stationchief

Been thinkin' about it here. Gonna finally be in the market for a new laptop.

One thing since I've noticed the update, Brad, is that our pics that we upload to GD and attach in our threads don't show up as thumbnails anymore. While we can post and view thumbnails from our Photobucket accounts and such, the pics we upload to GD only show up as a link. Also, I noticed all our pics' names all are messed up. While that may be beneficial for those viewin' the arachnophobia thread ('What kinda spider is this?' ) I kinda miss that functionality. Is there a new way to do this for those of us without a Photobucket account?

Hmm, we got some new smileys. I assume the update went well. :)

Just give us a heads up when the time comes. I know a few folks on here will freak if they don't get their hourly dose of GottaDeal. G'luck with the update to a better GottaDeal!

Welcome to all the newest members! Y'all love it here!

Actually, that's one of the better non-BF laptops I've seen for the $400 price. Compaqs are among the best (I didn't say THE best ). Nothing crossing the fancy line, just the necessary bells and whistles. 2 GB memory, 160 GB hard drive, graphics aren't bad (not great but not bad for being integrated), ready for wireless internet ... looks like you're good to go. The only serious problem I see is that it's not available online and it'll be tough to find it still in the stores. You gotta jump at the chance the moment you get it otherwise you lose out. Why would it be bad? 160 GB is more than enough for music, movies, and misc. If not, just invest in a cheap external drive.

So, did anybody get a desktop?

You're in the right place to chat about the laptop/laptops you got. You can also chat about what'cha got/didn't get in the Official One-and-Only "What I Got" / "My BF Experience" Thread. But we talk about nothing but laptops here.

Yup. Three slots at 1 GB each. I'd think most typical consumers should be happy with that. But you still made the right choice with the HP dv4-1114nr. Just FYI: yours supports 8 GB if you ever were to decide to upgrade to 64-bit version of Vista Premium. Otherwise, thanks to your included 32-bit Vista OS and the way it handles memory, you're stuck with about 3 GB, too. Didn't anybody look at my charts before they headed out? I know I still gotta update it with all the tech info on some of the BF exclusive models.

No prob. And even if you could flash the bios or do something to get the board to support 2 GB chips in each slot instead of 1 GB, the 32-bit OS wouldn't support more than about 3 GB anyways. Not worth the hassle, believe me. Yes, 3 GB should be plenty for most folks not doing professional level work.

There's still Cyber Monday and many other chances to get a good deal. Just stay tuned.

dv41114nr got the Dv4-1114nr? Never saw that one coming ... Seriously, sometimes 'ya get lucky and are able to snag a great online deal. Kudos 2 u! You could try, but seeing as they never made such a claim in their ad it might not help. Other copanies like BB had fine print that said "minimum of 10 per store" and all that, but Walmart only claimed it was "while supplies last". Could be a legal safet net for 'em in case folks who froze their keesters off in line for nothing got mad. You could try and see what happens.

It's either PC2-5300 or PC2-6400. If you have the laptop you'll be able to check. But keep in mind the memory in that one is already maxed out so if you're lookin' to upgrade to something higher than 3 GB, don't bother.

I thought those t-shirts looked somewhat 'official' Guess if people think you work for a major company they don't mess with 'ya. Wonder what would happen if I show up to a Neil Diamond concert with my GD BF t-shirt.

The simple answer to that question is ... yes. I've used high-speed internet and downloaded tons of media before from my trustworthy workhorse laptop (a Dell Latitude w/P3 850 MHz processor and a whopping 512 MB of RAM ). Accessing internet/email, watching media, and simple gaming should be fine.

