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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
Warning: most of the wiki that follows was written a very long time ago and the information on it can be outdated.
[Deleted post based on DH Data Recovery's experience dated 2013. Maybe I'll take a stab at replacing it with something similar at some point.]


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. EDIT: Unless there are no RAM slots for upgrading.
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 3738130 times)

Offline sol19

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13420 on: March 05, 2022, 11:58:51 PM »
MSI GF63 Thin 15.6" FHD Gaming Laptop i5-10500H 8GB 256GB RTX 3050 $669 (After Rebate) Rebate Form
10th Generation Intel Core i5-10500H Processor (12MB Cache, 6 cores, up to 4.50 GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU 4GB GDDR6
Windows 10 Home
15.6" 1920 x 1080 IPS-Level 144 Hz 45% NTSC
8GB DDR4 3200MHz
256GB NVMe SSD
Backlit Keyboard
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2x2 ax) & Bluetooth 5.1

Offline sol19

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13421 on: March 06, 2022, 12:24:25 AM »
GIGABYTE U4 UD-70US823SO 14" FHD Laptop i7-1195G7, 16GB, 512GB SSD $649 (After Rebate) Rebate Form
11th Generation Intel Core i7-1195G7 Processor (12MB Cache, 4 cores, up to 5.0GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Windows 11 Home
14" Thin Bezel FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS-level Anti-glare Display
16GB DDR4 3200
512GB Gen4 MVMe SSD
Backlit Keyboard
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 & Bluetooth 5.2
« Last Edit: March 06, 2022, 12:29:55 AM by sol19 »

Offline avadah

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13422 on: March 10, 2022, 08:14:41 PM »
Whats the difference between a laptop for home and business?

Offline sguitarist18

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13423 on: March 10, 2022, 09:56:28 PM »
Sometimes build can be better, I think, but also business usually comes with Windows Pro, and also generally has less bloatware.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13424 on: March 10, 2022, 10:54:16 PM »
Thanks.
Whats different about windows pro? For biz is more expensive?
« Last Edit: March 10, 2022, 10:59:51 PM by avadah »

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13425 on: March 10, 2022, 11:05:55 PM »
Thanks.
Whats different about windows pro? For biz is more expensive?
You can't add a computer running Home to a server (unless Server 2003 or earlier)

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13426 on: March 11, 2022, 05:09:16 AM »
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16834233489?quicklink=true

GIGABYTE G5 MD - 15.6" FHD IPS Anti-Glare 144Hz, Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU 4GB GDDR6, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD, Win10 Home, Gaming Laptop (G5 MD-51US121SH)
Only $600!!! - $600 off after rebate!!!

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU 4GB GDDR6
Boost Clock 1500 MHz & Max Graphics Power of 75W
NVIDIA DLSS for groundbreaking AI rendering
11th Gen Intel Core i5-11400H Processor (2.7GHz~4.5GHz)
16GB RAM (64GB Max), Gen3 512GB SSD
15.6" Thin Bezel FHD 1920x1080 IPS-level Anti-glare Display LCD (144Hz, 72% NTSC)
X-Rite Pantone Certified, per unit factory calibrated
Windforce Infinity Next-gen Cooling for Laptop, 49Wh Battery, 4.85lbs.
15 Full Area Colored RGB Backlit Keyboard; 14.21 (W) x 10.15 (D) x 1.09 (H) inch
*The Windows 11 upgrade will be delivered to qualifying devices late 2021 into 2022. Timing varies by device. Certain features require additional hardware (see aka.ms/windows11-spec)


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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13428 on: March 13, 2022, 02:46:32 PM »
I can't decide between these two. Any advice?
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-ideapad-3-15-6-fhd-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i5-11th-gen-12gb-memory-256gb-ssd-arctic-grey/6461977.p?skuId=6461977

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-500/ideapad-5-(15%E2%80%9D,-amd)-laptop/82ln00fbus

It's close.

Personally I'd prefer the Ideapad 5 to the Ideapad 3. The better build, larger battery, more storage and Usb c outweighs the extra ram.
Check cashback portals, can get 8% back on lenovo.

some other current sales, not necessarily amazing deals
https://www.costco.com/.product.100794389.html Lenovo Ideapad 5 15inch i7 12gb touchscreen $700
https://www.costco.com/.product.1598598.html HP pavilion 15inch Ryzen 7 16gb touchscreen $700
https://www.costco.com/.product.1629090.html HP Envy 13inch i5 16gb touchscreen $600

Offline avadah

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13429 on: March 13, 2022, 06:51:47 PM »
It's close.

Personally I'd prefer the Ideapad 5 to the Ideapad 3. The better build, larger battery, more storage and Usb c outweighs the extra ram.
Check cashback portals, can get 8% back on lenovo.

some other current sales, not necessarily amazing deals
https://www.costco.com/.product.100794389.html Lenovo Ideapad 5 15inch i7 12gb touchscreen $700
https://www.costco.com/.product.1598598.html HP pavilion 15inch Ryzen 7 16gb touchscreen $700
https://www.costco.com/.product.1629090.html HP Envy 13inch i5 16gb touchscreen $600

Thanks. In what programs would I see a difference between the 12 and 8 ram?

