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Warning: most of the wiki that follows was written a very long time ago and the information on it can be outdated.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 4068909 times)

Online etech0

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14280 on: January 01, 2024, 10:27:55 PM »
No
I wouldn't buy from a random 3rd party on amazon. And we can get similar for cheaper, for example https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-17-3-hd-laptop-amd-ryzen-3-7320u-8gb-memory-256gb-ssd-natural-silver/6554443.p?skuId=6554443, add the ram yourself (which is probably what they did).
The screen is less than FHD, that's a dealbreaker
Thanks! FYI it also has a bigger hard drive.

Any specific recommendations for a 17" with 12gb of ram or more?
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14281 on: January 01, 2024, 10:37:20 PM »
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14282 on: January 01, 2024, 10:41:16 PM »
Any opinions on this? https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-laptop-17-cp3047nr
Better
But, screen is 250 nit, battery is a paltry 41whr, and the low end HP laptops (the ones without any other names in the title, as opposed to pavilion, envy etc) are pretty trashy.

If you need something right now, these two are decent, though they often fall in price. Both currently $700
https://www.ebay.com/itm/115979730301
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1772712-REG/lenovo_82xf0065us_16_ideapad_slim_5i.html/

If you wait around, the yoga goes down to $600 or less
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-yoga-7i-16-wuxga-2-in-1-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i5-1335u-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-storm-grey/6551266.p

All three are 16 inch, which isn't quite the same.

Otherwise, I didn't notice any current deal son 16 or 17 inches, but I'll post if I notice

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14283 on: January 01, 2024, 10:43:06 PM »
Better
But, screen is 250 nit, battery is a paltry 41whr, and the low end HP laptops (the ones without any other names in the title, as opposed to pavilion, envy etc) are pretty trashy.

If you need something right now, these two are decent, though they often fall in price. Both currently $700
https://www.ebay.com/itm/115979730301
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1772712-REG/lenovo_82xf0065us_16_ideapad_slim_5i.html/

If you wait around, the yoga goes down to $600 or less
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-yoga-7i-16-wuxga-2-in-1-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i5-1335u-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-storm-grey/6551266.p

All three are 16 inch, which isn't quite the same.

Otherwise, I didn't notice any current deal son 16 or 17 inches, but I'll post if I notice
Thanks for the info! I guess it probably makes sense to wait and see what comes up.
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14284 on: January 01, 2024, 10:43:20 PM »
Better
But, screen is 250 nit, battery is a paltry 41whr, and the low end HP laptops (the ones without any other names in the title, as opposed to pavilion, envy etc) are pretty trashy.

If you need something right now, these two are decent, though they often fall in price. Both currently $700
https://www.ebay.com/itm/115979730301
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1772712-REG/lenovo_82xf0065us_16_ideapad_slim_5i.html/

If you wait around, the yoga goes down to $600 or less
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-yoga-7i-16-wuxga-2-in-1-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i5-1335u-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-storm-grey/6551266.p

All three are 16 inch, which isn't quite the same.

Otherwise, I didn't notice any current deal son 16 or 17 inches, but I'll post if I notice
Not to mention it's only 45% NTSC. Not the best for any graphics user or someone who cares about color.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14285 on: January 04, 2024, 03:07:11 AM »
No
I wouldn't buy from a random 3rd party on amazon. And we can get similar for cheaper, for example https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-17-3-hd-laptop-amd-ryzen-3-7320u-8gb-memory-256gb-ssd-natural-silver/6554443.p?skuId=6554443, add the ram yourself (which is probably what they did).
The screen is less than FHD, that's a dealbreaker
How do I add RAM myself?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14286 on: January 04, 2024, 03:41:46 AM »
How do I add RAM myself?
Depends on the model, some laptops don't have any ram slots and the ram is instead connected to the motherboard. To figure out if your laptop has a ram slot, you can try googling your model number, searching forums like reddit, or try on crucial.com .

