I’m looking to replace my tower PC with a mobile option (only strictly for work, no gaming or video editing).

And I’ve found an online shop that sells ThinkPads: they are selling this FHD (no HDR) i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage used laptop (X1 Gen 6) for 400 usd and I’m wondering if you guys would recommend it.

They offer a 3-month warranty.

They also have a 310usd i5-8350U, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage option, in case this sounds like a better deal (also used and no HDR); and a 345usd i5-8350U, 16GB RAM, 512GB one.

I’ve looked far and wide and it seems like all shops here sell these at the same price.

This is all in Vietnam and here I cannot use Amazon/eBay etc.

  • LalSalaamComrade@lemmy.ml
    0·
    4 months ago

    What these folks do is essentially bulk-import cheap laptops from the USA, UAE, Singapore or Hong Kong to your country, and bump it by around 50 to 100$ to make a profit out of it.

    Try looking for trusted international shipping options from Singapore or Hong Kong, because this price is pretty expensive for a almost six-year old laptop - you should be looking at 280$, at max for a 8th gen processor.

    If you can wait, have a relative in the US get a slightly modern model for cheap through them, this way you don’t have to pay shipping, insurance and customs.

    And just a word of warning - please verify the laptop model using it’s serial number. Check carefully if there are any discrepancies.

    • SurpriZe@lemm.eeOP
      0·
      4 months ago

      Thanks a lot but I have no idea as to where to even begin with the search for trusted international shipping options. Any advice on that?

      I’m also not from the states so tough luck with relatives 😄

      How can I use the serial number to verify? Where and what to look for? Should I ask the shop before buying to show me the serial number? It’s an online-only store.

      • LalSalaamComrade@lemmy.ml
        0·
        4 months ago

        How can I use the serial number to verify? Where and what to look for? Should I ask the shop before buying to show me the serial number? It’s an online-only store.

        Head onto https://support.lenovo.com/id/en/parts-lookup and enter the part number. Shops will provide you with serial number - if they don’t, ask them. If they don’t comply with your request (and given how you’re already overpaying), don’t even bother buying those devices. It has every information you’ll need - specification, remaining warranty time-period, option and even the page to look for exact parts.

        Thanks a lot but I have no idea as to where to even begin with the search for trusted international shipping options. Any advice on that?

        On the contrary, I was going to ask a fellow Asian for discounted stuff to import to India - I had also considered shipping old laptops from China to India, but I can’t read or understand Mandarin. Right now, I am considering to either get refurbished laptops through one of my relatives living in the east coast (for which, I’ll have to wait till November, and I’m fine with that), or pay the hefty shipping, insurance and customs (which would still be cheaper than buying locally, to be honest).