Laptop purchase advice

[BeLgaRiOn]

Hi guys,

Hope you are doing well.

I would just like to ask your informed opinion. I will be moving to the Netherlands for my PhD next year. I am in need of a laptop. This will mostly be used to run data queries, Monte Carlo simulations, some Python work, R statistical work and of course Word Processing and research. For the really intensive simulations I will be using the laboratory PCs.

My question is this: Should I buy a laptop in South Africa or wait until I am over there (bearing in mind the exchange rate)? I am also on rewards level 5 with eBucks so do qualify for those nice 40% Makro discounts.

Thanks!

 

[ponder]

The establishment where you are going to probably has inhouse deals you could benefit from. Maybe you should ask them before making a decision.

Where you doing your phd at?

 

[BeLgaRiOn]

Thanks Ponder. I have looked at the deals. SA prices are just better when converting back. This is important as I will essentially be purchasing the laptop with savings and not my Euro income. Perhaps makes more sense to purchase it here - even if the laptops aren't the latest range.

I will be doing my PhD in partnership with Wageningen and Leiden Universities .

 

[Johnatan56]

You might want to purchase it in the Netherlands due to the warranty.

 

[AfricanTech]

You might want to purchase it in the Netherlands due to the warranty.

I think Dell does a worldwide warranty

 

[ponder]

Perhaps makes more sense to purchase it here - even if the laptops aren't the latest range.

Ok so what is your budget & technical requirements, size, resolution, cpu, ram etc etc.

Will you be lugging the laptop around all day or will it mostly stay at home? If you are going to be carting the thing around it might be worth your while to look at an ultra portable like the dell xps 13.

 

[sajunky]

Depends what kind of buyer you are.

If you are looking for bargains for the older and end-of-line models, then Makro/Dion/Game or online deals will satisfy you. Price is good, as South African tend to purchase the latest stuff.

However if you are looking for the good price on the latest technology, better than standard specs (even in the lower shelf range), better screen (IPS) or higher resolution than standard HD, then get your laptop in Europe, preferable in Frankfurt.