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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Warning: most of the wiki that follows was written a very long time ago and the information on it can be outdated.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 3737881 times)

Offline avadah

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13440 on: March 23, 2022, 09:24:36 AM »
Thanks.
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

Offline sol19

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13441 on: March 23, 2022, 06:39:37 PM »
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

On a side note AMD Ryzen reserves 2GB ram out of 8GB for graphics leaving only 6GB in total

Offline avadah

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13442 on: March 23, 2022, 07:47:21 PM »
On a side note AMD Ryzen reserves 2GB ram out of 8GB for graphics leaving only 6GB in total
how does that compare to intel?

Offline sol19

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13443 on: March 23, 2022, 08:20:38 PM »
how does that compare to intel?

Intel reserves like 100MB
On some higher grade models you may be able to adjust the amount in the BIOS
« Last Edit: March 23, 2022, 08:24:24 PM by sol19 »

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13444 on: March 23, 2022, 08:27:35 PM »
The 2gb it reserves is always reserved for it or only when using graphics intensive programs

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13445 on: March 23, 2022, 10:59:54 PM »
The 2gb it reserves is always reserved for it or only when using graphics intensive programs

2GB ram is always reserved on AMD Ryzen

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13446 on: March 24, 2022, 12:26:57 AM »
Is there a big difference in battery life?

Offline sol19

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13447 on: March 28, 2022, 07:35:57 PM »
Dell Inspiron 15 5510 15.6" FHD Laptop i5-11320H 8GB 256GB $485.10
11th Gen Intel Core i5-11320H (8 MB cache, 4 cores, 8 threads, up to 4.50 GHz Turbo)
Windows 11 Home
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
15.6", FHD (1920x1080), 60Hz, Non-Touch, AG, WVA, LED-Backlit, Narrow Border
256 GB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD
8 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
Intel Wi-Fi 6 2x2 (Gig+) and Bluetooth 5.1

Select Basic Hardware Support
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Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13448 on: March 30, 2022, 02:33:56 PM »
https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/deals-for-business/vostro-5510-laptop/spd/vostro-15-5510-laptop/smv155w11p1c5112c

Can anyone comment on the value of this machine? Would be using Plat + 10% off.
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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13449 on: March 30, 2022, 02:49:46 PM »

Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13450 on: March 30, 2022, 02:57:15 PM »
value for resale or for usage?
Usage. Personal + WFH via RDP.
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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13451 on: March 30, 2022, 03:44:07 PM »
seems like a pretty good deal! the port options are pretty nice if youll use them and the internal specs are quite capable

Offline wildcard

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13452 on: April 03, 2022, 06:49:07 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)

are any of these available in 13" or 14"?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13453 on: April 04, 2022, 10:51:16 PM »
Looking for a recommendation on a portable second screen.
Would like it to have its own power source rather rather than feed of the laptop.

Purchased one earlier this week, drains the battery and the wires are in the way
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline jfish227

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13454 on: April 04, 2022, 11:51:17 PM »
Try making an offer to a seller on eBay sometimes that’s the best way to find them

Online Moshe Green

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13455 on: April 07, 2022, 05:57:30 AM »
Looking for a recommendation on a portable second screen.
Would like it to have its own power source rather rather than feed of the laptop.

Purchased one earlier this week, drains the battery and the wires are in the way

for the power draining, can you get an external battery?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13456 on: April 07, 2022, 09:15:43 AM »
for the power draining, can you get an external battery?
sure, but trying to limit the baggage :)
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline lcm

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13457 on: April 11, 2022, 04:51:02 PM »
Looking for a recommendation on a portable second screen.
Would like it to have its own power source rather rather than feed of the laptop.

Purchased one earlier this week, drains the battery and the wires are in the way
There are apps that let you use a tablet as a second screen, either wired or wireless, if that size works for you.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #13458 on: April 12, 2022, 10:58:20 AM »
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?

Is this one below good enough for OTZAR HACHOCHMA?

https://www.dell.com/en-us/member/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-3000-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3511-laptop/nn3511ezwhh?view=configurations