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Please, when posting a link to a laptop listing, make sure to include the price at time of posting. It helps.
Requesting help with a purchase? Please post here: https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=135662.msg2794782#msg2794782
Warning: most of the wiki that follows was written a very long time ago and the information on it can be outdated.
[Deleted post based on DH Data Recovery's experience dated 2013. Maybe I'll take a stab at replacing it with something similar at some point.]


A great post by caliheat:
I believe that there are many factors when deciding what laptop to purchase.
1) What is your intended use and necessary features. e.g. light use vs. heavy use & optical drive, computer speed etc.
2) As mentioned several times in this thread, RAM itself is very easy to upgrade after you purchase. EDIT: Unless there are no RAM slots for upgrading.
3) Brand - IMHO this is pretty important as well - which do your prefer vs. which brand do people recommend.
4) Price - you should decide a price range that best suits your needs.
5) Operating System - Many people like myself prefer Windows 7 vs. 8.1, so this would be another consideration.
6) Warranty - does it include 1 year or more, cost for extending warranty.
7) Detailed Specs:
  Processor  - model and speed i3, i5, & i7 2.0 Ghz, 3.0 Ghz etc.
  RAM - This IMHO should be minimum 8GB, especially if running 8.1, however can be added easily.
  Hard Drive - SATA vs. SSD, the latter being much faster. SATA itself offers 5400 RPM vs. 7200 RPM again, the latter being faster.
  Screen Size - this is a personal preference as you can always attach a larger screen in an office setting.
  Battery & Weight - overall laptop weight preference & battery life.
  Graphics - Integrated graphics vs. dedicated graphics, e.g. Intel 4400 vs. Nvidia GTX etc.

In summary, you have to decide what are you priorities, what can be upgraded and what you are flexible on.



Excellent article about the differences between the Intel processor suffixes.

Excellent "Laptop Buying Guide" by @dailykasha, written for Black Friday 2021, updated for holidays 2023

Author Topic: Laptop Deals Master Thread  (Read 3715565 times)

Offline AsherO

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #100 on: November 28, 2011, 08:02:11 PM »
Inspiron 15 or 15R?

The 15 is bulkier and not as updated as the 15R, also the i3 on the 15 is 2 generations older

There's already a 3rd generation for the i3? Arrandale, Sandy Bridge and...? I don't think Ivy bridge will be available on the market until at least Q1-2012.
« Last Edit: November 28, 2011, 08:06:01 PM by AsherO »
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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #101 on: November 28, 2011, 08:21:53 PM »
where can i get it?

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #102 on: November 28, 2011, 08:30:06 PM »
There's already a 3rd generation for the i3? Arrandale, Sandy Bridge and...? I don't think Ivy bridge will be available on the market until at least Q1-2012.

Not actually 3rd gen - but 2 older models. The inspiron 15 has the the i3-380m, newer than that is the i3-2310m, and the latest is the i3-2330m

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #103 on: November 28, 2011, 08:37:08 PM »
name changed is the master of this forum i see u know ur stuff if u have something in mind up to 350 pls let me know

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #104 on: November 28, 2011, 08:46:30 PM »
Not actually 3rd gen - but 2 older models. The inspiron 15 has the the i3-380m, newer than that is the i3-2310m, and the latest is the i3-2330m

There's only a small (incremental) difference between the 2310m and the 2330m.
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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #105 on: November 28, 2011, 08:49:35 PM »
name changed is the master of this forum i see u know ur stuff if u have something in mind up to 350 pls let me know

Here is a Dell 15R with a i5 for $429

Use coupon - MIMKB2BACYB25

Here is a Dell 15R with i3-2330m For $400
Use coupon - W7$NG833Z?WJD7
And Use the $75 Gift card with the $400

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #106 on: November 28, 2011, 08:51:36 PM »
Here is a Dell 15R with a i5 for $429

Use coupon - MIMKB2BACYB25

Here is a Dell 15R with i3-2330m For $400
Use coupon - W7$NG833Z?WJD7
And Use the $75 Gift card with the $400


You're really good at this, thanks!

Please keep 'em coming :)
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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #107 on: November 28, 2011, 08:58:50 PM »
Yea its a decent deal.

