Importing

Hi folks, newbie here with a few questions I was hoping I could get some help with. I hope this warrants creating a new thread; if not, I apologize.

Anyone here have any experience importing laptop models from Europe/Asia to the US? I'm looking to import the W3N model--preferrably from the UK or Australia--because I actually prefer the older Dothan 855 chipset compared to the newer Sonoma 915 chipset. I don't have any experience with laptops though (this will be my first one), and was hoping to find out whether I'd run into any voltage/plug problems if importing from these countries.

Also, I've heard claims that Asus' warranties are worldwide... is this true? Is there anything else I should be aware of when importing? Speaking of which, if anyone has any comments to perhaps deter me from this route, I'd love to hear them so that I can take them into consideration!

 

Sounds like a plan. If I were you, I'd get just the barebone system so that you don't have to worry about waranty issues if you need to replace RAM/CPU/hard drive/DVD. That way you can buy all the other parts, including even the DVD drive from North America (just check into the drive availability though). If you aren't comfortable with building your own bareboned system, then if you bought the RAM/CPU/hard drive/DVD/OS from a store that sells Asus laptops, i'm sure they'd do all the install for you for a nominal price.

As for the adapter, it should be universal (you only need to get the end part of the cable to plug into the transformer, which you can get from a dealer in North America) -- I know my M3N is universal and I've never seen a laptop transformer that wasn't.

Good luck and if you don't mind, let us know how much it costs.

Asus M3NP 1.5GHz Centrino (Dothan /w 2mb L2)
1GB PC2700 DDR
40gb 5400rpm 8mb Cache Seagate Hard Drive /w 5 Year Warranty
Intel 2200BG 802.11g Wireless

 

Built by ASUS notebooks sold here in Aus come with a 2 year international warranty. I know that computeralliance is selling the W3N and they can ship internationally if you ask them. I would still confirm that the warranty covers the US but I'm pretty sure it does. Good luck
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ASUS M6Ne 15.4" WSXGA 1.7 PM ATI9700 80Gb HDD 1Gb RAM

 

Preferring the older chipset is great... but be realistic........ import tax and shipping are going to add probably 15% to the cost of the notebook... considering the weak dollar right now, the exchange rate isn't going to do much for you either..

By the way - the Asus is "trying" to order the W3's today.... That puts them about 3 weeks away.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Well, I've taken a look into importing from the UK on this model, and got word that shipping will cost me in the realm of $170-180. The price for the W3N overseas so far has ranged between just under $2,000 (UK) to about $2,400 (Australia.) With that said, if I do end up importing, I think it'll likely be from the UK... thanks for the info though, Underpantman!

The shipping is an expense I'd be willing to absorb if the product arrives safe & sound on my doorstep, but realistically, I've always believed that if something can possibly go wrong, then it probably will. Just the same, I won't be putting this idea on the wayside just yet- I'd like to wait a bit and see how Asus USA prices the W3V. If I can find the W3V for around the price range of the W3N from Britain, I'll opt to order within our borders.

flaxx- Looking around, I haven't been able to find websites offering the W3 model with configuration options. I did come across one vendor selling the W3A (Sonoma w/onboard graphics) but that was pretty much the only deviation from the more common W3N.

Thanks for the constant updates, Justin- please keep them coming! I'm sure I'm not the only one on pins and needles waiting for every tidbit of news we can get on the status of the W3!

 

Sorry for the double post, but after doing further research, I've hit upon a point I hadn't considered (the point Justin was getting at in his post, I assume.)

Comparing the price of the same notebook abroad and within the US, it seems the base price (before shipping) is already inflated. For example, the new V6V goes for about $200-300 more at an Australian website than at PROPortable. This wouldn't be so bad, if it weren't for the fact that PROPortable's model comes with a 1.8ghz cpu (instead of the 1.7 at the AU site) and an 80gig hdd (compared to the 60gig at the AU site.)

This is probably common sense to many of you, but it's all news to me. [ ] Thanks for your comments though, everyone- hope you guys don't mind me updating you on my situation as time passes.

 

You're welcome..

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]