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 3180582 times)


Offline B.D.Da'ehu

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 3771
  • Total likes: 100
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 126
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jerusalem
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10821 on: April 20, 2017, 08:54:06 PM »
I think so.
Thanks so much! It's really awesome to have an in-house expert :)

Offline B.D.Da'ehu

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 3771
  • Total likes: 100
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 126
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jerusalem
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10822 on: April 20, 2017, 09:36:47 PM »
$450 isn't really a lot of money... for the price, I'll go with this one http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/834767/Lenovo-Ideapad-310-Laptop-156-Screen/?&cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-CJ-_-598022-_-11272891

It is not the best piece of hardware, but specs are good and I think it's worthwhile.
There are a lot of very bad reviews on Amazon lately..should that be worrying?

Offline Yisroel Tech

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 2162
  • Total likes: 365
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey, NY
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10823 on: April 20, 2017, 10:20:10 PM »
There are a lot of very bad reviews on Amazon lately..should that be worrying?
It may, and I wrote it before straight out, this isn't the best quality. But I think these most of these reviews can be attributed to high expectations. And for the price others aren't the most premium builds either, and with much much lower specs.

Offline B.D.Da'ehu

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 3771
  • Total likes: 100
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 126
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jerusalem
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10824 on: April 20, 2017, 11:01:39 PM »
It may, and I wrote it before straight out, this isn't the best quality. But I think these most of these reviews can be attributed to high expectations. And for the price others aren't the most premium builds either, and with much much lower specs.
I see this laptop but with only 8GB of memory. Is this still a strong laptop?


(I'm just looking to buy at a store that has it available for in-store pickup)


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-310-15abr-15-6-laptop-amd-a12-series-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-black/5711715.p?skuId=5711715&extStoreId=&ref=212&loc=1&ksid=ecb4dd2f-c581-4920-bebd-a2de03810568&ksprof_id=8&ksaffcode=pg198992&ksdevice=c&lsft=ref:212,loc:2

Offline Yisroel Tech

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 2162
  • Total likes: 365
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey, NY
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10825 on: April 20, 2017, 11:05:31 PM »
I see this laptop but with only 8GB of memory. Is this still a strong laptop?


(I'm just looking to buy at a store that has it available for in-store pickup)


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-310-15abr-15-6-laptop-amd-a12-series-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-black/5711715.p?skuId=5711715&extStoreId=&ref=212&loc=1&ksid=ecb4dd2f-c581-4920-bebd-a2de03810568&ksprof_id=8&ksaffcode=pg198992&ksdevice=c&lsft=ref:212,loc:2
Still good value for the price, but I'd go with the 12GB RAM if possible.

Offline B.D.Da'ehu

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 3771
  • Total likes: 100
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 126
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jerusalem
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10826 on: April 20, 2017, 11:19:36 PM »
Is AMD A12 comparable to the i5? How slow would a i3 be?

Offline Yisroel Tech

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 2162
  • Total likes: 365
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey, NY
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10827 on: April 20, 2017, 11:28:17 PM »
Is AMD A12 comparable to the i5?
Yes, about.

Quote
How slow would a i3 be?
i3 is below average, and it will perform that way.

Offline myi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 23578
  • Total likes: 2440
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 356
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: InMyPants! 🙈
  • Programs: 2Many2List!
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10828 on: April 21, 2017, 03:12:59 AM »
Quote
Need your LG Exalt fixed? Cracked in half? Water damage? Or parts to repair yourself. 347.201.2501

Offline stooges44

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2017
  • Posts: 6465
  • Total likes: 2762
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 269
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10829 on: April 21, 2017, 07:18:59 AM »
If it's not free shipping it's not worth it.

Offline stooges44

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2017
  • Posts: 6465
  • Total likes: 2762
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 269
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10830 on: April 21, 2017, 09:19:14 AM »
Lenovo - 15.6" Laptop - Intel Core i3 - 6GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive - Ebony black

$259

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-15-6-laptop-intel-core-i3-6gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-ebony-black/5707528.p?skuId=570752
If it's not free shipping it's not worth it.

