Buy a Laptop With USDT or USDC: Pick the Right Network
Pay for a laptop with USDT or USDC. How to choose between Tron, Ethereum, Solana and other networks, what fees to expect and the mistakes that lose money.
In short: Choose USDT or USDC at checkout, pick the network your wallet actually sends on (Tron, Ethereum, Solana and others), and send the exact amount within 2 hours. Keep a little of that network's own coin for the fee, and never send on a network other than the one shown.
Stablecoins are the calmest way to pay. The amount stays close to the dollar total, so you never wonder whether the price moved while you were sending. The catch is that USDT and USDC exist on many networks, and choosing the wrong one is the most common way a payment goes missing.
What is the same, and what is not
Both coins track the US dollar, so the order total in dollars is almost exactly what you send. They are issued by different companies and run on different sets of networks. The order page names the exact coin and network for your order, and you must match both.
Choosing a network
Start with the network your wallet or exchange already uses. Moving funds from one network to another costs a fee, so the cheapest route is usually the one you are already on.
| Network | What it costs to send | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tron (TRC-20) | Very low | The most common route for USDT |
| Solana | A fraction of a cent | Works for USDT and USDC. Keep a little SOL for the fee |
| Ethereum (ERC-20) | Varies, can be high | Best when your funds are already there |
Other networks are offered for some coins. The checkout lists only the ones that are available for the coin you pick.
You also need a little of the network's own coin
A transfer on Tron needs a small amount of TRX for the fee, one on Ethereum needs ETH, and one on Solana needs SOL. If you withdraw from an exchange, the exchange covers this inside its withdrawal fee. From your own wallet, check you have enough before you start.
Step by step
- Build your laptop in the builder.
- At checkout, choose USDT or USDC, then choose the network.
- The order page shows the amount, an address and a QR code, plus a reminder of the network.
- In your wallet, choose the same coin and the same network, and send the exact amount.
- Wait for "Payment detected". Most stablecoin transfers are seen within a few minutes.
The three mistakes that lose money
- The wrong network. USDT sent on Ethereum to an address that expects Tron will not arrive. Many wallets stop you, but not all do. Compare the network name on the order page with the one in your wallet before you confirm.
- The exchange takes its fee out of the amount. Withdraw a little more so the full amount arrives.
- The wrong coin. Sending USDT when the order says USDC, or the other way round, is a different payment.
If you do slip, contact us straight away with your order ID and the transaction ID. We cannot always recover a transfer sent the wrong way, but we will try.
A note on freezes
The companies behind USDT and USDC can freeze tokens held at an address. For an ordinary purchase this is not something you will meet, but it is a real feature of these coins, and it is one reason some people prefer Bitcoin or Monero.
After you pay
Your order joins the queue. A person on our team orders or pulls every part, assembles the laptop, installs the operating system and runs burn-in tests, and the order page shows each stage until it ships.
See the Tether page and the USD Coin page for the full list of networks, or the FAQ for the payment window and what happens if you are late.