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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Warning: most of the wiki that follows was written a very long time ago and the information on it can be outdated.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 3715397 times)

Offline motec bb

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13480 on: May 08, 2022, 12:21:00 PM »
So the 15.6” Gram is $749 at Costco and is part of a $150 Costco cash rebate for spending $751.01 on qualifying items (5/5-5/8 only). To sweeten the deal I already have $610 Costco cash from some other deals.

The question is, if I’m willing to wait a few months for the 12th-gen intel LG Grams to hit the US, and the 11th-gens to fall in price, will I get a similar/better deal on a 16” 2-in-1 or at least a 15.6”+ touchscreen Gram?

Basically settle for a good deal on the brand I want (bird in hand) or wait for something better a few months out (two in the tree)?

ETA: I just realized it’s “only” an 11th-gen i5, but that’s good enough for my needs

ETA2 that the $150 rebate is 5/5-5/8 only
Is this the one you are referring to?

https://www.costco.com/lg-gram-15-15.6%22-laptop---11th-gen-intel-core-i5-1135g7---1080p---windows-11.product.100800259.html

Seems like the sale is 'till 5/22

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13481 on: May 08, 2022, 12:48:36 PM »
The top consumer offerings from hp dell and lenovo are solid. HP spectre, dell xps, lenovo yoga. I'm partial to the yoga, but they're all pretty amazing once you go over $1200.

The Samsung galaxy pro 360 is nice too.

What size? 13 14 15 or 16+?
13 or 14 inch

Offline AsherO

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13482 on: May 08, 2022, 12:53:59 PM »
Is this the one you are referring to?

https://www.costco.com/lg-gram-15-15.6%22-laptop---11th-gen-intel-core-i5-1135g7---1080p---windows-11.product.100800259.html

Seems like the sale is 'till 5/22

Yes, but through today you get an additional $150 back via digital cash card if you purchase this along with a small filler item that is part of the same promotion.

The promotion is for a digital cash card that will be emailed to qualified online orders, depending on amount. Something like:
$250 - $500 and Get a $50 Costco Shop Card
$501 - $750 and Get a $100 Costco Shop Card
$751+ and Get a $150 Costco Shop Card

You need to buy the laptop with a qualifying filler item to get you over $751.01 (and qualify for the $150 back), I managed to snag something that was less than $7. Or if you can find something you need of the 300-or-so qualifying items. Search Costco.com for depotshopcard22 and it will load all qualifying items.

This particular promo I’m describing ends today.
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Offline Yehudaa

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13483 on: May 10, 2022, 02:33:31 PM »
How's this for $399?

https://www.amazon.com/tt/webview?tag=mdl0001-20&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

HP 15 Laptop
15.6 Inches
Color   Natural silver
256 GB SSD
Intel Core i5-1135G7
8 GB RAM
1920 x 1080 resolution


Offline AsherO

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13484 on: May 10, 2022, 02:46:34 PM »
How's this for $399?

https://www.amazon.com/tt/webview?tag=mdl0001-20&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

HP 15 Laptop
15.6 Inches
Color   Natural silver
256 GB SSD
Intel Core i5-1135G7
8 GB RAM
1920 x 1080 resolution



Nice price for that specific model, possibly clearing inventory for 12th gen Intel processors that are hitting the market (already started for select models, but supply chain issues so not sure when it'll be widespread). Keep in mind for less than $399 they'll sell you a chromebook (or at least an i3/Celeron/Pentium/whatever-they-call-it-now), so retail can't go much lower, only deals/price-mistakes/clearance/stacking offers etc. Treasure truck deals sometimes sell out, so if you're interested pull the plug.

Here's the Amazon price history from CCC.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13485 on: May 10, 2022, 02:52:45 PM »
How's this for $399?

https://www.amazon.com/tt/webview?tag=mdl0001-20&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

HP 15 Laptop
15.6 Inches
Color   Natural silver
256 GB SSD
Intel Core i5-1135G7
8 GB RAM
1920 x 1080 resolution

Acceptable at $399
I'd pay $30 more and get this acer, assuming 14 inch works for you.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Acer-Swift-3-SF314-511-51A3-14-Full-HD-11th-Gen-Intel-Core-i5-1135G7-8GB-LPDDR4X-512GB-NVMe-SSD/534855652
$430

Anyone have experience with the acer swift line?

