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Buying laptop in HK

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yleo

Talker

Joined: Sep 06, 2008
Posts: 94

Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 01:26 PM
Post subject: Buying laptop in HK

Going to HK over the break and planning on buying some electronics.

My main purchase is a notebook. I've been reading about places in HK buy such stuff and have reached the conclusion that its better to buy stuff at electronics retailers over there, rather than from no-name stores around town.

Is this true? Any suggestions? Where to go, what to look out for ? is it possible to buy laptops at the airport ?

chingiskhan

Low Seater

Joined: Apr 24, 2007
Posts: 3344
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 02:27 PM

I personally don't think it's worth the hassle. There are perfectly decent retailers here and you don't have to fly to HK if there's a fault later.

crivens200

LoopKicker

Joined: Nov 05, 2007
Posts: 930

Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 03:51 PM

One good thing about buying a notebook in HK is that you can get it with an English operating system.

It's impossible to get it in English in China unless you are willing to pay the extra for a copy of Windows Vista or XP in English, or are willing to have a fake version installed that can't be registered with Microsoft.

If you're going to be in HK anyway, get one with an international warranty and they can fix it in China if you have problems.

chingiskhan

Low Seater

Joined: Apr 24, 2007
Posts: 3344
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 04:03 PM

crivens200 wrote:

One good thing about buying a notebook in HK is that you can get it with an English operating system.

That's a very good point if you buy a Windows PC but if you get an Apple Mac then it is irrelevant as you can change the language any time you want without even turning the machine off.

International warranty is obviously the way to go if they can provide it.

Dazza
Low Seater

Joined: Feb 02, 2006
Posts: 3434
Location: In the city of cold steel

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 04:31 PM

Fortress or Broadway stores, there are plenty around especially in the Mongkok area. Expect some discounts too during CNY.

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8lrr8
Wonder Wit

Joined: Oct 14, 2004
Posts: 3718

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 05:19 PM

crivens200 wrote:

It's impossible to get it in English in China unless you are willing to pay the extra for a copy of Windows Vista or XP in English,...

u mean the extra 15rmb that it costs to get XP english?

crivens200 wrote:

..., or are willing to have a fake version installed that can't be registered with Microsoft.

recently bought xp sp3 (eng). pirated, of course. installed all the updates via windows update. no probs whatsoever.

i no idea why u imply it cant be done.

crivens200

LoopKicker

Joined: Nov 05, 2007
Posts: 930

Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 05:35 PM

8lrr8 wrote:

crivens200 wrote:

It's impossible to get it in English in China unless you are willing to pay the extra for a copy of Windows Vista or XP in English,...

u mean the extra 15rmb that it costs to get XP english?

crivens200 wrote:

..., or are willing to have a fake version installed that can't be registered with Microsoft.

recently bought xp sp3 (eng). pirated, of course. installed all the updates via windows update. no probs whatsoever.

i no idea why u imply it cant be done.

There was no implication that it can't be done. Go back and read my post retard. Notice the words "unless" and "or". If you don't understand plain clear English then I suggest enrolling at Wall Street or some other English learning establishment around town.

8lrr8
Wonder Wit

Joined: Oct 14, 2004
Posts: 3718

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 05:56 PM

crivens200 wrote:

1. not all places charge u extra for english XP. but i'll let that one slide.
2. my version was fake. no probs w/ registering it w/ MSFT.

doesnt look like i need to sign-up for wall street english...

crivens200

LoopKicker

Joined: Nov 05, 2007
Posts: 930

Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 06:23 PM

8lrr8 wrote:

crivens200 wrote:

I think you do need to sign up. You suggested that I was implicating that one couldn't get an English OS in Shanghai. That's not what I said in my original post.

Bet you a thousand dollars you can't get an English OS on a laptop in Shanghai UNLESS you pay extra for English OS or its a fake. You might be able to get it online with Dell but that's about it.

Check out here please:

http://wselearning.com/

*Sarita

Barker

Joined: Jan 26, 2008
Posts: 177
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 06:47 PM

When I was looking for a notebook with English OS Best Buy told me only IBM and Apple had the choice of English or Chinese built in.

I ended up buying mine in HK, for the English reason, but also because there are not many notebooks with 15' or bigger screens for sale in China and the prices are a lot lower in Hong Kong.

I bought my notebook at Broadway.

8lrr8
Wonder Wit

Joined: Oct 14, 2004
Posts: 3718

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 07:00 PM

crivens200 wrote:

You suggested that I was implicating that one couldn't get an English OS in Shanghai.

false, that's not what i was suggesting.

crivens200 wrote:

That's not what I said in my original post.

agreed. so let's revisit what u said, shall we?

