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

Dell:
Precision - Very powerful desktop replacements - great warranty, ridiculously expensive - Usually overpriced or overkill

Latitude - Good Laptops - Great warranty! Highly recommended for any Business environment - Sometimes expensive.

Vostro  - Lower end Business Machines - Better Priced - still durable - Usually 1 Year warranty.

XPS - The nicer looking dell machines, Some are better than others...

Inspiron - YMMV Every model is different

(Plain) Insprion Series - Dells lowest end laptop
(R) Insprion Series - Perfect Home use, dependable, decent build quality, recommended
(Z) Insprion Series - A little slimmer than the R series, Some are Ultrabooks (Very often don't include Optical Drives)

HP:

Spectre - Top of the line personal (dragonfly is the top of the line for business) - lightest laptops, and beautiful!

Pavilion - YMMV (Some better than others)

Probook - Stable durable business systems - Usually a little on the heavy side.

Elitebook - Business Higher end systems, usually pretty expensive

ENVY - Used to be the HP sleek and nicer systems, they pretty much replaced most of the standard pavilions now and call them either ENVY or sleekbooks

Sleekbook - like it sounds slimmer line of laptops

Lenovo:

Thinkpad Series - Very Dependable Business Machine, Expensive (Not Pretty but Durable)

IdeaPad Series -

S Series
U Series - Usually the slimmer line Ultrabooks, Doesn't always include DVD Drive
Y Series - Nice machines with good specs and features (Cool Backlit Keyboards)
Z Series - Step up from the G Series, all around decent build, priced nicely, great home use laptop
G Series - Lower end

Samsung:

Series 3
Series 5
Series 7
Series 9 - The nicest, sleekest looking laptops I've seen in a long time - Can pass for a Macbook!!


HT: Dh Data Recovery & Name Changed


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.
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 3198888 times)

Online Ergel

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 13070
  • Total likes: 905
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5600 on: March 30, 2014, 08:54:13 PM »
I basically use it as a desktop and like the larger size but I do need it to be portable every once in a while.

My 7 year old 17in HP is on it's last leg.
May be kdai to get something smaller and attach it to a monitor?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline DH Data Recovery

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 4559
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 64
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5601 on: March 30, 2014, 08:57:00 PM »
This is Dells lower product line. Built rather cheap. Its not that great of a price either+1
Agree with NC. Not a big fan of this line.. not the type of machine that would last too long.

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11724
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5602 on: March 30, 2014, 08:58:20 PM »
May be kdai to get something smaller and attach it to a monitor?

I was thinking that. My issue is the lack of space. I also like being able to put the computer away at night or for Shabbos.

Would the Dell XPS 18 be a good device?
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline Name Changed

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2011
  • Posts: 4831
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
  • Programs: Avis Presidents Club, National Executive Elite, Hertz Presidents Circle, Sixt Platinum, SPG Gold, eBay Platinum
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5603 on: March 30, 2014, 09:12:16 PM »
I was thinking that. My issue is the lack of space. I also like being able to put the computer away at night or for Shabbos.

Would the Dell XPS 18 be a good device?
Getting an XPS 18 with decent specs will cost ~$1000+

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11724
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5604 on: March 30, 2014, 09:17:28 PM »
Getting an XPS 18 with decent specs will cost ~$1000+

I guess the question is what is considered decent specs. Best Buy had one on sale for $899.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline DH Data Recovery

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 4559
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 64
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5605 on: March 30, 2014, 09:24:47 PM »
Good laptop with docking station is probably better imo.

Offline Name Changed

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2011
  • Posts: 4831
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
  • Programs: Avis Presidents Club, National Executive Elite, Hertz Presidents Circle, Sixt Platinum, SPG Gold, eBay Platinum
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5606 on: March 30, 2014, 10:30:49 PM »
I guess the question is what is considered decent specs. Best Buy had one on sale for $899.
i3 3rd Gen, 4GB RAM

$900 is a lot to pay for that.

Offline steeeveknowsbest

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 934
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: denver, Co
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5607 on: March 31, 2014, 01:04:36 AM »
Any tips on a decently priced 11.6 inch notebook for college use which will last (typing etc. light internet usage)?
Also what is the processor of choice on a notebook? (i'm seeing intel celeron, intel pentium, amd-A4, amd-e1)
TIA!
« Last Edit: March 31, 2014, 01:25:15 AM by steeeveknowsbest »

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11724
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5608 on: March 31, 2014, 07:22:53 AM »
i3 3rd Gen, 4GB RAM

$900 is a lot to pay for that.

Are there no 17in laptops, built well with decent specs?

