he's doing.
For the experienced techno-shopper, Computer Alley is perfect for stretching one's dollar. You can buy a computer built from the ground up for a great deal less than a name-brand model that is factory built, but it takes an intimate knowledge of hardware specifications to take advantage of their deals, and they often don't come with a warranty for free repair. Parking can be found at First Square or at the parking lots lining Zi You (Tzu You) Road. The shopping area is roughly bordered by Lu Chuan West, Zhong Zheng (Jung Jeng) and Zhong Shan (Jung Shan) roads.

NOVA

      Nova computer shopping mall has long been Taichung's computer hot spot and is an excellent option for both first-time buyers and the techno-savvy. Located on the corner of Gong Yi and Ying Cai (Ying Tsai) roads, Nova has floors of shops selling both pre-built computers as well as all the parts and computer peripherals you need for a do-it-yourself computer project. It is similar to Computer Alley in that no one shop has everything you need, but it is a lot easier to browse through the vendors with air-conditioned hallways. Haggling is also allowed at Nova and it is not uncommon to get five or even 10 percent off items if bought in bulk.

      As good as Nova is, it still takes some effort to find everything and, when you buy something, you often can't take it right from the counter; instead, you have to go outside and pick it up from one of the satellite stores across the street. Also, Nova has a problem with labeling prices on its products. Only about one in five items has a sticker price listed, so one is forced to continually ask the salespeople for help. In general, repair services are a little better at Nova because although there are many different shops, many of them are owned by the same person. This usually means they have a full-time repair staff fixing computers and components from several shops, resulting in faster repair times. There is plenty of parking in the Rei Hwa People's Building parking tower, 20 meters away on Gong Yi Road.

FNAC

      FNAC is the perfect place for a first-time computer buyer. High above the busy streets on the ninth floor of Shinkong Mitsikoshi Department Store, this French chain store has a classy, warm atmosphere that makes Nova and Computer Alley seem overwhelming and complicated. Everything is laid out clearly and computers come pre-built from name brands like HP, Compaq and some of the local brands like BenQ and ASUS. FNAC is also one of the only places in Taichung that sells IMacs. At Nova and Computer Alley, often the closest one can get to the computer you want to buy is a list of numbers and specifications on a flyer, but at FNAC you get to see how it works and runs before taking it home.

      There is also something to be said for having all products in one place for easy perusal and, despite having mainly name brands, FNAC's prices are not too far off those at Nova. Unfortunately, the variety is quite limited on computer options and there is no haggling with the salespeople for a better deal. However, if one doesn't know RAM from ROM, paying a little extra for a reliable computer with a warranty is quite reasonable. Parking is provided by Mitsakoshi or you can go to one of several lots across the street

3C

      The 3C chain is taking the island by storm and has locations in Taipei and Kaohsiung. Located on at 466, Henan Road, sec. 2, in the old A-1 ice skating rink building, 3C sells everything from mice and motherboards to washing machines and waffle makers. Their computer prices are excellent, and the best part is that it's all under one roof. 3C is basically the Taiwanese equivalent of America's "Best Buy" chain. They sell all the name-brand computers, as well as local brands like Lemel and ASUS. One can find similar computers for the same price at other places, but that usually requires searching store by store for the best components and then installing them yourself. 3C takes those high-end components and puts them together into neat little packages, so you can use your top-of-the-line machine right out of the box. They also sell individual components if you insist on building your computer yourself. There is no bargaining at 3C, but they do have bargain bins and many sale items which more than make up for it. There is an in-house repair shop which is a stone's throw from the parking lot in back so taking care of a problem PC has never been easier.

      Taichung has plenty to offer the computer shopper and, whether you're a first-time buyer or silicon junkie, you are sure to find what you need.