Laptop from US

coldfire1x

I am looking to get this laptop from US (someone is going who can pick it up for me).

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9370548&type=product&id=1218093001786

I am not looking for a gaming laptop. For general use. Do you think its a good laptop?

Is there anything I should be aware of? I know keyboard layout probably will be a little different and power cord.

Anything else?

Overheal

avoid best buy.

you can get much better specs for that money. Buy direct from HP or Dell US and have them ship it to your temp address in the US. You wont get a tax return form for this, but then neither should you have to pay customs when you return to Ireland.

I like the HP laptops better for look and feel, but I have been so pissed off by their aftermarket service. I cant say I'd buy another from them anytime soon.

Amalgam

Overheal, maybe that price suits coldfire1x, relatively speaking.. Bestbuy or not.

coldfire1x, in case you don't know, all recent (last 2 years or so) HP laptops now have switching power supply units.

Once the laptop is back in Ireland, you just need to buy yourself a 'Kettle' or 'Cloverleaf' lead, plug that between your power brick and the wall socket.. and you're good to go.



Oh.. and make sure your friend can still help you when the Windows 7 upgrade is due, if there's physical media involved, a CD or DVD, it is quite likely HP will only send it out to a CONUS (Continental United States) address. The offer or upgrade might be invalid elsewhere\abroad.

Overheal

If youre talking about exhange and weak currencies, it doesnt matter. Youre still talking about a Price : Performance ratio. That laptop, at best buy, does not deliver.

coldfire1x

@Amalgam - Thanks for the power cord details, it looks like thats not going to be a problem. My friend lives in US so thats not going to be a problem

@Overheal - Thanks for your input. This laptop will cost me around €525. Where do you think I can get a better spec laptop in US?

Overheal

I'd start by looking at Dell.com, and at least get a feel at what bang you deserve for buck. Work it out with todays exhange rate - you have $743.248. When i have more time later, I may throw you out a suggested model and config.

Another site to try for pricing only, is Costco.com - I say pricing only because you need a membership to shop in there. Its like Sams club. But their prices are very competitive.

Before Circuit City went under I'd tell you to look there. But BB does some ghey retail things. They pad a lot of money on top - both for profit - and stupid things, like a "Setup Fee" for turning on your laptop for the first time, clicking a few buttons, and getting it to the desktop. Want skype setup on your machine? That will cost you $40. Even though skype itself is free.

Cryos

Just to clarify on warrenty stuff (which always comes up) Warrenties on HP Products are WWE (worldwide) so you shouldnt have a problem getting warrenty should the product break etc...

The Win 7 upgrade program from what i can see will be available in download form.

@overheal send me your negative experience and see if i can get something done for your HP product if you still have it

Overheal

nah its alright. I was just cheesed they outright refuse to publish win7 drivers for my laptop. It means I have to resort to a few workarounds.