Buying A Laptop In The States
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Discussion

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,388 posts

280 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
Are there any issues with compatability?

I'm thinking about getting a laptop for when I go back to uni next september but as i'm going out to South Carolina at Easter i thought it might be a good time to pick up a bargin!

(Probably going to be a Toshiba with Windows Media Centre)

icamm

2,153 posts

287 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
There might be issues with the mains adaptor but it's unlikely as most as laptops are used by traveling business men.

The main issue to watch is any warranty or "support" contract is often only valid in the country of purchase. Make sure the one one get has a world wide warranty where they will repair it in any country.

We used to have this problem when I worked for a large Japanese company and people would buy laptops in Japan and then we couldn't get them fixed without shipping them back to Japan first.

GregE240

10,857 posts

294 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
pmanson said:
Are there any issues with compatability?

I'm thinking about getting a laptop for when I go back to uni next september but as i'm going out to South Carolina at Easter i thought it might be a good time to pick up a bargin!

(Probably going to be a Toshiba with Windows Media Centre)
Most warranties offered by the big boys are global, so no major issue there. Best to check first.

The only things I can think of are:

1) It'll have a US keyboard, so no pound sign. You can buy replacements in the UK (I paid £45 for a Tecra UK keyboard for a US laptop I won off ebay). Fitting is relatively straightforward.

2) You'll need a new mains lead, and also check the transformer for the laptop is multi voltage (120/240v). Otherwise you'll plug it in and it'll go splot, or at worst catch fire!

Other than that you should be okay.

Greg

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,388 posts

280 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
Are there many differences in regards to the keyboard layout?

targarama

14,753 posts

310 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
There are a couple of differences, but nothing to worry about except the $/£ thing - as long as you know how to type £ then it's OK. I have a Sony Vaio which I bought in California after my boss told me he would ensure it was paid for by the company. It has run just fine for the last 2.5 years - I just needed to get a different mains lead to the power adapter for over here.

If you buy one, buy a travel adapter for the UK while you're out there, then you can use your new acquisition while you source a new mains lead. Obviously, travel adapters for sale in the UK are the wrong way round (UK to US).

GregE240

10,857 posts

294 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
Theres a company here in the UK called Laptop Bits (Google will find their home page).

This is where I got my keyboard from. Very good service, OEM boxed brand new and not too expensive.

They sell most major players' kit.

Greg

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,388 posts

280 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
I've got my eye on one of these.......


www.microanvika.com/product.asp?TXT=INFO&PNO=TOS18017