Local Computer Stores
 

Other than the two big chain - Future Shop and Best Buy.
Then some of the more notable ones like NCIX and Memory Express.

I was wondering... are their any other bigger computer stores here locally? I'm primary looking for stores that will have various models of laptop + netbooks out in display... that I can test around with.

Thanks in advance!

the answer is simply no. You'll find the most competitive prices at ME or NCIX...or pricematching smaller store at ME or NCIX.

Anitec usually has a pretty big selection of netbooks though..and if you mean by testing around only ME has no restocking fee for returns AFAIK.

Anitec

+1 for anitec

+1 for A-Power, been dealing with them for >10 years, always great service and support.

If you just want to look at laptops and netbooks on display, you could also drop by Staples or Wal-Mart...

The problem is what you test at staples bb and walmart for the cheap notebooks, you wont find at NCIX of Memory express.. Larger chain stores sell super cheap notebooks that NCIX or ME arent able to get.. Unless you are going for the more $$$ notebooks you may luck out.. What are your concerns for a notebook? best bet is to find something your looking for and ask for reviews.. Looking for a specific notebook just to test is going to be hard. Notebooks have soo much variation.

Sorry... didn't quite mean test it as in bring it home / return it... just seeing them on display is sufficient. As I have certain models in mind already, from internet researching. Just want to see the actual product first and have the chance to type with the keyboard a few times.

Thanks for the A-Power & Anitec tip, will go check them out :thumbsup:

For me, it's a toss-up between Anitec and NCIX. I prefer Anitec only because it's closer to home, parking is relatively accessible and there is no silly queue to get service.

You can't really "test" much in-store anyway, at least not as far as performance, and particularly not with your software of choice... you have to largely go on the specs.

What you CAN test, is how you like the feel and layout of the keyboard and trackpad (I, for one, cannot stand the layout of HP laptop keyboards), the look of the screen, the weight and balance (important if you're going to be carrying it a lot), and so on. Those kind of things won't vary much within a model line, even if different stores carry different variations of the same model.

Anyone like ATIC? they're like a hole in the wall, but you can find some pretty good prices sometimes for stuff.

Bought some stuff from them over ten years ago because they used to have some low prices at the expense of providing any form of customer service... but since NCIX started doing price matches, I don't see why anyone would ever go to ATIC still.

Honestly smaller chain retailers will eventually die out.. Just not enough business out there.. Thats why the company I work at moved from retailing to Managed IT services.. Much better turn out and guaranteed monthly revenue. Plus we are Dell authorized and there arent many Dell authorized resellers in Vancouver... Atleast not that I'm aware of..

i see that you are aware of Memory Express but have you been in the store before? i was in there a few days ago and they have like 40 notebooks on display. thats a lot more than i have seen @ BB, FS or Ncix. i overheard one of the sales guys say that they have special orders as well for the higher end products if thats what you are interested in. and pricing is very competitive with their price beat if you are looking for a deal. either way hope this helps.

Exactly what I wanted to "test" =) And its a good thing I did. If you have seen my other thread, I originally decided on a Asus 1015PN just from internet specs researching.
We all know netbooks won't be using fullsize keyboards. But last week, after making a trip to Memory Express...I realized I just couldn't stand the size of it... the 12xx model beside it was so much better, while still staying within the "netbook size/category" that I'm looking for.

Wow. First post! Welcome to RS =)
Yeah I went into Memory Express. See above post.
The model I'm looking for in particular was not on display. But I'm sure they have it in their warehouse / etc. Hence why I was wondering if there's any other stores I could visit locally before making the purchase.

Besides the stores that've been mentioned already (FS, BB, NCIX, ME, Anitec, A-Power), the only other stores I can think of that have display models are The Source, London Drugs & Costco.

Went to Anitec today..... wow was that store empty.
There was 2-3 laptops on display at most!

what make and model are you interested?

i said it in the other thread, but why not just buy the model you want from memory express? if you don't like it you have 14 days to return it with no restocking fee you can even comfirm it with the salesperson (Eric is pretty good). save yourself the gas money and headache, i've done it a bunch of times already with a couple of gaming notebooks and other stuff. IMHO THATS your most easiest route.

gl on purchase in any case.

It always boggled my mind how those REALLY small computer stores stay in business. yknow the ones that still have their faded posters from the 90s..

community/local shoppers? no ncix within 25km radius?, like in Surrey, no ncix around.

There is an NCIX in Langley, I believe.

I guess so, but in Richmond alone, there are tons of those types of stores.