Buying a laptop in Hong Kong?

[spike-spiegel]

Was wondering if buying a laptop in HK is cheaper/better than here. Got someone going there and can bring it back. Dollar conversion is pretty good and no taxes. But are the prices and quality usually better?

I prefer Lenovo or Toshiba, but are there other brands that are just as good that are available in HK and not here? How would the warranty work?

Any insight or experience would be appreciated! :)

[gilboman]

not worth it. price is similar and usually even a little cheaper in canada.

[Anessa]

Warranty would probably not work unless it's international and the selection is much more diverse than Canada's. NEC has some nice models for Asia pacific and so does Sharp. If you have relatives in HK then you can RMA if anything godforbid goes wrong.

[mingming]

It's not much worth buying a laptop in HK. In terms of performance, you can buy pretty much the same stuff here. There isnt much difference in price either. Plus you have the risk of being checked and annoyed at customs.

I bought back a laptop from HK for someone this summer. It was worth it for me cuz I knew a personal friend selling laptop for much cheaper. And luckily I wasnt checked at customs. But still, I rather find friends who work at computer stores, or co-op students at IBM to get you better deals.

I bought my Thinkpad through a friend doing co-op at IBM, too bad no one works there anymore.

[spike-spiegel]

wouldn't it be easy getting it passed customs comng back? it's a laptop...

[gilboman]

wouldn't it be easy getting it passed customs comng back? it's a laptop...

um...customs aren't dumb, they will notice a shiny new laptop even if you don't bring back any other items (e.g. manual, cd rom etc...) at the same time.

they power it up and see its new. or even easier they just say you never registered the laptop when you went out of country and say you bought it on the trip.

not saying its not doable or hard. but it's not easy as you think.

but main point is its not cheaper in hkg to buy a laptop and even factoring in the tax difference, the dollar amount difference is not big, less hassle to get it here.

[spike-spiegel]

i guess unless they know someone who can get one cheaper or if there is a special sale, it's not worth the hassle then...

but i assume that an international warranty for laptop is absolutely necessary when buying from abroard?

[gman]

i guess unless they know someone who can get one cheaper or if there is a special sale, it's not worth the hassle then...

but i assume that an international warranty for laptop is absolutely necessary when buying from abroard?

In this case, you:

1. limit your choice
2. may need to pay extra for international warranty
3. may pay for "international warranty" but actually it is not (i.e. being con'ed). My mom wanted to buy a digicam in Hong Kong. The store said the one has international warranty. When my mom pressed for the proof, they could not provide that and started to be rude.
4. may risk through custom.

[spike-spiegel]

for future reference, how does the customs duties work? dollar amount limit on stuff purchased there? are duration of stay, number of people taken into consideration?

[mingming]

The amount you can bring back depends on the duration of your stay in HK. The max is $750 CDN per person.

[gilboman]

for future reference, how does the customs duties work? dollar amount limit on stuff purchased there? are duration of stay, number of people taken into consideration?

basically if over 7days its 750limit per person but it can't be combined.

charges are 15% of retail value plus any applicaple customs (dependent on where the laptop is made, you'll need to check CCRA's site to see if any duties is applicable to the laptop u want)
e.g. you can't buy a 1400 laptop and use 2person's limit to cover it.

[eelfliw]

Not sure about prices but keep in mind the different voltage, telephone modem adapter, operating system language & Chinese manuals. These may seriously affect usability & resale price.

[spike-spiegel]

Not sure about prices but keep in mind the different voltage, telephone modem adapter, operating system language & Chinese manuals. These may seriously affect usability & resale price.

Ya I'm worried that long-term use of a plug converter for the battery will damage it somehow.

[mingming]

Ya I'm worried that long-term use of a plug converter for the battery will damage it somehow.

Laptops come with a universal AC adapter now (the 2 round plug). So all you'll need is the $2 jack.

There shouldnt be a problem using a HK laptop here. But still, I dont recommend it based on the price, hassle, and the same stuff available here.

