Buying a Laptop in Hong Kong:
Is it Worth it?
yes, but only if you're in Mainland China

Flickr set: Shanghai to Hong Kong.

Everyone I talked to said, "just go to Hong Kong to get your computer." There's no tax on electronics.

I wanted to go to Hong Kong anyway. I had a friend to visit in Guangzhou (three hours away by train). I also wanted to get out of Shanghai. Plus, it didn't hurt to get a new Mainland Chinese visa (especially when my employer is paying for it).

So did I actually "save" any money? Yes and no.

The Hong Kong price was negligibly cheaper than the US. Counting shipping from the US to China, the price was quite a bit cheaper.

The price was considerably cheaper than mainland China. At least a few hundred dollars.

I was buying a top-of-the-line laptop. For lower priced machines, I wouldn't recommend going to Hong Kong.

The IBM x60 I bought more than paid for my transport (from Shanghai to Hangzhou by train (first class=50 yuan), Hangzhou to Guangzhou by plane (round trip, including taxes 1300yuan), Guangzhou to Hong Kong (about 300 yuan) and Hangzhou back to Shanghai (50 yuan) So in total, I spent about $200 US on transport and another $60 or so on lodging. Food was extra.

I also bought a Kodak V610 digital camera. It's a sexy beast with a 10x optical zoom. World's smallest. I took a lot of spy shots because the camera doesn't look like it can zoom more than three meters. (I fooled people). But I didn't save more than a few dollars than if I'd bought the camera in the US.

Hong Kong is fun, if hot and rushed. It's like I imagine the Chinese novel "Dream of the Red Mansion" to be like. Every dinky, creaking little elevator opens to a different scene. It's a little like Shanghai, except more cramped and with a different dress code. Shanghai is pajamas to business casual. Hong Kong is pinstripes.

Hong Kong is different from two years ago. There are more Mainlanders there with their bad manners and sense of ownership. And their poultry smuggling.

Guangzhou is the place to buy cheap MP3 players. Their vegetarian food is also top notch.

If you're interested in going to Hong Kong just to save money on a computer, it's probably not worth it. Unless you live in Macau or Guangzhou and going to Hong Kong is like a commute, you're going to spend all the money you save on your computer on transport, food and lodging. Hong Kong's not cheap (unless you're buying technology, cosmetics or name brand clothing).

Conclusion: go to Hong Kong if you like cities you're not afraid of small spaces and expensive noodles. It's still an interesting place.