Once you've figured out that your laptop has a ram slot, and what type of ram works best for it, it's a pretty straightforward process to replace or add ram. Unscrew the bottom, pop it in, voila. You do need to be careful not to break anything inside, and doing your own ram upgrade may void your warranty. Many videos on youtube with the process, and here's an example from ifixit.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/HP+17-by0001nw+RAM+upgrade/134377

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14287 on: January 04, 2024, 06:53:59 PM »

If you need something right now, these two are decent, though they often fall in price. Both currently $700

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1772712-REG/lenovo_82xf0065us_16_ideapad_slim_5i.html/


All three are 16 inch, which isn't quite the same.
Now $540

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14288 on: January 05, 2024, 01:21:53 AM »
ISO a 14 inch laptop, for "general use." Budget side of things.

I'm looking at this https://www.costco.com/hp-14%22-laptop---13th-gen-intel-core-i3-1315u---1080p---windows-11.product.4000209051.html
hp no-name, 14 inch, i3-13, 12gb, fhd ips. No info on screen brightness or battery size. $380
Anyone have any better ideas, either the same for cheaper, or better for around the same price?

Also considering this. $350 (in store only). Refurb. Acer vero 14, i5-12, 16gb
https://www.microcenter.com/product/675666/acer-aspire-vero-av14-51-58xz-14-laptop-computer-(refurbished)-cobblestone-gray

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14289 on: January 05, 2024, 01:54:04 AM »
Did the thinkpad t480 have any variants with 720p?
https://www.backmarket.com/en-us/p/lenovo-thinkpad-t480-14-inch-2018-core-i5-8350u-8-gb-ssd-256-gb/10a60be0-4538-4fc1-88e2-79ecdf45f318#l=10&scroll=false seems like a possibility at $221 for excellent. Specs say HD screen, I don't think they had less than a FHD option.

Or maybe this at $325 for good
https://www.backmarket.com/en-us/p/hp-elitebook-840-g6-14-inch-2018-core-i5-8365u-16-gb-ssd-256-gb/d4410b21-74be-4cc0-8e4c-77c43b740201#l=11

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14290 on: January 10, 2024, 05:34:09 AM »
A few clearance sales at BB that caught my eye.
1. HP 15.6" with Ryzen 5 7520U (better than i7 11th gen, not as good as i3 12th gen nor Ryzen 5 5xxx or 6xxx, for that matter), 16GB RAM (rare at this price), 256GB SSD, $350. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-15-6-full-hd-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-7520u-16gb-memory-256gb-ssd-natural-silver/6554442.p?skuId=6554442

2. $420, Vivobook 16 (plastic), Ryzen 7 5800HS (about twice as powerful as the above Ryzen 5), 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-vivobook-16-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-5800hs-with-12gb-memory-512gb-ssd-quiet-blue/6535990.p?skuId=6535990

3. $600. HP Pavilion Plus 14". Ryzen 5 7540U (more powerful than 7520U which is two generations older), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD. Well-built metal thin and light and excellent battery life, positive reviews from someone who has been using it for a few weeks. Note that the color is a light pink. (Reviews not from that color.) https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavilion-plus-14-wide-ultra-xga-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-7540u-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-tranquil-pink/6550235.p?skuId=6550235

4. $750. 14.5" Zenbook 14X. Better built thin and light, 2.8K OLED screen, i7 13700H, Evo certified. It has been cheaper but is still great value. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-zenbook-14x-14-5-2-8k-oled-touch-laptop-intel-evo-platform-i7-13700h-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-inkwell-gray/6543526.p?skuId=6543526

5. $800. 14.5" Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X 14. Not as powerful in the processor as the above ASUS but also has RTX 3050 graphics. For graphics pros who need portability and battery life. Ryzen 7 6800HS, 16GB RAM, TB SSD. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-slim-7-pro-x-14-3k-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-6800hs-ce-nvidia-geforce-rtx-3050-maxq-with-16gb-memory-1tb-ssd-onyx-grey/6559940.p?skuId=6559940

6. $860. 16" Vivobook S Flip 2-in-1, if you need that kind of thing, i9-13900H if you need that kind of thing. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-vivobook-s-flip-16-wuxga-touchscreen-laptop-intel-13th-gen-core-i9-with-16gb-memory-1tb-ssd-midnight-black/6545931.p?skuId=6545931

