Bringing a US Laptop to the UK

OK this doesn't have to do with moving but I wasn't sure where else to post this. Feel free to move it if it fits better in another topic.

I'm going home for a visit in September. I'm going on my own (it's cheaper) and I've told my husband to think about anything that I should buy when I'm there.

He suggested that I buy a new laptop since mine's a few years old. My question is, is this wise? I know I'll have to think about things like using it with a UK converter. I'm on the laptop A LOT. Hours each day. Can a converter handle that?

Also..how would I get it back here? Would I be able to bring it on the plane with me (my carry-on is only going to be a small backpack/handbag that I have. It's not really a carry-on bag at all).

Anything else I should think of? Has anyone else done this?

Thanks, everyone.

Edited: D'oh! I should have posted this in the electronics section of the Expat Life board. Can this be moved please? Sorry...

No converter needed. Laptops are intended to travel. Just unplug the US plug from the transformer and plug in a UK one.

The issue to think about if you're buying one new is the warranty. Laptops are cheaper in the US, but you may not be covered if it breaks. Or you might want to take out a separate warranty.

I use my US purchased laptop in the UK all the time.  Simply buy one of those travel plug adaptors to convert the US plug to the UK one.  Just to be safe, on the odd chance that you happen to have purchased the 1 laptop in the world that doesn't operate on dual voltage, check the ac/dc adaptor and it should say something like 120v - 240v.  If you see that, you are good to go. 

Same thing applies to desktops as well.  Although desktops usually have a switch on the back that you have to flip to convert the voltage for use in the UK. 

Edited to add: As for how to get it over to the UK, laptops are small.  Carry it with you on the plane (take it out of the box it came in, of course).  Buy yourself a laptop carrying case and put the laptop, any cords that came in the box along with any papers, discs, booklets that came with the computer and simply put them in the laptop case and carry it on along with your purse.   A cheaper option would be to just purchase a bigger backpack and carry that on board along with your purse.

The warranty also depends on what company and type you buy. Asus, for example, has a world-wide warranty coverage. Dell's standard warranty trasfers (you'll need to do it via their website) but not CompleteCare or Accidental Coverage. Their world-wide NBD warranty, though, works world wide right off the bat but I think it's either available on only some models or only in business. You'd have to check.

Those are the only companies whose policies I know right off the bat. Maybe others can volunteer additional info.

Thanks everyone this was really helpful!

While we're on the topic, how much does it cost to ship computers to the UK?

Just to be safe, on the odd chance that you happen to have purchased the 1 laptop in the world that doesn't operate on dual voltage, check the ac/dc adaptor and it should say something like 120v - 240v. 

Or for an older unit which might be single voltage, or have a changeover switch on the power supply.

Same thing applies to desktops as well.  Although desktops usually have a switch on the back that you have to flip to convert the voltage for use in the UK. 

Beware of peripherals though.   Power supplies for external drives, sound systems, printers, and so on are quite often single-voltage, although some are SMPS types like laptops which will work on 120 or 240V with no external adjustment.

I'm moving to the UK and I just bought a laptop because my old one was on its last legs. I bought Dell because of the warranty issues. I'd highly recommend the refurbished ones. You get fantastic discounts but you still have Dell warranty. I went one step further and got a scratch and dent. It's got the tiniest scratch - and laptops scratch anyway. I paid $500 for a top of the line Dell laptop and I'm really happy with it. Far better deal than I could have got in the UK. They're very portable so I wouldn't worry about taking it on the plane.