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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 3214706 times)

Offline ilherman

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7340 on: December 01, 2014, 09:47:35 AM »
Inspiron 15 5000 - $549

Dell Inspiron 15 5000
15.6" HD Notebook
i7 2.0GHz
8GB RAM
1TB HDD
W8.1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331400268501
On Amazon now for $549 as well.
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7341 on: December 01, 2014, 10:00:04 AM »
How does this one
http://www.staples.com/Toshiba-L55D-B5364-A8-Processor-8GB-RAM-1TB-hard-drive-Windows-81/product_1389314
compare to the ones recently listed here?
Specifically this one:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HNWLYSK/?tag=cl03f-20

edit: and what about the one just put up DDMS: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Acer-Aspire-E15-E5-571P-59QA-Signature-Edition-Laptop/productID.308795800?siteID=XDbotxbyEF4-GRd3.Hu2T1zMLY_WJIviSQ

I need it for picture storage, to play videos and music, word processing and some internet use.
Thanks.
It seems to me that the Asus from Amazon is not as good as the Toshiba from Staples.
But:  How does A8 compare with i3 ?
How does Toshiba compare with Asus?


The new DDMS one is a i5 but only 4GB memory/500GB HDD  Is is worth the extra $50?
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Offline smurf

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7342 on: December 01, 2014, 12:59:08 PM »
Inspiron 15 5000 - $549

Dell Inspiron 15 5000
15.6" HD Notebook
i7 2.0GHz
8GB RAM
1TB HDD
W8.1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331400268501
Besides for being i7 how does this compare to msft deal?
Basically is it worth $125 to upgrade to I7 and lose touchscreen and baclikt keyboard
« Last Edit: December 01, 2014, 01:40:35 PM by smurf »

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7343 on: December 01, 2014, 01:03:46 PM »
It seems to me that the Asus from Amazon is not as good as the Toshiba from Staples.

Why do you think so?

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7344 on: December 01, 2014, 01:26:44 PM »
It seems to me that the Asus from Amazon is not as good as the Toshiba from Staples.
But:  How does A8 compare with i3 ?
How does Toshiba compare with Asus?
Why do you think so?
Amazon Asus: 6GB RAM. 500GB Hard Drive
Staples Toshiba: 8GB RAM, 1TB hard drive,


But:  How does A8 (Toshiba) compare with i3 (Asus)?


Can you (or anyone) help me pick one? Or a different one?

I need it for picture storage, to play videos and music, word processing and some internet use.
Thanks.
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Offline Yaalili

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7345 on: December 01, 2014, 01:46:47 PM »
Amazon Asus: 6GB RAM. 500GB Hard Drive
Staples Toshiba: 8GB RAM, 1TB hard drive,

Got ya, thought you were comparing it to a different staples toshiba which has 4gb ram and 500gb hd.

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7346 on: December 01, 2014, 04:58:27 PM »
I went with the Toshiba (  C55-B5362, Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard drive ) for $279.99 after rebate.
http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/StaplesProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=1389315&cid=EM:ORDCONFRM:SUNSKY:SKU
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Offline Yaalili

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7347 on: December 01, 2014, 05:05:09 PM »

Offline chayal101

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7348 on: December 01, 2014, 05:16:54 PM »
Anybody wanna offer advice which one i should keep??
In terms of quality and durability, which one will most likely last longer??
Dell Inspiron vs. Lenovo Idea pad quality...

Dell-Inspiron-15-i15547-5033sLV-Signature-Edition-Laptop: I got it for $430
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Dell-Inspiron-15-i15547-5033sLV-Signature-Edition-Laptop/productID.308794900
(It doesn't have a DVD-CD Drive, not that i use that often anymore, it's touchscreen, not that i need it....)

OR this one: I got it for $540.
Lenovo IdeaPad G50 (59421808) Notebook Intel Core i7 4510U (2.00GHz) 8GB Memory 1TB HDD Intel HD Graphics 4400 15.6" Windows 8.1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834317599

Any piece of advice is greatly appreciated!  ;)
Leaning more toward the Dell, 1st option.



« Last Edit: December 01, 2014, 05:48:14 PM by chayal101 »
Chaya L.

