Job Discussion Forums

[cjbetterman]

I want to bring my laptop that's worth approx $2000 and I was wondering if there are more concerns of theft than my appartment in San Diego, Ca. I know the answer is yes but I wanted to find out of there is answers out there like. No!! Don't do it man!!

My top 3 prospects are Argentina, Costa Rica and Southern Mexico.

[TheLongWayHome]

Just don't walk around with it or ever use it in public or advertise the fact that you have one.

[ls650]

I had a laptop stolen not three days after I arrived in Mexico, but luckily it was a cheap used one I bought for $400 in a pawn shop.

[denise]

In Chile, I had to carry mine with me to every class, every day, and not a day went by when I didn't fear someone stealing it! And I carried it in a backpack, not in a briefcase/laptop case (is that what they're called?!?). I agree with TheLongWayHome. You can bring it into the country, but leave it in your house once you get here.

d

[Justin Trullinger]

I only carry mine when it's going to be REALLY useful- but haven't had trouble yet. Still, best not to let it be obvious. (And it isn't worth 2 grand, either...)


Best,
Justin

[cjbetterman]

Thanks for the reply's. Now, what would you do if you were in my position???

[misteradventure]

If you must have one, get a 500 dollar version and leave the pricey one at home.

Else, take your chances. I'm on number 3, number one died, number 2 got lifted on a european train. (Still not convinvced the crew/police weren't in on it.)

Mine was $499 after rebate...

[ls650]

If it's too valuable to lose, don't bring it. If you can't afford to lose that laptop, sell it or leave it at home and bring a cheap used one.

[MELEE]

How long are you going to be away from the US?
How much will the laptop devalue in the US in that time?
In one years time, you will problably be able to sell it in Mexico for what you paid for it, in the US it may have devalued 50%. For a number a years, I bought a refurbished laptop for somewhere between 800 and 1000 dollars every Christmas in the US, selling the previous years one for that price in Mexico. Each year I had a nicer computer, for the same price. I stopped doing this only because I stopped going to the US.
If you are only thinking of coming to Mexico (or other country) for six months you can leave it an look for a cheaper one to bring. IF you are thinking of staying here for two years or so, what good does it do you to have it stored at home? You bought it to use didn't you? Especially something like a laptop that will quickly become outdated.
I'd bring it. Get a padded backback or other bag that doesn't scream "LAPTOP". Don't use it in sight of your neighbors. Bring a cable lock and find an out of sight place to secure it when not in use. Also think about selling it here in Latin America before you leave (so maybe bring a memory stick for your documents).

[naturegirl321]

YOu can buy cheap ones in the country. Might cost 300 USD and fulfills all my needs.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[ls650]

And that brings up a tangent topic... keep backups of any computer files of value to you!

When my cheapie laptop was stolen, it was worth only $400 - but it stored hundreds of photos that I'd taken with my digital camera. Luckily I have prints of many of those photos in storage in Canada, but I lost valuable (in time spent creating them) documents. B&st&rd thief!

[MELEE]

[RyanS]

everything i own including my bank account isn't worth that much.