I've had this conversation on other threads. I don't think one is better than the other. I believe that the tax structure of our different countries makes renting a better alternative in the UK, where buying is more advantageous in the US.

Even though the service costs pass to the provider in the UK, the provider is in the business of making money, so therefore, the cost is ultimately factored into the rental price which the customer pays. It would be interesting to compare rental costs between our 2 countries.

Being a small independent limits my access to international commerce, but the few customers & vendors I deal with that have done business in the UK all had the same underlying message- they found the business costs in the UK were more than the US. They felt that England had more technology, but at a much higher price.