Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

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

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

Old Jun 9th, 2003, 08:52 AM
  #1  
Ada
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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! =)
Ada is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2003, 09:06 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
crazymina is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2003, 10:45 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Alec is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2003, 12:08 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Don't forget the 17% VAT added to price if you buy over there...
weski is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2003, 01:26 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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?
Snoopy is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2003, 01:28 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
sheila is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2003, 02:04 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,925
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Heimdall is online now  
Old Jun 16th, 2003, 04:10 PM
  #8  
Ada
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!
Ada is offline  
Old Jun 16th, 2003, 06:04 PM
  #9  
MD
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
MD is offline  
Old Jun 16th, 2003, 06:18 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also get the £ symbol by using ALT + 156...
BrimhamRocks is offline  
Old Jun 16th, 2003, 07:49 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
any other ideas how to get the Euro sign please .... ALT + 0128 didn't work on mylaptop.
clbc is offline  
Old Jun 16th, 2003, 11:27 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,925
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Heimdall is online now  
Old Jun 16th, 2003, 11:28 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,925
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
P.S. it may differ depending upon which font you are using.
Heimdall is online now  
Old Jun 17th, 2003, 12:49 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Chatmandu is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
amelie
Europe
11
Apr 8th, 2013 08:12 PM
AyQuehago
Europe
8
Feb 15th, 2006 12:38 PM
shelby34
Europe
5
Aug 14th, 2005 06:14 AM
my2cents
Europe
6
Apr 7th, 2005 02:33 PM
mamarosa
Europe
11
Feb 21st, 2005 02:02 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -