Asus K53TA-BBR6 gaming laptop

Hey, I was reading a thread on here where someone recommended the K53TA to someone on a budget. So I just found a brand new K53TA-BBR6, spec:

AMD quad-core Llano A6-3400M
4GB ram
AMD 6650 graphics (AMD Crossfire HD 6720G2)
with 1GB video memory and HDMI output for connection to an HDTV
500GB hard drive (5400 rpm)
15.6" screen
1 year manufacturers warranty.

for $544 plus $84 shipping to the UK. That converts to £399. That seems unbelievably cheap considering much lower specced laptops I've been looking at for much more money. It's pretty much a bargain isn't it? That spec would more than do my needs justice. But I need to ask this.

It says "International customers: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Contact us and ask us how we can help you with a successful international shipping transaction."

So if there's a whole bunch of taxes to pay, then it's not a good deal for me any more. But in his last sentence, do you think he's suggesting that by contacting him for help that he'll mark it as a gift? So I wouldn't have to incur any extra charges?

 

Yes contact the buyer, see what they "recommend" :wink wink:

Also consider the power supply, not sure if its a universal switching power supply and will work with UK voltage.

 

Heh, yeah, I already emailed him.

You make a good point about the power supply. Hmm, Can I buy a simple adapter so it works on 240v which is the UK wall mains standard?
The other thing I just considered is this. Keyboard layout will be US right?
That probably won't present a problem, but do US keyboards have '£' symbol?
Small detail I know

 

Hey HTWingNut, I just found this video of you reviewing this very model!

Asus K53TA - $450 gaming laptop! - YouTube

Cool video and great info, thanks.

 

Never heard back from the seller, and already sold. *cries*

Probably risky anyway trying to avoid import taxes.

??NEW Asus?K53TA-BBR6?AMD Quad?4G?B?500GB?1GB 6720G2?? | eBay

 

He probably wasn't offering to avoid them, but offering to share any information he had on what you might expect regarding those taxes.

As for the power supply, I haven't seen a non-universal power adapter for a laptop since I first traveled overseas in 2005 - between three laptops of my own and countless friends buying from one side of the voltage difference or the other, spanning most of the major brands, I think just about every laptop power supply covers 110-240. Sure, you want to take a look before plugging in just to be sure, but I've never personally seen a problem in the past six years.

 

Yeah, I think you're right on both counts. Or, he might have offered a marking as low value item. I saw that with another ebay seller from the states.

Anyway, I'm currently the highest bidder on an Acer Aspire 5553G with AMD Phenom II N950 Quad-Core 2.10GHz/6GB Ram/750GB HDD/HD5650

Ends in 14 hours. Wish me luck!

 

Good Luck!!

 

Thanks, I decided not to bid any more as I'm now going for a dell vostro 3550 i5 with HD6630.