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Back to school budget laptop sales

  • Last Updated:
  • Aug 23rd, 2021 11:32 pm
Member
Feb 20, 2018
365 posts
2790 upvotes

Back to school budget laptop sales

Retailer:
BB, Costco, Dell, eBay, Source, Samsung, Staples
$199 [Best Buy] Acer 11.6" Chromebook N4000 (Passmark 1412), 4/64, 768p (Ends 8/26)

$252 [eBay] Refurbished Acer Spin 1 11.6" N4100 (Passmark 2458), 4/64, 768p

$259 [Samsung] Chromebook 4 11.6" N4000 (Passmark 1412), 4/32, 768p (Ends 9/2)

$279 [Best Buy] HP 14" AMD 3020e (Passmark 2608), 4/64, 768p (Ends 8/26)

$299 [Best Buy] Acer Spin 11.6" Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook MediaTek 8183 (Passmark 1684), 4/64, 768p (Ends 8/26)

$319 [Samsung] Chromebook 4+ 15.6" N4000 (Passmark 1412), 4/32, FHD (Ends 9/2)

$325 [Bauer Systems] Refurbished Dell Latitude 5270 12" i5-6300U (Passmark 3257), 8/256

$349 [Source] Acer Aspire 14" AMD 3020e (Passmark 2608), 4/128, FHD (Ends 8/25)

$349 [eBay] Refurbished Dell Latitude 7270 12.5" i5-6300U (Passmark 3257), 8/256, 768p

$399 [Best Buy] Open Box Acer Aspire 5 15.6" i3-10110U (Passmark 4062), 4/128, FHD (Ends 8/26)

$399 [Best Buy] Open Box HP 14" Athlon Silver 3050U (Passmark 3186), 8/256, FHD (Ends 8/26)

$449 [Staples] Acer Aspire 3 15.6" Athlon Silver 3050U (Passmark 3186), 8/256, FHD (Ends 8/24)

$449 [Best Buy] HP 14" Athlon Silver 3050U (Passmark 3186), 8/256, FHD (Ends 8/26)

$449 [Costco] HP 15.6" Athlon Gold 3150U (Passmark 4385), 8/256, FHD (Ends 8/29)

$499 [Source] ASUS 14" i3-1005G1 (Passmark 5274), 8/256, FHD (Ends 9/8)

$499 [Dell] Inspiron 15.6" i3-1115G4 (Passmark 6488), 8/128, FHD (Ends 8/27)

$599 [Best Buy] HP 15.6" i3-1125G4 (Passmark 9405), 8/256, FHD (Ends 8/26)

$729 [Dell] Inspiron 15.6" i5-11300H (Passmark 11415), 8/256, FHD (Ends 8/27)

$799 [Costco] ASUS VivoBook Flip 2-in-1 14" Ryzen 7 4700U (Passmark 13757), 16/512, FHD (Ends 9/6)

$799 [Source] Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 12.4" i5-1035G1 (Passmark 7881), 8/128, 1024p (Ends 9/14)

$799 [Best Buy] HP Pavilion 15.6" Gaming Laptop Ryzen 5 5600H (Passmark 17772), 8/512, FHD, GTX 1650 (Ends 8/26)

$849 [Best Buy] HP 15.6" i5-1135G7 (Passmark 10075), 16/1 TB, FHD (Ends 8/26)

$999 [Dell] XPS 9305 13.3" i5-1135G7 (Passmark 10070), 8/256, FHD (Ends 8/27)


Expired

$263+shipping [Dell Refurbished] Latitude 3380 Touch 13.3" i3-6006U (Passmark 2278), 4/128, 768p (Ends 8/22; 20% code DFSWKND)

$849 [Dell] Inspiron 15.6" Ryzen 7 5700U (Passmark 16378), 16/512, FHD (Ends 8/23)
Last edited by Gedfrad on Aug 23rd, 2021 9:46 am, edited 12 times in total.
Thread Summary
Looking for more options? Check out RFD Reviews' top picks for the best laptops under $500!
20 replies
Deal Addict
User avatar
Dec 29, 2008
4239 posts
1966 upvotes
Just check if these will support Windows 11, like some of the refurb Intel 6th gen will not.

