Cheap Laptops

Moonlight_2

I have reciently been looking for a laptop on-line and have come across a massive price difference between Dell Uk and USA.

A XPS laptop on dell.com costs $850 (540 pounds) and the same laptop on dell.co.uk cost 1640 pounds, yes - a massive difference.

Dell.com does not deliver outside the us or to PO box's, I know a way to get past this, but am unsure how well a US laptop will work over here. Can anyone advise?

I will pass on details on how to get a laptop delivered over here incase it is useful to any one.

On parcel2go.co.uk (part of DHL) you can for 10 pounds get yourself a US address, suitable for Dell.com to deliver too, the laptop it self weighs roughly 4 kg, if the total package weighs less than 5kg then it will cost 29.50 pounds to forward to the UK, if over 5kg then 42.99 pounds.

After all this, there is still a saving of about a grand saving to be made, as long as the pc works OK in the uk.

Are there any money saving experts who can advise on this?

DjSatansfury

Well you'd have to pay tax on it, but lol...its not going to be £1000+ plus is it.

In regards to working, the power supply will need changing (i would imagine) As they arnt built into the laptop, it should be a simple case of replacing the power cable with a UK one. (Might not be the case, as im not experienced, but i would imagine you'd have to)

fguk

Things to note with US laptops are

1) The warranty, unless you go for International cover of course.
2) The power supply can handle between 110 (US) and 240 (UK) voltage, all you will need to change is the power cable. Alternatively you can just get a 2 pin to 3 pin adaptor for it.
3) US keyboards are slightly different in layout. They have all the same keys, just sometimes in different places.

I recently exported a laptop to a US employee of a UK firm. The hassle I went through with customs at the US end was terrible!! Might be better this end.

From a tax point of view, import duty will need to be paid, dont know what this might be, then i guess VAT @ 17.5% added on. As previously mentioned, unlikely to cut down the price difference that much!

greytroot

With that kind of savings Moonlight you could take a trip over the pond and bring one back, who would know that you just bought it!?

Does Dell have shops over there though?

abomb1969

Big issue here would be warranty, make sure its an international one.

hammy_the_hammer

i think you would have to compare the exact spec. of the models ...i've just had a quick look and my head hurts....have you got links to the 2 comparison models off each of the dell sites ?
it would help to formulate an opinion

tightus_wad

I think as above - you are looking at 2 different models - the 170 and 140
170 in US is $2000 and 140 is $850...one is 17 inch lcd other 14inch - and then diff. in memory (1gb v 512) hard disk, cpu etc. etc.
170 has super duper graphics - 140 has intel extreeme average (read cr4ppy)
Comparing apples and lobsters I think!

The 140 is a great spec. tho if you just want it for home/office use and not mega gaming.