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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 3186672 times)

Offline etech0

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Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline avromie7

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9081 on: November 27, 2015, 02:15:39 PM »
I wonder what people who type "u" instead of "you" do with all their free time.

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Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline mama_mia

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Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9084 on: November 27, 2015, 02:24:11 PM »
Amazon reviewers sure do.
I am looking for a professional opinion sir. And can I say it's an honer sir for your response.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9085 on: November 27, 2015, 02:27:30 PM »
I am looking for a professional opinion sir. And can I say it's an honer sir for your response.
Lol, he only answers certain people😂😂😂
"In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take"

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9086 on: November 27, 2015, 02:27:43 PM »
Not a fan, quality on this one isn't that great.

Pros are its a nice sleek looking laptop, if you add an ssd it will be very nice and fast. Never go for this style laptop unless you need it, the benefits of the tablet style design on a 15" machine dowsn't usually make up for the negative factors.

Offline mama_mia

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9087 on: November 27, 2015, 02:49:30 PM »

Not a fan, quality on this one isn't that great.

Pros are its a nice sleek looking laptop, if you add an ssd it will be very nice and fast. Never go for this style laptop unless you need it, the benefits of the tablet style design on a 15" machine dowsn't usually make up for the negative factors.
Thank you DH I know I could rely on your opinion.

Offline Zevi16

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9088 on: November 28, 2015, 06:59:18 PM »
Any opinions on this
Acer Aspire V3-574T-534M Signature Edition Laptop

Offline Iz

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9089 on: November 28, 2015, 07:12:33 PM »
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavilion-17-3-laptop-intel-core-i5-4gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-silver/4606403.p?id=1219776509546&skuId=4606403
2 questions:
1-Is it a good reliable quick computer for moderate to heavy use? (No gaming or graphics creation)
2-Is this a great deal, or just a good deal? In other words, is this kind of deal unique to BF?
Thanks!

ETA: How would you compare it to these?
1-http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-14-ab167us-14-inch-HD-BrightView-Intel-Core-i5-5200U/product_1776337
2-http://www.staples.com/Toshiba-Satellite-C55-C5380-Laptop-with-Windows-10/product_1936939
Thanks!
« Last Edit: November 28, 2015, 07:21:39 PM by Iz »

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Offline DH Data Recovery

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Offline sky121

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9092 on: November 28, 2015, 07:41:48 PM »
Did anyone comment on the Dell Microsoft Black Friday deal?  Wondering on the quality etc
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9093 on: November 28, 2015, 07:45:52 PM »
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavilion-17-3-laptop-intel-core-i5-4gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-silver/4606403.p?id=1219776509546&skuId=4606403
2 questions:
1-Is it a good reliable quick computer for moderate to heavy use? (No gaming or graphics creation)
2-Is this a great deal, or just a good deal? In other words, is this kind of deal unique to BF?
Thanks!

ETA: How would you compare it to these?
1-http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-14-ab167us-14-inch-HD-BrightView-Intel-Core-i5-5200U/product_1776337
2-http://www.staples.com/Toshiba-Satellite-C55-C5380-Laptop-with-Windows-10/product_1936939
Thanks!
As a rule HP home computers generally aren't quality machines. I'm not sure I can pinpoint what's wrong with each system, but they are generally very underwhelming. Even when buying a quad core i7 - which they very often have for much cheaper than any of their competitors, it won't work as fast as it should. Having said that, they also have very competitive pricing and you can sometimes look sleek...

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9094 on: November 28, 2015, 07:46:49 PM »
Did anyone comment on the Dell Microsoft Black Friday deal?  Wondering on the quality etc
If you're referring to the $399 deal - Pretty decent quality for home laptop, price is solid as well.

Offline Iz

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9095 on: November 28, 2015, 07:48:11 PM »
As a rule HP home computers generally aren't quality machines. I'm not sure I can pinpoint what's wrong with each system, but they are generally very underwhelming. Even when buying a quad core i7 - which they very often have for much cheaper than any of their competitors, it won't work as fast as it should. Having said that, they also have very competitive pricing and you can sometimes look sleek...
Thanks for replying!
For a frame of reference, I'm currently using a Dell Studio 1555, which I was very happy with, until it started showing its age... ;)
How do these stack up to what I'm used to?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9096 on: November 28, 2015, 07:50:13 PM »
Okay. Let's make a deal. Techies, which do you choose:

Behind Door #1: Lenovo - 15.6" Laptop - AMD A8-Series - 6GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive - Black

Behind Door #2: Dell - Inspiron 15.6" Touch-Screen Laptop - Intel Core i3 - 8GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive - Black Gloss

Behind Door #3: Dell Black 156 Inspiron 3542 Laptop PC with Intel Core i34005U Processor 4GB Memory 500GB Hard Drive and Windows 10

Doors 2 & 3 were Black Friday deals, about $325 each. Door # 1 we ordered over the summer for $295 but it's not working well (may be our internet problem) and is in the process of Amex return.

THOUGHTS????

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9097 on: November 28, 2015, 07:51:15 PM »
Model doesn't tell me anything in terms of processing speed etc but I assume your studio had its own issues as well - Wild guess plastic came apart from hinges right?

Offline DH Data Recovery

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9098 on: November 28, 2015, 07:54:46 PM »
Okay. Let's make a deal. Techies, which do you choose:

Behind Door #1: Lenovo - 15.6" Laptop - AMD A8-Series - 6GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive - Black

Behind Door #2: Dell - Inspiron 15.6" Touch-Screen Laptop - Intel Core i3 - 8GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive - Black Gloss

Behind Door #3: Dell Black 156 Inspiron 3542 Laptop PC with Intel Core i34005U Processor 4GB Memory 500GB Hard Drive and Windows 10

Doors 2 & 3 were Black Friday deals, about $325 each. Door # 1 we ordered over the summer for $295 but it's not working well (may be our internet problem) and is in the process of Amex return.

THOUGHTS????

Door #2 without a doubt. The inpsiron 5000 series from best buy was much better than the inspiron 3542 which has some major flaws - including the tiny touchpad.

Offline Iz

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #9099 on: November 28, 2015, 08:03:34 PM »
Model doesn't tell me anything in terms of processing speed etc but I assume your studio had its own issues as well - Wild guess plastic came apart from hinges right?
I was afraid of that, so here are the specs:
Pentium Dual Core T4400 @2.20ghz,  4gb RAM, 64 bit os, around 1200 gb hdd (if that makes sense).
Correct about the plastic! I got it with Dell support, so the fellow came down many times, and replaced various components over the years. What are your thoughts re these extended warranty plans?? I assume HP has one like this too.
Thanks again!