Offline AsherO

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13430 on: March 13, 2022, 07:19:37 PM »

Thanks. In what programs would I see a difference between the 12 and 8 ram?

You’d only see a difference if you’re using more than 8gb of RAM, in which case you’d see a difference in any program.
DDF FFB (Forum From Birth)

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13431 on: March 14, 2022, 11:18:57 AM »

Thanks. In what programs would I see a difference between the 12 and 8 ram?

if you do basic computer work you wouldnt see much of a dif. unless you open many many tabs in your browser or open many programs.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13432 on: March 14, 2022, 01:23:24 PM »
Is this good enough for otzar hachochma and microsoft office (word, excel)?

https://www.costco.com/.product.100841182.html

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13433 on: March 14, 2022, 02:58:44 PM »
Is this good enough for otzar hachochma and microsoft office (word, excel)?

https://www.costco.com/.product.100841182.html

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-ideapad-3-15-hd-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i3-1115g4-intel-uhd-graphics-8gb-memory-256gb-ssd-platinum-grey/6477624.p?skuId=6477624

$30 cheaper from best buy ($319), unless you have some warranty benefits at Costco you'd like to use.

It's probably sufficient, though otzar and massive excel files can benefit from a more powerful processor.

The real issue here is the HD 220nit TN screen, which means the resolution is not optimal  the screen is not very bright, and the viewing angles aren't good.
If using for a lot of text, it's not great.
The battery is also pretty small.

So imho, unless you really prefer touchscreen,
https://deals.dell.com/en-us/member/productdetail/df59 is better. $366 after code SAVE17, plus whatever amex offers you have. (Has gone down to $343 recently and $329 black Friday. I don't think worth waiting). FHD screen, larger battery

The i5 version was on DDMS for $390 but that's expired.

(Apologies if you knew all this already, and were just asking the narrow question if it's sufficient for otzar)

Offline avadah

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13434 on: March 14, 2022, 04:51:19 PM »
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-ideapad-3-15-hd-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i3-1115g4-intel-uhd-graphics-8gb-memory-256gb-ssd-platinum-grey/6477624.p?skuId=6477624

$30 cheaper from best buy ($319), unless you have some warranty benefits at Costco you'd like to use.

It's probably sufficient, though otzar and massive excel files can benefit from a more powerful processor.

The real issue here is the HD 220nit TN screen, which means the resolution is not optimal  the screen is not very bright, and the viewing angles aren't good.
If using for a lot of text, it's not great.
The battery is also pretty small.

So imho, unless you really prefer touchscreen,
https://deals.dell.com/en-us/member/productdetail/df59 is better. $366 after code SAVE17, plus whatever amex offers you have. (Has gone down to $343 recently and $329 black Friday. I don't think worth waiting). FHD screen, larger battery

The i5 version was on DDMS for $390 but that's expired.

(Apologies if you knew all this already, and were just asking the narrow question if it's sufficient for otzar)
can you please explain the difference between ram and processor? Is 8 ram enough for large Excel and otzar if it has an it and 5 processor?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13435 on: March 14, 2022, 05:20:46 PM »
can you please explain the difference between ram and processor? Is 8 ram enough for large Excel and otzar if it has an it and 5 processor?

ram: a small animal; alternatively, the part of the computer that temorarily stores data for quick access (as opposed to the hard drive which is for long term access). [ Mashal: The ram is your desk, the hard drive is the file cabinet (if your too young to know what this is, google it]
The processor is how fast you process data. [mashal: how fast you go through the work your doing]
i5 and 8gb ram is pretty solid unless your opening up many programs at once in which it wont have enough tempporary storage to save everything and it will need to access the had drive for info.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13437 on: March 15, 2022, 11:57:15 PM »

Offline avadah

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13438 on: March 22, 2022, 11:30:57 PM »
Now $650.
Comes to 730 after taxes and S&H. Is it worth the extra $80 over this https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-500/ideapad-5-(15%E2%80%9D,-amd)-laptop/82ln00fbus?orgRef=https%253A%252F%252Fforums.dansdeals.com%252F

(I know the deal expired. I ordered it and want to know if i should return it)

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13439 on: March 23, 2022, 01:16:09 AM »
Comes to 730 after taxes and S&H. Is it worth the extra $80 over this https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-500/ideapad-5-(15%E2%80%9D,-amd)-laptop/82ln00fbus?orgRef=https%253A%252F%252Fforums.dansdeals.com%252F

(I know the deal expired. I ordered it and want to know if i should return it)
The main differences are an i7 and 12gb ram on the Costco,  ryzen 5 and 8gb ram on the other.  Ryzen 5 5500u vs i7- 1165g7 is a little hard to call. The ryzen almost for sure has noticeably better battery life.

At the end of the day, personally, after spending $650, I'd pay the extra $80 for 4gb more ram (as well as slightly newer wifi chip, better included warranty). Others may not worry, and would prefer the better battery. The color is not the same as well.
Hard to call