No point in buying if it is already obsolete even if it's a cheap refurb IMO.
Sr. Member
User avatar
Aug 24, 2009
852 posts
504 upvotes
Mississauga
It’s four more years (Oct 2025) until Win 10 is end of support. I think that’ll last as long as a budget laptop, and long enough for a 4 year degree.
Sr. Member
Jan 20, 2019
534 posts
975 upvotes
CadillacJack wrote: It’s four more years (Oct 2025) until Win 10 is end of support. I think that’ll last as long as a budget laptop, and long enough for a 4 year degree.
Unless you end up on "The Dean's 6 year program" ha ha
Member
Nov 19, 2020
253 posts
355 upvotes
Generally speaking, is back to school the best time of year to buy a laptop? Or should we see better offers leading up to Christmas?

I don't *need* a new laptop at this time but my 6.5 year old model is definitely showing its age.
Member
Sep 27, 2013
424 posts
520 upvotes
I am still on win 7 and people talking about win 6 haha, looks like i am gone skip win 10 big time... joke of a day!!! i guess...
Member
User avatar
Jun 15, 2020
395 posts
540 upvotes
Ontario
JonSnow wrote: Just check if these will support Windows 11, like some of the refurb Intel 6th gen will not.

No point in buying if it is already obsolete even if it's a cheap refurb IMO.
There are many ways to circumvent TPM/Secure Boot requirements quite easily.

I'm also pretty sure MS is gonna slowly back track on their dystopian requirements as they reach W10 end of life. They're gonna keep it around for now so more people upgrade sooner to newer computers, and MS gets that $$$. As they approach W10 EoL, they'd get rid of all of these requirements since it's in their own best interest to have as many people on the latest operating system.

I'm not denying what you're saying, but buying refurbished laptops has a **lot** of value - you can get really high quality laptops with better specs for lower prices. So if you are considering buying refurbed, Windows 11 shouldn't change your mind to be honest.
Member
Sep 18, 2012
246 posts
346 upvotes
Quebec City
coolzack wrote: I am still on win 7 and people talking about win 6 haha, looks like i am gone skip win 10 big time... joke of a day!!! i guess...
If your computer is offline, there is no issue, if you use the computer to browse through the internets, then you are vulnerable since Microsoft stopped security updates. The longer you will wait to switch to Win10, the more vulnerable you will be.
Sr. Member
Aug 30, 2018
614 posts
336 upvotes
GTA
Is the Acer Chromebook at Best Buy a good buy?
Deal Addict
Sep 6, 2017
4615 posts
3080 upvotes
docshah wrote: Is the Acer Chromebook at Best Buy a good buy?
I feel that for the most bang for the buck is not the chromebooks.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Sep 7, 2014
2400 posts
3918 upvotes
Onterrible
Great post with relevant info (resolution, Passmark).

Would steer clear of any 768p laptops though, they shouldn't even be producing screens like this anymore lol.

Unless it's getting docked 24/7 but then what's the point of it being a laptop
Deal Addict
User avatar
Dec 20, 2004
4278 posts
5209 upvotes
Montreal, QC
doubleavic wrote: Generally speaking, is back to school the best time of year to buy a laptop? Or should we see better offers leading up to Christmas?

I don't *need* a new laptop at this time but my 6.5 year old model is definitely showing its age.
If you still have an older style mechanical hard drive in that old laptop, do yourself a favor and replace it with an SSD (they are cheap nowadays), and do a clean Win10 install, and you'd be surprised on the new life it will get.

I've had many friends who ask my opinion on new laptops, because their's is too old. Yet they have 5th or 6th gen i5, 8GB RAM and mechanical drives. Take out their mechanical drive and put it in a 2.5" $10 usb enclosure so they can easily access their data later. Install an SSD, and clean install of Windows 10, and they are surprised on how quick it is. SSD drives breath new life into many older laptops.
Member
Nov 19, 2020
253 posts
355 upvotes
Emporium wrote: If you still have an older style mechanical hard drive in that old laptop, do yourself a favor and replace it with an SSD (they are cheap nowadays), and do a clean Win10 install, and you'd be surprised on the new life it will get.

