Buying in the US

Marakith · 9 Oct 2011 at 15:31

Hello,

I'm thinking about getting either an iPad or a MacBook Air when I visit New York in a couple of weeks. The prices are much better over there.

First off - is there any disadvantage in getting an iPad over there? Will the UK people refuse to service it if it goes wrong?

If I get the MacBook, it will be my first Mac - so a big change for me! I noticed that on some friends' macs the @ and " symbols are according to the US key layout, so I was wondering if this was the normal layout for Macs in the UK. In other words - is there any difference in keyboard layouts if I bought an Air in the US as compared to just buying it in the UK?

Any other advice to a potential convert gratefully received...

Thanks!

oli356 · 9 Oct 2011 at 15:40

My MBP has the " and @ keys the US way - bought it in the UK. Get used to it, not sure why they done it that way mind you. Presumably then it's the same layout in America..

Not sure about the warranty thing, question ALWAYS comes up though about it.

InfiniteNoise · 9 Oct 2011 at 20:08

If you have AppleCare, it doesn't matter where in the world you bought it from, it's cheaper to buy it in the US but make sure you throw away the box, to avoid paying the customs charge. (I think.)

As for the " and @ keys being the US way, it's normal here.

POB · 9 Oct 2011 at 20:37

Enter key is also different on USA keyboards.

Its often closer to the size and shape of the shift key.

K.C. Leblanc · 9 Oct 2011 at 20:42

I would expect the US version will be missing the £ key.

vila · 10 Oct 2011 at 00:57

it is but you just press alt and # to get the £ sign

typing on US Macbook pro.

Brian8bit · 10 Oct 2011 at 01:45

Apple hardware is a weird mashup of ANSI and ISO UK. As mentioned, the UK machines have the shaped enter key that we're used to with ISO (just a bit skinnier) but the layout in regards to @ and " is ANSI. I imagine the US machines will have the ANSI enter key as POB mentions, which is on a single row and similar to what we're accustomed to with the shift keys. The difference then with the ANSI layout will be the position of the pipe and forward slash key | \ which will take up the position of where the top of the return key in ISO layout is.

I wouldn't worry too much about the layout. It's something you will become accustomed to very quickly and then switching between ANSI/ISO or Apples mash up isn't that difficult. Myself, I gave up using ISO at home years ago as I could get more variety of keyboards in ANSI layout. I can flip between ANSI and ISO no problem though when dealing with other peoples keyboards.

MagicBoy · 10 Oct 2011 at 01:48

The keyboards are fine. I've had both UK and US Apple laptops and there's very little difference.

adscan · 10 Oct 2011 at 21:31

i got my iPad from the US and had no problem at all. Although you will need a UK plug to slot onto your charger.

Si. · 11 Oct 2011 at 09:08

I'm probably picking up an iPhone 4s in New York in a few weeks.. much cheaper than in the the Uk for a sim free one.

Faustus · 11 Oct 2011 at 11:28

Idartalis said:
If you have AppleCare, it doesn't matter where in the world you bought it from, it's cheaper to buy it in the US but make sure you throw away the box, to avoid paying the customs charge. (I think.)

As for the " and @ keys being the US way, it's normal here.

Tax evasion is a criminal offence, I don't think you should be using this forum to advocate this in any way nor inciting others to do the same. Is saving a few bob really worth the risk?

Marakith · 12 Oct 2011 at 22:02

Arrgh. Total dilemma: iPad or MacBook Air.

Not expecting much sympathy. Just sharing my dilemma.

Faustus · 12 Oct 2011 at 22:20

Marakith said:
Arrgh. Total dilemma: iPad or MacBook Air.

Not expecting much sympathy. Just sharing my dilemma.

Well if you watched BBC Click at the weekend they inferred in the tribute to Steve Jobs that the Air is considered to be something of an Apple failure unlike the iPad.

philip2009 · 12 Oct 2011 at 22:21

Marakith said:
Arrgh. Total dilemma: iPad or MacBook Air.

What is the intended use? Surely either you need a laptop or you don't? I have a 13"/4GB RAM/256GB 2010 MacBook Air and would never have considered an iPad.

philip2009 · 12 Oct 2011 at 22:23

Faustus said:
Well if you watched BBC Click at the weekend they inferred in the tribute to Steve Jobs that the Air is considered to be something of an Apple failure unlike the iPad.

The Air design is the future of the bulk of laptops IMHO.

nikeair94 · 12 Oct 2011 at 22:25

Faustus said:
Tax evasion is a criminal offence, I don't think you should be using this forum to advocate this in any way nor inciting others to do the same. Is saving a few bob really worth the risk?

Does that count for buying anything in the USA? I was hoping to stack up on Mountain Dew if and when I visit.

Marakith · 13 Oct 2011 at 09:16

philip2009 said:
What is the intended use? Surely either you need a laptop or you don't? I have a 13"/4GB RAM/256GB 2010 MacBook Air and would never have considered an iPad.

Well...

I'm interested in having a whirl on OSX and seeing if it fits with my life. I have a desktop PC up in my attic office, and coupled with the slow startup times and a demanding home life it's annoying to use.

I guess I need to decide if I just want to consume content or both create and consume content.

kylew · 13 Oct 2011 at 09:30

Faustus said:
Tax evasion is a criminal offence, I don't think you should be using this forum to advocate this in any way nor inciting others to do the same. Is saving a few bob really worth the risk?

nikeair94 said:
Does that count for buying anything in the USA? I was hoping to stack up on Mountain Dew if and when I visit.

While that might technically be the case, you'd be a mug to declare it. There's practically no way they'd be to determine where and when you bought it. The risk is practically non-existent and a complete non issue.

@nikeair it's to do with the value of it, stocking up on mountain dew should be perfectly fine even if you do declare it (which in this case you should, it's obvious that you've bought it in the US). If you're going with some one, split the import allowance between you and whoever you go with.

Don't bother declaring any laptop/tablet/phone or any other device you buy because you'll just be paying a mug tax, they aren't going to know where you've bought what, and when.

peter_hutson · 13 Oct 2011 at 14:44

kylew said:
While that might technically be the case, you'd be a mug to declare it. There's practically no way they'd be to determine where and when you bought it. The risk is practically non-existent and a complete non issue.

@nikeair it's to do with the value of it, stocking up on mountain dew should be perfectly fine even if you do declare it (which in this case you should, it's obvious that you've bought it in the US). If you're going with some one, split the import allowance between you and whoever you go with.

Don't bother declaring any laptop/tablet/phone or any other device you buy because you'll just be paying a mug tax, they aren't going to know where you've bought what, and when.

Just make sure you bin the boxes and get an electronic receipt from Apple. It's not impossible that a customs chap might ask a few questions regarding your recent purchase of a laptop in the US that amazingly is the same as the one in your hand luggage. Very unlikely indeed, but why take the risk. Don't take the pee either by trying to bring back two laptops and 5 iphones, your just asking for trouble.

Faustus · 13 Oct 2011 at 17:06

Marakith said:
Well...

I'm interested in having a whirl on OSX and seeing if it fits with my life. I have a desktop PC up in my attic office, and coupled with the slow startup times and a demanding home life it's annoying to use.

Yep I suppose the 4 second start up from sleep with W7 can't really match the 3 second start up from sleep with my iMac!