Having almost bought a fake Thinkpad from a big cyber mall last year I am cautious.
Anybody know any trustworthy vendors in KMG?

I really want a laptop with no OS as I want an English language OS loaded on later.

Hi tigertiger,

I haven't seen many fake laptops so far around Kunming, I also haven't seen many laptops without an OS. Easiest to spot are definitely spelling errors on the stickers advertising the hardware. Check if the correct amount memory is installed, if the screen has the right resolution. Check if the installed OS matches the sticker on the bottom of the laptop. Then check the case itself, can you see large gaps, does it feel cheap or does it feel worthy? Also make sure to take a good look at the hinges; how is the screen opening, is anything bending that looks like it shouldn't bend?

Then buy the laptop that you think will fit your specifications, take it home and wipe all the crap, that the manufacturer thinks is important for you, off it. Then use the correct (english) windows version that matches your sticker at the bottom f your new laptop. This way you never have to crack or worry about genuinity of your OS.

PS: Do not try to ask them if they can install an English system. 2 Months ago this ended in major discussions, a lot of talking around, waiting for 4 hours and in the end doing it myself again (wiping and reinstalling) as they installed one of those hideous ghost copies.

Good luck. If you need further help, PM me

TT
Do you have an external drive? Win7 64bit is about 3.71GB (not sure my ancient machines can burn that size dvd).

For laptops - you can try Jinli across from the yunda north gate on yieryi dajie (or order online jinli.com). Be careful with Lenovo stuff - they may have QA problems - to include the thinkpad line. Sony works fine if you don't travel too much. If you travel a LOT - it'll probably die shortly after the one year warranty expires.

And a post wouldn't be complete without a plug for the apple ibook or macbook (which can run win7 under either parallels or bootcamp)...but they're pricier starting around ¥6k+. The Apple store is just around the corner (right turn as you leave the campus) of the Yunda North gate.

This is one case where it's iffy to use taobao.com

If you want help and you know exactly what you want to buy - drop me a PM and I'll ask the local IT guy with reasonable english skills to take care of it for you - he loves this stuff (I'll introduce you). He also gets university (is there such a thing in china?) rates and he knows most of the outside vendors - they deliver! PM me...but gotta be this week - my schedule's terrible all next week.

Toshiba builds a more reliable laptop. Whatever you get, stay away from HP!

there are some pretty good deals on ASUS right now and they usually come with a 2 year warranty (possibly international). a friend just bought one from a computer mall just off 121 street and they gave her a choice of OS or the option of leaving it without one so that she could install her own later.

hi there,
I got a Lenovo Ideapad that's in perfect condition, just spent 1200 for extra RAM installed, total of 3GB RAM, pentium Dual 1.6, bought it for 900 US back in 2008, but it's still in very good condition, if you're interested we can negotiate a price. DVD drive, two USB outlets.

email me at leekunming@foxmail.com
thanks in advance!
LL

This is the perfect forum.