Offline Myccrabbi

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7349 on: December 01, 2014, 10:55:51 PM »
What are the best deals on apple?
If u work for a living, why kill urself working?

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7350 on: December 01, 2014, 11:47:57 PM »
Anybody wanna offer advice which one i should keep??
In terms of quality and durability, which one will most likely last longer??
Dell Inspiron vs. Lenovo Idea pad quality...

Dell-Inspiron-15-i15547-5033sLV-Signature-Edition-Laptop: I got it for $430
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Dell-Inspiron-15-i15547-5033sLV-Signature-Edition-Laptop/productID.308794900
(It doesn't have a DVD-CD Drive, not that i use that often anymore, it's touchscreen, not that i need it....)

OR this one: I got it for $540.
Lenovo IdeaPad G50 (59421808) Notebook Intel Core i7 4510U (2.00GHz) 8GB Memory 1TB HDD Intel HD Graphics 4400 15.6" Windows 8.1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834317599

Any piece of advice is greatly appreciated!  ;)
Leaning more toward the Dell, 1st option.
I am NOT a computer expert of any sort.  But it looks to me like the Lenovo is $110 more for i7 instead of i5.   If you don't do much high speed gaming, you may not need the higher processor at all.
Compare the quality of the 2 companies also.  I have NO information there.
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Offline princea143

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7351 on: December 02, 2014, 12:12:31 AM »
I went with the Toshiba (  C55-B5362, Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard drive ) for $279.99 after rebate.
http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/StaplesProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=1389315&cid=EM:ORDCONFRM:SUNSKY:SKU
Got this one too!  Couldn't pass it up, and I had rebate cards (from gc promos last month) and Staples gcs from the last Freedom quarter that I had not had the chance to deplete.  Using this for business travel, Open Office, emails on Thunderbird, and maybe backup for photos.  Looks to be good enough for these types of uses.

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7352 on: December 02, 2014, 01:38:48 AM »
Thanks tor the affirmation.  :)
OT: I don't use my rebate cards at Staples.  An Ink will get 5 pts.  I use the rebate cards at places where I will get only 1 ppd anyway.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2014, 01:50:25 AM by ckmk47 »
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Offline princea143

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7353 on: December 02, 2014, 05:23:20 AM »
Thanks tor the affirmation.  :)
OT: I don't use my rebate cards at Staples.  An Ink will get 5 pts.  I use the rebate cards at places where I will get only 1 ppd anyway.
Yah, I realized that after I clicked the order button.  Was just excited to finally get rid of my SGCs.  That would be the general rule, but I recall you saying that you used the Amex Offer for this particular item on another thread.

Offline dudi

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7354 on: December 02, 2014, 07:54:39 AM »
I got the HP 350 it doesn't have a DVD drive/burner anyone have experience with installing one? I need help with information such as can I install one if it comes without? which one to get? Anything else I need to know?

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7355 on: December 02, 2014, 09:33:32 AM »
You don't install one, you use an external one with a usb plug

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7356 on: December 02, 2014, 09:41:25 AM »
Yah, I realized that after I clicked the order button.  Was just excited to finally get rid of my SGCs.  That would be the general rule, but I recall you saying that you used the Amex Offer for this particular item on another thread.
$20 off $100 is 20 cb  vs Ink at 5 ppd.  Each situation is different.
And I know the joy of finally ordering.  My hands were practically shaking as I checked all my Amex cards to find a Staples offer.
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Offline dudi

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7357 on: December 02, 2014, 10:40:08 AM »
You don't install one, you use an external one with a usb plug
I know that option it just looks like there is a slot so I want to know if a internal is a option

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7358 on: December 02, 2014, 01:16:17 PM »
I know that option it just looks like there is a slot so I want to know if a internal is a option
A slot but it's missing. Cmiiw, don't think they usually sell a laptop without drive and allow to install one after.

Offline chayal101

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7359 on: December 02, 2014, 02:52:07 PM »
I just got a laptop without a cd/dvd drive, so i ordered this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136261&ignorebbr=1
How bad can it be?? I just need it to burn or copy cds...
I also have a macbook, so this drive is compatible with both my mac and pc!
Chaya L.