Xiaomi Air 13 Laptop i5-6200u 8GB 256GB discrete GPU €578 @ Gearbest

Hierro_4

https://www.gearbest.com/laptops/pp_421980.html?wid=4&utm_source=tt_de



There's a chance you'll get stung with customs fees but even so it's still a great price IMO.

RossieMan

And what happens if something goes wrong with it? It's not a bargain, it's from gearbest.

Just have a look over at their forum here and you'll see customer service at it's finest. The worst shower I've ever come across.

Alanstrainor

I looked up a couple of reviews and they look good. A lot of spec for the cash, even if you do get stung with customs. I know gearbest is one of those companies that gets a lot of hate, but I have ordered from there a good few times and always gotten my stuff. It's always been smaller items however.

Tinie

Customs will add to it surely.

BarryM

What does "Windows 10 Chinese version" mean?

If you get hit by customs, how much will that be?

BTW, would someone like to translate for me what "gotten" means? Is it (US) shorthand for "I have received" in the case of this thread?

Imallrightjack

In one of the reviews it says "power button placement is unfortunate".
Any idea where it is?

GBX

Imallrightjack wrote: »

In one of the reviews it says "power button placement is unfortunate".
Any idea where it is?

Click/swipe the pics it shows it on the top right of all the buttons on the keyboard.

Sync

This would also make me hesitate:

"This Android/Windows device is designed to function specifically with the current Android/Windows OS installed on it. Any alterations such as upgrades, modding with custom ROM, rooting or flashing the Android device with other firmware will automatically cause the device experience matters as well as void the device's warranty. Please think twice before operating all these actions."

You'd have to have massive cojones to shove nearly 600 quid in the direction of Gearbest.

TerrorFirmer

I think Gearbest are OK, I've bought tons of stuff from them and even the odd return was pretty painless and they had fairly good efficient service.

However, I would not advise buying this laptop from Gearbest - you'll be hit hard with customs, and you might as well have bought it 2nd hand as the warranty will be useless.

Imagine the cost of shipping a laptop back to China, fully insured and tracked....

Better to spend a little extra and get something similar from Amazon/LaptopsDirect/etc. When you factor in customs charges, having an actual warranty, etc - you're not spending much extra.

Hierro_4

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

I think Gearbest are OK, I've bought tons of stuff from them and even the odd return was pretty painless and they had fairly good efficient service.

However, I would not advise buying this laptop from Gearbest - you'll be hit hard with customs, and you might as well have bought it 2nd hand as the warranty will be useless.

Imagine the cost of shipping a laptop back to China, fully insured and tracked....

Better to spend a little extra and get something similar from Amazon/LaptopsDirect/etc. When you factor in customs charges, having an actual warranty, etc - you're not spending much extra.

From what I've read, there's a decent chance you'll avoid customs if you select standard delivery.

I think it's a good price with custom fees and an absolute bargain if you avoid them.

There's obviously customer service drawbacks that you have to weigh up with Chinese imports but it's a risk I'm willing to take on this. The laptop is very well reviewed and it's not known to have any common issues that require it to be sent back.

loki7777

Hierro_4 wrote: »

From what I've read, there's a decent chance you'll avoid customs if you select standard delivery.

I think it's a good price with custom fees and an absolute bargain if you avoid them.

There's obviously customer service drawbacks that you have to weigh up with Chinese imports but it's a risk I'm willing to take on this. The laptop is very well reviewed and it's not known to have any common issues that require it to be sent back.

I would say it's 50/50.

homingbird

If you get the option to ship with Netherlands post use it i bought a phone on ali & used it an post tracking says country of origin netherlands no duty.

ionapaul

Price looks similar on a few other retailers - geekbuying and banggood - are those better retailers in terms of support, etc...? Really tempted by this laptop!

Simi

Why don't you ship to parcel motel? But the extra insurance from parcel motel & it's really no less safe than getting it delivered to your home.

I've used it the last few times I've ordered anything big to avoid customs. Of course if it did get stopped you'd be screwed, but so far nothing has been.

Hierro_4

Simi wrote: »

Why don't you ship to parcel motel? But the extra insurance from parcel motel & it's really no less safe than getting it delivered to your home.

I've used it the last few times I've ordered anything big to avoid customs. Of course if it did get stopped you'd be screwed, but so far nothing has been.

Parcel Motel increases your chances of avoiding customs?

RossieMan

no it doesnt.

if its caught for customs they wont accept it and its a pain in the arse trying to pay royal mail for it.
you'll pay for delivery twice too as PM will charge you for delivering the note that you owe customs.

customs is the least of your worries with this anyway.

mikeybrennan

You're better off paying more and getting proper delivery and warranty from another retailer

varuka

I got one of these over a year ago... great bit of tech, especially with the 940mx but few weeks out of warranty and had fan problems. Gearbest couldn't/ wouldn't get parts and so couldn't i so it's a shiny paperweight now.

Common issue if you google it.
Getting warranty/ parts will be a hassle as mentioned before.