Sorry this is actually more of a computer question, not exactly travel...
 

Sorry I know many here have traveled with their computers, so maybe you can give me some advice!
I'm planning to go to university in UK for 1 year and will get a laptop. Would it be wiser to get one in US and deal with adapters/ converter, or should I just get one in UK? Anyone has had trouble w/ US computers in UK? Or pricing wise? And how realistic it is say if I want to sell the laptop after a year (I might or might not continue to stay in UK)?
Thank you for your help! =)

I'm not familiar with pricing in the UK on laptops, but if it ends up being cheaper here in the U.S. (which I imagine might be the case) get one here and just bring an adapter (the part that allows the plug to fit in U.K. sockets). Adaptors are only a few bucks.

Computers these days seem to be dual voltage. If in doubt, ask before you buy. If it says it will run on 110-240, 50-60hz, you are fine. I took my laptop to Australia and Ireland, and had no problems.

I own a laptop here in UK and you'll find there is very little difference compared to US model. Slight change in keyboard layout (e.g. £ sign above 3) and of course plug/voltage. But almost all laptop charger is universal voltage (including my 4 year-old ThinkPad) and all you need is a plug adaptor to use your US model. Most Office applications are identical - just change the country setting to UK to get UK spelling, grammar etc. Things like MS Money and Quicken are country-specific. From what I've seen, US prices beat UK prices by about 20%, before recent strength of sterling. Check on dell.com and dell.co.uk for comparisons. Beware of warranty cover, which may not be worldwide.
While laptops hold value much better than destops, you typically lose about 30% after a year. Many use ebay.co.uk to get best price. UK models naturally are easier to sell.

Don't forget the 17% VAT added to price if you buy over there...

Alec hit the issue that I faced. Although it sounds like a small thing, being able to get the "Pound" symbol was a major pain in the rear with my US laptop. Actually, in Scandinavia it was much worse because there are letters I needed that were not available on the US keyboard.

Will the keyboard be a problem?

I have a friend who sells laptops here, and I suggest you drop him a line.

I suspect he'd do you a pretty good deal on a good second hand one witha buy back if you asked him.

He's Canadian BTW

If you plan to continue using your computer when you return to the US, I would definitely buy it there, insuring that it is dual voltage (110-240, 50/60Hz). You will then only need an adapter plug and not a converter.

There are other differences in the keyboard layout besides the £ being where the # normally is, so if you are a touch typist you may find the UK layout annoying. You can still get the £ sign with Alt + 0163, and the € with Alt + 0128.

Prices in the UK are generally higher, but the 17.5% VAT is included in the total price rather than added on like sales tax in the US. Nevertheless, expect to pay more in the UK for most things, including computers.

Thank you for all the responses! I think I'll go with buying one in the US cos it seems like it'll be cheaper!

I'll second that - buy US. (I'm from Canada). Almost all modern power bricks say 100V-240V 50-60Hz. My laptop, camera charger, and CD-Writer all did and worked fine with just an adaptor in Italy and UK.

On DPreview.com, I saw comments from UK people with cameras who said their charger power brick didn't do 100V, (240 only) so they were SOL visiting N. America.

I also get the £ symbol by using ALT + 156...

any other ideas how to get the Euro sign please .... ALT + 0128 didn't work on mylaptop.

If you can find the character map in your computer OS, it will tell you the code for the € (I just used Alt + 0128) and all sorts of other special symbols and foreign letters.

P.S. it may differ depending upon which font you are using.

Take your computer with you if you go to France. I used an internet cafe and it took me 3 times as long to answer email. The French manage to mess up the keyboard just like everything else.