buying a laptop

[chirpy]

WHERE IS MOST ECONOMICAL PLACE TO BUY A NEW LAPTOP?
IS IT FRANCE OR U.K.?AND VIA INTERNET? SOME PEOPLE SAY U.S.A. BUT I DO NOT VISIT THAT PART OF THE WORLD.MY OLD DELL LATITUDE KEEPS CLOSING DOWN ITSELF AND I HAVE TO REBOOT IT.
IT IS ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD.

[Henry87]

If you buy in France, you need to bear in mind you'll get a French (AZERTY) keyboard on it, not a "standard" QWERTY one, as well as a French version of Windows. This may or may not bother you, and you can of course change the software for English versions, but typing on a French keyboard with and English keyboard driver could be confusing - at least if you are used to looking at the keys!

Mail order from the US is the best value with the current exchange rate, but make sure the power supply is dual voltage if you go that way.

Henry

[Boghound]

If you are happy with Dell. They will supply a UK/US machine to France.try http://www.acipic.com http://www.dabs.com http//www.higrade.com http://www.carrera.co.uk

[Craig McGinty]

Hi ab
Just a couple of points if you buy a French machine is that Windows will be in French so any messages, error messages etc. will be in French.
You can't change the home version of Windows XP to display in English and most of the software that comes with the machine will be in French.
Also whether you buy a UK machine or a French machine make sure that you update the virus protection first and then go to the Windows update page second at:

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

Your machine could have been sat on a shelf for six months or more, so it is not up to date with patches etc.
I've spent the last few weeks helping people clean their machines of various viruses after jumping straight on to the Internet after buying a new computer.
Any questions just drop me a line.
Regards
Craig
http://www.thisfrenchlife.com

[Jirac18]

I bought two from a well known global auction internet site. They were excellent Toshiba laptops and I saved a fortune. Never had any problems but make sure you do your research of product and vendor.

[Buntina]

LAST EDITED ON 28-Jul-04 AT 08:47 AM (BST)

Dell do some very good machines at good prices, you can order in france, with french electrical bits, UK manuals, UK Operating System and UK QWERTY keyboard

Link: http://www.dell.fr
Or save yourself a few quid on ebay

Oh and if you've no need for the old lappy Im collecting 'bits and bobs' for a project


Mike

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http://www.splash-internet.com
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[Washy]

If You know anyone flying via Stanstead Airport UK, there is a Dixons 'duty free' shop airside. I had been looking for a laptop for some time last year and had a call from my son who was waitinf for his flight to be called, to say there was a laptop with my specifications for about 500 cheaper than I had researched. So he bought it for me there and then. If you call Dixons at Stanstead airport ehy will order items and reserve them for the date of your flight in your name. You need to research what is available on the Dixons' site and even if it is not on the site ring the airport branch as they seem to have different stock. Check out prices elsewhere as I am sure they have 'duty free' items which are not such bargains, but mine was a good saving. Also it comes with warranty etc. so if I have any problems I can send it back with someone to get it repaired.