can I bring a 4S home from the USA and use it in the UK?

If you buy a factory unlocked, yes. You should have no issue at all.

 

Aslong as it's the unlocked version yes you can

 

Can't help you with the power connector question, but Apple's warranty is worldwide so you wouldn't have any problems there.

 

The Mac Mini use a shaver cord style power connector, it's supply is universal so it'll run from 110-240VAC 50/60Hz
http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html
You'll simply need a way to plug it in (2 prong, no GND)

 

As far as I know, non of Apple's products need a power converter to work in other countries, just a plug converter. As for the warranty, I'm not 100% certain on this, but I've read elsewhere that if you have an issue with the machine you'll have to send it back to the US for service.

 

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy the 4S in the UK than paying $649+ for the unlocked 4S here in the US?

 

I'm not sure about the Mac mini, but the iPhone warranty is limited to the original country of purchase. So if you have any issues with the iPhone it will need to be sent to someone you know in the US to be taken into Apple for evaluation. Then they will need to ship the phone back to you. Apple does not accept direct mail in repairs and this will all be at your expense. Search the apple.com forums and you will see MANY folks who are in that exact situation. Even Apple care does not extend the warranty to int'l. You're best to get the iphone locally.
Good luck.

 

Make sure your friend knows to go to an actual Apple store.

I'm pretty sure some of the carriers here sell high-priced contract-free phones, but those are often still locked to the carrier in question.

I'm not 100% sure that's true everywhere, but why take any chances?

 

Of the three Apple Stores in Las Vegas, all of them are on Las Vegas Blvd. So as long as his friend goes to an Apple Store on Las Vegas Blvd., I'm sure he will be fine.

 

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But silly that. What if you travel a lot or if you decide to emigrate? Are you supposed to sell a perfectly working phone?

 

£500 for an unlocked 4S here. That's US$780. So, no, it's not cheaper.

 

I believe that is the Caesar's Palace Apple Store. Very cool.

 

AFAIK...iPhone does not have worldwide warranty, I would not know about factory unlocked ones (it could be possible).

 

What would the taxes be for importing an item like an iPhone or Mac Mini?

 

Here is a link to the iPhone warranty.
http://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/iphone/

On page 2 it states:

IMPORTANT RESTRICTION
Apple may restrict warranty service to the country where Apple or its
Authorized Distributors originally sold the Apple Product.

 

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Key word being may. Seems they would be understanding if you emigrate or travel regularly. But if importing to save money maybe not so understanding and it'd be upto the store you deal with. That's how I read that.

 

Does the OP want an unlocked 4S? All he asked if he bought a 4S in the US could it work in the UK which people answered he would have to buy the unlocked version.

I(wrongly?) assumed that it would be cheaper to buy the 4S in the UK since it would be subsidized vs buying the unlocked 4S in the US.