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Laptops in america?

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  • 20-10-2007 4:10pm
    #1
    kurisu
    Closed Accounts Posts: 196 ✭✭


    Hey im off to america, florida to be more specifically in about a week,because the dollars good right now im planning to take advantage and buy a laptop for college and im wondering can anyone recommend any good america brands, preferably something with everting in abundance for a good price(the impossible really:D), doesnt have to be any brand names like sony.


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    #2
    majiktripp
    Registered Users Posts: 2,471 ✭✭✭majiktripp


    Check places like Best Buy, CompUSA and even Walmart to see whats available too you. Theres no real stand out "American" brand as such just a case of look and see whats there to buy within your price range!


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    #3
    kurisu
    Closed Accounts Posts: 196 ✭✭kurisu


    ah cool thanks, i would have never thought of walmart nor have i heard of compUSA.


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    #4
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users Posts: 23,212 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    Just a pointer - always check what the actual price on an item is. What you will find in the likes of these retailers in the US is that they show the price after rebate. The actual price you will hand over is usually shown in small print under the rebate price. The idea being you pay the full whack and send in a voucher to get a rebate back at a later stage.

    As a non-resident of the US, you won't be able to claim back the rebate.


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    #5
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,725 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Almost all laptops are dual voltage - but double check that it will run at something over 200V

    And the keyboard will be different @ / " get moved around

    I think modems will work but can't swear by it.

    Warranty will be non-existant unless you can get international cover, compare prices before you go to make sure you are getting a real deal. Also use the laptop to test it out and easier to get through customs or you may get hit by tax.


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    #6
    kurisu
    Closed Accounts Posts: 196 ✭✭kurisu


    yeh i had heard that the adapter for the laptops are usually dual voltage, i think the rebate is like 15% , and only now that you mention it i realise that will be a lot. im not to worried about the keyboard as long as its qwerty


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    #7
    Black Swan
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 47,223 CMod ✭✭✭✭Black Swan


    majiktripp wrote: »
    Check places like Best Buy, CompUSA and even Walmart
    Yes, shop around cause the euro is strong against the weak dollar. But avoid the sales techie talk about trying to sell you a Best Buy or CompUSA warranty! They are a rip-off! On the other hand, if you get a Toshiba, extending the manufacturer's warranty is relatively cheap and a good deal.


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    #8
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users Posts: 23,212 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    Capt'n Midnight wrote: »
    I think modems will work but can't swear by it.

    Yeah, analogue modems are fine. I've used mine both here and in the US, back in the days of 56k dial up. Ah, fond memories. :)


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    #9
    majiktripp
    Registered Users Posts: 2,471 ✭✭✭majiktripp


    tom dunne wrote: »
    56k dial up. Ah, fond memories. :)
    Noooo fraid not there now! Porn on 56k is just not fun at all...bad bad memories! God bless teh broadband!:p


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    #10
    kurisu
    Closed Accounts Posts: 196 ✭✭kurisu


    Blue_Lagoon wrote: »
    Yes, shop around cause the euro is strong against the weak dollar. But avoid the sales techie talk about trying to sell you a Best Buy or CompUSA warranty! They are a rip-off! On the other hand, if you get a Toshiba, extending the manufacturer's warranty is relatively cheap and a good deal.

    i suppose if anything goes wrong it will be hard to redeem the warranty:rolleyes:


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    #11
    Black Swan
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 47,223 CMod ✭✭✭✭Black Swan


    kurisu wrote: »
    i suppose if anything goes wrong it will be hard to redeem the warranty:rolleyes:
    For Best Buy or CompUSA, it's hard to redeem the warranty when you live only a few miles from their retail stores! Several of my friends have found that Best Buy's Geek Squad is generally not geeky at all and in many cases not qualified. One friend fought them to meet their warranty obligations for several weeks. CompUSA is in trouble as a corporation, closing stores all over the country, so I would not trust to their store warranty.

    On the other hand, some manufacturers are quite grand in honoring their warranty agreements. For example, I had an old Toshiba that I replaced with a new one. The battery was losing it's ability to charge fully, and the power cord was worn out. I contacted Toshiba's toll free warranty phone number and they shipped me a free battery and power cord for my old machine. I didn't even have to pay for shipping! We now use the old Toshiba to play DVDs in our flat.

    After this experience with Toshiba, I contacted them by toll free phone and extended my standard one year manufacturer's warranty on my new machine an additional 3 years for only $134.00 USD.


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