[pebbles10]

you should decide which model it is that you want first and then compare prices. i'm sure you can find a laptop that is equally as good in canada, but in hk you can sometimes bargain with them or get them to give you free stuff (extra ram, laptop bag, etc.).

i brought a laptop back from HK and it's still working fine after 2 yrs. i didn't have any trouble at customs. i just carried the laptop in my carry-on (backpack) and threw all the other stuff (charger, manual) in my suitcase.

[spike-spiegel]

you should decide which model it is that you want first and then compare prices. i'm sure you can find a laptop that is equally as good in canada, but in hk you can sometimes bargain with them or get them to give you free stuff (extra ram, laptop bag, etc.).

i brought a laptop back from HK and it's still working fine after 2 yrs. i didn't have any trouble at customs. i just carried the laptop in my carry-on (backpack) and threw all the other stuff (charger, manual) in my suitcase.

that doesn't sound too bad... maybe some extra ram or something. if i could get a deal and no taxes, it should be cheaper than here.

thanks!

[szlamzs]

my suggestion is just buy IBM T series! it has 3 years international warranty! however, the price just a bit cheaper than here. or u can try the "water good" ....

[mingming]

my suggestion is just buy IBM T series! it has 3 years international warranty! however, the price just a bit cheaper than here. or u can try the "water good" ....

Yeah, "water-for" is proly "hong-for" here.... lol

Whenever you buy stuff in HK, always buy "water-for". No point buying "hong-for" since it becomes "water-for" when u bring it back anyways.

[spike-spiegel]

my suggestion is just buy IBM T series! it has 3 years international warranty! however, the price just a bit cheaper than here. or u can try the "water good" ....

I dont mind getting "water goods" but for a laptop, i would want international warranty. and i think water goods certainly won't have warranty.

[Toronto]

I was there a few months ago, don't bother it's more expensive.

[Mocha10]

Not sure about prices but keep in mind the different voltage, telephone modem adapter, operating system language & Chinese manuals. These may seriously affect usability & resale price.

Notebook computer are meant to use worldwide, so voltage for all laptop is dual (110/220). Operating language can always be English even you bought in HK (all the stores have Chinese and English Windows pre-install).

I just come back from HK not so long ago (I stayed there for half a year) and I would say there will be more latest model in HK and more brand to choose from. Price could be vary a lot. f you get it at chain store like Fortress, it could cost the same here. But there are places at Mong Kok or Sham Shui Po which you could find a deal. But don't trust them on warranty, the international warranty usually won't work. I would say you can always find a better deal there than in Canada but the most important part is still are you going to lie about the amount of goods you bring in since a laptop definitely coast more than CND$750. Duty is not cheap and you may be end up spending more!

[gilboman]

from my reserach...laptops are no cheaper in HKG than it is here. but that may have changed a bit with the increased strength in dollar. but overall it's still not worth the hassle.

[ShadowVlican]

basically if over 7days its 750limit per person but it can't be combined.
what does that $750 cover/mean?

[gilboman]

what does that $750 cover/mean?

each person who travels abroad for 7or more days can bring back each $750 cdn worth of goods tax/duty free per person.

but it can't be combined.

[ShadowVlican]

each person who travels abroad for 7or more days can bring back each $750 cdn worth of goods tax/duty free per person.

but it can't be combined.
i see... how will they know it's $750, we keep all the receipts?

[gilboman]

i see... how will they know it's $750, we keep all the receipts?

yes if not, they will make apprasial of cdn value of items without reciept.

[ShadowVlican]

yes if not, they will make apprasial of cdn value of items without reciept.
i see... thanks for ur help, i know wut to do now :lol:

[gilboman]

i see... thanks for ur help, i know wut to do now :lol:

remember they aren't stupid and won't be fooled by reciept that grossly undervalue the goods :lol:

[ShadowVlican]

remember they aren't stupid and won't be fooled by reciept that grossly undervalue the goods :lol:
of course of course.....

i'm gonna gonna buy a truckload of gundam models back anyways :lol:

[raccoon]

First reason, NO TAX,NO GST,PST,HST!!!
Second reason, Most Laptop has international warranty, don't worry using in Canada.
Third reason, comparing the price, HK is much cheaper than Canada.
My case, I bought my laptop in 2002
COMPAQ EVON610C (business laptop)
P4,1.8g,512m, 40g,14.1lcd Total is 11000 HK dollars(about 1833 CDN)
I checked HP Canada Website, it is 2199+tax CDN.

