Laptops in China

[onebir]

Would I be better off buying a laptop in China (specifically Beijing), or before i get there (I'm planning to stay at least 6 months)?

I'm after a fairly small light one, any reasonable brand. Price aside, I'm concerned about system software (ie will i be able to switch it to english) and warranties...

(I see now there's some info on prices at General pricing of Laptops, and Electrical goods in China. There is some info in Buy laptop in Europe, HK or Beijing?, but it's quite old.)

[magores]

I haven't priced things out seriously, but in general, what I've seen is that...

A laptop of whatever brand costs about the same in Beijing as in San Francisco, CA, USA.

This fact shows me that prices are about as low as they can go for hardware in the US. I assume that things are roughly similar in the UK.

-Peripherals are cheaper in Beijing.

-Software is ....

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(I haven't been here long, and I'm no expert, but...)

My suggestion... If you're only going to be in China for 6 months, buy the laptop in the UK. (Local shop, not chain store.) Local service is priceless if needed.

But, buy the PCMCIA to USB adaptor in Beijing.

M

[onebir]

thanks magores - the thing is, computer equipment is more expensive in the UK than the US (especially with the dollar fairly weak).

so on price alone, buying in china probably makes sense for someone coming from the UK, provided there arent any issues to do with os, bios language etc - are there?

[HashiriKata]

onebir,

If you don't know laptops inside out and play with them like toys (like I do ), I'd advice you to buy one in the UK before you go, even if the price may be higher. Not only that, buy as soon as you can so that you can test it out before your China's trip (Anything that would go wrong tends to go wrong in the first few months).

Buying an expensive, complicated item in a place you don't quite know well is not always a good decision (Complications would come if something goes wrong or if there are extra things need installing/ replacing. Also, if the OS is in Chinese, although it'll work with English, you won't be able to swith it into English.)

[onebir]

hmm - looks like i may have to fly via hong kong (to pick up a 6m visa en route)... would buying in hong kong be any better on the os/bios front?

i'd want to buy a well known brand with an international warranty, so i'm hoping the only potential maintenance problems would relate to language issues...