Need to buy a laptop online - advice please

Anne_Marie_2

In addition to what Nifty Digits has said, I'd consider looking at manufacturers which have a physical presence in S Korea, to save on international shipping, should something go wrong.

One other thought is to ask anyone travelling to bring you one back? There's rarely a visit to the UK, which doesn't involve me bringing something back for friends.

NiftyDigits

Anne_Marie wrote: »

In addition to what Nifty Digits has said, I'd consider looking at manufacturers which have a physical presence in S Korea, to save on international shipping, should something go wrong.

One other thought is to ask anyone travelling to bring you one back? There's rarely a visit to the UK, which doesn't involve me bringing something back for friends.

The International Warranty covers that... That the point of it.

I checked beforehand for Toshiba Service Centres in Korea before posting.

Anne_Marie_2

Appreciate that you would have checked NiftyDigits, meant if the OP was considering other manufacturers, to check that their international warranty included S. Korea.

top_drawer_2

Much to my surprise, but yes Samsung et al laptops, who have a factory literally down the road, are more expensive here than they are in the UK (or even the US, my American friends tell me!).

It's due to handling charges levied by the Korean authorities (and the fact that Koreans don't object to it as much as us thrifty westerners would).

You're right on the subject of warranty; much easier to go with a brand who have a presence here in SK, Dell have a presence but they have been diminishing it more recently.

Anne_Marie_2

OP, what's your actual priorities in terms of a laptop? You mentioned you'd maybe like a laptop/tablet hybrid, you want something light for travelling, and you'd like a 17" screen. The latter seems at odds with the first two, to me.
Do you want the larger screen for watching tv only? If so, would probably make more sense to buy a lightweight laptop/hybrid/tablet for travelling about and then plug into a larger screen for watching at home. If I'm completely on the wrong track, I apologise.

top_drawer_2

Anne_Marie wrote: »

OP, what's your actual priorities in terms of a laptop? You mentioned you'd maybe like a laptop/tablet hybrid, you want something light for travelling, and you'd like a 17" screen. The latter seems at odds with the first two, to me.
Do you want the larger screen for watching tv only? If so, would probably make more sense to buy a lightweight laptop/hybrid/tablet for travelling about and then plug into a larger screen for watching at home. If I'm completely on the wrong track, I apologise.

Yes, I'd like everything, all of the above!

I don't tend to travel that much but it was dreadful trying to get my carry-on luggage to be able to fly to SK, to weigh under the allowance, with my laptop in the case it weighed 2.2 lb alone. I won't be taking it anywhere on holiday with me and I never take it to work etc so I guess its not really a priority.

I think your suggestion makes perfect sense.

agrinnall

top_drawer wrote: »

I would be forced to be "naughty" and get it sent to my family's address and then have the repackage it as a secondhand laptop to send onto me.

If that works then it sounds like your plan will work out cheaper. But if it doesn't and the SK authorities do levy the import taxes and charges how much would that add? Would it then be more expensive than buying the same item locally? If that is the case then you'll have to decide whether the risk is worth taking.

Anne_Marie_2

top_drawer wrote: »

Yes, I'd like everything, all of the above!

:rotfl: Wouldn't we all!

top_drawer wrote: »

I don't tend to travel that much but it was dreadful trying to get my carry-on luggage to be able to fly to SK, to weigh under the allowance, with my laptop in the case it weighed 2.2 lb alone. I won't be taking it anywhere on holiday with me and I never take it to work etc so I guess its not really a priority.

I think your suggestion makes perfect sense.

I totally understand. Nothing worse than struggling with heavy laptop when travelling, been there and done it, but now have a very light 11.6" notebook, rather than struggle with my very heavy 15.6" laptop. I've found that I use it most of the time now, and rarely use the bigger one.

However, if it's not a priority, and you'd really like something with a 17" screen, then I'd be filtering through what's available and checking weight, and narrowing it down from there, obviously including other priorities such as processor, RAM, HD/SSD/HHD etc.