Buying A Laptop

[Vizeman]

Hi Everyone,
I fancy buying a laptop whilst out in Orlando whilst the exchange rate is good.
What's the best (cheapest) place to buy one. Also does anyone know of any downfalls in doing this, compatibility issues and the like.
Thanks in advance
Neil

 

[JudicialTyranny]

Have a Dell shipped to your room!

 

[Cherb]

It will have a US keyboard and not a UK one!

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Its one of the only things that I would say NOT to buy out in the uSA
Firstly, they are not that cheap, secondly as has been said, they have a US keyboard and no £ sign, so every time you would want to use it you have to put it in manually.

 

[jockey]

I bought a laptop in September 2004 in Walmart, it was half the price in the US than it would have been in the UK for a similar spec! The make was Averatec, it has an AMD Athlon with 512 memory 40 gb HD dvd writer and built in WIFI it was only £580!!! We have had no problems with it at all!! Why not check out the specs at

WALMART

 

[Vizeman]

I'll check out Walmart. If their is a problem with it I can always take it back to Asda.

 

[AlanUK]

Watch out for getting hit with import duty when you bring it back into the UK.

I believe customs and excise are able to trace where the laptop was purchased based on the serial number

 

[florry]

Our son purchased an Avertec Laptop from Wal-Mart too. Last August. No problems with this at all. Plagged in when we got home - imediately set itself to our wireless network and has been great ever since. You also have the advantage of the Wal-Mart/ Asda link - so if there is a problem when you get home - you can take it to Asda for a refund (so we were told).
We paid $1068.00 (about £600). Packed it in a suitcase inside a case and surrounded by soft items - came home fine.

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Looking at the spec on Walmart, nothing seems to have changed much since I last looked at comparisons. The lowest spec one Walmart do is $548, which when sales tax is added and the exchange rate factored in, comes to about £340. It is also quite a bit lower spec to the Dell Insprion 1050's that were on offer at £350 delivered during the first couple of weeks of this month.
I don't consider the savings that great, if anything, to warrant living with the US keyboard layout, and question mark over warranty. I know its been said that Asda will take them back, and maybe they will, but has anyone ever actualy tried doing so ?


As further comparison, Walmart do an HP one thats a 1.3celeron and is $748 + tax, and is exactly the same spec as the Fujitsu that Comet are currently doing for £439.

Nope, im not convinced that there are any savings to be had.....especialy if you were unlucky enough to get hammered for import duty.....maybe someone can find some more favourable comparisons than I could though ??

 

[edinburghlass]

glad to read that reply, having bought the fujitsu siemens from comet

 

[Tron[ADS]]

glad to read that reply, having bought the fujitsu siemens from comet

Yeah, I got one too, in January, when it was £499 with a free laptop bag and memory stick. I sold it for £350 at the end of last month, as I was fortunate enough to get one of the 200 half price HP AMD Sempron 2.6's with a dvd writer for £289 from PC World, along with 256mb extra ram for £22. Despite already having a nearly brand new lapper, I couldnt resist it, and had to sell the "old" one quickly to appease Mrs Tron......It went to family, so I didnt mind losing so much in such a short time.

Bargains can be had, you just have to keep your eye out.....but that £289 one is one I don't think will be repeated....I was very lucky to get it.

 

[edinburghlass]

are you a user of MSE by any chance?

 

[Tron[ADS]]

are you a user of MSE by any chance?

Oh yes....and its a nightmare, I end up buying things I dont want/need, just because its too good an offer to turn down !

I love it.

 

[edinburghlass]

mmm tell me about it

head up to the Telephone Boards and you'll find me there

 

[Tron[ADS]]

mmm tell me about it

head up to the Telephone Boards and you'll find me there

I only really look in the "quick! grab it while you can" board.