HK is non-duty city, so you don't need pay ****ing tax.
right now, I usually order my makeup and something else from HK, it is much cheapter than CANADA>

[ryan123]

u should buy it in US. checkout sites like slickdeals.net and fatwallet.com. they are rfd like american sites.

[gilboman]

First reason, NO TAX,NO GST,PST,HST!!!
Second reason, Most Laptop has international warranty, don't worry using in Canada.
Third reason, comparing the price, HK is much cheaper than Canada.
My case, I bought my laptop in 2002
COMPAQ EVON610C (business laptop)
P4,1.8g,512m, 40g,14.1lcd Total is 11000 HK dollars(about 1833 CDN)
I checked HP Canada Website, it is 2199+tax CDN.

HK is non-duty city, so you don't need pay ****ing tax.
right now, I usually order my makeup and something else from HK, it is much cheapter than CANADA>

not all laptops have international warranty, you gotta be careful about that.

laptops in hkg are not any cheaper than in canada, and often are more expensive.

checking manufacture msrp is not a good indication of good or bad deal. computers and electronics are no cheaper in hkg than here if you know where to find the deals here. and going to manufacture website to check msrp is not trying to find deal :lol:

[raccoon]

not all laptops have international warranty, you gotta be careful about that.

laptops in hkg are not any cheaper than in canada, and often are more expensive.

checking manufacture msrp is not a good indication of good or bad deal. computers and electronics are no cheaper in hkg than here if you know where to find the deals here. and going to manufacture website to check msrp is not trying to find deal :lol:
Right~When I bought my Laptop, I was hardly to find this model in retails. So I can only check on the web. I think IBM(right now Lenovo) and HP (business model) ,also Toshiba(business model) and Sangsung have the international warranty.

[Anessa]

you should decide which model it is that you want first and then compare prices. i'm sure you can find a laptop that is equally as good in canada, but in hk you can sometimes bargain with them or get them to give you free stuff (extra ram, laptop bag, etc.).

i brought a laptop back from HK and it's still working fine after 2 yrs. i didn't have any trouble at customs. i just carried the laptop in my carry-on (backpack) and threw all the other stuff (charger, manual) in my suitcase.

I've bought one from Japan...and passed Narita and Pearson customs with no questions asked. They just wanted it outside of the sleeve when going through the X-ray scanner.

[miccocan]

HK LAPTOP PRICE IS HELL LOT CHEAPER!!
my father use alot of laptop in his company and i change laptop every year, and we only buy thinkpad (even for me cuz i hate touchpad). no matter what model thinkpad is still cheaper, we paid $6000HKD for a R50e last summer, thats 882cdn, i don't think you can get one for $882 tax inc right? T series is around $11000-15000HKD (around $1500-$2000), canada base TXX model is $2000. don't look at lenovo.hk web price, they are ridiculously high, street price is much lower. also fujitsu, sony are way overprice in canada.
the only brand that i think canada has resonable price is lower end dell (not 710m-you can get that for $7000HKD or $900USD in US and canada cost $1500+tax), acer and fujitsu.

custom i never had any problem useless you are bring 3 laptop in, just install all software first, and say is for personal use. if they keep asking say i forgot to declare before i leave canada, think about it who will carry a computer receipt around in their wallet right?

[Pavel]

custom i never had any problem useless you are bring 3 laptop in, just install all software first, and say is for personal use. if they keep asking say i forgot to declare before i leave canada, think about it who will carry a computer receipt around in their wallet right?

That's a crap shoot. You don't know what you're talking about when it comes to Customs.

I went to the US with my laptop and came back. I was prepared and I had a copy of my receipt. Good thing because they were questioning it. Besides, not all customs officers are stupid. They take your laptop inside and browse through the programs to get an idea how old it is. If you say you forgot to declare it, no problem. They will hold onto it until you show them the receipt. No receipt, no laptop returned. They can also nail you for illegal software if it's installed.