Question:
Importing laptop to the UK
Don't know if this is the right section to post this thread on, if it is not please feel free to move.
As I've been researching into buying a laptop I've noticed there is much more choice outside of the UK and they are often cheaper.
As a result I'm considering buying a laptop from North America or Asia. I just want to know what the issues / pitfalls there could be of purchasing one from abroad.
So far I'm aware of the following issues: shipping costs, payment in foreign currency, import duties, fact that keyboard won't be UK spec, power supply will be foreign (i.e. not three pin flat).
What will the warranty situation be? I know that some laptops (like Asus) come with global warranties or they can be purchased as extra. Would that be OK for me?
Re the spec of the keyboard, can that be changed (I know the actual keys will not be able to be changed). Also would I be able to localise the Windows settings to UK (and change English to proper British English)?
Is there anything else I should be considering?
Are there any retailers in North America or Asia who have a good reputation for importing laptops?
Thanks for any help.
Answer:
Re: Importing laptop to the UK
I've got an answer to one of your questions: that is that yes, you can change the key layout in software. Like right now alt+shift changes between dvorak and qwerty for me. You can do the same thing in Linux too (I'm in Windows). Also, i'm staring at a "regional settings" dialog box with a long list of regions and languages. So I think you're good there too.
Answer:
Re: Importing laptop to the UK
Mind telling me whats the difference between "british english" and "english"?
I was born in HK where they speak British English, but i moved to the US.
I can't really tell the difference..
and yes, you can easily change it to your "British English."
Answer:
Re: Importing laptop to the UK
Mind telling me whats the difference between "british english" and "english"?
I was born in HK where they speak British English, but i moved to the US.
I can't really tell the difference..
and yes, you can easily change it to your "British English."
I wasn't trying to be patronising in any way with the comment about British English and other types of English. It is just that in my line of work it is important that the spellings are correct and they don't in any way accidently revert to American English or any other form of English.
Without going too OT, while the differences are small, there are differences between written english in say the UK to the States.
Answer:
Re: Importing laptop to the UK
most companies just will not ship to you. i know that all the major companies will not ship internationally b/c they have someone in the uk as well. also, most places may refuse to offer warranty internationally. fyi, you cannot extend the asus international warranty. only the first year is international. then the rest if your extend it, is usually domestic.
Answer:
Re: Importing laptop to the UK
most companies just will not ship to you. i know that all the major companies will not ship internationally b/c they have someone in the uk as well. also, most places may refuse to offer warranty internationally. fyi, you cannot extend the asus international warranty. only the first year is international. then the rest if your extend it, is usually domestic.
Thanks for the info, esp re the Asus warranty thing (in the UK they seem to offer two years as standard).
I've found that Pro Portable and Milestone will send to the UK, they are working out the charges at present.