Questions re: buying x31/ x40

[cboy69]

I'm thinking of buying a X series Thinkpad. and hoped someone could help answer some questions for me.Here it goes.....

1. Would it be OK to buy a US Thinkpad and use it in Australia. (different power, different modem specs etc.)

2. Can anyone recommend a store. online or phone that is well priced and willing to ship to Australia ?

3. Anyone know the import Tax, upon arrival in Australia on something like this ?

4. The IBM optical drives are expensive. Is there a viable alternative ?

If you can think of anything else I should be aware of. I would happily read what you have to say.

Thanks for any replies

[Brian]

1) It would work fine there with the proper adaptors.
2) Hmmm...that I don't know. IBM doesn't sell direct to Australia?
3) You just need to check your local laws.
4) Buy a USB optical drive and forget about the IBM branded offering.

I would just be really sure you don't want an integrated optical drive. That's what killed these models for me.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

[Andrew]

I think you're missing the point Brian [] This guy lives in Australia and right now with the insane exchange rates if Australians or Europeans buy electronic equipment here the prices will be about half of what they'll pay in their own country. The British pound is almost double the value of a dollar now for instance, you'll easily save $400 - $600 buying a $1500 computer in the U.S. instead of Europe. Flip side of that is that to us Yanks we have no buying power in Europe because everything there is so freaking expensive when translated into $.

Anyway, for cbo69 I recommend checking out PCConnection (http://shop.pcconnection.com/Webcontent/Support/Shipping/InternationalOrders.htm) or www.HarmonyComputers.com as a reputable U.S. electronics website that is able to ship international orders. Your safe ordering anything as long as you're willing to deal with using different power adapters.

[cboy69]

Thanks for the info guys.
IBM do have their own australian website. however the x40 is about AUS$4000 and from the US it'll cost about AUS$1000 less

Unfortunately the US IBM site doesn't offer overseas shipping. Perhaps to prevent eating into the IBM Australia's web site sales.

Thanks for the info abaxter.
Harmony don't seem to offer IBM's. However PC Connection are looking good. They have this x40, which is looking good to me.

http://shop.pcconnection.com/web/Shopping/Product.htm?catalog%5Fname=PCCGeneral&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=4842678&variant%5Fid=&SearchLogID=%7B9930527E%2D62B1%2D42C7%2D8749%2DA3211C320049%7D

The deals looks great... Is it too good ? They won't take my money will they ?

Thanks for the help so far.
[]

[Brian]

LOL - Well, I'm glad you found a solution. Be kind enough to post your thoughts when you receive your new machine.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

[cboy69]

pcconnection.com seem to sell at IBM rrp. Is there any way to get them to cut me a better deal ?

Anyone know why stores seem to always sell at the same price as the manufacturer direct ? I thought they'd want to undercut them slightly.

Thanks
Chayya

[Cpt. Hastings]

ibm partners (e.g. pc connection) seem to tweak the price on upgrades, and offer deals such as rebates for routers, printers, and the like rather than heavily discounting the purchase price. this may be their deal with big blue.

you asked earlier if pc connection was legit (in so many words). i've used them and so far have found them to be quite dependable...items in stock showed up at my door within two days...good customer service when i phoned with questions. so far, so good.

i ordered the ibm thinkpad x40 from them (i think that's what you were interested in). it's not yet in stock, but i'm happy to let you know how that went when it arrives.

you might want to ask pc connection which international shipper they use. then contact the shipper directly (online) to see what additional costs you'd incur shipping to australia. get a general idea of the weight from pc connection before you talk to the shipper. my guess is shipping costs will outweigh whatever duties are imposed. and given the cost differential between the us and australia, it just might work out to your benefit!

BTW, have you investigated asian markets closer to home?

cheers!

[cboy69]

Thanks for the info Cpt Hastings.

I hope PCconnection can cut me a better price as rebates aren't much use to me here in Australia.

I have been informed postage to Aus will cost roughly $55 and Targus produce a power adaptor for $55 also.

I have thought about Asian market. but am concerned about getting a PC in a language I can't understand. And being stuck with a disk image of a foreign language WinXP.

However, if anyone knows of a reputable store in Asia that I can save money buying from. Please post it so everyone might benefit

Looking forward to hear about your experience with your x40. BTW what model did you buy ?

Thanks
Chayya