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 3153245 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 #7500 on: January 02, 2015, 11:19:14 AM »
http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-17-7737/pd?oc=dncwj1906h

This a good deal for $774 plus tax?

I'm not in a rush. Might I get a better deal if I wait?
Yes, you will.
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline dove

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 339
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
  • Location: usa
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7501 on: January 04, 2015, 10:57:31 AM »
HP Pavilion 17-f114dx 17.3" Laptop only 499.99
Intel Core i7-4510U
6GB
750GB
Win 8.1

Link

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 #7502 on: January 04, 2015, 10:59:38 AM »
HP Pavilion 17-f114dx 17.3" Laptop only 499.99
Intel Core i7-4510U
6GB
750GB
Win 8.1

Link
looks great, though 17.3 is too big for me.
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7503 on: January 04, 2015, 11:12:53 AM »
HP Pavilion 17-f114dx 17.3" Laptop only 499.99
Intel Core i7-4510U
6GB
750GB
Win 8.1

Link

It's not a touch screen, is it?
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline dove

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 339
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
  • Location: usa
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7504 on: January 04, 2015, 11:42:23 AM »

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 #7505 on: January 04, 2015, 08:24:31 PM »
Solid Piece

Dell Inspiron 14 7000 4th Gen Core i7 FHD 14" Touch Laptop $725 at Dell

Intel Core i7-4510U 2.0GHz, 8GB DDR3L, 500GB HDD
14.0" touch LED (1920x1080), Intel HD 4400, 802.11n, BT 4.0


$800 - $75 with coupon code F2H26SGP46HHCZ [Exp 1/16/2015] = $725 with free shipping


http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-14-7437/pd?oc=frtlh14b&dgc=BA&cid=283092&lid=5379376&acd=12309207097215847
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline princea143

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 667
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Long Beach, CA
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7506 on: January 04, 2015, 11:07:44 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

Got this last month along with a lot of others when it was going for $273 AR. Just broke early this morning. Even plugged in, the power button would light up for a few seconds and turn off. No sounds; nothing on screen. Any quick fix or reboot that I need to do? Anybody else experience this and who do I contact for replacement: Staples, Toshiba? TIA

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 #7507 on: January 04, 2015, 11:12:02 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

Got this last month along with a lot of others when it was going for $273 AR. Just broke early this morning. Even plugged in, the power button would light up for a few seconds and turn off. No sounds; nothing on screen. Any quick fix or reboot that I need to do? Anybody else experience this and who do I contact for replacement: Staples, Toshiba? TIA
I have seen this before with the toshibas. Take out the battery, then power it up with the power plug in, but the battery still out.
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline princea143

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 667
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Long Beach, CA
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7508 on: January 04, 2015, 11:14:29 PM »
Ok but even if it does start working this way, don't you think it'd be better to just get a replacement so I don't have to deal with the inconvenience of doing this everytime? Is the issue with just this model or certain Toshibas?

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 #7509 on: January 04, 2015, 11:16:31 PM »
Ok but even if it does start working this way, don't you think it'd be better to just get a replacement so I don't have to deal with the inconvenience of doing this everytime? Is the issue with just this model or certain Toshibas?
I have seen similar issues with a few different toshibas, but that doesn't mean the next one will have the same issue, though I do try to avoid toshiba as a whole.
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline claker

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 53
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7510 on: January 04, 2015, 11:37:37 PM »
HP biz machines are great laptops, the ProBook and EliteBook series are phenomenal. Unfortunately the Envy models that have been released in the past few years are very weak. The touch pads are horrible, and the laptops just don't move the way you would expect them to with these specs.

I would love to take a poll of the ppl here that bought HP laptops in the past year, how many are satisfied with its performance.
I have the HP Envy DV7 with i7 processor and 8GB memory - bought it during summer 2013 - been very happy...quick start up, fast machine, haven't had an issues.

Offline princea143

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 667
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Long Beach, CA
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7511 on: January 04, 2015, 11:37:46 PM »
Ok now it's working. What's the next step? Should I turn off, unplug, then attach the battery again?

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 #7512 on: January 04, 2015, 11:43:21 PM »
Ok now it's working. What's the next step? Should I turn off, unplug, then attach the battery again?
You can try, but I doubt that will work. In theory it should work as the issue is that the motherboard is confused. So if that does work then you're good. Otherwise just continue to use it with the battery left out.
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline princea143

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 667
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Long Beach, CA
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7513 on: January 05, 2015, 02:49:00 AM »

You can try, but I doubt that will work. In theory it should work as the issue is that the motherboard is confused. So if that does work then you're good. Otherwise just continue to use it with the battery left out.
It's fine now. Hope it isn't continuous.

Offline PETERP

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 2924
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7514 on: January 05, 2015, 04:26:21 AM »
You can try, but I doubt that will work. In theory it should work as the issue is that the motherboard is confused. So if that does work then you're good. Otherwise just continue to use it with the battery left out.

Yehuda I have PMd you

Offline DH Data Recovery

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 4543
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 64
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7515 on: January 05, 2015, 02:38:20 PM »
I have seen similar issues with a few different toshibas, but that doesn't mean the next one will have the same issue, though I do try to avoid toshiba as a whole.
Issue is common in all laptops, usually happens when the motherboard has a drop of power and it tries to power off the motherboard and not off the dc jack or battery.

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 #7516 on: January 05, 2015, 02:52:11 PM »
Issue is common in all laptops, usually happens when the motherboard has a drop of power and it tries to power off the motherboard and not off the dc jack or battery.
+1 it does happen with other manufacturers as well
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline Twin

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 1445
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: lkwd
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7517 on: January 06, 2015, 04:12:08 AM »
Acer Aspire Switch 11 Core i3 Signature Edition 2 in 1 PC
Aspire Switch 11 SW5-171-325N

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Acer-Aspire-Switch-11-Core-i3-Signature-Edition-2-in-1-PC/productID.308793400?sdtid=0

Display: 11.6 in Full HD IPS LED-backlit (1920 x 1080), 10-finger multi-touch support
Processor: Intel Core i3-4012Y 1.50 GHz
Memory: 4GB LPDDR3 1600 MHz
Hard drive size: 128GB SSD
Operating system: Windows 8.1, 64-bit
Intel HD Graphics 4200 with shared graphics memory
Battery
3-cell lithium-ion (up to 6.5 hours)*
« Last Edit: January 06, 2015, 12:38:11 PM by jj1000 »

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 #7518 on: January 06, 2015, 08:54:15 AM »
Cheap laptop/netbook

Microsoft Store has the HP Stream 11-d077nr Signature Edition Dual-Core SSD 12.6" Laptop (blue) for $179 with free shipping. Includes one-year of Office 365 with purchase.

Intel Celeron N2840 2.16GHz, 2GB DDR3L, 32GB SSD
11.6" 1366x768 display, 8.25 hour battery life, 802.11b/g/n



http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.309174400?siteID=isIkAyUyNbM-Und5sNgoG4IXW9CfCL6otQ


“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline Thingywingy

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2011
  • Posts: 4789
  • Total likes: 46
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #7519 on: January 10, 2015, 11:11:36 PM »
Acer - Aspire 15.6" Touch-Screen Laptop - Intel Core i5 - 4GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive - Midnight Black

Bestbuy $379.99 reg $499.99

Im looking for an i5 with a little better specs and brand, (and windows 7)...but I think this is a pretty decent deal. What say you?
I am sometimes accused of overthinking things. I am still mulling over whether that accusation has merit.