HP DV5 - Implications of importing one from the US?

Major_Disaster · 5 Sep 2008 at 19:53

Hey,

Im in the market for a new laptop for university. I was looking at the XPS M1530, but have gone off them due to the issues with the 8600M GT and now the newer Centrino 2 platform is available.

So, im looking at a DV5 with this sort of spec:
Intel T9400
1680 x 1050
2GB RAM
9600M GT 512MB
Vista Home Premium

HP dont let you customise their laptops on their UK site (grr) and they only prebuilt models they offer dont meet my spec, so i was thinking of either getting one off a certain auction site or getting a friend in the US to buy it and ship it over. But im worried about the implications.

Voltage differences? I have to buy a UK adapater?
Warranty? (Hopefully worldwide manufacturer's warranty).
The big one - any import charges?

What do you think? Anyone ever been in a similar situation?

Regards

mcc49 · 5 Sep 2008 at 20:55

The powerbrick for the laptop should auto switch between voltages but you will need a UK laptop cable with UK style pins layout

Warranty wise, I havent a clue.

You will be hit by VAT if you are importing it properly into the country and not declaring it as 'gift'.

Major_Disaster · 11 Sep 2008 at 18:05

Thanks for the reply. Im just going to wait till November for Dell to refresh their XPS line.

allosunshine · 11 Sep 2008 at 23:08

For not much more you can get the DV7 with a Centrino 2 chip, requested GPU, 4 GB RAM, Blu-Ray but not quite the screen resolution you want. And its from the UK.

Major_Disaster · 12 Sep 2008 at 01:34

I wanted 15" though... 17" just seems too big and heavy. Im going to wait till the new XPS's and then see what HP is doing and if they have any new models out.

Shadows1990 · 12 Sep 2008 at 08:10

I'm in the same position as the OP, I'm just patiently waiting it out until they (or something better) arrives in the UK. Also, stay well clear of the Bay for such expensive, fragile items.

Major_Disaster · 12 Sep 2008 at 12:39

Yeah, the prices were really good getting it in from the states, but if for some reason it went wrong or arrived damaged then it would be a massive amount of hassle.

Just going to have to wait to November for Dell to merge the XPS line with the Studio line and see what they come out with. Damn them and waiting for back to school to end before realising their new line of hardware!