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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

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 3212386 times)

Offline dsw193

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6460 on: July 06, 2014, 09:36:00 AM »
The guy in best buy told me that they sell software to use windows on apple device. Does that make sense?
What is = to the yoga with similar specs for less?
I don't have any experience with Apple.

http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/47024

ETA: It's dead. You just have to find a good deal and shop around. which I haven't lately so don't really know current prices.

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6461 on: July 06, 2014, 09:44:11 AM »
Thanks!
This is my first laptop I'm buying. I need it for basic use: Internet browsing. word, excel, quickbooks etc..
I am not too computer savvy..went to best buy one rep told me to get apple and another told me to get the yoga..
Isn't apple better that it doesn't get viruses?
Is it true that it is hard to use if not used to apple os?
Price aside, what's the best choice for my needs?
Best buy loves not computer savvy shopper, that's where they make the big bucks and then convince you to install additional software, pay for Windows (which is included)  and many additional unnecessary add ons. The yoga is a very specific laptop and costs much more because of that. It's very small and slim and has a specific build. If you just need a basic good laptop you should pay more tha half that price.

Offline dsw193

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6462 on: July 06, 2014, 09:44:39 AM »
If You are not looking for anything specific I would get the  HP that Dan posted on Friday

Offline yomo

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6463 on: July 06, 2014, 09:57:24 AM »
I don't have any experience with Apple.

http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/47024

ETA: It's dead. You just have to find a good deal and shop around. which I haven't lately so don't really know current prices.
So there is nothing better about Lenovo over dell? Yoga 2pro is not superior?

Offline yomo

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6464 on: July 06, 2014, 09:59:54 AM »
Best buy loves not computer savvy shopper, that's where they make the big bucks and then convince you to install additional software, pay for Windows (which is included)  and many additional unnecessary add ons. The yoga is a very specific laptop and costs much more because of that. It's very small and slim and has a specific build. If you just need a basic good laptop you should pay more tha half that price.
Thanks!
Size & weight do make a difference to me as I plan to travel with it..
The only aspect the guy admitted was unnecessary is the i7 as I definitely don't need more than i5

Offline dsw193

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6465 on: July 06, 2014, 10:06:17 AM »
So there is nothing better about Lenovo over dell? Yoga 2pro is not superior?
Yoga is a premium laptop, is very fast, boots in 2 seconds, backlit keyboard, Beautiful but small screen, I'm not impressed with the battery life (although they might have improved with the 2) and most importantly is touch screen with the Yoga form factor which is why I bought it . But You pay for all that if this is specifically what You want I would buy it and justify the price I do believe it to be a better build than the Dell's that I've owned and repaired. But if what You are looking for is just a first laptop with nothing specific to the Yoga I would go for something cheaper.

Offline AnonymousUser

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6466 on: July 06, 2014, 10:19:49 AM »
Asus X551CA-RI3N15 15.6'' Laptop

    Intel Core i3-3217U 1.8GHz
    4GB System Memory (DDR3)
    500GB 5400RPM hard drive
    15.6" HD Display
    DVDRW
    Wireless 802.11n
    UMA Intel HD Graphics
    1.0MP Webcam
    Up to 2 hours and 52 minutes of battery life
    Dimensions" 9.88"(L) x 14.96"(W) x 1.22"(D) (4.74lbs.)
    Full-size Chiclet keyboard
    Windows 8
    1-Year Limited Warranty

Staples has it marked down to only $349.99, plus use coupon code: 69572 to save $75 and bring the total to only $274.99.
HT: KB

Anyone know if this is a good laptop? The battery seems pretty small.

Offline Joe4007

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6467 on: July 06, 2014, 10:43:01 AM »
Asus X551CA-RI3N15 15.6'' Laptop

    Intel Core i3-3217U 1.8GHz
    4GB System Memory (DDR3)
    500GB 5400RPM hard drive
    15.6" HD Display
    DVDRW
    Wireless 802.11n
    UMA Intel HD Graphics
    1.0MP Webcam
    Up to 2 hours and 52 minutes of battery life
    Dimensions" 9.88"(L) x 14.96"(W) x 1.22"(D) (4.74lbs.)
    Full-size Chiclet keyboard
    Windows 8
    1-Year Limited Warranty

Staples has it marked down to only $349.99, plus use coupon code: 69572 to save $75 and bring the total to only $274.99.
HT: KB

Anyone know if this is a good laptop? The battery seems pretty small.
OOS.

