T42/T43 for use in the UK

[CoffeeBeans]

Hi

I'm new here, and I stumbled onto the site by accident. I'm currently looking to buy a T42/43 for use in the UK.

I had more or less settled on the T43 2686M5U, but after reading a few post here about the DVD burner, I've now decided to get one with a combo drive instead.

On further reading, quite a few of you guys prefer the T42 to the T43. I have now narrowed my choices down to a T42 2373M1U or a T43 2687DRU.

The laptop will be used to run office type applications, playing MP3s, DVDs, emails and internet. It will not be used to play games, or photoshop, although I will be downloading digital photos from my camera to the laptop, and transferring them to the PC when I'm back at home.

The two machines have a screen size of 14.1' with a resolution of 1400x1050, are these screen Flexiview, or are they the standard type?

In your opinions, which of the two machines will be better, the T42 is around $150 more expensive.

Are there anything I should be aware of when buying a laptop from the US? I know the layout of the keyboard will be different, with the £ and € keys missing. I can live with that.

I understand the warranty offered are international warranty, and the power supply are compatiable to both the US and UK.

The reason why I'm looking to buy from the US is purely because of the price difference. A similar spec laptop from IBM bought in the UK will cost double

Any help/guidance will be much appreciated.

[AIX]

You can buy an UK keyboard later for ~50 USD.

[CoffeeBeans]

You can buy an UK keyboard later for ~50 USD.

Really? I was under the impression the keyboard cannot be changed... that is very good news indeed

[Hammerstein]

Tis very easy to replace a T4X keyboard, takes about 10 minutes if you feel confident opening up a computer.

Just be sure to get a straightforward electric prong coupler (i.e. turn the two prong outlet into the huge UK one) and you're good to go there. I'm actually in the UK now, studying here for a year, so as far as I can tell, the TP runs very nicely as it is

And, unless you, for some reason, do lots of work where you need the pound or euro signs, I wouldn't even buy the keyboard - if you're used to the US keyboard, the Uk and Europe ones are definitely an adjustment.

[Michael1980]

I am working in the UK with a US machine. No problems whatsoever.
The keyboard layout is US (2 key = @) but when I press the dollar sign £ comes out. I guess it is something to do with the regional settings.

[stgreek]

I have lived in the UK for 6 years and have bought several Thinkpads from the US during that time. As another posted already wrote, you can very easily change the keyboard, so that shouldn't be a problem. The price difference is indeed so big that even after VAT (which is the only thing you will pay, import tax has been scraped since last year) you will save a lot of money. So basically calculate if US price + 19% VAT + shipping + £40 or so for the keyboard is worth it and if it is, go for it!

[CoffeeBeans]

Cheers guys for the info.

stgreek, I know what you mean. Originally, I was going to buy my TP here in the UK, but I've been given quotes in excess of £2100 for laptops that retail for around £1100 in the US.

This is why I'm now looking to buy in the US, coupled with the fact that I found out last week I only needed to pay VAT (Duty free) once it arrives in the UK made it even more attractive.

I have worked out I will be saving around £700-800 on the laptop, which is a HUGH amount of money.

I just hope, whoever I decide to place the order with, won't actually screw up the order.