Buying hardware in Canada?

-Does anyone actually know what the retail prices look like over there, especially if you're looking at standard gear? Is it even worth making the trip? I'm wondering if I can bring stuff back without getting hammered by customs and all that nonsense... specifically thinking about an SSD for my OS plus a 4TB portable drive for extra storage.
-Secondary question: how do they handle personal electronics like phones, tablets, or laptops when going through airport security and everything else...

THANKS

It’s a double-edged sword... 🙂
Basically, you have an allowance up to $333 worth of goods when entering the US...

My girlfriend and I declared it like this: her laptop + her tablet (bought over there) + a boxed tablet and phone, obviously..
Me? My tablet + a boxed tablet + my phone and camera (all bought overseas)...
Of course, they didn't ask us to crack open our suitcases. If they had, things would've been awkward 🙂

They aren't going to grill you about personal stuff, especially if you show them you actually use it—like showing a camera full of photos and everything...

But look, customs officers can be total jerks and screw you over whenever they feel like it. They have that right. It really just comes down to how much luck you have—whether they play nice or decide to mess with you..
I've seen people bring in two entire suitcases of electronics and walk free, while someone else brings in a single hard drive and gets harassed..

As for hardware prices over there, they're a bit lower than what we pay here, but it's hardly worth the hassle since you lose your warranty on such vital gear...
Often the price gap is so tiny it’s practically pointless... I’d honestly rather buy something from Canada and try to hunt down a tax refund 🙂

Just Google some shops online and you'll see...
It might even be worth picking up something used. They sell tons of secondhand gear at ridiculous prices, and half the time it's still under warranty (the only catch is you can't test it first, which sucks, but hey, they aren't scammers looking to rip you off 🙂 ))

Thanks for the info!

Best,