Offline yomo

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6468 on: July 06, 2014, 10:45:31 AM »
Yoga is a premium laptop, is very fast, boots in 2 seconds, backlit keyboard, Beautiful but small screen, I'm not impressed with the battery life (although they might have improved with the 2) and most importantly is touch screen with the Yoga form factor which is why I bought it . But You pay for all that if this is specifically what You want I would buy it and justify the price I do believe it to be a better build than the Dell's that I've owned and repaired. But if what You are looking for is just a first laptop with nothing specific to the Yoga I would go for something cheaper.
Thanks!

Offline waterpri

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6469 on: July 06, 2014, 12:38:06 PM »
any deals to be had on a touchscreen?

IS $400 for this laptop (upgraded to an A6 processor and 6GB RAM) a good deal? 

http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-Pavilion/G1C46AV?HP-Pavilion-14z-Touch

Any thoughts on whether this is a good deal?  Final price will be $385

Offline DanH

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6470 on: July 06, 2014, 05:16:23 PM »
Dell Inspiron 17R-5721 Intel Core i5 8GB 1TB 17.3" DVD-RW Webcam Windows 8
$589

Dell Inspiron 17R-5721
Intel Core i5-3337U Processor
8GB Memory
1TB Hard Drive
17.3" HD Display
Bluetooth
Webcam
Windows 8

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291175768759
For tech help feel free to Telegram me @DanTechSupp

Offline clear thinker

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6471 on: July 06, 2014, 08:53:44 PM »
Dell Inspiron 17R-5721 Intel Core i5 8GB 1TB 17.3" DVD-RW Webcam Windows 8
$589

Dell Inspiron 17R-5721
Intel Core i5-3337U Processor
8GB Memory
1TB Hard Drive
17.3" HD Display
Bluetooth
Webcam
Windows 8

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291175768759
is that a touch?

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6472 on: July 06, 2014, 09:44:12 PM »
Nope.
Nice looking laptop but it's an older processor.

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6473 on: July 06, 2014, 09:46:22 PM »
Toshiba Satellite S55 - $499!!!

Item is OOS but available for purchase on backorder.

Intel Core i7-4700MQ
15.6 inches
8 GB
750 GB
5.1 lb
DVD±RW
Windows 8.1

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/973559/Toshiba-Satellite-S55-A5176-Laptop-Computer/

Offline beej

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6474 on: July 06, 2014, 09:57:40 PM »
Toshiba Satellite S55 - $499!!!

Item is OOS but available for purchase on backorder.

Intel Core i7-4700MQ
15.6 inches
8 GB
750 GB
5.1 lb
DVD±RW
Windows 8.1

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/973559/Toshiba-Satellite-S55-A5176-Laptop-Computer/
Aside from the price of course is this comparable to the hp main site Deal you posted last week? Hp v Toshiba in general..

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6475 on: July 06, 2014, 10:04:23 PM »
Solid laptop, not as sleek as the HP but good build.

Offline DovtheBear

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6476 on: July 06, 2014, 10:36:31 PM »
Solid laptop, not as sleek as the HP but good build.
Is it possible to put in a backlit keyboard?
"להסתובב זה לא אומר להיות חופשי"

Offline HowYaDoin

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6477 on: July 06, 2014, 11:01:01 PM »
Toshiba Satellite S55 - $499!!!

Item is OOS but available for purchase on backorder.

Intel Core i7-4700MQ
15.6 inches
8 GB
750 GB
5.1 lb
DVD±RW
Windows 8.1

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/973559/Toshiba-Satellite-S55-A5176-Laptop-Computer/
With all due respect the reviews on office depot are pretty bad

Offline sruli1234

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6478 on: July 06, 2014, 11:51:36 PM »
Toshiba Satellite S55 - $499!!!

Item is OOS but available for purchase on backorder.

Intel Core i7-4700MQ
15.6 inches
8 GB
750 GB
5.1 lb
DVD±RW
Windows 8.1

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/973559/Toshiba-Satellite-S55-A5176-Laptop-Computer/


Every time I find a good deal on a laptop, I check this thread, and its always here!!

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #6479 on: July 07, 2014, 12:23:49 AM »
With all due respect the reviews on office depot are pretty bad
How do you figure? Bad review for customer support, 3 bad reviews for Windows 8.1, 2 bad reviews for 1366x768. Nothing really negative about the actual laptop. Nothing that tells me not to spend $499 on a quad core i7 processor.