Job Discussion Forums

CountryClub · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 46 Location: China

Where is the best place to buy a computer in Hong Kong?

munasa · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 79 Location: HK

The best place -- that depends on YOU. If you know a lot about computers, then Golden Computer in Sha Shui Po is great. You can either buy a ready made system, or purchase parts and build your own. I purchased a great brand name notebook, with international warranty, while my son wandered around for hours and hours comparing prices. No, actually, it was days and days (he dragged me around with him -- oh, my aching back and legs). He purchased all the parts and built his own computer for much less than it would have cost "back home". Others recommend that you purchase computers at the bigger stores such as Fortress because they believe they offer better after sales service. A warranty is a warranty -- you have to go to the manufacturer's service centre, not back to the vendor. If you know what you want, and can tell if you are getting the right thing, then I think Sham Shui Po offers the best prices. I am not good at bargaining, but even so I was (and still am) happy with the price I paid for my notebook and my son's computer parts. We checked what they were worth "back home" and on the Internet, so we knew what was a fair price. We also bought our printer and other peripherals there, but I think Fortress prices were almost the same for these.

munasa · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 79 Location: HK

Maybe this site will be helpful:

http://buycomp.hkgolden.com/

http://buycomp.hkgolden.com/comp_malls.asp

Lanza-Armonia · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:45 am Post subject:

May I suggest China? It's so damn cheap here. Just take a little holiday in China with an alterior motive. I got mine for 3500 yuan. (Roughly 3300 bucks?)

LA

Joachim · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 311 Location: Brighton, UK

Mong Kok!

ChrisRose · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 427 Location: Hong Kong

It all depends where you live.

If you live on Kowloon side, Golden shopping arcade.

If HK side, on eof the 2 computer centers in Wan chi.

You can get P4's from $1700 HK.
But of course, which, HD size, cache size, DDR ram (speed), mother board etc etc.

Anyway, I personally like the Wan Chhi computer centres, you need a few days to find out which the in's and out's of the latest tech.

Me, I just bought a digital cam; 4 Meg pixels, it even does video with sound! Only $699 HK

munasa · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 79 Location: HK

Hey, Chris, your camera sounds great. What kind is it? Where did you buy it?

ChrisRose · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 427 Location: Hong Kong

Good point, I should explain the potential pit falls.

Many of the models can't do video and voice together. You must check carefully.

The model is "Pine" which means very little. There are several factories in China making the same model for different companies, e.g. Mouse, Red, etc.

Anyway I bought mine in the Wan Chi computer centre, the one above the MTR station.

To be honest, I think there only one shop with this paticular model.
The model itself is just a 2eg pixel sensor with hardward to go up to 4 megs. Another good warning point. Regardless of the hardware resolution, or softwareesolution, the bottom line is the sensor resolution.

Anyway back to the shop. I personally trust 2 shops in that centre. Becuase I have bough tthere previously and returned faulty good, and have not been cheated, I can however give the names of many shops to avoid lol.

Just for everyones reference: the shop with the Pine 4Meg Pixel cams is Comet Sq. Shopp 166 in the Wan Chi computer Center (tel. 2771 7707).

You can telephone and check if they have more stock. I think they still have a few.

Hope this helps

jenny-pnet · Joined: 16 Apr 2003 Posts: 59

Yes Chris. I'd like one of those cameras too!!!!! Did you have to barter?

ChrisRose · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 427 Location: Hong Kong

I am sure you can barter upto $10 maybe $20 off.

But I don't bother.

The reason is simple, that shop is trustable, and thier prices are less than any other shop I know.

For example another shop which carries all the high end cameras tried to sell me an out of date model for $850, at that shop, the same model was also $699.

All the prices are shown in the window and on goods. Just walk around and compare. I think you will find it is the cheapest. If you should see something else, let's say an MP3 player at another shop for $10 less, I would go to that shop and just ask him to match the price.

The reason is , I have had no problems with return. I bought a different model of cam, but the flash didn't work, just took it back, exchanged it for the Pine, which seems a little better. Bigger, as the other cans are about 3cm x 5cm same features, but what the heck.

Hey if you do go to check it out, tell him it was Chris the gwailo asking for soem notes written in chinese.

Btw for $699 a digital cam that does video is a cool toy. I have a full sized Sony handy cam, but when I was in the Philipines I didn't carry it. A) it was too big and heavy, and (b)dam dangerous to carry around. It was a magnet to criminals there.

Oh yeah another coole of my new toy is, it can do a direct output to a TV too! There are even photo shops with machines to print dircetly from the cam's memory chip.

Overalla really cool toy.

ryuro · Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 91

Howdy folks!

I will be moving from Japan to Hong Kong shortly and am debating whether to buy a new laptop here in Japan or wait until I get to Hong Kong.

Here's the basic set-up of what I can get in Japan for a little over $1000 U.S. without the software installed...

2.4 GHz
512Ram
40G HD
DVD/CD RDW
Video In/Out
USB 2.2 (X4)
and many other whistles and bells.

There are a couple internet websites in Japan that offer customized, new machines like this with or without the software install. I happen to have copies of all the software I would be using, so I don't need any of theirs (it'd be the Japanese versions anyway). Their prices ramp up or down depending on how much you wanna add/subtract from the machine.

What do you out there think????

Can you get similar or better deals in Hong Kong or should I get one here before I leave? I think I'd rather wait until I get to Hong Kong, but if you can't get deals like this, I may just order it now. Finally, are there any websites like the Japanese one's I'm talking about in Hong Kong??? I've done a search, but only come-up with shops.

Anyway, any info would be much appreciated!

Cheers,
ryuro

ChrisRose · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 427 Location: Hong Kong

I think the bottom line is Hong Kong has no import duty or sales tax.

HK should be cheaper.

But check the speed of the ram, the HD cache & RPM. The mother board tupe and cache. The list of things to consider is endless.

arju · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Posts: 58 Location: h.k

Hi munasa!!!! so you got here!!! we spoke last year and funny thing I actually took that flat i sent you pics about!
I use shampshui po mongkok wanchai computer centres for different parts.. as well as differnt days the true software is avaliable!!!!!
hong kong is the cheapest for computers by far for all parts and yes making ones own is very cheap.....

CountryClub · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 46 Location: China

Thanks for your replies everyone. I actually work on the mainland but I am close enough to Hong Kong that I can go there on the weekends. Hong Kong is definitely cheaper for computers than the mainland and I think a little cheaper than back home. I looked at Wan Chai and Mong Kok and both places seem great. Where is the 2nd computer centre in Wan Chai? I looked at the one right beside the MTR but would be interested to know where the second is.
Also, I have settled on a laptop. While I can get a desk top for a VERY good price, I think a laptop is a little better suited to my needs.
Thanks again everyone.