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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Warning: most of the wiki that follows was written a very long time ago and the information on it can be outdated.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 3868470 times)

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15080 on: January 07, 2025, 12:20:04 AM »
https://www.microcenter.com/product/679179/acer-swift-go-16-sfg16-72t-57ph-160-intel-evo-platform-laptop-computer-steel-gray

A very good deal at $400, if you have it in stock near you. Currently available in about half the stores I checked online.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15081 on: January 07, 2025, 03:16:07 AM »
https://www.microcenter.com/product/679179/acer-swift-go-16-sfg16-72t-57ph-160-intel-evo-platform-laptop-computer-steel-gray

A very good deal at $400, if you have it in stock near you. Currently available in about half the stores I checked online.
Very, very nice!
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 #15083 on: January 08, 2025, 05:23:31 AM »
Aspire 5 with i5-12450H back at $400 where it belongs.
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16834360370?item=N82E16834360370&Tpk=N82E16834360370
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 #15084 on: January 09, 2025, 12:42:54 PM »
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3530-laptop

Is the above laptop a decent deal? Would it be suggested to go with the i7-1355U option?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15085 on: January 09, 2025, 01:27:58 PM »
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3530-laptop

Is the above laptop a decent deal? Would it be suggested to go with the i7-1355U option?
No and no. Though it is a metal model.
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 #15086 on: January 09, 2025, 06:18:25 PM »
No and no. Though it is a metal model.
What's the reason? The specs seem to be good. i7 with 16gb ram what are the cons?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15087 on: January 09, 2025, 07:33:47 PM »

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15088 on: January 10, 2025, 03:03:21 AM »
why is it worse than this?
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-16-laptop/spd/inspiron-16-5645-laptop
Leaving aside that the 16 is slightly bigger - U series i7s have two P-cores and 8 E-cores, Ryzen 5 has 6 P-cores. Graphics on the latter is greatly improved. But they are BOTH bad prices. For such a system, you should aim to pay $500 at most.
One more thing - the bump between U-series i5s and i7s is negligible - I wouldn't pay more that a few dollars for the upgrade (which primarily applies to integrated graphics). In contrast, the bump from Ryzen 5 to Ryzen 7 adds two more P-cores and is worth it even for no reason if it costs $100 or less.
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

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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 #15090 on: January 10, 2025, 09:59:07 AM »
Leaving aside that the 16 is slightly bigger - U series i7s have two P-cores and 8 E-cores, Ryzen 5 has 6 P-cores. Graphics on the latter is greatly improved. But they are BOTH bad prices. For such a system, you should aim to pay $500 at most.
One more thing - the bump between U-series i5s and i7s is negligible - I wouldn't pay more that a few dollars for the upgrade (which primarily applies to integrated graphics). In contrast, the bump from Ryzen 5 to Ryzen 7 adds two more P-cores and is worth it even for no reason if it costs $100 or less.
so seems like there is no decent laptop in the $500-$700 range on dell.com that also has a backlit keyboard?
« Last Edit: January 10, 2025, 10:06:07 AM by jameswacht »

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15091 on: January 11, 2025, 01:03:17 PM »
so seems like there is no decent laptop in the $500-$700 range on dell.com that also has a backlit keyboard?
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-16-laptop/spd/inspiron-16-5640-laptop

You are overpaying at least $80 to get it at Dell.
Which is why I asked, in my very first response to you, if you needed a deal at Dell specifically. Please try to be precise regarding what you are asking next time.
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 #15092 on: January 11, 2025, 01:32:33 PM »
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-yoga-slim-7x-copilot-pc-14-5-3k-oled-touch-screen-laptop-snapdragon-x-elite-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-cosmic-blue/6582538.p?skuId=6582538
Lenovo Slim 7x 14.5" with Snapdragon X Elite for $750. 3K OLED touch screen. Doesn't appear to be a 2-in-1 even though it is called Yoga.
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 #15093 on: January 13, 2025, 11:43:35 AM »
PSA
In the past, the "15" indicator referred to 15.6" screens (at least since 2007), and "16" to the newer 16.0" screens that seemed to slowly be replacing them. However, Lenovo has begun putting out new models called "15" as if they are a continuation of the old lines, but they now come in 15.3" sizes, I assume with a change from the 16:9 aspect ratio to 16:10 or 4:3 or some other taller variation. If this difference matters to you, be sure to check the model you are buying.
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 #15094 on: January 14, 2025, 04:39:20 AM »
@jj1000
You'll want to post this one from B&H Deal Zone (okay, no HT, that's fine). Best of the collection of dirt-cheap laptops is this for $280, Ryzen 5 7530U, 16GB RAM (half soldered, half upgradeable), 512GB SSD https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1835936-REG/asus_m1502ya_bh52_15_6_vivobook_laptop_ryzen.html

Also available: the Slim 5 16 is back to $480 and better value than the Deal Zone Aspire 5 for $500 (certainly better than the cheaper ones with 8GB soldered RAM). https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1811273-REG/lenovo_83fw0007us_16_ideapad_slim_5.html
For content professionals, you have the portable Swift X 14.5" with Core Ultra 155H and RTX 4060 for $950 - an excellent price for something this portable if you need it - or the 16" Vivobook 16X for $930 (a bit less of a deal - it has been even cheaper).
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1855148-REG/acer_sfx14_72g_77nj_14_5_swift_x_14.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1847408-REG/asus_k3605vv_bh92_16_vivobook_laptop_i9_13900h.html
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

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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 #15096 on: January 14, 2025, 07:36:55 AM »
Mystery Refurbished Laptops and Desktops deal from Woot
https://computers.woot.com/offers/mystery-laptops-and-desktops-3?ref=mwj_h_f_cp_7

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15097 on: January 14, 2025, 07:49:12 AM »
@jj1000
You'll want to post this one from B&H Deal Zone (okay, no HT, that's fine). Best of the collection of dirt-cheap laptops is this for $280, Ryzen 5 7530U, 16GB RAM (half soldered, half upgradeable), 512GB SSD https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1835936-REG/asus_m1502ya_bh52_15_6_vivobook_laptop_ryzen.html
I don't disagree that it's the best budget deal out there, but I must point out the TN screen.

Quote
Also available: the Slim 5 16 is back to $480 and better value than the Deal Zone Aspire 5 for $500 (certainly better than the cheaper ones with 8GB soldered RAM). https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1811273-REG/lenovo_83fw0007us_16_ideapad_slim_5.html
Great deal.
If you live near a microcenter, you might prefer the version with a much more powerful chip (and therefore sgirter battery life) for $20 more
https://www.microcenter.com/product/678491/lenovo-ideapad-slim-5-16ah9p-16-laptop-computer-abyss-blue

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15099 on: January 14, 2025, 08:43:47 AM »

Missed this deal by a few min, unicorn of a deal but would have been nice to get for my wife who is a designer.
If you see a good deal on a pro model pm me plz!