Offline Thingywingy

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2011
  • Posts: 4792
  • Total likes: 46
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10831 on: April 23, 2017, 04:05:23 PM »
HP Notebook 15-AY163NR (15", Intel Core i7, 1TB 5400RPM Serial ATA HDD, 8GB RAM,Windows 10) $499.99 from Staples

Seems like pretty good specs and a very good price to me. Amazon is charging only $535. Am I missing something?
« Last Edit: April 23, 2017, 04:13:28 PM by Thingywingy »
I am sometimes accused of overthinking things. I am still mulling over whether that accusation has merit.

Offline Yisroel Tech

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 2162
  • Total likes: 365
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey, NY
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10832 on: April 23, 2017, 04:12:27 PM »

Offline Thingywingy

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2011
  • Posts: 4792
  • Total likes: 46
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10833 on: April 23, 2017, 04:44:32 PM »
I don't need touch. Isn't 1366x768 standard? How good of a deal is it? Is $535 (from Amazon) also a pretty good price?
I am sometimes accused of overthinking things. I am still mulling over whether that accusation has merit.

Offline Yisroel Tech

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 2162
  • Total likes: 365
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey, NY
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10834 on: April 23, 2017, 04:58:28 PM »
I don't need touch. Isn't 1366x768 standard? How good of a deal is it? Is $535 (from Amazon) also a pretty good price?
1366x768 is standard for the lower end, good laptops usually are 1920x1080. I would say that $535 isn't bad, but not that good either.

Offline pghtown

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 229
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10835 on: April 25, 2017, 10:29:40 PM »
Looking for reasonably priced but solid and reliable 13 inch laptop.  Need for basic functions (not gaming) Is this ASUS laptop a good buy at $549?  Is it reliable?  Thanks in advance
https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/ASUS-ZenBook-UX305CA-UHM1-Signature-Edition-Laptop/productID.328071300

Offline Yisroel Tech

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 2162
  • Total likes: 365
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey, NY
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10836 on: April 25, 2017, 10:39:33 PM »
Looking for reasonably priced but solid and reliable 13 inch laptop.  Need for basic functions (not gaming) Is this ASUS laptop a good buy at $549?  Is it reliable?  Thanks in advance
https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/ASUS-ZenBook-UX305CA-UHM1-Signature-Edition-Laptop/productID.328071300
It is, but it might be worth the upgrade to this if you're willing to pay https://www.amazon.com/UX330UA-AH54-13-3-inch-Ultra-Slim-Processor-Fingerprint/dp/B01M18UZF5/ref=dp_ob_title_hi
« Last Edit: April 25, 2017, 10:43:21 PM by Yisroel Tech »

Offline pghtown

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 229
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10837 on: April 25, 2017, 10:43:04 PM »
Looking for reasonably priced but solid and reliable 13 inch laptop.  Need for basic functions (not gaming) Is this ASUS laptop a good buy at $549?  Is it reliable?  Thanks in advance
https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/ASUS-ZenBook-UX305CA-UHM1-Signature-Edition-Laptop/productID.328071300
Thanks for the prompt reply.   What about this- it is a newer model:
https://www.amazon.com/UX330UA-AH54-13-3-inch-Ultra-Slim-Processor-Fingerprint/dp/B01M18UZF5/ref=dp_ob_title_hi

Offline Yisroel Tech

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 2162
  • Total likes: 365
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey, NY
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10838 on: April 25, 2017, 10:44:35 PM »
Thanks for the prompt reply.   What about this- it is a newer model:
https://www.amazon.com/UX330UA-AH54-13-3-inch-Ultra-Slim-Processor-Fingerprint/dp/B01M18UZF5/ref=dp_ob_title_hi
this is what I meant, I edited my post while you wrote yours

Offline pghtown

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 229
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #10839 on: April 25, 2017, 10:45:50 PM »
this is what I meant, I edited my post while you wrote yours
Great. Is ASUS reliable? Good customer service?