Reply to: Best way to pay for a 2K+ laptop via Limited when on the VAT Flat rate scheme.

[Random]

surprised people have not mentioned but AFAIK it does not have to be on one item. So if your receipt if > £2k then you can claim back the VAT even if there are 10 items.

[worzelGummidge]

I usually spend about 1.5k to 2k for a laptop.
My theory is that I use a lot of software on it and I don't want the thing going at a snails pace.
Also, it takes quite a bit of time to install all of the software and set up things just the way that you like it so the longer that the laptop lasts and is usable then the better.

About 18th months ago I was looking for another laptop to replace a top of the range 2K Dell laptop that was 5 years old. I almost bought a Lenova top of the range one for 2.5K but instead went for a Samsung one that cost £900. I made the wrong choice because the Samsung is just too slow. I now plan to buy a Lenova top of the range laptop before the VAT rise.

It's a time thing - I do not like spending the time setting the thing up and like to use the same things for as long as is possible - so 2k for a laptop that is usable for 5 years is good value for me.

- or - The Dell above looks very good but Dell customer support is rubbish which is a shame so I will not be buying the Dell.

[Moscow Mule]

Why on earth buy a 2k laptop it will be old soon enough.

Why not lease business equipment, and pay direct from business account.

then after the lease just hand it back and get the latest gear again.

check out RentSmart - Because buying isn't - The Smart Approach To Renting works for me.

My equipment takes such a battering I'd end up buying it anyway....

[DaveP]

2K laptop

Why on earth buy a 2k laptop it will be old soon enough.

Why not lease business equipment, and pay direct from business account.

then after the lease just hand it back and get the latest gear again.

check out RentSmart - Because buying isn't - The Smart Approach To Renting works for me.

[nomadd]

If you want the latest top end CPU, lots of memory and a discrete GPU in a box that weighs 1.5kg then you will pay for it. Similarly if you want the top end CPU, lots of memory and discrete graphics with a full HD screen.

You'll get a 3G modem, GPS & fingerprint reader thrown in as well.

And just to assist the OP in throwing his money away, I went to the Dell Small Business section and configured a typical high-end business Laptop (M6500 Precision) with all the toys:

Subtotal £6,112.47
VAT & Shipping NOT included

That's just over £7,200.00 inc. VAT and Shipping.

Didn't someone say something about adding a printer?

[d000hg]

If you don't need to spend the money, then you don't need to spend the money. I've not seen a £2k laptop that I could even remotely justify the expenditure on.

My laptop cost £800 a few years back and is still fine to run Oracle R12 with no problems, while also running a Windows VM to do some development work. What does a £2k laptop do that an £800 one doesn't?

What does a £200k supercar do that an £80k car doesn't? Nothing, but it does the same things faster.

Although with a laptop it can make a big difference. If you want to do gaming, £800 won't get you a high-end GPU. If you do movie-editing or you want a proper DB running in Oracle, 4Gb of Ram won't be enough. Maybe you want a 17" monitor and excellent battery life and something that doesn't weight a metric ton... each of those things adds a few quid.

Just because you don't have a need for high-end doesn't mean nobody else does (let alone posers who just want something shiny). By that mentality everyone should drive a Ford Focus - comfortable, economical and functional.

[doodab]

What does a £2k laptop do that an £800 one doesn't?

If you want the latest top end CPU, lots of memory and a discrete GPU in a box that weighs 1.5kg then you will pay for it. Similarly if you want the top end CPU, lots of memory and discrete graphics with a full HD screen.

You'll get a 3G modem, GPS & fingerprint reader thrown in as well.

[Clippy]

I can kind of understand where the OP is coming from as it is easy to spend more when it is the Ltd's money and not yours.

Several months ago I was looking for a new company laptop and had set my heart on a gorgeous Sony Vaio for about £1400.

I was so close to buying one but my prudent nature won over and I bought a mid-range Samsung laptop for about £540 instead.

Each to their own I say.

[TheFaQQer]

Is the limit 2K including or excluding VAT? Either way getting 20% off is hardly pyrrhic since that's £3-400. A Macbook Pro will eat up £2K if you want a big screen - but you can also include other purchases like a printer.

If you don't need to spend the money, then you don't need to spend the money. I've not seen a £2k laptop that I could even remotely justify the expenditure on.

My laptop cost £800 a few years back and is still fine to run Oracle R12 with no problems, while also running a Windows VM to do some development work. What does a £2k laptop do that an £800 one doesn't?

[d000hg]

Is the limit 2K including or excluding VAT? Either way getting 20% off is hardly pyrrhic since that's £3-400. A Macbook Pro will eat up £2K if you want a big screen - but you can also include other purchases like a printer.

[TheFaQQer]

Because they're on the flat-VAT rate and want to be able to spend enough to be able to claim the VAT?

I think the point was that spending significantly more than is necessary just to reclaim the VAT is a somewhat pointless exercise.

A somewhat Phyrric victory.

[d000hg]

WHS.

But why would anyone pay 2 grand on a laptop ffs!?

Because they're on the flat-VAT rate and want to be able to spend enough to be able to claim the VAT?

[nomadd]

But why would anyone pay 2 grand on a laptop ffs!?

WHS

I'd always wanted a decent "business" laptop, and had always been a huge fan of the IBM (now Lenovo) Thinkpad range. Bought a decent one of them last year, and even including paying £60 extra for the internal 3G modem it still only came to half what the OP quoted.

Still, he seems to have blown the dust out of his old one now, so some common-sense prevailed.

[BolshieBastard]

Get a company credit card or debit card. Pay for it on your company card, then claim the VAT back on your VAT return.

If you pay for it yourself, then you have to prove that it is wholly and exclusively for business use.

WHS.

But why would anyone pay 2 grand on a laptop ffs!?

[eliquant]

Thanks for the advice, I was powering up the laptop and it just shut down during or soon after boot up with the problem getting progressively worse.

I opened it up and blew the massive mound of dust out of it - the fans were running ok. I've now had it running 1hour+ with video / audio playing and doing lots of stuff internet surfing, going to put the screws back in and hopefully I should be ok.

I didn't want to shell out £2k+ on a laptop when this one is only 19 months old.