Questions? Great! Just don't expect me to see them in time to help you before the price changes or it goes out of stock.  8)
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14293 on: January 14, 2024, 08:23:03 PM »
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3520-laptop/nn3520gknqs

Is this half decent for Dell? Looking to use up credits now preferably. Anything better currently from them?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14294 on: January 15, 2024, 05:23:40 AM »
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3520-laptop/nn3520gknqs

Is this half decent for Dell? Looking to use up credits now preferably. Anything better currently from them?
Regular price with bonus RAM.
Best value is these (Intel flavor slightly more powerful, AMD flavor better battery life). The RAM is upgradeable. $330.
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/new-inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3535-laptop/useichbts3535gndc
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3520-laptop/nn3520gmqch

Same applies for your link versus this AMD version: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3525-laptop/nn3525ghhvs

This is a metal-build 2-in-1 for $600. (The above are all plastic.) https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-16-2-in-1-laptop/spd/inspiron-16-7635-2-in-1-laptop/usei2hbts7635gfwz
This is a metal-build non 2-in-1 for $630. https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-16-laptop/spd/inspiron-16-5630-laptop/usichbts5630gkgh
These last two are 16", slightly larger than 15.6" without being physically bigger. Both also have the extra RAM.
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14295 on: January 15, 2024, 07:01:04 PM »
Does anybody know anything that is on sale under $700 that is a good deal? I'm looking for a laptop that comes with 16GB RAM and is 15" and above if possible.

I'm going to use credit card.

Should I wait? Will there be a good deal soon???

I'm looking at BestBuy and I can only see this https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-yoga-7i-16-wuxga-2-in-1-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i5-1335u-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-storm-grey/6551266.p?skuId=6551266 for $549 but the YOGA is known for having hinge issues otherwise I would've bought it!

Can anybody let me know anything???

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14296 on: January 15, 2024, 08:53:34 PM »
Ideapad 1 15.6" Laptop - Ryzen 7 5700U with 16GB Memory - 512GB SSD - Touchscreen - $430

If you need the specs and can do with this basic plastic machine.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-ideapad-1-15-6-laptop-ryzen-7-5700u-with-16gb-memory-amd-radeon-graphics-512gb-ssd-cloud-gray/6555683.p?skuId=6555683

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14297 on: January 16, 2024, 05:03:11 AM »
Best price I saw on metal (better build) and 16" right now. (Can get metal and 15.6" for a bit less, not worth it IMHO)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1772712-REG/lenovo_82xf0065us_16_ideapad_slim_5i.html/specs
Quote from: ExGingi
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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14298 on: January 16, 2024, 02:26:41 PM »
...for $549 but the YOGA is known for having hinge issues otherwise I would've bought it!


Hinge issue is fake news or at least overblown IMHO. Maybe on the flex 5 models, but not the yoga. My lenovo flex is 3.5 years old, dropped and dented a few times, hinges are fine. I haven't personally seen any lenovos with hinge issues, and  I have around 8 friends with lenovo 2in1s.

If you're worried about the longevity of 2in1s in general, get the slim 5 Mevinyavin posted.

Agav the yoga looks to be limited stock, maybe only store pickup.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #14299 on: January 16, 2024, 02:29:06 PM »
Regular price with bonus RAM.
Best value is these (Intel flavor slightly more powerful, AMD flavor better battery life). The RAM is upgradeable. $330.
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/new-inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3535-laptop/useichbts3535gndc
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3520-laptop/nn3520gmqch

Same applies for your link versus this AMD version: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3525-laptop/nn3525ghhvs

This is a metal-build 2-in-1 for $600. (The above are all plastic.) https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-16-2-in-1-laptop/spd/inspiron-16-7635-2-in-1-laptop/usei2hbts7635gfwz
This is a metal-build non 2-in-1 for $630. https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-16-laptop/spd/inspiron-16-5630-laptop/usichbts5630gkgh
These last two are 16", slightly larger than 15.6" without being physically bigger. Both also have the extra RAM.
Thanks so much @mevinyavin for your help