Only in Tokyo, Part 4: Display Technology On The Label

Wandering around Tokyo, we had to make a stop at Yodobashi Akiba, the biggest high-tech store in Akihabara and the second biggest stockist in all of Tokyo.


It's a supermarket specialising in technology, including computers, consumer electronics and household appliances, laid our over several huge floors.  Here, though, nearly all of the labels say 'Made in Japan'.  There's no room for Chinese or Korean manufacturers, and you'd think they think hadn't even heard of Samsung if you didn't know any better.


If you go looking for extra RAM for your laptop, the first question is what the manufacturer is.  If you try it on with something from outside of Japan, they'll tell you it won't be compatible ... But anyway, we visited the whole thing, but our attention was naturally drawn to the computer monitor aisle.


And that's where we saw something really odd!  When we raise technical questions with manufacturers, they often claim our reviews are too complicated and will only appeal to a limited set of readers.  And if we suggest that they clearly list the type of panel technology used in the specs on their monitors, that's just too much for them.  Things are different in Japan, though, because here, the panel technology takes pride of place on every single screen.


If you look closely, the most prominent piece of information on show is the type of panel used.  At the bottom, the 27W doesn't refer to the energy consumption (although we'll have more on that later) but the form factor: 27'' widescreen.

> Only in Tokyo, Part 3: Sony WX1 for £100


> Buyer's Guides: Our Pick of The Best Products