Topic Wiki

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Warning: most of the wiki that follows was written a very long time ago and the information on it can be outdated.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 4010241 times)

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15180 on: March 11, 2025, 04:44:00 AM »
So performance-wise that would be better than the 16gb RAM? Possibly? Because it uses the ssd as RAM when needed...? Or am I way out of lane😉?
https://www.costco.com/macbook-air-laptop-13-inch---apple-m2-chip%2c-built-for-apple-intelligence%2c-8-core-cpu%2c-8-core-gpu%2c-16gb-memory%2c-256gb-ssd-storage.product.4000319423.html
Hard to tell which would bottleneck you more.
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15181 on: March 11, 2025, 04:44:28 AM »
down to $450, best ever
@jj1000 , though it says it's only available for 4 more hours.
Now $500, still insanely good value.
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

Offline Chuchum Ainer

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2020
  • Posts: 984
  • Total likes: 575
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15182 on: March 12, 2025, 12:13:24 AM »

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15183 on: March 12, 2025, 04:50:04 AM »
https://www.ebay.com/itm/196833929651

$450 bestbuy on ebay
Nu, @jj1000 ? That price would be good for a light, metal built laptop with a midrange processor that was two years old, but this one comes with a high-end processor (for office work) that is barely six months old, and oodles of battery life even though it has an OLED screen (you NEVER see the latter two at this price)...

Review here: https://www.laptopmag.com/laptops/asus-vivobook-s14-q423
Says 17:47 battery life. Ignore the complaints about underwhelming performance, as this is much more powerful than any 15W i7/Core Ultra 7 on the market.
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15184 on: March 12, 2025, 10:01:56 AM »
Nu, @jj1000 ? That price would be good for a light, metal built laptop with a midrange processor that was two years old, but this one comes with a high-end processor (for office work) that is barely six months old, and oodles of battery life even though it has an OLED screen (you NEVER see the latter two at this price)...

Review here: https://www.laptopmag.com/laptops/asus-vivobook-s14-q423
Says 17:47 battery life. Ignore the complaints about underwhelming performance, as this is much more powerful than any 15W i7/Core Ultra 7 on the market.
I don't deserve that hat tip. It belongs to @Chuchum Ainer alone.
« Last Edit: March 12, 2025, 10:05:43 AM by mevinyavin »
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

Online Yo ssi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Aug 2019
  • Posts: 7722
  • Total likes: 3244
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 66
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15185 on: March 12, 2025, 03:50:59 PM »
I don't deserve that hat tip. It belongs to @Chuchum Ainer alone.
I'd guess the argument is that without you this part of the HT rules wouldn't have been met. It's your mention that passed it through.
Hat tips are not awarded for:
...
-Deals that were posted as part of a master thread when they belong in a new thread.
_    ,
' )  /
 /  / __   _   _   o
(__/_(_)  /_)_/_)_<_
 //
(/

Offline Chuchum Ainer

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2020
  • Posts: 984
  • Total likes: 575
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15186 on: March 12, 2025, 07:29:51 PM »
https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/3668654/ASUS-Vivobook-15-F1504VAP-IS76T-Laptop/

$400 for 15 inch vivobook with 16gb and ips Touchscreen.
Good deal for the specs, but the $450 14 inch blows it out of the water, despite the lack of Touchscreen on that one.

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15187 on: March 13, 2025, 05:07:11 AM »
I'd guess the argument is that without you this part of the HT rules wouldn't have been met. It's your mention that passed it through.
He did tag him but the bait wasn't taken then, and by the time I saw his post, the price had gone up to $500, which - as noted - was also a stupendous price.
down to $450, best ever
@jj1000 , though it says it's only available for 4 more hours.
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15188 on: March 24, 2025, 08:43:04 AM »
Vivobook S 15.6" OLED, CU7 155H, 16GB RAM (soldered), TB SSD, weighs 3.3 lbs and metal build - $599 at Walmart.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ASUS-Vivobook-S-15-6-inch-3K-OLED-120Hz-Laptop-Intel-Core-Ultra-7-155H-Intel-Evo-Edition-16GB-RAM-1TB-SSD-Mist-Blue/5123764605
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

