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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Warning: most of the wiki that follows was written a very long time ago and the information on it can be outdated.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 3740879 times)

Offline Yeki89

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #60 on: November 25, 2011, 01:42:06 AM »
say that again. my brother says the possibility that you will get that cheap door-buster is so unlikely that it isnt worth the time u spend traveling / waiting...

Offline AsherO

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #61 on: November 25, 2011, 02:13:25 AM »
say that again. my brother says the possibility that you will get that cheap door-buster is so unlikely that it isnt worth the time u spend traveling / waiting...

I basically said that earlier in this thread (and no, I'm not your brother :P):

My guess is that in any densely populated area the doorbuster laptops will probably get sold out before you get to them.
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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #62 on: November 25, 2011, 02:21:20 AM »
say that again. my brother says the possibility that you will get that cheap door-buster is so unlikely that it isnt worth the time u spend traveling / waiting...

+1

Also I looked at all the laptops they were selling for cheap - it was older specs. In truth it isnt even a sale.... seriously a bunch of hype

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #63 on: November 25, 2011, 02:22:42 AM »
+1

Also I looked at all the laptops they were selling for cheap - it was older specs. In truth it isnt even a sale.... seriously a bunch of hype
So lets hear something good 4 cheap ;D ;D

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #64 on: November 25, 2011, 02:35:53 AM »
So lets hear something good 4 cheap ;D ;D

At 3am (12 am pst) Microsoft store is having their BF sale

Microsoft Store

the samsung RC512 is a great laptop - has the i7 for $499

I do not think I have seen an i7 ever at this price

This is not the latest i7 but still a really good price

Dell has launched their BF deals, but nothing really good. Throught the year when you could find the right voupon you could get a better price.

If you want to really spend $ the xps 15z and 14z is on sale - For $850, use the $75 promo gift card with the $400, and dell is giving a free $125 Amex gift card = $650 !! xps 15z xps 14z

Offline Yeki89

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #65 on: November 25, 2011, 02:37:58 AM »
which do you recommend

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #66 on: November 25, 2011, 02:42:44 AM »
which do you recommend

Tough call

The samsung from microsoft store is cheaper and better specs

But the XPS are much better builds

If you arent lookin to spend a lot of money the samsung is a really solid deal

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #67 on: November 25, 2011, 02:44:33 AM »
why wud i go for build over cheaper and better specs?
im not planning on dropping it

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #68 on: November 25, 2011, 02:46:39 AM »
The Samsung has i5 per your link.
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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #69 on: November 25, 2011, 02:50:31 AM »
But the XPS are much better builds

That varies by model IME.
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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #70 on: November 25, 2011, 02:51:41 AM »
The Dell you posted for $450 has slightly better specs than the Samsung for $499.
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. - Dr. Seuss

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #71 on: November 25, 2011, 02:56:53 AM »
The Samsung has i5 per your link.

<competing deal site link deleted>

So once the deal goes live we'll see the specs

The Dell you posted for $450 has slightly better specs than the Samsung for $499.

if the samsung is a i5 then the dell is deff better
« Last Edit: November 25, 2011, 02:57:50 AM by Dan »

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #72 on: November 25, 2011, 02:57:40 AM »
At 3am (12 am pst) Microsoft store is having their BF sale

Microsoft Store

the samsung RC512 is a great laptop - has the i7 for $499

I do not think I have seen an i7 ever at this price

This is not the latest i7 but still a really good price

Dell has launched their BF deals, but nothing really good. Throught the year when you could find the right voupon you could get a better price.

If you want to really spend $ the xps 15z and 14z is on sale - For $850, use the $75 promo gift card with the $400, and dell is giving a free $125 Amex gift card = $650 !! xps 15z xps 14z

The Acer Iconia is an interesting concept (laptop with touchscreen instead of the keyboard), and at $599 it's cheaper than anywhere else. I doubt I could get used to it though.
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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #73 on: November 25, 2011, 03:00:04 AM »
The Acer Iconia is an interesting concept (laptop with touchscreen instead of the keyboard), and at $599 it's cheaper than anywhere else. I doubt I could get used to it though.

Cool laptop, older i5 though

Not really worth the price of $999

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #74 on: November 25, 2011, 03:01:02 AM »
if the samsung is a i5 then the dell is deff better

i5 it is.
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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #75 on: November 25, 2011, 03:02:59 AM »
i5 it is.

yup

Site is really slow now

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #76 on: November 25, 2011, 03:22:47 AM »
At 3am (12 am pst) Microsoft store is having their BF sale

Microsoft Store

the samsung RC512 is a great laptop - has the i7 for $499

I do not think I have seen an i7 ever at this price

This is not the latest i7 but still a really good price

Dell has launched their BF deals, but nothing really good. Throught the year when you could find the right voupon you could get a better price.

If you want to really spend $ the xps 15z and 14z is on sale - For $850, use the $75 promo gift card with the $400, and dell is giving a free $125 Amex gift card = $650 !! xps 15z xps 14z
I still want something decent for 400 or less.

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #77 on: November 25, 2011, 08:37:19 AM »
I still want something decent for 400 or less.

here -

Dell Laptop

Coupon code - RXCC8C4951CWM8

And use the $75, $400

Price will be $404 for an i5 machine


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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #78 on: November 25, 2011, 09:08:54 AM »
never go to best buy (or any store the has doorbusters)-unless u enjoy camping outside a store in 50 degree weather ;)

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Re: Looking for cheap good Laptop deal
« Reply #79 on: November 25, 2011, 12:09:08 PM »
here -

Dell Laptop

Coupon code - RXCC8C4951CWM8

And use the $75, $400

Price will be $404 for an i5 machine


Its pricing a t 579- 100 =479. I dont want to do the gift cards for 75 because then im not buying it on amex for my 2nd year warranty.