My Buy ABC (anywhere but China) pledge is going to be tested! Buying a laptop

[cabmandone]

My son asked me to get him a new laptop. For the last 8 weeks I have been on an ABC "crusade" buying nothing made in China. I've bought shoes, clothing, tools, kitchen items.. but a laptop is going to be an interesting one! I know I can find them made elsewhere but finding them with no Chinese components? That's gonna be tough!
Any suggestions on brands where I might stand a chance of avoiding buying something made in China?

[Zeke]

I tried that with a TV.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I tried that with a TV.

That's doable. Samsung. Probably has some Chinese parts in it but as I understand it Samsung has a large supply chain which give you better odds. I'm looking into a Samsung or a Lenovo laptop.

[MRM]

You know that Lenovo is a Chinese brand, don’t you?

[URY914]

What's you're problem with China? Someone pee in your wonton?

[dan79brooklyn]

How about a Japanese brand laptop. Sony etc.

[island911]

Originally Posted by dan79brooklyn

How about a Japanese brand laptop. Sony etc.

Good call.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaio

[island911]

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_laptop_brands_and_manufacturers

[dan79brooklyn]

Panasonic tough books are apparently 100% made in Kobe Japan

All TOUGHBOOK rugged mobile computers are manufactured in Kobe, Japan. Unlike most notebook manufacturers that order parts from other companies, TOUGHBOOK products are designed, tested and manufactured from the ground up at the plant. Panasonic is so rigorous with testing TOUGHBOOK products that thousands are pushed to the point of destruction every year in order to further improve our products.

Sounds like Sony VAIO has plants in China. Panasonic seems to be the most JDM of the Japanese brands

[KFC911]

^^^ I'll second that...been outta the game for a long time tho'

I always had 4-5k Thinkpads...didn't need a Toughbook....they rock!

Folks that were in "the field", the worst environments...Toughbooks.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by MRM

You know that Lenovo is a Chinese brand, don’t you?

I do now! I just started looking into computers and saw a list of brands made in the USA. Oddly, Lenovo was part of that list.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by dan79brooklyn

How about a Japanese brand laptop. Sony etc.

Toshiba is on the list. Sony and Panasonic I hadn't thought of. Still early on in my quest! Keep the suggestions coming.

[Iciclehead]

My latest Dell was made in Malaysia....

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Iciclehead

My latest Dell was made in Malaysia....

Interesting! I had all but written Dell off because the two I still have were made in China. Might have to go to a store and do a bit of checking.

[Iciclehead]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Interesting! I had all but written Dell off because the two I still have were made in China. Might have to go to a store and do a bit of checking.

To be fair, it is a high end Latitude that was ordered directly from Dell (business level)....their Best Buy versions, like any consumer laptop, are basically junk.

Dennis

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Iciclehead

To be fair, it is a high end Latitude that was ordered directly from Dell (business level)....their Best Buy versions, like any consumer laptop, are basically junk.

Dennis

I had a latitude and I'm currently typing on an Inspiron. Both have been pretty reliable. If I can find a Dell that isn't made in China I might be willing to grab it.

[MRM]

Lenovo bought IBM’s PC business several years ago when IBM exited the market to concentrate on enterprise machines and software. The two ran the business for a while before Lenovo took it over completely. That’s probably why it’s still listed as an American brand. I’m very brand loyal to them. Good business/commercial quality for a good price. I abuse my laptop and my Lenovos with a docking station last a long time and are desktop replacements. If you check around I’ll bet you’ll find Lenovo’s that aren’t made in China. But it will be impossible to buy a laptop that doesn’t have any components that were made in China.

[shoemakj]

FWIW, Lenovo computers are prohibited from being used on networks and in areas that process classified information. At least that was the case a couple of years ago when I last checked. We (USAF) currently use HP ProBooks and EliteBooks. The ProBooks on our contract are pretty low-spec and disposable. The EliteBooks are OK. Many/most of the components are still made in China, but assembled in the US. HP must ensure the integrity of the supply chain for China-sourced components.

Lenovo has some "Assembled in the USA" machines, and I'm sure they've certified their supply chain, too. We just choose not believe them based past findings.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by MRM

Lenovo bought IBM’s PC business several years ago when IBM exited the market to concentrate on enterprise machines and software. The two ran the business for a while before Lenovo took it over completely. That’s probably why it’s still listed as an American brand. I’m very brand loyal to them. Good business/commercial quality for a good price. I abuse my laptop and my Lenovos with a docking station last a long time and are desktop replacements. If you check around I’ll bet you’ll find Lenovo’s that aren’t made in China. But it will be impossible to buy a laptop that doesn’t have any components that were made in China.

Problem is, Lenovo is owned by China as someone else pointed out. Lenovo has a HQ in North Carolina as I found through my initial search. What that search failed to mention is that Lenovo is a Chinese company. This one is difficult because I want to support American workers and would consider a Lenovo made here but the money still makes its way to China.

[island911]

Originally Posted by MRM

... But it will be impossible to buy a laptop that doesn’t have any components that were made in China.

Got that right!

And as shoemakj points to, the Chinese full build controlled are likely going to have Chinese spyware built in. ...which will be in addition to all the US spyware.

Altho' your phone... Where was that built? Over 700 million Android phones... https://www.cyberscoop.com/android-malware-china-huawei-zte-kryptowire-blu-products/