The processor on the one from CC is a Q6600 running on an Asus IPIBL-LB motherboard. Both processors seem similar, however nearly all benchmarks between the two show that Core2Quads can out-perform the Phenom 9000 series any day of the week. Dunno if you get into overclocking or if your gaming needs require it, or just how easy it may be on an HP machine, but the the Q6600 processors are deemed fairly easy to do that. The CC PC would be the better deal since it's the better processor and the rest of the components are pretty similar + it comes with a monitor and printer. Folks, I cannot emphasize this enough: When looking for a gaming PC, never EEEEEE-ever look at the integrated graphics chip. Look for PCs with an open PCI-express x16 slot. Both of those have one, so have someone install a GeForce GTX graphics card or something. Overhaul the PC's internal cooling system if necessary. Then, my grasshoppah, you shall only begin to dwell into the realm of gaming.

Here's your tech specs: HP G50-102NR Notebook PC Obviously dual-core processors are better, however that one would suit basic needs just fine. As you mentioned it's got all the bells/whistles necessary for an everyday laptop. Might not suit your needs anymore if you ever get into die-hard gaming or some serious video editing/authoring. You can still keep your eyes peeled for other <$400 deals on dual-core laptops for christmas, but far as overall household tasks that laptop should be good.

Both are pretty equal, just that one processor is an Intel dual core and the other's AMD's equivalent. The one in the package (dv4-1117nr) has might have a slight advantage with the Core2Duo chipset, Intel GMA 45000MHD graphics, and HDMI support. Far as the included Epson Stylus NX400, you can read the multiple reviews about it. The major complaint about Epson is they use multiple color cartridges (about six with the all-in-ones) and if one runs out it won't print. Cartridges aren't cheap, either. Personally, I'd prefer having a choice and go with something Canon has to offer.

$499 for just the laptop with 3 GB RAM and 160 GB hard drive. $599 for the next step-up lappy (4 GB RAM/ 250 GB hard drive), anti-virus software and printer. Currently looks like the $499 one is sold out online but the $599 bundle is still available.

16-speed cd/dvd writer with Lightscribe labeling. Check my charts for the complete specs. And good luck getting one if you're not in line already.

Office Depot, OfficeMax, and Radio Shack's laptop specs are up as well as Sam's Club's Acer netbook. The BF laptop charts should be complete now except for Best Buy's and Circuit City's laptops, which info isn't released yet. Those will go up probably at the last minute. http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/charts/gdcc2008.php

Update to the Laptop charts: Staples and Walmart laptop deals are up with complete specs. Enjoy!

Back by popular demand: The 2008 Laptop Comparison Charts! Enjoy! Sorry for the delay, folks. http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/charts/gdcc2008.php Most of the info is finished and the rest soon to follow. A few things about the laptop charts: Just mouse over a part of the chart for brief instructions on how to use it. You can sort something to the top, organize the laptops by a specific detail, etc. Some of the laptops are BF and/or store exclusive (like Walmarts or Best Buys). Detailed info about those will come soon as we get it.

Back by popular demand: the 2008 Desktop Comparison Charts! Once again, I apologize for them bein' so late. Hope they still help. http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/charts/gdcc2008.php Just a few things about the desktop info: When you first go to the charts page it defaults to the previous years. I included all the previous year's info so folks can compare previous deals with this year. Make sure you specifically select the '2008 Desktops' to view this year's deals. And remember you can sort and organize the information as you please. Just put your mouse over the parts of the chart for brief instructions. A few models are BF/store exclusive (Like the Walmart PCs), so little is known about 'em just yet. I'll post the official specs soon as we get 'em. Keep in mind the specs on Circuit City's $449.98 HP desktop are different than the real 'official' specs of that model. They may make an announcement regarding that error (either the model number is wrong or the brief specs they give are wrong) or they'll just fix it before it goes to the mass printing press. I"ll post the real specs of that model later.

$599 is correct. Got a lil' thrown off by that one. Yup, looks like it. If you use last BF as an example you'll notice people were in line at BB since all the way to thanksgiving morning or earlier. If you show up at a popular BB at midnite the morning before BF you'll probably be waiting in a line stretching across the street. It all depends on the specific store and location, but if you look up some old stories of last BF that'll give you an example of what to expect.