I've had many friends who ask my opinion on new laptops, because their's is too old. Yet they have 5th or 6th gen i5, 8GB RAM and mechanical drives. Take out their mechanical drive and put it in a 2.5" $10 usb enclosure so they can easily access their data later. Install an SSD, and clean install of Windows 10, and they are surprised on how quick it is. SSD drives breath new life into many older laptops.
Yeah, it's a 5th gen i5 with 8gb of ram. I know a solid state drive would make a big difference, but I'm just ready for an upgrade to something with current specs. I made the mistake of setting up/trying out my son's new laptop for him last year and I got the itch to upgrade.
Deal Guru
User avatar
Dec 25, 2003
11091 posts
3504 upvotes
Vancouver
Costco one for $450 seems decent. Might get that one.

EDIT: Same price in store FYI
Last edited by 1226 on Aug 22nd, 2021 5:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Dec 29, 2008
4239 posts
1966 upvotes
MrBear2019 wrote: There are many ways to circumvent TPM/Secure Boot requirements quite easily.

I'm also pretty sure MS is gonna slowly back track on their dystopian requirements as they reach W10 end of life. They're gonna keep it around for now so more people upgrade sooner to newer computers, and MS gets that $$$. As they approach W10 EoL, they'd get rid of all of these requirements since it's in their own best interest to have as many people on the latest operating system.

I'm not denying what you're saying, but buying refurbished laptops has a **lot** of value - you can get really high quality laptops with better specs for lower prices. So if you are considering buying refurbed, Windows 11 shouldn't change your mind to be honest.
I still use a i5 4th Gen as a VM/file box and was sad to hear it wouldn't be supported with Win11, I hope M$ do back track as my 4th gen will still be perfectly functional in 5 years time for what i'm using it for. I'm not saying refurbs are bad its just if I need to spend the $$ now I would spend a bit more to officially meet the Win11 spec and get more life out of it.

I tend upgrade every 6+ years but repurpose the old hardware for other projects or give to family. Dad don't need no 8600K but that's what he will get with Win11 in a 3-5 years when i upgrade my main rig LOL.

So i agree with you, on another note those older refurbs are also not 1080P and that's a big deal for me personally.
Deal Addict
May 4, 2007
1304 posts
721 upvotes
li442il wrote: If your computer is offline, there is no issue, if you use the computer to browse through the internets, then you are vulnerable since Microsoft stopped security updates. The longer you will wait to switch to Win10, the more vulnerable you will be.
If you update your web browser diligently, browse reputable sites only and download apps, if at all, from official sites, how much risk do you really take? Of course, if you like to visit some dark corners of the web and download "warez" to try out, that's another story.
Member
Nov 19, 2020
253 posts
355 upvotes
dysonlu wrote: If you update your web browser diligently, browse reputable sites only and download apps, if at all, from official sites, how much risk do you really take? Of course, if you like to visit some dark corners of the web and download "warez" to try out, that's another story.
I cannot disagree with this enough. A Windows 7 computer is not secure and should not be connected to the internet.
Deal Addict
Aug 21, 2007
3365 posts
3737 upvotes
Toronto
dysonlu wrote: If you update your web browser diligently, browse reputable sites only and download apps, if at all, from official sites, how much risk do you really take? Of course, if you like to visit some dark corners of the web and download "warez" to try out, that's another story.
Would you consider sites like the New York Times to be dark corners? Because they've been known to distribute malware several times in the past
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/tech ... 5adco.html
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Deal Addict
May 4, 2007
1304 posts
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SomeGuyNamedBob wrote: Would you consider sites like the New York Times to be dark corners? Because they've been known to distribute malware several times in the past
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/tech ... 5adco.html
Those are rogue ads -- even if you're running Win10, you'd be equally "vulnerable" if you click on them. On Win7, you can still run and keep up-to-date malicious software scanning tools, including Microsoft's own.

Besides, nobody claims anything to be 100% risk-free but chances are, visiting the NYT would be considered very low risk. If you blindly click on any ads and install software (without scanning them first) liberally, then even running Win 10 won't save you.

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