Laptop Deals Master Thread

[Chuchum Ainer]

I kinda assumed with how low the advertised battery life is, it would be lower than dell's even as we all know advertised battery numbers aren't accurate.

Doing more searching I see some listings for similar model numbers that say IPS. So there's a chance this is an IPS. I doubt it, but either way still not worth it over the Dell.

[Flatbush]

Thank You guys I really appreciate it!

[mevinyavin]

advertised battery numbers

For real-world use:
My experience has been that Acer, Samsung are pretty accurate, ASUS is a bit ambitious (maybe 10% less), LG is very ambitious (25% less), and Lenovo is ridiculously off. Not enough experience with Dells and HPs.

[Chuchum Ainer]

@Flatbush
$450 plus shipping
https://www.costco.com/lenovo-flex-5i-14%22-touchscreen--2-in-1-laptop---13th-gen-intel-core-i5-1335u---windows-11---abyss-blue.product.4000159887.html

https://psref.lenovo.com/Detail/IdeaPad/IdeaPad_Flex_5_14IRU8?M=82Y0000JUS full specs

I'm using a three year old version of this. I'm happy.

There are some things you can aim for higher with it: 45% ntsc 300 nits screen (acceptable) soldered ram (common) plastic bottom. weighs 3.4 lbs (fine, less than the average 15 inch. But not ultra light

Personally I prefer 2in1s, so Im ok with some sacrifices.
I think if you find something at a higher price point you think she'll like, there's reason to go with that (for example this base model 13 inch xps with 12th gen i7, 2.6lbs, 500 nit screen. nontouch, probably around the same battery life, much better built laptop meaning it will last longer currently $800 (~77% more expensive) https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/deals-for-business/xps-13-laptop/spd/xps-13-9315-laptop/xn9315gsmls). But for it's price it's unbeatable, and I believe it's a solid midrange computer.

[Chuchum Ainer]

sorry, tagged the wrong person
@aishel

[mevinyavin]

Anyone want to lend Amazon $520 for a few days and try this deal out? Seller not Amazon. $520 for a RTX 4070 laptop (in case you care, these laptops are perfectly functional, Gigabyte is a brand that has made parts for the major manufacturers for years, but expect no battery life). On the side, select other sellers, and you'll see it. Note: ships free to IL but import tax does not seem to have been calculated. Perhaps the seller inadvertently labeled it new instead of refurb?
GIGABYTE AORUS 15: 15.6" 16:9 Thin Bezel QHD 2560x1440 165Hz, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6, Intel Core i7-13700H, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, Win11 Home (AORUS 15 BSF-73US754SH), Black)

[Chuchum Ainer]

Erm, the single word "scam" covers it pretty well

Acer 2023 Nitro 5 AN515 Gaming Laptop: Ryzen 7 6800H, NVidia RTX 3070 Ti, 1TB SSD, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 15.6'' QHD 165Hz Display, Black https://a.co/d/fwpGmui

NOVATECH Phantom - Gaming PC Computer Desktop - RX 580 8GB - Intel i7 Xeon E3 3.5-3.9GHz - 16GB RAM - 512GB SSD  WiFi BT-5.0, Win 11 Pro, RGB Fans - Gaming Computer Tower - For Gamer, Streaming https://a.co/d/3r4cmov

Some of their other items

[aishel]

Just to give a quick update, I went through some of these choices with my daughter, and she said she's perfectly happy with the slow Chromebook as it is and doesn't want to buy anything yet. This is even after I told her I would pay for it (I count my blessings everyday BH). So I might just wait until she finishes her first semester of school work and revisit it with her then. I really do appreciate the time spent looking on my behalf! Thank you very much.

[mevinyavin]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Acer-Aspire-3-15-6-Full-HD-Display-AMD-Ryzen-7-5700U-Octa-Core-Mobile-Processor-Radeon-Graphics-16GB-DDR4-512GB-PCIe-Gen4-SSD-Windows-11-Home/5262667268?

$359

[Yehudaa]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1737131-REG/lg_15zb90q_v_ars5u1_15_gram_laptop_i5_1240p.html

- LG 15.6" gram Laptop
- Intel Core i5 12-Core (12th Gen)
- 8GB LPDDR4 RAM
- 512GB PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD
- 15.6" 1920 x 1080 IPS Display

@mevinyavin is this a good deal? I thought the Gram laptops were usually more expensive.

Not sure you can add RAM though. Might be soldered.

[mevinyavin]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1737131-REG/lg_15zb90q_v_ars5u1_15_gram_laptop_i5_1240p.html

- LG 15.6" gram Laptop
- Intel Core i5 12-Core (12th Gen)
- 8GB LPDDR4 RAM
- 512GB PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD
- 15.6" 1920 x 1080 IPS Display

@mevinyavin is this a good deal? I thought the Gram laptops were usually more expensive.

Not sure you can add RAM though. Might be soldered.

Good price with these caveats:
1) 12th gen version runs hotter and has much less battery life, still good but not excellent (8h real world use)
2) Soldered RAM, okay at this price but not at the $650ish this model has been.

However: much lighter than the competition and excellent build quality. And 8 hours is par for the course at this price (if not better).

[thaber]

Any thoughts on the new surface pro? I'm not happy with my Dell latitude 7440 btx
Want touch screen
Want lighter and more portable.
Pretending money isn't an object, I'm drawn to the highest oled, 1tb 32 gb ram version on pre-order. (although that model is still coming soon and not yet on pre-order). $2099, plus the keyboard. Do I need the stylus?
My needs are mostly the more intense end of an office as well as client presentations.

