Could somebody living in Oz please do me a favour?

[Scrummy Mummy]

Could you pop into Harvey Norman if you're passing and let me know the price of:

(1) Acer Aspire 1 Linux version
(2) Acer Aspire 1 Windows XP version

Getting one for Xmas so trying to decide whether to buy in Oz (there on 24/11) or here before we go.

Ta chucks.

[Kooky]

I will try to remember next time I'm out, but have you looked at http://www.acer.com.au/acer/akc/acerau.nsf/Page/Home for some indication of prices?

I wouldn't automatically think of HN for purchasing. How about Dick Smith?

http://search.dse.com.au/search?w=acer+ ... r+a&ts=new

You need to consider the terms of the warranty and also, if you are planning to move here within the year (can't remember, sorry) any implications for paying GST on the way back in. Officially you have to pay GST on any items under 12 months old when you migrate here; not sure how that would work if you bought them here.

[Kooky]

Oh and also try http://www.officeworks.com.au

edit: got name wrong

[Bender]

To get an indication of what you can buy them for, try staticice.com.au or shopbot.com.au.

Here's the staticice result for the Windows and Linux versions.

The Windows version is usually around $650 in the shops. HarrisTech (part of the ColesMyer group) is often good for a price check.

[Scrummy Mummy]

Thanks guys. Looks like they're quite a lot cheaper there.

K: Moving in 2 years, will ensure international warranty etc.

[Fat Bob]

At the mo the SGD is very expensive, so it's cheaper to buy most things abroad. I worked out a Dell XPS1330 cost between $200-300 cehaper in NSZ, Australia, UK and the US recently, and in most cases you got a better machine (slightly more RAM or HDD or processor), though I did try to even this out.

Singapore used to be cheap for this stuff....ain't no more.

[daffodil]

And with the Aussie dollar in the gutter, makes your purchase even better if you're paying with SGD.

[Burbage]

Although retailers here are going to be putting up their prices you'd think. They have to buy 'em with USDs.

[baloo]

Just finished comparing prices of Lenovo, Dell and Sony laptops between Singapore and Australia. List price Australia is cheaper in all cases. Then factor the current exchange rate of .92 and you really do have yourself a bargain by purchasing in Oz. I wonder if you can reclaim the GST if you intend to strip all the packaging off a laptop and intend to carry it back as if you've always owned it...

[Fat Bob]

Surely take it throuh boxed in order to reclaim the GST, then strip down after one has done so. However, you would need the co-operation of the Security people.....HA!!!

[baloo]

Just ordered a Lenovo T400 in Oz. I'll be there in 3 weeks time to pick it up. A lot cheaper in Oz but I can but OEM MS Office 2007 here cheaper. Or should I take the plunge and try out Star Office.

[Burbage]

OPen Office is good for the vast majority of things. If you need to swap documents and use track changes a lot then you and your colleagues probably need to be using the same software.