(I have purchased this one in the past for $300, But it usually is listed $350-$400)

I happen to think it a decent build and the specs are great for the price. The processor isnt the greatest, but for not heavy use it will do the job.


Can you stream a live video and have 10 tabs open at once? Will it be laboring?

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #108 on: November 28, 2011, 09:01:19 PM »
There's only a small (incremental) difference between the 2310m and the 2330m.

Yup.

The Benchmark rating on the 2330m is about 200 points more.

Every little bit counts - Just a note when comparing pricing of computers make sure you are getting the latest specs

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #109 on: November 28, 2011, 09:09:43 PM »
Can you stream a live video and have 10 tabs open at once? Will it be laboring?

I bought it for a friend I only used it when I set it up for him.

I am currently using a laptop with an T4200 Processor (2 years old) Its benchmarked 800 points lower than the B950
I currently have tonzzz of tabs open in 2 browsers - chrome and IE, and I could stream w/o a problem
Its more the ram that Internet uses


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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #110 on: November 28, 2011, 09:21:57 PM »
Inspiron 15 or 15R?

The 15 is bulkier and not as updated as the 15R, also the i3 on the 15 is 2 generations older

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #111 on: November 28, 2011, 09:31:16 PM »
@Hocker That one isnt worth it  - You could get the 15R for only $50 more

Has more ram and better processor

Also all the dell ads are hiked up prices... search and you could find better prices

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #112 on: November 28, 2011, 09:34:15 PM »
I bought it for a friend I only used it when I set it up for him.

I am currently using a laptop with an T4200 Processor (2 years old) Its benchmarked 800 points lower than the B950
I currently have tonzzz of tabs open in 2 browsers - chrome and IE, and I could stream w/o a problem
Its more the ram that Internet uses


I currently have a 2 year old compaq presario, that is constantly working hard in the backround (constant running background noise, even when im not running a video). It is a intel pentium (R) Dual-Core T4200 @2.00 GHz.    How is my above mentioned lenovo a upgrade over this? In what ways?  Thanks a lot!!!!

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #113 on: November 28, 2011, 09:39:11 PM »
@Hocker That one isnt worth it  - You could get the 15R for only $50 more

Has more ram and better processor

Also all the dell ads are hiked up prices... search and you could find better prices
thanks!

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #114 on: November 28, 2011, 11:03:43 PM »
thanks name changed i really appreciate it but i need something for max 350 if u have pls let me know thanks a million

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #115 on: November 28, 2011, 11:24:40 PM »
Any good deals on a computer which is good for graphics for under $400. Someone I know asked me to buy it for them.

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #116 on: November 28, 2011, 11:47:51 PM »
I bought it for a friend I only used it when I set it up for him.

I am currently using a laptop with an T4200 Processor (2 years old) Its benchmarked 800 points lower than the B950
I currently have tonzzz of tabs open in 2 browsers - chrome and IE, and I could stream w/o a problem
Its more the ram that Internet uses


I currently have a 2 year old compaq presario, that is constantly working hard in the backround (constant running background noise, even when im not running a video). It is a intel pentium (R) Dual-Core T4200 @2.00 GHz.    How is my above mentioned lenovo a upgrade over this? In what ways?  Thanks a lot!!!!
(Repost)

Offline elikay

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #117 on: November 29, 2011, 12:14:32 AM »
I currently have a 2 year old compaq presario, that is constantly working hard in the backround (constant running background noise, even when im not running a video). It is a intel pentium (R) Dual-Core T4200 @2.00 GHz.    How is my above mentioned lenovo a upgrade over this? In what ways?  Thanks a lot!!!!
(Repost)
Ummmm... bumping rules?

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #118 on: November 29, 2011, 12:33:20 AM »
Any good deals on a computer which is good for graphics for under $400. Someone I know asked me to buy it for them.

What type of graphics use?

$400 is a little of a tight budget for grafics use ... IMHO if they are using it for graphics - as a business they should invest more $$

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #119 on: November 29, 2011, 12:48:06 AM »
Ummmm... bumping rules?
I thought he might have missed it. I did write repost :)