For $50 I become a best buy plus member and get a free 50" TV with it. (not sure what I'll do with that, but maybe for the conference room?)

Tell me why this is totally stupid of me please

[Darth1]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1737131-REG/lg_15zb90q_v_ars5u1_15_gram_laptop_i5_1240p.html

- LG 15.6" gram Laptop
- Intel Core i5 12-Core (12th Gen)
- 8GB LPDDR4 RAM
- 512GB PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD
- 15.6" 1920 x 1080 IPS Display

@mevinyavin is this a good deal? I thought the Gram laptops were usually more expensive.

Not sure you can add RAM though. Might be soldered.

It seems like Costco has the best prices on LG Grams. I feel like Im missing something about the one you posted, those specs for $1349?? At Costco for $1400 you get Ultra 7 evo, 32gb ram (DDR5), 1 TB 4.0 SSD, RTX 3050, 16" OLED WQXGA+ (2880 X1800) 400 Nits Display.

The newer and much updated version of the 15.6" costs $800 at Costco.

[nafnaf12]

It seems like Costco has the best prices on LG Grams. I feel like Im missing something about the one you posted, those specs for $1349?? At Costco for $1400 you get Ultra 7 evo, 32gb ram (DDR5), 1 TB 4.0 SSD, RTX 3050, 16" OLED WQXGA+ (2880 X1800) 400 Nits Display.

The newer and much updated version of the 15.6" costs $800 at Costco.

it was under $600 earlier

[Chuchum Ainer]

It seems like Costco has the best prices on LG Grams. I feel like Im missing something about the one you posted, those specs for $1349?? At Costco for $1400 you get Ultra 7 evo, 32gb ram (DDR5), 1 TB 4.0 SSD, RTX 3050, 16" OLED WQXGA+ (2880 X1800) 400 Nits Display.

The newer and much updated version of the 15.6" costs $800 at Costco.

it was under $600 earlier

It was $429 when I looked. still not worth it for a laptop with 8gb of soldered ram imho. We've come to that stage by now. and the 12th gen i5 is also getting old.

[AsherO]

It was $429 when I looked. still not worth it for a laptop with 8gb of soldered ram imho. We've come to that stage by now. and the 12th gen i5 is also getting old.

This 13th Gen LG Gram at B&H is still $499:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1759279-REG/lg_15z90r_n_apc3u1_15_gram_laptop_i5_1340p.html

Same caveat as stated above regarding 8gb soldered RAM, but can’t beat the weight. It’s a 13th gen so hopefully no heat/power issues.

[mevinyavin]

It was $429 when I looked. still not worth it for a laptop with 8gb of soldered ram imho. We've come to that stage by now. and the 12th gen i5 is also getting old.

Depends for whom, but I'm largely with you regarding 8GB soldered now. I almost never approve of 12th gen and not because it is old.

[mevinyavin]

Any thoughts on the new surface pro? I'm not happy with my Dell latitude 7440 btx
Want touch screen
Want lighter and more portable.
Pretending money isn't an object, I'm drawn to the highest oled, 1tb 32 gb ram version on pre-order. (although that model is still coming soon and not yet on pre-order). $2099, plus the keyboard. Do I need the stylus?
My needs are mostly the more intense end of an office as well as client presentations.

For $50 I become a best buy plus member and get a free 50" TV with it. (not sure what I'll do with that, but maybe for the conference room?)

Tell me why this is totally stupid of me please

Since no one else answered:
1) Highly skeptical that more than 16GB RAM will be needed throughout the life of the machine
2) IMHO non-OLED's gains in battery life is worth the drop in resolution, but others may disagree
3) Tablet form-factor is harder on the specs; it will not run as effectively as inside a conventional laptop - even a 2-in-1
4) I am on the record as guiding users away from touchscreens, but it is obvious that you have your heart set on it and are willing to pay the price.

So:
IMHO Best money-no-object portable form-factor light model 2-in-1 on the market is the GalaxyBook Pro. Other models I have personally experienced and rejected compared to the GalaxyBook Pro: Surface, Latitude, Gram, Yoga (including X1). No experience with: Dragonfly/Spectre/other high-end HP models, Prestige, XPS (but I've heard enough to knock many models out of the running).

[DaasTora]

SAMSUNG 14" Galaxy Book4 Pro Laptop PC Computer, Intel Core 7 Ultra Processor 512GB, 3K AMOLED (2880 x 1800) Touchscreen, 2024 Model, 16 RAM $1,149
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQ3RRS23/?tag=cl03f-20&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[thaber]

Since no one else answered:
1) Highly skeptical that more than 16GB RAM will be needed throughout the life of the machine
2) IMHO non-OLED's gains in battery life is worth the drop in resolution, but others may disagree
3) Tablet form-factor is harder on the specs; it will not run as effectively as inside a conventional laptop - even a 2-in-1
4) I am on the record as guiding users away from touchscreens, but it is obvious that you have your heart set on it and are willing to pay the price.

So:
IMHO Best money-no-object portable form-factor light model 2-in-1 on the market is the GalaxyBook Pro. Other models I have personally experienced and rejected compared to the GalaxyBook Pro: Surface, Latitude, Gram, Yoga (including X1). No experience with: Dragonfly/Spectre/other high-end HP models, Prestige, XPS (but I've heard enough to knock many models out of the running).

Thank you. I loved my first edition fully loaded yoga x1 and had it for many years. Never used the tablet functionality though.
I think, based on this that the new surface laptop might be a good fit, weight and speed wise particularly