Laptop buying: REVIEW of shopping in Bangkok

[TheLaughingMan]

Alrighty so recently I asked some advice here on buying a laptop in Bangkok, also spent extensive hours googling over and over trying to find good info. Really, there is no up to date info on the net, its all horribly outdated and incorrect. SO HERES THE REAL DEAL as of december 2015.

IT Gateway in Siam: is GONE, do not go there obviously, it has been converted into a teen fashion mall.

Pantip Plaza: is DEAD, I was sad actually, I have gone there a hundred times over the past decade and to see it withering and dying like it is... is kinda sad. I dont mean it was empty, which it pretty much was on a Wednesday, I mean they only carry older models at a higher price. There is absolutely no reason to go there for laptops, I went to almost every stupid little and big shop just to make sure and not a one carried the new models you can find at Fortune, not a single one..... on top of that the older models were all marked as higher priced then the new models at fortune! I honestly felt that they all had some agreement to only sell older models to clear all the old stock. It will not be long I bet that we hear it is converted or sold and torn down.

MBK: Power buy is closed for renovations or something and I looked for a while and couldnt find a single shop selling laptops, wasted time.

Fortune Tower: Really the only viable option, tons of shops both big and small all selling laptops on a couple of floors. Selling all the latest models at decent prices. Was shocked as the prices at pantip were higher for less specs. I bought at IT city shop and asked for a discount off the marked price (52,900) and got 1k baht off, I paid cash though so not sure if thats a difference.

Theres other malls further out around Bangkok Im sure, but these are all pretty central and was surprised Fortune was the only good choice.

[SoiBiker]

You mean Fortune Town, presumably?

If you're complaining about inaccurate information elsewhere, you might at least get the name of the mall right.

Edited December 26, 2015 by SoiBiker

[2fishin2]

Well what did you get for that small fortune pun intended u paid?

[2fishin2]

You mean Fortune Town, presumably?

If you're complaining about inaccurate information elsewhere, you night at least get the name of the mall right.

Really so soon in a thread and the ah&$)(s come out?

[dddave]

Thanks, good info. Haven't been to Pantip in a while. Too bad it has declined. Thai's (meaning Thai-Chinese really) are adamant about not marking down old stock; they'll hold onto something forever rather than cut the price.

A few years ago I went into a small camera shop and noticed a 128kb memory card in his display case...B1200 price tag. Probably from Y2K.

[2fishin2]

Actually Pantip is not worth going to anymore. I had heard it was going downhill but, after having fond memories of the place for so many years I had to see for myself. I went there and was shocked. Sad to say Ill never go back. Nothing left but old, expensive outdated products that I would never use. A BKK icon is no more. Fortune is the place to go now. No where near the fun of Pantip but, has everything computer or AV related you could need. One good thing is the MRT goes straight to the front door. [emoji3]

[impulse]

You mean Fortune Town, presumably?

If you're complaining about inaccurate information elsewhere, you might at least get the name of the mall right.

A quick Google search will tell you the 2 names are used interchangeably- even on the stationary of mainstream businesses in the complex.

Fortune Town is more commonly used, but Fortune Tower specifies the place just as uniquely and correctly.

And I agree with the OP. Until Pantip gets finished renovating (or all the shops relocate across the street- just as likely), Fortune Towern is the place to go. For electronics, MBK has always been about phones and not so much computers.

Edited December 26, 2015 by impulse

[SoiBiker]

I think we can safely assume that the name they've chosen to put on the side of the building in 20ft high letters is the correct one - and certainly the more useful to give out if you're going to offer the definitive information on the subject.

[2fishin2]

What is wrong with you people that you have to come on a thread, offer the square root of any valuable information and poop on other people's reports? Sitting behind a keyboard, Word Smithing and belittling posters?

[4evermaat]

There was a rather older review here about electronics: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293916-d2534849-r159225259-Fortune_Town_IT_Mall-Bangkok.html

I always recommended Fortune IT mall (aka FortuneTown aka Fortune Tower) as a better alternative to Pantip, mainly because there are less shopping options, but the options that were there are more reputable and were not geared towards a quick-buck mentality. Definitely a case where less is more. It's been the consensus for a while now that fortuneTown is the more relaxed of the two malls for IT and computer equipment.

And it is right upstairs from MRT Rama 9 station; can avoid the sometimes gridlocked traffic. One side takes you to FortuneTown mall, the other side takes you to CentralWorld (avoid crossing the street).

It does seem like the phrase 'Fortune Town' can also refer to the nearby area.

[SoiBiker]

I'd call the actual name of the mall pretty useful information, personally.

[impulse]

I'd call the actual name of the mall pretty useful information, personally.

You must get lost a lot since there are 4 different ways to spell Pattaya just on the expressway signs getting down there.

Most of us decided long ago to go with the flow as long as the information was useful.

[SoiBiker]

Nope. For two reasons -

1 - I can read Thai.

2 - I have no intention of going to Pattaya.

We done here now?

[TheLaughingMan]

Nope. For two reasons -

1 - I can read Thai.

2 - I have no intention of going to Pattaya.

We done here now?

We'll be done the very second you get the heck off my thread lol. When talking to Thais they often direct me to FORTUNE TOWER, so if the Thais are using it, who are you as a foreigner to know better?

[TheLaughingMan]

Well what did you get for that small fortune pun intended u paid?

