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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

Dell:
Precision - Very powerful desktop replacements - great warranty, ridiculously expensive - Usually overpriced or overkill

Latitude - Good Laptops - Great warranty! Highly recommended for any Business environment - Sometimes expensive.

Vostro  - Lower end Business Machines - Better Priced - still durable - Usually 1 Year warranty.

XPS - The nicer looking dell machines, Some are better than others...

Inspiron - YMMV Every model is different

(Plain) Insprion Series - Dells lowest end laptop
(R) Insprion Series - Perfect Home use, dependable, decent build quality, recommended
(Z) Insprion Series - A little slimmer than the R series, Some are Ultrabooks (Very often don't include Optical Drives)

HP:

Spectre - Top of the line personal (dragonfly is the top of the line for business) - lightest laptops, and beautiful!

Pavilion - YMMV (Some better than others)

Probook - Stable durable business systems - Usually a little on the heavy side.

Elitebook - Business Higher end systems, usually pretty expensive

ENVY - Used to be the HP sleek and nicer systems, they pretty much replaced most of the standard pavilions now and call them either ENVY or sleekbooks

Sleekbook - like it sounds slimmer line of laptops

Lenovo:

Thinkpad Series - Very Dependable Business Machine, Expensive (Not Pretty but Durable)

IdeaPad Series -

S Series
U Series - Usually the slimmer line Ultrabooks, Doesn't always include DVD Drive
Y Series - Nice machines with good specs and features (Cool Backlit Keyboards)
Z Series - Step up from the G Series, all around decent build, priced nicely, great home use laptop
G Series - Lower end

Samsung:

Series 3
Series 5
Series 7
Series 9 - The nicest, sleekest looking laptops I've seen in a long time - Can pass for a Macbook!!


HT: Dh Data Recovery & Name Changed


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.
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 3152693 times)

Offline etech0

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12300 on: May 04, 2020, 08:04:56 PM »
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/computer-deals-electronics-on-sale/xps-15-laptop/spd/xps-15-7590-laptop/xnber5cr656ps
A photographer friend got this for a laptop. But desktop is a better option if possible.
Really bothers me that these laptops don't have number pads on the side. There's plenty of space!
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline sysg1

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12301 on: May 04, 2020, 08:06:15 PM »
Really bothers me that these laptops don't have number pads on the side. There's plenty of space!
better than some computers with childsize keyboards.

Offline etech0

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12302 on: May 04, 2020, 08:08:15 PM »
better than some computers with childsize keyboards.
I had to buy a 17" instead! Used to be the 15" all had number pads and just the 14" didn't.
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12303 on: May 04, 2020, 10:21:53 PM »
Looking to replace my wife's Chromebook with something better. Is this a good deal @ $400 (biz pricing)?
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-300-series/lenovo-ideapad-l340-15api/p/81LX0005US
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Offline sysg1

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12304 on: May 04, 2020, 10:54:13 PM »
Looking to replace my wife's Chromebook with something better. Is this a good deal @ $400 (biz pricing)?
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-300-series/lenovo-ideapad-l340-15api/p/81LX0005US
$400 flat it's a good deal, just don't love the screen at only HD

Offline jose34

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12305 on: May 05, 2020, 07:30:14 AM »
I had to buy a 17" instead! Used to be the 15" all had number pads and just the 14" didn't.
Most if not all 14" laptops dont have a keypad.

Offline moko

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12306 on: May 05, 2020, 07:31:46 AM »
Most if not all 14" laptops dont have a keypad.
I had to buy a 17" instead! Used to be the 15" all had number pads and just the 14" didn't.

Offline nirc

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12307 on: May 05, 2020, 07:32:41 AM »
I'm looking for a powerful laptop 15 or 17" needs to be SSD drive
I need for someone that will use photos photoshop alot (graphics)
Looking for the $1k or more range
The best ones out there

when I looked into this a little while ago, the response was get a desktop. but if portability is a must, then Apple.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12308 on: May 06, 2020, 04:37:22 AM »
https://www.staples.com/lenovo-ideapad-5-15iil05-81yk-15-6-notebook-intel-i5-8gb-memory-512gb-ssd-windows-10-81yk000tus/product_24435796 $550 - i5 10th gen, 8gb ram (3200mhz i believe), ssd, finbering reader, backlit keyboard, fhd nontouch display

https://www.staples.com/lenovo-ideapad-5-15iil05-81yk-15-6-notebook-intel-i7-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-windows-10-81yk000lus/product_24435794 $700 - i7 10th gen, 16gb ram (3200mhz i believe), ssd, finbering reader, backlit keyboard, fhd nontouch display

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12309 on: May 06, 2020, 04:38:01 AM »
https://www.staples.com/lenovo-ideapad-5-15iil05-81yk-15-6-notebook-intel-i5-8gb-memory-512gb-ssd-windows-10-81yk000tus/product_24435796 $550 - i5 10th gen, 8gb ram (3200mhz i believe), ssd, finbering reader, backlit keyboard, fhd nontouch display

https://www.staples.com/lenovo-ideapad-5-15iil05-81yk-15-6-notebook-intel-i7-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-windows-10-81yk000lus/product_24435794 $700 - i7 10th gen, 16gb ram (3200mhz i believe), ssd, finbering reader, backlit keyboard, fhd nontouch display
Amex offer for 10% of staples $50 max

Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Offline sysg1

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12311 on: May 06, 2020, 11:34:14 AM »
Dan mentioned this laptop in his post:
https://www.dansdeals.com/shopping-deals/electronics/dell/will-get-years-400-amex-business-platinum-dell-credit-targeted-10-off-dell/

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops-and-notebooks/vostro-14-3490-laptop/spd/vostro-14-3490-laptop/cav143w10p1c1109p?AID=7183758&cjevent=ecbd75fc8fac11ea825800b80a24060d&gacd=9694607-23736398-5750457-266319267-127795103&dgc=af&VEN1=11886213-7183758-53840X1297210Xf90a5f833df6fbc9dc810277b79b363f&dclid=CK_owcfEn-kCFSy_swod3roB8g

Doesn't have touchscreen, but wondering if that should be a make-it-or-break-it here. I personally could never go back to non-touch, but this is for DW   ???
Interesting specs, also it's a 14 inch.
Besides the point it's a pretty good price.

Touch can get annoying, but it's more of a matter of being used to it or not.

Offline pointer

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Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12313 on: May 06, 2020, 11:42:15 AM »
Interesting specs, also it's a 14 inch.
Besides the point it's a pretty good price.

Touch can get annoying, but it's more of a matter of being used to it or not.

I use a Lenovo flex from this deal and it's really amazing for MS Office and web apps. It's always worth investing in a good machine so it actually lasts a decent amount of time. I have zero complaints with the speed and reliability of this machine. And the ability to reach your screen and touch is a great bonus (I never really use the tablet mode, though.)

https://www.dansdeals.com/shopping-deals/ebay-deals/lenovo-flex-3-15-6-fhd-touchscreen-2-in-1-core-i7-notebook-for-479-99-shipped-from-adorama-via-ebay-daily-deals/

DW is on a 11.6" Celeron Chromebook so this is no doubt a huge upgrade.

ETA: I think non-backlit keyboard is a dealbreaker.
« Last Edit: May 06, 2020, 11:46:04 AM by Sam Finkelstein »
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Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12314 on: May 06, 2020, 11:42:42 AM »
Isn't the laptop mentioned above a way better deal?

Not when you have $200 Amex credit and 10% back at Dell.
Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil. –J. Paul Getty

Offline sysg1

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12315 on: May 06, 2020, 11:47:08 AM »
I use a Lenovo flex from this deal and it's really amazing for MS Office and web apps. It's always worth investing in a good machine so it actually lasts a decent amount of time. I have zero complaints with the speed and reliability of this machine. And the ability to reach your screen and touch is a great bonus (I never really use the tablet mode, though.)

https://www.dansdeals.com/shopping-deals/ebay-deals/lenovo-flex-3-15-6-fhd-touchscreen-2-in-1-core-i7-notebook-for-479-99-shipped-from-adorama-via-ebay-daily-deals/

DW is on a 11.6" Celeron Chromebook so this is no doubt a huge upgrade.

ETA: I think non-backlit keyboard is a dealbreaker.

the dell machine is way more powerful than the lenovo, besides that you probably have the lenovo for a few years.
but besides the point you are barely using your laptop.

Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12316 on: May 06, 2020, 11:48:26 AM »
the dell machine is way more powerful than the lenovo, besides that you probably have the lenovo for a few years.
but besides the point you are barely using your laptop.

Lenovo is 3.5 years old and hasn't slowed a bit. Problem I've had is they slow down and become unbearable to use. That's why I go overkill on specs.
Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil. –J. Paul Getty

Offline sysg1

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12317 on: May 06, 2020, 11:54:40 AM »
Lenovo is 3.5 years old and hasn't slowed a bit. Problem I've had is they slow down and become unbearable to use. That's why I go overkill on specs.
i agree with you, my laptop is also 3 years old (though more powerful) and way overkill for most days. but if you spend a few minutes every week to update your computer, it wont slow as much.
only my home computer is the specs i need.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12318 on: May 06, 2020, 11:58:10 AM »
i agree with you, my laptop is also 3 years old (though more powerful) and way overkill for most days. but if you spend a few minutes every week to update your computer, it wont slow as much.
only my home computer is the specs i need.

This is what works for me.

Question really is what to do for DW. Her budget for a new PC is $400 or less, theoretically. She's using it for basic browsing, word processing, surfing and streaming. I can get the Vostro for around that with this deal; another computer at that price point wouldn't come close.
Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil. –J. Paul Getty

Offline sysg1

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #12319 on: May 06, 2020, 12:03:48 PM »
This is what works for me.

Question really is what to do for DW. Her budget for a new PC is $400 or less, theoretically. She's using it for basic browsing, word processing, surfing and streaming. I can get the Vostro for around that with this deal; another computer at that price point wouldn't come close.
For DW get overkill, in case she ever needs it. Just saying it's a 14 inch not a 15.6 like you have.
My DW doesn't like the backlight keyboard on hers at all. I guess it's up to the person.