Why do some laptop specifications, even within the same model, vary between different regions?
For example, MSI sells its CreatorPro Z16P series with an i7 processor and 32 GB of memory in Canada, but with an i9 processor and 64 GB of memory in USA.
Similarly, ASUS equips its ProArt Studiobook series with an i9 CPU and a Quadro A3000 GPU for Canada, but with a Xeon CPU and Quadro A5000 GPU for USA.
Is this because of regulatory constraints—or something else?
Do they cost the same? It’s not uncommon for the same laptop model to have different config options at different price points.
If the prices are different enough once converted to USD, it may just be that both are available in both countries, but they change which model they choose to focus on.
The big computer distributors seem to have the i9 version up here, albeit backordered.
I think that this is more nearly the answer and I expect that different configurations are simply more common in different countries/regions due to the decisions made by national chains of stores and distributors.
I own a Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 (3rd gen) and the spec sheet shows an amazing 18 configurations for just the US market. If a large vendor decides to purchase primarily the cheapest model so they can advertise it for $100 less than the competition does, I imagine that many people will pay little attention to the 7th and 8th characters in the 10-character model number. With the Carbon X1, these characters tell you the CPU type and memory size (and some misc stuff).
And all these 18 model numbers end in “US,” so I assume there are more model numbers for other countries.
Slightly off-topic from OP"s question—
I could swear I read somewhere that some electronics/computer manufacturers make specific models for specific retailers that are similar.
The example I remember was a laptop from Wal-Mart was identical spec-wise to one purchased online directly from the manufacturer but the model number was different.
And apparently it was the same for televisions purchased for Wal-Mart as well.
This is not at all uncommon - appliances, mattresses, BBQs, etc.
Sometimes there is a small change, like an extended warranty or a thinner gauge grill. Mostly it prevents comparison shopping and price matching.
Thank you all for the helpful information! That clears up a lot.
When I was buying a welder it was common to see the same exact welder at Home Depot and Lowes with identical specs and the only difference being a slightly different model number (like one ends with an L or H) and maybe a different decal on the front.
In any case, that meant that neither of them had to worry about price matching.
& it makes that Black Friday sale look like a deal until you realize it’s a slightly different model with different (& lesser) specs & therefore, you’re really paying retail value for it & not getting a deal at all. It may be as simple as the Black Friday TV having less ports than the ‘regular’ version but there’s a difference.
When you order a mid to high specced laptop from a vendor/manufacturer like HP you can specify everything from the keyboard to the battery.
Imagine what options large(r) retailers get. AND those same retailers loathe having the exact same product a consumer could compare directly.