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what difference - us vs uk mbp keyboard ?
- Thread starter ianhhh
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Remember that the quoted US price doesn't include sales tax. Plus you will be required to pay excise duty when bringing it back to the UK.
I use a Wireless US keyboard on my UK Macbook.
No issues at all once you get used to the small CR key !
No issues at all once you get used to the small CR key !
not necessarily - just dump the box and say you had it with you on the way IN to the US
how are they to know?
not necessarily - just dump the box and say you had it with you on the way IN to the US
how are they to know?
The fact it has a US keyboard might be a clue
The fact it has a US keyboard might be a clue
like the customs ppl are gonna know the different keyboard layouts?
like the customs ppl are gonna know the different keyboard layouts?
yes because they do spend all their (free) time on MR
bozigle
not necessarily - just dump the box and say you had it with you on the way IN to the US
how are they to know?
Been in and out of Manchester airport and I've never had any experience being stopped by the customs
like the customs ppl are gonna know the different keyboard layouts?
well it is their job...
not necessarily - just dump the box and say you had it with you on the way IN to the US
how are they to know?
Well, because the burden on proof is for you to show that you bought it in the UK rather for them to show that you bought it in the US.
A consultant that we once had in was stopped at Customs once with regards to his relatively new company laptop (UK) and had to furnish Customs and Excise with his company's purchase order in order to show that it had had duty/VAT paid on it. I can't recall whether he was charged then and there or had an invoice mailed to him but he told the story with doleful face to anyone planning on shopping in NYC for cheap electronic gear.
On the other hand, I know several more people who've got away with it
I bought my 17" C2D MBP from an Apple store in Japan over Christmas, and I had no trouble getting them to replace the Japanese keyboard with a US one, throwing away the box, and bringing it back to the UK in a crumpler 'Sticky Date' bag (which I'd bought in the UK prior, and taken with me).
If I wanted to be paranoid about customs I could have posted myself the manuals/install DVDs etc, but I didn't bother.
I did exactly the same last year too, with a CD MacBook. Both times going through Heathrow.
As for the differences in US/UK keyboards, I use the UK keyboard layout fine with the US keyboard on the MBP - it just shows a # where the £ should be, on the 3 key.
One thing that's always bugged me about Apple keyboards is that the @ symbol is on the 2 key, even on their supposed UK keyboards. Why? So annoying!
If I wanted to be paranoid about customs I could have posted myself the manuals/install DVDs etc, but I didn't bother.
I did exactly the same last year too, with a CD MacBook. Both times going through Heathrow.
As for the differences in US/UK keyboards, I use the UK keyboard layout fine with the US keyboard on the MBP - it just shows a # where the £ should be, on the 3 key.
One thing that's always bugged me about Apple keyboards is that the @ symbol is on the 2 key, even on their supposed UK keyboards. Why? So annoying!
Who said that?
The savings can be had by flying from the UK to another country (be it the US or Japan etc), as things are cheaper there than here in the UK.
Especially at the moment with the UK pound so strong. I saved 23% over the UK price by buying my MBP in Japan, and more on top because I bought AppleCare as well
And to clarify a point in my post, in the Japanese Apple stores they'll replace the Japanese keyboard with a US one free of charge; you just have to wait an hour for it to be done for you.
Well, because the burden on proof is for you to show that you bought it in the UK rather for them to show that you bought it in the US.
A consultant that we once had in was stopped at Customs once with regards to his relatively new company laptop (UK) and had to furnish Customs and Excise with his company's purchase order in order to show that it had had duty/VAT paid on it. I can't recall whether he was charged then and there or had an invoice mailed to him but he told the story with doleful face to anyone planning on shopping in NYC for cheap electronic gear.
On the other hand, I know several more people who've got away with it
You can bring the following into the UK without attracting customs attention !
"£145 worth of all other goods including gifts and souvenirs."
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...des&propertyType=document&id=HMCE_PROD_010220
And IF you do get caught, a laptop attracts no import tax, just VAT at 17.5 of the purchase price.
Although, a good way to minimise your chances of paying if you do get stopped -
If you know you're gonna buy a laptop overseas, take a load of your own stuff - music, movies, photos etc - with you an a ext HDD or an iPod etc etc and put it on the new laptop before the flight back. Hey presto, instant 'old' computer with loads to data to etc to show prior use
Although, a good way to minimise your chances of paying if you do get stopped -
If you know you're gonna buy a laptop overseas, take a load of your own stuff - music, movies, photos etc - with you an a ext HDD or an iPod etc etc and put it on the new laptop before the flight back. Hey presto, instant 'old' computer with loads to data to etc to show prior use
This is interesting. Do they replace the keyboard perfectly without scratching the MBP? I know Japanese are very meticulous; so, I think there won't be a scratch. But, by simply looking at my US-bought MBP, replacing the keyboard does not look easy.Who said that?
The savings can be had by flying from the UK to another country (be it the US or Japan etc), as things are cheaper there than here in the UK.
Especially at the moment with the UK pound so strong. I saved 23% over the UK price by buying my MBP in Japan, and more on top because I bought AppleCare as well
And to clarify a point in my post, in the Japanese Apple stores they'll replace the Japanese keyboard with a US one free of charge; you just have to wait an hour for it to be done for you.