My girlfriend is in Hong Kong - should I get her to pick me up a laptop?

Cianos

Hi,
My girlfriend is in Hong Kong for the next week. I want to get a new laptop, so Im thinking it would make sense to ask her to pick one up for me there. Good idea bad idea?

johnnyrotten

Don't know really if you will get a genuine bargain. Its possible she would be hit at customs though

spartacus93

A quick look at the Hong Kong apple store would suggest a €300 saving on a middle of the road PowerBook.

el Bastardo

It's a good idea if you either your gf knows what she's buying or if you specify exactly what you want and what price range you're prepared to pay. I haven't been to Hong Kong but China and Singapore are very good value for consumer electronics, if you shop around and/or haggle (depends on the shop).

Customs don't normally check laptops brought as handluggage unless they are boxed and look as if they're being imported. They know that a lot of people carry laptops with them for legimate business and leisure purposes. Just make sure it's been turned on and used at least once.

Cianos

Thanks for the help chaps. Does anyone know any good sites I can check up on models? My girlfriend said Digital Fortress is a big chain over there, but I cant find it through google.

Do you think guarantees and regional issues would be a problem?

ciarsd

Cianos wrote:

Thanks for the help chaps. Does anyone know any good sites I can check up on models? My girlfriend said Digital Fortress is a big chain over there, but I cant find it through google.

Do you think guarantees and regional issues would be a problem?

not sure if this is of any use to you:
http://www.fortress.com.hk/en/store_locator/district.html?area=store_hk

and the laptop page:
http://www.fortress.com.hk/en/product/computer/notebook/index.html

commited

If you do it, ask her to post you all the user manuals and CD's. Then get her to buy a laptop bag and make it look like she brought it over with her.
Friends of mine were stung for a laptop coming back from hong kong as it was in its box

Cianos

Thanks for the help folks. Just looking through that Fortress website, the prices dont seem too special at all, for example a 1.8GHZ Toshiba lappy is $14,000 HKD, which is around €1500.

maidhc

I was talking to a guy from Singapore recently, he said the only place to get electronics cheap is on the "grey market". I didnt press him on the issue, but I dont think he meant well respected electroics retailers.

Capt'n Midnight

Have you considered cover on it - it's a long way back to drop it back and then collect it later.

Some laptops have world wide cover, but it might work out as much as you save.

paddylonglegs

Was in Hong Kong during the summer.Digital Fortress is really the only place where you can buy securely.These other shops where you haggle and stuff aren't worth it really.Alot of them are a bit shady and some don't supply a warrenty-something essential if you're buyin an expensive piece of kit abroad.They're great if youre buying small stuff like portable speakers or memory cards etc

DF aren't the cheapest,close to home prices really