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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Warning: most of the wiki that follows was written a very long time ago and the information on it can be outdated.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 3743066 times)

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5040 on: December 25, 2013, 12:40:24 PM »
200 seems good no? Refurbished
Lenovo ThinkPad T400 14.1" Notebook w/ HD Display, 160GB HDD, Wi-Fi, Webcam & Windows 7!

http://1sale.com/electronics/computers-tablets/t400-6474-r1u/

Offline how

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5041 on: December 25, 2013, 12:42:14 PM »
200 seems good no? Refurbished
Lenovo ThinkPad T400 14.1" Notebook w/ HD Display, 160GB HDD, Wi-Fi, Webcam & Windows 7!

http://1sale.com/electronics/computers-tablets/t400-6474-r1u/
looks very old

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5042 on: December 25, 2013, 01:33:38 PM »
looks very old
yup. Good processor and should be okay for someone who doesn't wanna spend more...

Offline how

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5043 on: December 25, 2013, 04:05:20 PM »
yup. Good processor and should be okay for someone who doesn't wanna spend more...
and s\o who needs windows 7

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5044 on: December 25, 2013, 05:09:06 PM »
Equivalent to lo-end i3 - I wouldn't go for it

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5045 on: December 26, 2013, 09:02:37 AM »
Acer Aspire V5-573P-9899 Touchscreen Laptop - $599
Includes additional $25 Gift Card

15.6 in Full HD widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit (1920 x 1080), 10-finger multi-touch support
Intel Core i7-4500U 1.80 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.00 GHz
6 GB DDR3 1600 MHz
750 GB 5400 RPM HDD
Windows 8. Update to Windows 8.1 for free through the Windows Store.
No Optical drive
Dolby Home Theater v4
Intel HD Graphics 4400
1 USB 3.0 with Sleep and Charge • 2 USB 2.0 • HDMI • Headphone output/Microphone input combo • Acer converter/Mini DisplayPort combo port • RJ-45 (10/100/1000)
4-cell lithium-polymer (up to 6.5 hours)*
HD webcam
802.11a/b/g/n
4.85 lbs (2.19 kg)

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Acer-Aspire-V5-573P-9899-Touchscreen-Laptop-Intel-Core-i7/productID.288024600

Other than the lack of an optical drive this is a perfect laptop. 1080p Display, Nice Build, Decent Battery Life and Backlit keyboard.
« Last Edit: December 26, 2013, 09:06:59 AM by DH Data Recovery »

Offline helpusout

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5046 on: December 26, 2013, 11:10:16 AM »

Offline helpusout

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5047 on: December 26, 2013, 11:10:34 AM »
I was going to jump on this laptop but now I am hesitant..

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5048 on: December 26, 2013, 11:47:56 AM »
DH, What do you make of this article?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2019243/acer-aspire-v5-review-beauty-and-no-brains.html

Not even remotely the same laptop - the only similarity between them the Acer and V5. Its like comparing a stripped down Honda Civic that was selling for $750 to a Fully loaded Accord with V6 engine that's available for $599!!! You gotta read all the details...

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« Last Edit: December 26, 2013, 03:34:34 PM by Dan »

Offline dadusc

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5050 on: December 26, 2013, 03:22:48 PM »
Curious about these deals being offered by MicroCenter, mostly in store only.  I just need a new laptop for home usage, internet, netflix, shopping, homework, work-work. Nothing really heavy hitting, just average usage.

Here is the link to their after X-Mas sale:

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/6df63b26#/6df63b26/2

Some specific deals:

Asus D550CA-MH31  $329.99
http://www.microcenter.com/product/421110/D550CA-MH31_156_Laptop_Computer_-_Black

Intel Core i3-3217U Processor 1.8GHz, Microsoft Windows 8 (64-bit), 4GB DDR3 RAM, 500GB 5,400RPM Hard Drive, Intel GMA HD: DL DVDRW Drive/CD-RW Drive,15.6" HD Widescreen Display

Inspiron 15 $279.99
http://www.microcenter.com/product/427841/Inspiron_15_156_Laptop_Computer_-_Black_Matte_with_Textured_Finish

Intel Pentium 2127U Dual Core Processor 1.9GHz, Microsoft Windows 8, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 500GB 5,400RPM Hard Drive, 8x DVDRW Drive, 15.6" HD Widescreen Display

HP Pavillion 17-e040us $449
http://www.microcenter.com/product/420789/Pavilion_17-e040us_173_Laptop_Computer_-_Anodized_Silver

Intel Core i3-4000M Processor 2.4GHz, Microsoft Windows 8, 6GB DDR3L SDRAM, 750GB 5,400RPM Hard Drive, Intel HD Graphics 4600, SuperMulti DVD Burner, 17.3" HD+ BrightView LED-backlit Display

There are a bunch of other deals on the ad that I wasn't able to find on their website.

thanks in advance.

Offline bobeli

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5051 on: December 27, 2013, 11:16:13 AM »
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pavilion-17-3-laptop-4gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive/2854029.p?id=1219079079760&skuId=2854029&st=2854029&cp=1&lp=1&ref=199&loc=RjWYtCqO0*M&siteID=RjWYtCqO0.M-_oiniQi2XYmF5CyHeVAcmw

deal of the day by bb $350
HP - Pavilion 17.3" Laptop - 4GB Memory - 750GB Hard Drive - Anodized Silver

Offline helpusout

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5052 on: December 27, 2013, 11:34:53 AM »
Is that a good deal?

Offline SavingsBigtime

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5053 on: December 27, 2013, 12:39:20 PM »

Offline Mark F

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5054 on: December 27, 2013, 12:45:13 PM »
I am starting to buy laptops to sell... What is the best credit card to make the purchases on?

Offline SavingsBigtime

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5055 on: December 27, 2013, 12:46:17 PM »
I am starting to buy laptops to sell... What is the best credit card to make the purchases on?
amex

Offline Mark F

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5056 on: December 27, 2013, 12:49:50 PM »
amex

Any specific amex card? (whats best for points?)

Offline SavingsBigtime

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5057 on: December 27, 2013, 01:06:31 PM »
what ever you want, the point is the warranty its sometimes worth more then points

Offline Name Changed

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5058 on: December 27, 2013, 01:14:29 PM »
I am starting to buy laptops to sell... What is the best credit card to make the purchases on?
Wrong Thread.

Depends where you are purchasing from. Either Ink Bold/Plus, or Amex Biz Gold

Offline ari2955

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5059 on: December 27, 2013, 01:15:07 PM »
@DH
what would you say the average price would be for a,

Dell Inspiron 15 (3537)
Intel i5-4200U
750GB hard drive (5400 rpm)
6GB ram
Windows 8 64bit
?