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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 3182271 times)

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4080 on: July 16, 2013, 10:19:12 PM »
i found a dell inspiron 15 15.6"  Intel Core i3-3227U, 6GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive for $399.99 shiped. can anyone tell me if this is s good deal? here is the link http://www.samsclub.com/sams/inspiron-15-3521-intel-core-i3-3227u/prod9590067.ip?sprodId=prod9590067
Nothing special.

This model w/ 4GB Ram is usually in the $350 range

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4081 on: July 18, 2013, 04:40:56 PM »
I got a HP 15t-j000 quad edition pretty high-spec'd for $866 plus tax when they had the summer200 coupon.

I'm not so excited about the feel of the keyboard - feels a little flimsy, and although the laptop is quite thin, it's not light. Around 5lb.

I have a week left to return and I'm wondering whether:

- I'll likely be able to get significantly better value for approx the same specs (if its for a minor saving its not worth the hassle)

- More importantly if I can get an equivalently responsive computer that will be significantly lighter i'd much prefer that. 13-14" screen is also fine.

- Once I'm already spending this much, is it worth my while to spend some more and get a 'business' laptop that will be better build quality?
(Although from what I've seen they tend to be a fair bit more expensive)

Specs are as follows:

• HP ENVY 15t Quad
• Windows 8 64
• 4th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4700MQ Processor
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M Graphics with 2048MB of dedicated video memory
• 15.6-inch diagonal Full HD BrightView LED-backlit Display (1920x1080)
• 8GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)
• 1TB 5400RPM Hybrid Hard Drive
• 24GB mSSD Hard Drive Acceleration Cache
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• External Tray Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
• Backlit Keyboard
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam w/ integrated digital mic
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R)

Bluetooth and graphics card are negotiable but I do want a high res screen.
I probably don't honesty need a 1TB HDD if that's relevant. I could easily manage with less and move stuff onto external HDD if it fills up.
Win 8 is definitely negotiable. Don't like it at all!
« Last Edit: July 18, 2013, 04:45:56 PM by YG »

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4082 on: July 18, 2013, 05:21:22 PM »
A Lenovo Y510p would run you about the same price with the same specs

Currently not on sale, but they go on sale every other week.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4083 on: July 18, 2013, 05:24:38 PM »
A Lenovo Y510p would run you about the same price with the same specs

Currently not on sale, but they go on sale every other week.
Thanks
I take it you're recommending it as a better quality machine?

EDIT: I checked Lenovo.com they list it as weighing 5.95 lb which is 25% heavier than the envy - not what I'm looking for
« Last Edit: July 18, 2013, 05:34:52 PM by YG »

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4084 on: July 18, 2013, 06:09:30 PM »
Thanks
I take it you're recommending it as a better quality machine?

EDIT: I checked Lenovo.com they list it as weighing 5.95 lb which is 25% heavier than the envy - not what I'm looking for
It is a better quality machine IMHO. I have only used the 14" one, and it was on the heavier side.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4085 on: July 19, 2013, 12:59:58 PM »
The HP is an Ultrabook, No built in optical drive. The Lenovo on the other hand is a reg laptop with an optical drive which is why its heavier, thicker and not as sleek.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4086 on: July 19, 2013, 01:16:43 PM »
What do the experts think of this? It's essentially a very basic 11.6" refurb laptop (don't know why they're calling it that instead of netbook), but it comes with 2 years of T-Mobile 4G (200mb/month) free.

I'm not actually considering buying it, just wanted to get people's reactions.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4087 on: July 19, 2013, 01:31:33 PM »
200MB is basically nothing.

About 1-2 hour of interest browsing

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4088 on: July 19, 2013, 01:58:06 PM »
200MB is basically nothing.

About 1-2 hour of interest browsing

Of course, but it's useful as a backup for those rare occasions when you're stuck with no wifi, and you just need to check something briefly on the internet. If you're only using it for short stretches at a time you should be fine.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4089 on: July 19, 2013, 02:05:55 PM »
I realized on my laptop that I bought from dell outlet a dead pixel on the screen,

Do you think that just like i found 1 wrong thing there might be other wrong things on this machine that I'm nit aware of and I should just return it, or I shouldn't be worried?

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4090 on: July 19, 2013, 02:07:45 PM »
The HP is an Ultrabook, No built in optical drive.