 I don't mind paying a bit more to save on space issues that I'd have with having a laptop and Sep screen etc.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline steeeveknowsbest

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 934
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: denver, Co
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5609 on: March 31, 2014, 11:34:35 AM »
how is this model?
http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-11-3138/pd?oc=fncwk2010s&model_id=inspiron-11-3138

would it be worth it to upgrade to a pentium for another $125?

Offline DH Data Recovery

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 4559
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 64
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5610 on: March 31, 2014, 11:51:17 AM »
Nope, very weak...

Offline Yehuda57

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 5214
  • Total likes: 14893
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
    • Squilled
  • Location: Brooklyn
  • Programs: Official Dansdeals salad correspondent
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5611 on: March 31, 2014, 12:11:41 PM »
Any tips on a decently priced 11.6 inch notebook for college use which will last (typing etc. light internet usage)?
Also what is the processor of choice on a notebook? (i'm seeing intel celeron, intel pentium, amd-A4, amd-e1)
TIA!

Have you considered a Chromebook? Seems perfect for what you need it for.

Offline steeeveknowsbest

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 934
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: denver, Co
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5612 on: March 31, 2014, 01:22:34 PM »
Have you considered a Chromebook? Seems perfect for what you need it for.
For the technically impaired,
I'm not sure what a chrome book is exactly. Is a chromebook a laptop which works mostly on the cloud?
What model would you suggest?

Offline Yehuda57

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 5214
  • Total likes: 14893
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
    • Squilled
  • Location: Brooklyn
  • Programs: Official Dansdeals salad correspondent
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5613 on: March 31, 2014, 01:39:56 PM »
For the technically impaired,
I'm not sure what a chrome book is exactly. Is a chromebook a laptop which works mostly on the cloud?
What model would you suggest?

Instead of running Windows it runs Google's Chrome system. It has very little on board storage, but Google Drive will give you 100GB free for 2 years. Without Wifi, it is worthless.

Basically, anything you can do with Google Chrome, you can do on this computer. you can't run Word, Excel or other programs, but you can run Google Docs, etc.

But you get far better performance than you would from any other machine at the same $200-300 price point.

If you read further up on this topic, there is a discussion as to the pros and cons of a Chromebook. It is not for everyone, but in my humble opinion, if you are going to spend less than $300 on a laptop, it would difficult to beat the performance of a Chromebook, and you probably aren't using it for anything it can't handle anyway.

I can't offer advice on any specific model as I don't use one myself. I know people who got the HP 14 and are happy, they have an 11" version too.

Offline Sport

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 2365
  • Total likes: 103
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5614 on: March 31, 2014, 04:46:46 PM »
I'm looking for a laptop for basic use. I prefer a bigger screen. Anyone have any suggestions? TIA

Offline DH Data Recovery

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 4559
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 64
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5615 on: March 31, 2014, 07:13:54 PM »

Offline Sport

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 2365
  • Total likes: 103
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5616 on: March 31, 2014, 07:34:10 PM »
Thanks

Offline ilherman

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 8948
  • Total likes: 228
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5617 on: March 31, 2014, 07:35:55 PM »
Are you posting from the DO?   

Trying to rank up HT's in case Bubbles shows up  ;)
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline steeeveknowsbest

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 934
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: denver, Co
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5618 on: April 01, 2014, 11:53:10 AM »
Nope, very weak...
I am findind that 11.6inch notebooks with an intel i3 and up are roughly $500+
whereas there are tons in the $250-$400 range with weaker processors, of the weaker processors which would you suggest?

Also is it reasonable to hold out for a deal on the i3 (something akin to this http://www.staples.com/Asus-VivoBook-Q200-116-LED-Ultrabook-Intel-Dual-Core-i3-3217U-180/product_IM1TJ5748?externalize=certona in the $400 range?
« Last Edit: April 01, 2014, 12:08:30 PM by steeeveknowsbest »

Offline Name Changed

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2011
  • Posts: 4831
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
  • Programs: Avis Presidents Club, National Executive Elite, Hertz Presidents Circle, Sixt Platinum, SPG Gold, eBay Platinum
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #5619 on: April 01, 2014, 12:15:48 PM »
I am findind that 11.6inch notebooks with an intel i3 and up are roughly $500+
whereas there are tons in the $250-$400 range with weaker processors, of the weaker processors which would you suggest?

Also is it reasonable to hold out for a deal on the i3 (something akin to this http://www.staples.com/Asus-VivoBook-Q200-116-LED-Ultrabook-Intel-Dual-Core-i3-3217U-180/product_IM1TJ5748?externalize=certona in the $400 range?
I think its reasonable to wait and expect to pay that amount. I have seen plenty of times 11.6" w/ i3 in that price range.