Seems like a good deal. 300nit 100%srgb screen, light, metal, thunderbolt, decent battery size.

Also the hp seems to have just gone out of stock

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13486 on: May 10, 2022, 02:58:04 PM »
Also the hp seems to have just gone out of stock

Oops, not at all surprised
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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13487 on: May 15, 2022, 03:42:41 PM »
Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 15.6 Laptop Intel Core i7-1165G7 12GB RAM 512GB SSD $579.99
11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor (4 Core, 12MB Cache, up to 4.70 GHz)
Windows 11 Home
15.6" FHD (1920x1080) 300 Nit, Anti-Glare (IPS)
12GB, DDR4, 3200MHz
512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax & Bluetooth 5.1

Offline motec bb

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13488 on: May 26, 2022, 11:25:52 PM »
I'm considering this 2 in 1 laptop.
Is this a good deal?
Does anyone have experience with it?

https://www.costco.com/lenovo-flex-5-15.6%22-2-in-1-touchscreen-laptop---11th-gen-intel-core-i7-1165g7---1080p.product.100794413.html

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13489 on: May 28, 2022, 10:02:31 PM »
I'm considering this 2 in 1 laptop.
Is this a good deal?
Does anyone have experience with it?

https://www.costco.com/lenovo-flex-5-15.6%22-2-in-1-touchscreen-laptop---11th-gen-intel-core-i7-1165g7---1080p.product.100794413.html

I have the 14 inch. decent laptop, decent specs.
I don't think it's worth it at $800, mostly because the screen is a mediocre 250 nits, so it'll be a bit dim in bright rooms, and (almost) unusable outdoors.

The yoga 7 15 inch is currently $30 more. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-yoga-7i-2-in-1-15-6-hdr-touch-screen-laptop-intel-evo-platform-core-i7-12gb-memory-512gb-solid-state-drive-dark-moss/6426713.p?skuId=6426713
The drawbacks are 4gb ram less, and 4.19lbs to the Flex's 3.97.
The screen is double as bright with much better color accuracy, it has a larger battery, and is most likely going to last longer, as the yoga 7 supposedly a step up from the flex 5.

Many more options in that price range or cheaper if you want 14 inch or non-touch

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13490 on: May 28, 2022, 10:04:21 PM »
Can someone recommend a laptop with high end specs at a price between 1500 and 2k?
I7, 16gb , 512ssd should be at least these specs.. want a machine that will last

Just curious, what did you end up buying?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13491 on: May 28, 2022, 11:46:53 PM »
looking for a chromebook/laptop for my HS kid. will be used primarily for schoolwork incl web browsing, watching videos, writing projects/terms using google docs/slides etc..

thoughts on this sale item?

https://www.dell.com/en-us/member/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-3000-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3510-laptop/nn3510eyzuh

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13492 on: May 29, 2022, 12:26:08 AM »
looking for a chromebook/laptop for my HS kid. will be used primarily for schoolwork incl web browsing, watching videos, writing projects/terms using google docs/slides etc..

thoughts on this sale item?

https://www.dell.com/en-us/member/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-3000-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3510-laptop/nn3510eyzuh

Not going to cut it. I mean, it's a computer with all the necessary parts, but will likely run very slowly, even for simple things. Screen is awful.

For windows, these two meet the minimum
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1663923-REG/lenovo_82h801ekus_ip3_15itl6_i3_1115g4_8gb.html $360 (was on DDMS at $350)
https://www.dell.com/en-us/member/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-3000-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3510-laptop/nn3510eyzuh $400 (currently on DDMS)
That $400 comes out cheaper after either amex offfers (10%, $200 credit) and/or cashback portals (some sites are currently 15% or higher).

