This brings me to the old problem of how expensive laptops and (certain) tech goodies are here compared to abroad. No reason except for the supply chain from importer/distributors to retail floor. Almost uniquely South African. An independent retail chain advised me to hold off purchasing until next year when they’re going to import directly excluding distributors and, we hope, bring lower selling prices. They say a large chain is doing that already but this chain’s prices are at or even above local retail benchmarks. Price gouging is an SA national sport.

I looked at S15 in the shop – the sales guy kindly unsealed the box for me. I don’t know what I was expecting but was underwhelmed. By looks alone, it didn’t seem worth R30K, already over-priced locally (the range starts from under $1,000, about R20K, per Amazon US). And the Snapdragon issues. Nah, pass. Unless it’s on sale.