Yeah, it's quite thin and honesty is a very good looking sleek laptop, but it said 4-5lb, I was hoping for around 4-4.2, turns out its pretty much 5lb.

I got an external optical drive with it.

And I am really happy I went with the backlit keyboard. I'd never have realized how much I was missing it if I hadn't gotten it.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4091 on: July 21, 2013, 07:01:01 AM »
200MB is basically nothing.

About 1-2 hour of interest browsing
Maybe since it is tmobile you wont get a signal so maybe 1-2 weeks!

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4092 on: July 21, 2013, 10:53:03 AM »
Maybe since it is tmobile you wont get a signal so maybe 1-2 weeks!
Like!

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4093 on: July 22, 2013, 01:19:01 AM »
A friend is looking for a laptop quick. His is dying as we speak.

He says:

"Specs must include
Windows 7 any version
i3-7 doesnt matter
at least 4gb
hd doesnt matter
thats all i care  need that at a good price with a VERY reliable brand!"

TIA

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4094 on: July 22, 2013, 08:36:14 AM »
A friend is looking for a laptop quick. His is dying as we speak.

He says:

"Specs must include
Windows 7 any version
i3-7 doesnt matter
at least 4gb
hd doesnt matter
thats all i care  need that at a good price with a VERY reliable brand!"

TIA

http://www.antonline.com/p_23426QU-SH_1044281.htm?sID=DN

Here is a Lenovo Thinkpad they are built like a tank and as reliable as a PC will get. 734.99

Core i5 3230M / 2.6 GHz
TopSeller
Windows 8 Pro 64-bit / Windows 7 Professional 64-bit downgrade
pre-installed: Windows 7
4 GB RAM
500 GB HDD
DVD-Writer
14" wide 1366 x 768 / HD
Intel HD Graphics 4000
3G upgradable

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4095 on: July 22, 2013, 10:16:39 AM »
http://www.antonline.com/p_23426QU-SH_1044281.htm?sID=DN

Here is a Lenovo Thinkpad they are built like a tank and as reliable as a PC will get. 734.99

Core i5 3230M / 2.6 GHz
TopSeller
Windows 8 Pro 64-bit / Windows 7 Professional 64-bit downgrade
pre-installed: Windows 7
4 GB RAM
500 GB HDD
DVD-Writer
14" wide 1366 x 768 / HD
Intel HD Graphics 4000
3G upgradable
+1 spill proof keyboard
I have one and love it!

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4096 on: July 22, 2013, 10:32:31 AM »
Here is another option, copied from SD

Dell Business Outlet has Dell Latitude 3330 Laptop (Refurbished) for $505 - $155 off with coupon code 0$JZLZ1147J$BX = $350. Shipping is free.

Note, coupon code is valid on any Latitude 3330 Laptop priced at $505.

http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/28/campaigns/dell_outlet_business_sale?c=us&l=en&s=dfb&dgc=BA&cid=250066&lid=4857832
    Select and click on the "Check Prices" button for the Latitude 3330 Laptop
    Browse and add one to cart that is priced at $505 and apply coupon code 0$JZLZ1147J$BX
    Proceed to checkout - total should be $350 with free shipping

Specs

    Intel Core i5 3337U 1.8GHz
    4GB DDR3
    64GB SSD
    13.3" 1366x768 Display
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    8X DVD +/- RW Drive
    Dell Wireless 1504 802.11g/n Single Band Wi-Fi Half Mini-card
    6-cell Battery
    Windows 7 Professional

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4097 on: July 22, 2013, 11:31:38 AM »
Interesting, I Don't remember this latitude, looking at it it looks like a Vostro 13 re-branded as Latitude. I guess thats why they fazed out the Vostro series, they're using Latitudes as Vostros

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4098 on: July 22, 2013, 11:53:28 AM »
Interesting, I Don't remember this latitude, looking at it it looks like a Vostro 13 re-branded as Latitude. I guess thats why they fazed out the Vostro series, they're using Latitudes as Vostros
More like the Vostro V130

Great Laptop, there were a few downsides to it - a little on the heavy side for an ultrabook, but this laptop was before ultrabooks were on the market.

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Re: Laptop Deals Master Thread
« Reply #4099 on: July 22, 2013, 02:07:22 PM »
Thanks, I've relayed the info.