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#47956 - 11/22/08 09:58 AM Computer
CascadaDuSel Offline
Full Member

Registered: 01/07/06
Posts: 224
Loc: Tampa, FL (sometimes Madrid - ...
I am thinking of buying a computer to leave in Spain to use when I am there so I dont have lug my laptop back and forth all the time .. I am wondering if I should buy one of the cheap laptops that will be on sale this week - ($400-$500) or should I buy a laptop or desktop there from Spain to use....? All the laptops nowadays have chargers that can handle from 110-240 V but I am wondering if it is not good for a US laptop to use constantly with 220V or whatever I have there... I am asking for some advice - should I get one from the states and leave it there of buy a laptop or desktop there and how much could I get a fairly cheap one for ? - mostly for internet/email/ etc...
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#47957 - 11/22/08 11:22 AM Re: Computer
MadridMan Offline


Executive Member

Registered: 05/06/00
Posts: 9080
Loc: Madrid, Spain (was Columbus, O...
My laptop was bought in the USA and I use it here for several hours at a time and have never had any problems. (I use a Spain-bought desktop for everday use, though) I say if you can get a good deal on a laptop in the USA, then, go ahead and buy it and bring it over.

Here are some laptops at the local PC CITY computer store chain: http://www.pccity.es/ - http://www.pccity.es/portatiles_1001_pc.html . They range from 440 Euros to 900 Euros.

The other big electronics chain, MediaMarkt http://www.mediamarkt.es ,doesn't list any laptops in this week's circular but they do show an Acer desktop - with 19" monitor", for 400 Euros. eek

Prices-are-a-droppin' on electronic during this worldwide economic crisis!

Saludos, MadridMan
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#47958 - 11/22/08 11:30 AM Re: Computer
laduque Offline
Executive Member

Registered: 10/02/00
Posts: 596
Loc: San Diego, CA, USA
I brought my Macbook to Spain over the summer but didn't buy the Apple converter system, just tried to use a regular converter. Well, everytime I tried to charge it, the fuse in the converter would burn out and the unit would heat up so needless to say, I just put the laptop away and didn't use it, I didn't want to take a chance. Though this may be a Mac specific problem.

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#47959 - 11/22/08 04:06 PM Re: Computer
madridmadridmadrid Offline
Executive Member

Registered: 06/03/04
Posts: 321
Loc: madrid
Definitely buy it in the US if you have space to bring it over--it will be a lot cheaper. As long as the charger is rated to go to 220 (and all of them are) it will be fine--you'll just need to get an adapter plug (around 2 euros) from an electricidad store.

Laduque--my macbooks work fine here with the chargers that came with them in the US. In fact, the charger that they sell here is identical to the one they sell in the US. Only the cord that plugs into the wall (which comes separate) is different. It could be that you have a minor short in your cord (mac cords are ridiculously delicate) that caused the problem.

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#47960 - 11/24/08 02:18 AM Re: Computer
Jamongris Offline
Executive Member

Registered: 06/30/03
Posts: 279
Loc: Madrid, from London
These are two more sites which I have shopped from for PCs and components, and are both reliable.

http://www.alternate.es/html/productDetails.html?baseId=7525&artno=PN9CZE

Alternate is also a shop you can visit, but it pays to know what you want first from them because it is operated a bit like the Argos catalogue shops. They're in the Alcobendas area of Madrid.

And for web orders only
http://www.pccomponentes.com/ORDENADORES_PORTATILES-ACER.html

Just one warning about the cheaper laptops, some of them do come without an operating system, or are not powerful enough to run vista, so make sure to check that out too.

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#47961 - 11/24/08 03:34 AM Re: Computer
Antonio Offline


Executive Member

Registered: 05/07/00
Posts: 1176
Loc: Madrid (Spain)
Check out also these shops in Madrid:

Efecto 2000
PC Online
APP Informática

Note that APP Informática prices changes on a daily basis depending on the demand. That means you can get amazing good offer or very bad prices.
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#47962 - 11/24/08 10:27 AM Re: Computer
CascadaDuSel Offline
Full Member

Registered: 01/07/06
Posts: 224
Loc: Tampa, FL (sometimes Madrid - ...
Thanks guys - there are some great deals here - I am leaning towards bringing a laptop from here but we will see after the sales on Friday!
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