That said, Chromebook is likely the way to go. (Also ftr, and of course I have no idea your situation, some HS only allow chromebooks)
Some options:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-11-6-chromebook-intel-celeron-4gb-memory-32gb-emmc-flash-memory-gray-grey/6449513.p?ref=8575135&skuId=6449513 $99 tiny 11 inches, not very powerful.
https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-chromebook-14a-na1047nr $199 14 inch
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/acer-chromebook-spin-514-convertible-14-full-hd-touch-ryzen-3-3250c-4gb-ddr4-memory-64gb-emmc-flash-memory/6447818.p?skuId=6447818 $229. FHD touchscreen. Pretty well built. 14 inches
https://www.costco.com/hp-14%22-chromebook-bundle---intel-celeron---1080p---bonus-sleeve-%2526-wireless-mouse.product.100793916.html $230 14 inches
https://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-14-Pentium-4GB-64GB-Chromebook-14-HD-Display-Intel-Pentium-Silver-N5000-4GB-RAM-64GB-eMMC-Intel-UHD-Graphics-605-14a-na0031wm/579653715 $269 14 inches

(Personally I think 15 inches is a bit bulky for a HS student, lots of moving and shlepping around)

I'd probably go with the Acer from bestbuy, but I'm not certain.

Many people really appreciate a touchscreen, use it all the time, and swore to never buy another laptop without it. Others never use it, can't stand it, and wish there was a way to turn it off. shrug

If you are dead set on windows, and really can't go up in budget, a friend of mine is happy with this one https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/9970213/ASUS-E410-Laptop-14-Screen-Intel/ $250 (was $200 BF, I don't think it usually goes that low) he uses it only for showing PowerPoints with a projector.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13493 on: May 29, 2022, 10:55:25 PM »
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/yoga/yoga-2-in-1-series/yoga--7i-gen-7-(16%E2%80%B3-intel)/len101y0013
Lenovo Yoga 7i 16 (2-in-1)
New product. Seems pretty sweet, though a bit heavy. 12th gen intel cpu.
$1119, portals offering 12%

VS

https://www.costco.com/lg-gram-16-2-in-1-touchscreen-intel-evo-platform-laptop-11th-gen-intel-core-i7-1165g7-wqxga-2560-x-1600-display-windows-11.product.100794354.html
LG Gram 16 2-in-1
Pound lighter, slightly larger battery. 11th gen cpu.
$1200

Thoughts?
And has anyone used rakuten on Lenovo? they exclude a whole bunch of "storefronts", including pro and business or wtvr. Anyone have any trouble with that?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13494 on: May 29, 2022, 11:03:30 PM »
looking for a good deal in the 400 price range.  anyone see a good memorial day sale?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13496 on: May 29, 2022, 11:16:05 PM »
looking for a good deal in the 400 price range.  anyone see a good memorial day sale?

What are you using it for?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1663923-REG/lenovo_82h801ekus_ip3_15itl6_i3_1115g4_8gb.html $360 (was on DDMS at $350)
https://www.dell.com/en-us/member/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-3000-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3510-laptop/nn3510eyzuh $400 (currently on DDMS)
That $400 comes out cheaper after either amex offfers (10%, $200 credit) and/or cashback portals (some sites are currently 15% or higher).

If you don't have any dell amex credits (which you can buy off other ppl here), or prefer 14 inch consider
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-zenbook-14-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-8gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-mx450-256gb-ssd-light-grey/6460365.p?skuId=6460365 $470
It's a better laptop than the Dell and Lenovo, but not necessarily worth ~$110 more if you don't need it.

Consider also https://deals.dell.com/en-us/member/productdetail/ee3j 14 inch 2in1, not worth it at $540, possibly worth it with amex credits and cashback
https://www.dell.com/en-us/member/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-5000-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-5510-laptop/nn5510eyvkh 15 inch non-touch $530 after code SAVE10, minus amex credits and cashback

The oilom is welcome to be choilek

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13497 on: May 29, 2022, 11:22:42 PM »
just need it for basic word processing email and some streaming but no gaming.  prefer larger screen

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