Buying a laptop from the US

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Buying a laptop from the US

m00sie

43 posts

Geek

#15818 9-Sep-2007 20:15

Does anyone know if i would run into any problems if i bought a laptop from the states? I know the chargers are dual voltage, but would anything else essential be different/not work?

Thanks :)

foobar

186 posts

Master Geek

#86001 9-Sep-2007 20:37

Hello!

I am running a US laptop right now and it works without problem. It's a Dell Latitude D820, which was MUCH cheaper over there than down here. My OS is Ubuntu 7.04 (which works great on it, by the way). No problems at all. As long as you can live with having to use a simple adapter plug for the AC, I don't see any problem with it. As you pointed out, the charger is dual voltage.

If you run another OS (maybe one made in Redmond?) then I don't know if local retail versions of the OS do something funky that could cause a problem, but I wouldn't think so...

The blog: foobar on computers, software and the rest of the world: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/foobar

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
8476 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#86006 9-Sep-2007 21:04

Following issues:

Power plug will need adapter, and must be 240v (NOT 110v !!!!!!!) (some do both I think)
Probably no warranty service in NZ

Thats about it. Windows will be just fine...

If you are buying brand new, then personally I would only bother if I was saving a significant amount of money - id rather find a good deal here, and get warranty service.

foobar

186 posts

Master Geek

#86010 9-Sep-2007 21:21

Power plug will need adapter, and must be 240v (NOT 110v !!!!!!!) (some do both I think)
Probably no warranty service in NZ

The adapter is a simple construction, and doesn't have to be aware of certain currencies. The power box (chargers) of all modern laptops support a wide band of voltages, and will have absolutely no problem at all being plugged in here, in Europe or North America. As I said, all you need is a very simple adapter plug, which you should be able to get a Dick Smith for $20 (totally overpriced) or so.

Yes, the warranty is possibly an issue. Depending on the vendor, you may be able to buy world-wide warranty, which will cost extra. Some vendors may be able to provide you with local warranty, but that is unlikely.

The price difference of buying a laptop here vs. the US can be substantial, though. It might even make up for the world-wide warranty, if you want to (have to) buy that.

The blog: foobar on computers, software and the rest of the world: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/foobar

rscole86

4999 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 462

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#86011 9-Sep-2007 21:35

Depending on the type of power supply that the laptops uses, it may be cheaper to replace half of the cable.

I have heard that the US dial-up modems will not work in NZ without a reverse cable, however this it could be completely wrong?

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
8476 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#86012 9-Sep-2007 21:39

rscole86: dial-up modems

What is "dialup"?

Fossie

1240 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#86015 9-Sep-2007 21:44

I think it has something to do with go-large?

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41029

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#86016 9-Sep-2007 21:47

rscole86: Depending on the type of power supply that the laptops uses, it may be cheaper to replace half of the cable.

I have heard that the US dial-up modems will not work in NZ without a reverse cable, however this it could be completely wrong?

Not reverse cable, reverse dialing, but this was only for rotary (analogue). This is no longer the case.

As for the power cable, you probably just need to buy a new lead. Nothing major, a few bucks only.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

PenultimateHop

637 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

Trusted

#86030 9-Sep-2007 23:40

freitasm: Not reverse cable, reverse dialing, but this was only for rotary (analogue). This is no longer the case.

Pulse dialing and tone dialing are both analogue phone concepts.

I've never had a problem using a US modem in NZ, you may need to use a slightly different init string or firmware to get the modem to identify the dialtone, but frankly I haven't had to do that in the last 7-8 years...

I've bought a couple of laptops from the US, in particular Apple MacBook/MacBook Pro because they are a huge amount cheaper there. With a local power cable, there's no functional difference. Apple and many other vendors provide worldwide warranty support (e.g. Dell, IBM/Lenovo), or it can at the very least be purchased as an add-on for minimal cost.

The biggest problem, if you're bringing it back to NZ unopened, is you may be charged GST on arrival.

m00sie

43 posts

Geek

#86066 10-Sep-2007 12:10

Thanks for the info.

It seems to be the more high spec i go, the more i will save buying from the states.

What are your thoughts on Sony Vaios? besides the fact that you pay for their appearance lol. Looking at either one of those or an HP dv6000 series....

Was gutted when the dollar dropped :(