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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Warning: most of the wiki that follows was written a very long time ago and the information on it can be outdated.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 3734869 times)

Offline Entrepreneur

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4520 on: November 20, 2013, 11:21:47 AM »
Latitude E6230 i5 256GB ssd 8GB Ram, backlit kb, fingerprint reader, 3yr warranty for under $500
Latitude E6530 same specs with graphics card for about $550
Latitude E6330 i7 256gb ssd for under $600
I've gotten so many of these can't even list them
Latitude E6230 i5 256GB ssd 8GB Ram, backlit kb, fingerprint reader, 3yr warranty for under $500 - Would you say that this is good enough for streaming video and MS Word and Excel (nothing heavy in Excel) and no heavy gaming?

Offline SavingsBigtime

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4521 on: November 20, 2013, 11:27:40 AM »

Offline runnergirl

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All in one computer
« Reply #4522 on: November 20, 2013, 11:30:34 AM »
I'm looking to buy an all in one computer but I don't want to spend the $ to buy a MAC. I want a desk top without all of the wires all over the place. Looking to spend around $500 giver or take a bit.  I know nothing about computer specs, etc. I want to use it for e-mail, general internet stuff and word processing.  Any suggestions? Thanks a million!

Offline Entrepreneur

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4523 on: November 20, 2013, 11:34:51 AM »
I am being offered this through Dell Outlet... any opinions?

Dell Outlet Inspiron 17R - 5737
$447.30 before taxes

90 Days Premium Phone Support + 1 Year Basic Support
Processor: Intel Core 4th Generation i5-4200U processor (3M Cache, up to 2.6 GHz)
6 GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (4GBx1 + 2GBx1) Memory
500 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
8X DVD+/-RW Tray Load Drive
Intel HD Graphics
Dell Wireless-N 1705 + Bluetooth 4.0
17.3 inch LED Backlit Display with Truelife and HD+ resolution (1600 x 900)
6XH00   65 WHr, 6-Cell Battery
Windows 8

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4524 on: November 20, 2013, 11:39:46 AM »
good price - use amex since some of these are refurbs with only 1 yr warranty

Offline Entrepreneur

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4525 on: November 20, 2013, 11:44:36 AM »
Is there a big difference between that processor and the Intel Core 4th Generation i3-4010U processor (3M Cache, up to 1.7 GHz)?
There is about an $56 difference in price
« Last Edit: November 20, 2013, 11:49:44 AM by Entrepreneur »

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Re: All in one computer
« Reply #4526 on: November 20, 2013, 11:47:10 AM »
I'm looking to buy an all in one computer but I don't want to spend the $ to buy a MAC. I want a desk top without all of the wires all over the place. Looking to spend around $500 giver or take a bit.  I know nothing about computer specs, etc. I want to use it for e-mail, general internet stuff and word processing.  Any suggestions? Thanks a million!

Offline notanonymous

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Re: All in one computer
« Reply #4527 on: November 20, 2013, 11:47:45 AM »
I'm looking to buy an all in one computer but I don't want to spend the $ to buy a MAC. I want a desk top without all of the wires all over the place. Looking to spend around $500 giver or take a bit.  I know nothing about computer specs, etc. I want to use it for e-mail, general internet stuff and word processing.  Any suggestions? Thanks a million!
Here may be a good place to post.  http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=19284.msg628356#msg628356
1. Perhaps DH can give you more up-to-date info, But I have never been a fan of all-in-one's.  I found that you get more for your money with a regular desktop.  Also, upgrading, troubleshhoting hardware issues, and replacing parts IMO are much easier in a regular desktop.
2.  Why do you want the all-in-one?

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4528 on: November 20, 2013, 11:51:32 AM »
yes, i5 is faster

Offline runnergirl

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Re: All in one computer
« Reply #4529 on: November 20, 2013, 11:52:05 AM »
I hate all of the wires.  I hear you about the repair isuues, etc.  I would go for a regular desktop.  Just looking for the best value for my $.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4530 on: November 20, 2013, 11:53:16 AM »
yes, i5 is faster
Ok.  So I  guess worth the $56

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4531 on: November 20, 2013, 11:55:29 AM »
Not sure about $56 but its faster

Offline metziah

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4532 on: November 20, 2013, 02:49:34 PM »
Thanx for your input DH.
How about this one for $454
Processor:                 Intel Core 3rd Generation i5-3337U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.7 GHz)
Operating System   Windows 8
Hard Disk Drive           1 TB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
Memory                8GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 1600MHz
Laptop Screen        17.3 inch HD+  (1600 x 900) WLED Display
Media Bay             8X DVD +/- RW Drive
Video                           Intel HD Graphics
Base   Dell Outlet          Inspiron 17R - 5721 Laptop
System Color         Silver
Laptop Battery       6 Cell Battery
Network Interface Card   Intel Centrino Wireless 2230, 2x2 bgn + Bluetooth
Web Camera            1.0 MP HD Camera with MIC
Keyboard                  English Keyboard
Hardware Upgrade   125V Power Cord
                               65W AC Adapter
Software Upgrade   Windows 64 Bit

Office Software   Microsoft Office 365 - 1 Month Trial (Internet access required to install & activate)

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4533 on: November 20, 2013, 02:56:56 PM »
Is this a good deal for an i3?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CRGJJIO

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4534 on: November 20, 2013, 05:08:36 PM »
Just got an XPS 12 convertible from dell outlet 4th generation it is pretty cool

Windows 8 is hard to get used to

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4535 on: November 20, 2013, 05:28:13 PM »
Is there a big difference between that processor and the Intel Core 4th Generation i3-4010U processor (3M Cache, up to 1.7 GHz)?
There is about an $56 difference in price
I noticed a huge battery life difference. (On a I5 though)

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4536 on: November 20, 2013, 05:36:25 PM »
Thanx for your input DH.
How about this one for $454
Processor:                 Intel Core 3rd Generation i5-3337U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.7 GHz)
Operating System   Windows 8
Hard Disk Drive           1 TB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
Memory                8GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 1600MHz
Laptop Screen        17.3 inch HD+  (1600 x 900) WLED Display
Media Bay             8X DVD +/- RW Drive
Video                           Intel HD Graphics
Base   Dell Outlet          Inspiron 17R - 5721 Laptop
System Color         Silver
Laptop Battery       6 Cell Battery
Network Interface Card   Intel Centrino Wireless 2230, 2x2 bgn + Bluetooth
Web Camera            1.0 MP HD Camera with MIC
Keyboard                  English Keyboard
Hardware Upgrade   125V Power Cord
                               65W AC Adapter
Software Upgrade   Windows 64 Bit

Office Software   Microsoft Office 365 - 1 Month Trial (Internet access required to install & activate)
Not bad:)

I picked up an i7 15" Touchscreen with 16gb ram earlier for about $550

Offline metziah

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4537 on: November 20, 2013, 05:55:08 PM »
Anyone know the return policy in these?

Offline Ergel

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4538 on: November 20, 2013, 06:08:57 PM »
Not bad:)

I picked up an i7 15" Touchscreen with 16gb ram earlier for about $550
What happened to telling me?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4539 on: November 20, 2013, 06:29:31 PM »
This is Outlet - You get what you find..