"It's impossible to get it in English in China unless you are willing to pay the extra for a copy of Windows Vista or XP in English, or are willing to have a fake version installed that can't be registered with Microsoft."

this is false because pirated versions can be registered w/ MSFT. is your concern not being able to install security patches?

crivens200 wrote:

Bet you a thousand dollars you can't get an English OS on a laptop in Shanghai UNLESS you pay extra for English OS or its a fake.

i completely agree. if it's an english version, it's gonna be a pirated one. but that's not what u were claiming in your earlier post, is it?

crivens200

LoopKicker

Joined: Nov 05, 2007
Posts: 930

Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 07:11 PM

8lrr8 wrote:

but that's not what u were claiming in your earlier post, is it?

Yes it was. My original post gives 2 options. Pay extra for legit English OS or have a fake. Jeezuz.

8lrr8
Wonder Wit

Joined: Oct 14, 2004
Posts: 3718

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 07:54 PM

crivens200 wrote:

My original post gives 2 options. Pay extra for legit English OS or have a fake. Jeezuz.

u really need to reread what u wrote: "...or are willing to have a fake version installed that can't be registered with Microsoft."

u conveniently overlooked the last part of your claim. u know, the one about the fake not being able to register w/ MSFT?

yeah, that one.

chingiskhan

Low Seater

Joined: Apr 24, 2007
Posts: 3344
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 07:54 PM

This really is a pointless pissing contest. Let it go people. Let's just agree you can get English Windows if you need to in Shanghai and that HK is a good option also. It's good news. The OP has the option of buying in HK or Shanghai.

crivens200

LoopKicker

Joined: Nov 05, 2007
Posts: 930

Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 08:05 PM

8lrr8 wrote:

crivens200 wrote:

My original post gives 2 options. Pay extra for legit English OS or have a fake. Jeezuz.

Haha. Yeah, it is a pointless argument I agree.

One final point, its my understanding that fake versions can't actually be registered as the SN numbers have been blocked by Microsoft as they have been registered by multiple users. This doesn't mean you can't update as I also have a fake XP on one of my computers that can update without any problems. It's just the registration process that can't be done.

Adjudication please?

RussianBear
Veejay
Veejay

Joined: June 25, 2008
Posts: 2148
Location: Milky Way galaxy

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 08:06 PM

Used IBM X-40 priced for 1500 RMB. I guess, that return ticket Sh-HK-Sh cost more.

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MoonOverMiami
LoopKicker

Joined: Jan 07, 2008
Posts: 861

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 08:08 PM

I've bought a cellphone and a digital camcorder in Hong Kong, and both times they offered a warranty that is also valid in China. So buying a laptop in HK may not restrict you to warranty service only in HK.

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RussianBear
Veejay
Veejay

Joined: June 25, 2008
Posts: 2148
Location: Milky Way galaxy

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 08:10 PM

What the fun to use licensed Windows XP ? Is it faster/safer/cheaper ? Laughing

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yleo

Talker

Joined: Sep 06, 2008
Posts: 94

Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 08:19 PM

Wow.. its really funny how often flame wars start just based on semantics.

Anyway, i guess my question is more or less answered. I'm going to HK in anycase..so i might as well pick up a laptop with original windows OS and get international warranty.

The question is : which store .. Dazza mentioned Fortress or Broadway.. I'm assuming that I'll have greater choice there compared to the paltry display pieces here...

Piece !! ( peas? Peace?)

And have a good break!

8lrr8
Wonder Wit

Joined: Oct 14, 2004
Posts: 3718

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 08:25 PM

crivens200 wrote:

This doesn't mean you can't update as I also have a fake XP on one of my computers that can update without any problems. It's just the registration process that can't be done.

so if not being able to register means u can still update, why care about whether u can register or not in the first place?

what's the importance of being able to register?

crivens200

LoopKicker

Joined: Nov 05, 2007
Posts: 930

Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 08:43 PM

8lrr8 wrote:

crivens200 wrote:

This doesn't mean you can't update as I also have a fake XP on one of my computers that can update without any problems. It's just the registration process that can't be done.

so if not being able to register means u can still update, why care about whether u can register or not in the first place?

what's the importance of being able to register?

To help protect the IP rights of Microsoft? Harhar.

8lrr8
Wonder Wit

Joined: Oct 14, 2004
Posts: 3718

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 08:53 PM

^ IP rights? in china? Laughing

jzzzzzzz

Veejay

Joined: July 07, 2006
Posts: 2037

Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 09:05 PM

There are other concerns with pirated Windows. Pre-installed malware for one and also Microsoft's periodic anti-pirate updates to annoy those using blocked serial numbers. Also a lot of downloads from MS site require validation.

There are alternate sites for updates. http://windizupdate.com for one.