Getting through US/UK customs

[Merlin4458]

Ok jsut bought a HP lappy from bestbuy whilst visiting my gf over here in the states. Tempted now to buy another one for myself. Just wondering what the chances are of getting 2 new laptops through customs (obv id take em out of box and put em both in one laptop bag!) Anyone got any experience or clue on the chances of getting 2 through? I dont think one will be a prob tbh

Thanks guys

[herulach]

Even put them in seperate bags. Are they the exact same model? Get two different ones, and you have a work and a personal one if you get questioned. Hell, have two the same and you have a work and personal one

[Whiternoise]

I don't see why they would stop you.. it's not like you're "dealing" them. I think the limit is only one onboard the plane (i'm not sure, but i think that's what it is), but i think your best bet would be to pack one up really nicely and put it in your hold luggage and take the other one as carry on. If you get asked, tell the truth, one of them is your gf's and she didn't have any room in her bag.

[Merlin4458]

ok, thats promising. Thing is, i have 3 bags (1 on as handluggage) i can only check 2 in otherwise its 80$ charge. So room might be a prob, thats why i was going to put em both in the same bag, and jsut carry that on. They will prob be different models yeh as i fancy a 15.4 screen.

Hmm its a tough call


not 100% sure id trust the people throwing the bags in the cargo lol

[dave87]

Even put them in seperate bags. Are they the exact same model? Get two different ones, and you have a work and a personal one if you get questioned. Hell, have two the same and you have a work and personal one

Was exactly what I said on MSN. Should listen to me more John

I don't see the difficulty if they are out of their boxes, bringing home the boxes might arise suspicion, especially if they look in saleable condition. I don't, however, condone any form of tax evasion.

On trusting baggage handlers - put your mums one in the hold, that way if you have a fight with the airline over broken stolen laptop, its a delay rather than a major problem (if for instance, your needs are greater, mum's is jus a present)

[Merlin4458]

Hers is more important!! lol. Yeh dave was jsut trying to get some other peeps opinions. I think il jsut put 2 lappys in one bag and take on as hand luggage. If they check (which they prob wont) ill say ones business and one is work. They will be diff in the respect that they have 14.1" screen and 15.4". Think im going to go for it. Its jsut too cheap tbh. Plus my 18% bonus from waitrose can be used
cheers all

[dave87]

Just watch that you don't go over the hand luggage weight limit - if you do they'll make you check the bag in

[IBM]

I think the limit is only one onboard the plane (i'm not sure, but i think that's what it is)

You can take as many laptops onboard as you like, as long as they don't go over the weight/size allowance for carry on luggage. I've taken a hand luggage bag onboard weighing about four times the allowance weight, but you walk up and treat it as though it's light and they'll not check it.

Customs aren't going to stop you. There's a fair number of people in here who like me travel a lot, and they'll probably tell you the same thing. I've never seen anyone stopped and searched, and two laptops aren't what they're looking for.

[Merlin4458]

new laptop here i come then. Cheers for all ur replies guys. Jsut going to buy the 1 bag and stick em both in. Wont be v heavy at all. Core2duo 5200 or turion 52? This hp i just bought is turion 52. seems nice. Only prob im having over her is bestbuy,circuitcity and staples only sell lappys with 1 gig (2x512), annoying with vista

[Funkstar]

which laptop are you looking at Merln?

It's something i've been thinking about for when i got across in July. Really like the HP TX1030EA (12.1" convertable tablet with a turion TL-52 - TL-60).

http://www.johnlewis.com/Computing/C...3/Product.aspx

[Merlin4458]

Well im only here till thursday so im limited to bestbuy/staples(nothing there) and circuit city(which im going to in a min)
I jsut bought tis one for my mum
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....sortfilter.jsp


For me im not sure whether to get the same or go for this one
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166236071956

It has a 15.4" screen plus the core2duo, which im not sure is any better or not

[Merlin4458]

was thinking maybe this one for me, as ive heard 2gig makes a huge difference, and if i get any of the others ive seen i will have to hcuck the 2x512 and buy 2 x1g

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/...oductDetail.do

[Funkstar]

am i the only one that really likes the idea of convertable tablet PCs?

they are really hard to get hold of

EDIT: $999 sounded good, but the $200 mail in rebate sucks

[Whiternoise]

I always wondered about the tablet stlye PC's.. but they never really seemed to take off. What's the sensitivity like on those screens? Like.. graphics tablet quality?

[Bazzlad]

You'll be fine through customs mate, they'll question you going IN to the Country, not out, so the Yanks - who would have been the problem, now won't.

The trick for the UK, is make sure both are opened and have been turned on. Put all Chargers in your suit case, walk through nothing to declare, IF you're stopped (VERY unlikely - I do this 4 times a year and have never been stopped) just say they are yours and you took them with you. You did not purchase them in the US.

Job's a good un.

PS Best Buy isn't all that cheap. Shop around.

[Bazzlad]

Hand luggage weight is 20kg (dependant on airline) 2 laptops will not thow you over.

Also remember you'll have to put them through the xray machine seperately so make sure they're easily accessible and putbackable.