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 3180562 times)

Offline Yehuda25

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 6069
  • Total likes: 78
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 9
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8860 on: November 05, 2015, 12:53:08 PM »
Hi,

Anyone know of any good deals on a laptop with minimum 8 GB RAM, I5 processor, and an SSD Hard Drive? TIA!
look upthread - cheapest way is to put an SSD in yourself, if you buy it built in it costs a fortune usually.
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Online Welder

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2014
  • Posts: 1193
  • Total likes: 68
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8861 on: November 05, 2015, 01:59:54 PM »
Can anyone advise on the specifics of buying a SSD?

I see many different brands (most notably Samsung and SanDisk) and different specs such as '850 EVO', '950 EVO', 'SATA III', 'Pro' or 'Extreme Pro'.

What do these mean and which should I get?
"We need more welders and less philosophers" — Marco Rubio

Online avromie7

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 8232
  • Total likes: 2737
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8862 on: November 05, 2015, 03:22:34 PM »


Can anyone advise on the specifics of buying a SSD?

I see many different brands (most notably Samsung and SanDisk) and different specs such as '850 EVO', '950 EVO', 'SATA III', 'Pro' or 'Extreme Pro'.

What do these mean and which should I get?

I use Samsung, Sandisk, Crucial, and Kingston. As far as the internal hardware goes Kingston is the lowest of these 4. The sandisk case is plastic and all the others are metal which is more durable. I always get the cheapest unless its for a server.
I wonder what people who type "u" instead of "you" do with all their free time.

Online Welder

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2014
  • Posts: 1193
  • Total likes: 68
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8863 on: November 05, 2015, 03:28:01 PM »

I use Samsung, Sandisk, Crucial, and Kingston. As far as the internal hardware goes Kingston is the lowest of these 4. The sandisk case is plastic and all the others are metal which is more durable. I always get the cheapest unless its for a server.

Thanks. I think I'll go with Samsung then.
"We need more welders and less philosophers" — Marco Rubio

Online avromie7

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 8232
  • Total likes: 2737
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8864 on: November 05, 2015, 03:29:39 PM »
Thanks. I think I'll go with Samsung then.
Samsung is most expensive
I wonder what people who type "u" instead of "you" do with all their free time.

Offline Work-for-ur-muny

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 3086
  • Total likes: 327
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 34
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8865 on: November 05, 2015, 05:19:45 PM »
Can anyone advise on the specifics of buying a SSD?

I see many different brands (most notably Samsung and SanDisk) and different specs such as '850 EVO', '950 EVO', 'SATA III', 'Pro' or 'Extreme Pro'.

What do these mean and which should I get?

I use Samsung, Sandisk, Crucial, and Kingston. As far as the internal hardware goes Kingston is the lowest of these 4. The sandisk case is plastic and all the others are metal which is more durable. I always get the cheapest unless its for a server.
Perhaps the SSDs need a thread of their own?

Offline shnoz

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 523
  • Total likes: 24
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8866 on: November 06, 2015, 09:53:56 AM »
Looking to buy a new laptop, will use it very heavily for work, willing to spend money
this is more of a question, what should i be looking for than a deal request.
TIA

Online avromie7

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 8232
  • Total likes: 2737
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8867 on: November 06, 2015, 10:02:15 AM »
Looking to buy a new laptop, will use it very heavily for work, willing to spend money
this is more of a question, what should i be looking for than a deal request.
TIA
What type of work? Which programs will you use?
I wonder what people who type "u" instead of "you" do with all their free time.

Offline shnoz

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 523
  • Total likes: 24
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8868 on: November 06, 2015, 10:07:59 AM »
What type of work? Which programs will you use?
2020 technologies drawing and pricing software, chrome

Online avromie7

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 8232
  • Total likes: 2737
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8869 on: November 06, 2015, 10:12:08 AM »
2020 technologies drawing and pricing software, chrome
Get an i5 with 8gb ram and install an SSD
If you get a desktop get an i3
I wonder what people who type "u" instead of "you" do with all their free time.

Offline shnoz

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 523
  • Total likes: 24
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8870 on: November 06, 2015, 10:14:34 AM »
Get an i5 with 8gb ram and install an SSD
If you get a desktop get an i3
Any specific Manufacturer/Series?

Online avromie7

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 8232
  • Total likes: 2737
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8871 on: November 06, 2015, 10:15:47 AM »
Any specific Manufacturer/Series?
Don't get older than 4th generation
(i5-4xxx)
I wonder what people who type "u" instead of "you" do with all their free time.

Offline shnoz

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 523
  • Total likes: 24
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8872 on: November 06, 2015, 10:19:32 AM »
Don't get older than 4th generation
(i5-4xxx)
Ok ty again

Offline pixi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 1945
  • Total likes: 13
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8873 on: November 06, 2015, 10:21:56 AM »
Looking to buy a new laptop, will use it very heavily for work, willing to spend money
this is more of a question, what should i be looking for than a deal request.
TIA
I'd say you should get a i7 processer minimum 8 gb of ram, I'd recommend the Dell Inspiron 5758.  You can get it refurbished by Dell itself for cheaper.
money doesn't talk......      it SCREAMS !

Online avromie7

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 8232
  • Total likes: 2737
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8874 on: November 06, 2015, 10:22:45 AM »
I'd say you should get a i7 processer minimum 8 gb of ram, I'd recommend the Dell Inspiron 5758.  You can get it refurbished by Dell itself for cheaper.
Why do you recommend he pays more for something he doesn't need?
I wonder what people who type "u" instead of "you" do with all their free time.

Offline pixi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 1945
  • Total likes: 13
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8875 on: November 06, 2015, 10:25:51 AM »
Why do you recommend he pays more for something he doesn't need?
He says it will be heavily used for work
money doesn't talk......      it SCREAMS !

Online etech0

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 12880
  • Total likes: 3370
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: not lakewood
  • Programs: DDF
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8876 on: November 06, 2015, 10:26:36 AM »
Why do you recommend he pays more for something he doesn't need?
How do you know he won't need i7?

(just curious how these things work)
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline shnoz

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 523
  • Total likes: 24
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8877 on: November 06, 2015, 10:28:09 AM »
This is all chinese to me, but I am willing to spend money if it will save me problem later, currently Id I have more than 7-8 tabs open my computer starts slowing down

Online avromie7

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 8232
  • Total likes: 2737
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8878 on: November 06, 2015, 10:30:02 AM »
He says it will be heavily used for work
How do you know he won't need i7?

(just curious how these things work)
In my office of 80+ employees (not all of them use laptops) I once saw someone max out an i5 laptop

I wonder what people who type "u" instead of "you" do with all their free time.

Online avromie7

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 8232
  • Total likes: 2737
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #8879 on: November 06, 2015, 10:32:30 AM »
This is all chinese to me, but I am willing to spend money if it will save me problem later, currently Id I have more than 7-8 tabs open my computer starts slowing down

In my office of 80+ employees (not all of them use laptops) I once saw someone max out an i5 laptop
I see people use much more without a problem
I wonder what people who type "u" instead of "you" do with all their free time.