Online yfr bachur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2018
  • Posts: 2413
  • Total likes: 2817
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Yerusholayim -> נחליאל
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15189 on: March 24, 2025, 09:43:07 AM »
I don't deserve that hat tip. It belongs to @Chuchum Ainer alone.
HT from me to both of you.
Thanks guys!  ;D 8)

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15190 on: March 24, 2025, 10:51:48 AM »
HT from me to both of you.
Thanks guys!  ;D 8)
Use it in good health.
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15191 on: March 25, 2025, 06:02:22 AM »
14.5" OLED Swift X with Core Ultra 7 155H and RTX 4060, 16GB RAM (soldered) and TB SSD for $950 at B&H.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1855148-REG/acer_sfx14_72g_77nj_14_5_swift_x_14.html
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

Offline moish145

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2023
  • Posts: 90
  • Total likes: 62
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jerusalem
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15193 on: March 26, 2025, 02:41:17 PM »
What's the rule with unknown laptop brands?

For example this is dirt cheap for the 5825U.

From this listing it seems that it has a metal casing. There are a few full reviews online mostly on youtube that I can't access but from what I can see it has mostly good reviews.

All the brands amazon listings are above 4 star average.

Offline Jojo202

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jun 2020
  • Posts: 973
  • Total likes: 459
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn, NY
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15194 on: March 27, 2025, 12:00:55 AM »
What's the rule with unknown laptop brands?

For example this is dirt cheap for the 5825U.

From this listing it seems that it has a metal casing. There are a few full reviews online mostly on youtube that I can't access but from what I can see it has mostly good reviews.

All the brands amazon listings are above 4 star average.

No experience with off-brand laptops, but gut feeling is telling me to stay far away. Definitely reviews are nothing to go by.... They are a dime a dozen...
My real Username is Flippy but I dont know how to change it...

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15195 on: March 27, 2025, 04:54:01 AM »
What's the rule with unknown laptop brands?

For example this is dirt cheap for the 5825U.

From this listing it seems that it has a metal casing. There are a few full reviews online mostly on youtube that I can't access but from what I can see it has mostly good reviews.

All the brands amazon listings are above 4 star average.
1. Acemagic is a name-brand off-brand, not a no-name brand.
2. Main issues compared to name-brands is what parts they choose to put in (ie do they use Samsung SSDs or Yehgijuk SSDs, etc), their skill at designing proper cooling for the parts (which translates into computer longevity and also battery life), the monitor they choose to use, and their software-based power efficiency (which translates into battery-life). Build quality goes without saying, but that you can check the second it comes, and the rest may only come out over time.
3. As noted, Amazon reviews are useless. Read the three-star reviews if you must.

Having said that, seems overpriced IMO.
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

Offline Jojo202

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jun 2020
  • Posts: 973
  • Total likes: 459
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn, NY
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15196 on: March 27, 2025, 11:01:44 PM »
Thoughts on this deal?

Seems to be aluminum construction which is nice at this price point...


My real Username is Flippy but I dont know how to change it...

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15197 on: March 28, 2025, 04:15:59 AM »
Thoughts on this deal?

Seems to be aluminum construction which is nice at this price point...



Regular price. You'll need to upgrade the RAM.
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!

Offline Moshe Green

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2021
  • Posts: 1765
  • Total likes: 1518
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15198 on: March 28, 2025, 04:50:16 AM »
...
3. As noted, Amazon reviews are useless. Read the three-star reviews if you must.
...
What do you mean by that?

Offline mevinyavin

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 3394
  • Total likes: 4319
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Laptop help/deal request template
  • Location: Yerushalayim
  • Programs: Windows 10 and 11 Home, Word/Excel/Publisher 2021, Wordweb, McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, VLC, Torat Emet, 7-Zip, Lightshot, Calibre, FDM, FreeFileSync, Teracopy, Handbrake, Lightshot
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #15199 on: March 28, 2025, 05:21:38 AM »
What do you mean by that?
3-stars are most likely to be written by real people who did not get lemons. 1-stars are the lemons, 4-5 stars are likely fake or will not accurately list the cons.
Quote from: ExGingi
Echo chambers are boring and don't contribute much to deeper thinking and understanding!