I got... a 15.6 touch screen/4k screen Dell gaming laptop. 16 gigs ram, quad core i7 6700hq 2.6-3.5 ghz cpu, nvidia geforce gtx 960m 4 gig ddr5 ram video card, ssd 128 + 1tb hdd, 3 year international onsite service warranty, windows 10 home legit. This is the latest cpu and video card versions, the old gtx 960 only had 2 gigs of ram. I did need all that power for gaming and video editing when travelling for work so Im very happy. I considered a cheaper laptop around 41k by Asus with the same specs but it didnt have touch screen and I really wanted it, I find touchscreen very helpful when on the plane, in bed and on a small stool or toilet which is where I spend a lot of time using my laptop lol. Plus the Dell laptop I got is very beautiful and just looked nicer than the Asus.

[yimlitnoy]

Ah! Ah! I have always called this place Fortune Plaza!

[manarak]

Well what did you get for that small fortune pun intended u paid?

I got... a 15.6 touch screen/4k screen Dell gaming laptop. 16 gigs ram, quad core i7 6700hq 2.6-3.5 ghz cpu, nvidia geforce gtx 960m 4 gig ddr5 ram video card, ssd 128 + 1tb hdd, 3 year international onsite service warranty, windows 10 home legit. This is the latest cpu and video card versions, the old gtx 960 only had 2 gigs of ram. I did need all that power for gaming and video editing when travelling for work so Im very happy. I considered a cheaper laptop around 41k by Asus with the same specs but it didnt have touch screen and I really wanted it, I find touchscreen very helpful when on the plane, in bed and on a small stool or toilet which is where I spend a lot of time using my laptop lol. Plus the Dell laptop I got is very beautiful and just looked nicer than the Asus.

Thanks for the report, very informative!

Saved me a trip to Pantip for the next time I need something.

Is there a Dell dealership in Fortune ?

I have to ask them about supplying color laser cartridges for a Dell printer I have.

[TheLaughingMan]

Yes there's a dell store

[DogNo1]

Posters do know that there are Power Buys in both Siam Paragon and Central Chidlom, right? There are also some nice shops in the new Emquartier.

[4evermaat]

Posters do know that there are Power Buys in both Siam Paragon and Central Chidlom, right? There are also some nice shops in the new Emquartier.

Selections tend to be limited in those places. But in a place like Pantip or FortuneTown IT mall, they are specifically for people seeking computer parts (new and aftermarket), printers, camera equipment, repairs, etc; much more specialists in their niches under one roof. Central World, Power Buy, et al are more retail-only outlets. Sometimes they will have what you want, but the selection and customization will be more limited.

If you see something you like and the price is right, you can sometimes buy it in a Power Buy. But to get it fixed, upgraded, etc, you usually need to go to a Pantip or FortuneTown anyway. Will the price be right at Emquartier? A good strategy is to initially check out Siam Paragon, Tesco, etc initially and get some ideas if you are already in the area. Double-check the model number or model series online for price/specs/reviews. Then head over to FortuneTown for a final check or upgrades.

[MJKT2014]

I don't enjoy shopping for higher end laptops in Thailand due to the lack of stock and idiots trying to sell me stuff I don't want. It's nice to walk around the malls to get a hands on but I find better value online. Invade has some good Dell deals at http://i.nvade.it/6DI but I will get my next laptop from Amazon I think overseas.

[Gary A]

I'd rate Dell number one and much cheaper than Apple. Dell support here in Thailand is excellent. Lazada has a number of Dell models.

[TheLaughingMan]

I don't enjoy shopping for higher end laptops in Thailand due to the lack of stock and idiots trying to sell me stuff I don't want. It's nice to walk around the malls to get a hands on but I find better value online. Invade has some good Dell deals at http://i.nvade.it/6DI but I will get my next laptop from Amazon I thin

Ya thats my exact model that I just bought and 2000 baht cheaper than what I paid. Good deal.

[2fishin2]

how is the battery life on that laptop??

[TheLaughingMan]

how is the battery life on that laptop??

seems decent, but I havent really tested it, ill try gaming on it from 100% to empty and come back and let you know here

[manarak]

how is the battery life on that laptop??

seems decent, but I havent really tested it, ill try gaming on it from 100% to empty and come back and let you know here

hihi... gaming at 100%... I'd be surprised if the battery lasts one hour.

[TheLaughingMan]

how is the battery life on that laptop??

seems decent, but I havent really tested it, ill try gaming on it from 100% to empty and come back and let you know here

hihi... gaming at 100%... I'd be surprised if the battery lasts one hour.

So without adjusting anything and running at high settings playing Fallout 4 I got 1 hour and 15 minutes from a full battery to empty, then I tried adjusting some settings and got close to 2 hours, now Im going to try a few more battery saving settings and see if I can get more.

Edited December 28, 2015 by TheLaughingMan

[manarak]

how is the battery life on that laptop??

seems decent, but I havent really tested it, ill try gaming on it from 100% to empty and come back and let you know here

hihi... gaming at 100%... I'd be surprised if the battery lasts one hour.

So without adjusting anything and running at high settings playing Fallout 4 I got 1 hour and 15 minutes from a full battery to empty, then I tried adjusting some settings and got close to 2 hours, now Im going to try a few more battery saving settings and see if I can get more.

okay, I'm surprised !

[TheLaughingMan]

Just an update on the Dell n7559 inspiron laptop I got, I love it, really its a good machine. I wasnt sure if Id love the touch screen or quickly realise it was a waste, but I use it every day all the time. If youre working at a desktop then I think touch is silly, but for me always on the go and in bed in hotels or even at home its really the future of pc'ing. Touch screen is very convenient.

[onetime]

You mean Fortune Town, presumably?

If you're complaining about inaccurate information elsewhere, you night at least get the name of the mall right.

Really so soon in a thread and the ah&$)(s come out?

He leans in that direction....