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Official Black Friday DESKTOP Discussion Thread


tinkrbel

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I'm looking to get a new desktop this year but I'm wondering if it's worth holding out til BF. Technology prices tend to go down somewhat from year to year, looking at last years ads it looked like desktops were discounted about $150 from regular price. I'm looking for at least a quad core and don't need a monitor or printer. Should I wait or snag a deal now? Having stopped by a few store this weekend there's not many desktops in stores as it is and I suspect they'll try to clear out the dual core/i3's on BF. Edited by bigjimslade
edited title to be more unform with official threads
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Well, I'm in the market for a new desktop. I just want a quad core with a pci-e slot. I'm hoping staples offers something attractive as I have $200 in rewards and $160 in gift cards to spend.

hmmm....they currently have an hp quad core p6-2120 for 349.99 with a rebate towards windows 8 upgrade. 6gb 1tb not sure about the slot. I was able to pick one up today at a local store. I gave in figuring this one is on it's last breathe, there's too few desktops to be had as it is and last years sales weren't any better with lower specs.

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This is a machine I have been looking at as well. The main reason I haven't purchased one is that there is no room for a second or third drive. I'd like to be able to put a pair of 2t disks in the case. I'm also open to a board/cpu/ram package as I have a case and power supply, but these tend not to be big BF deals.
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  • 3 weeks later...

i like the i5 lenovo at staples, but it's not a great deal.

I am looking for a new i5 desktop and may or may not go for something on Black Friday. The Core i5 Lenovo from Staples is of leading interest to me, and I think it is a good deal, if in fact it is an i5 as the ad says (twice). However, the model number that they reference is for a Core i3, the model that Gottadeal linked to on the Staples site is an i3, and the "regular price" indicated in the ad matches the regular price of the i3 model. I wonder if the i5 could be a typo on the ad?

 

I would say this is a fair deal for an i3, but quite a good deal for an i5.

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I just got this i5 for the BF price using this coupon.

 

This is a MUCH better desktop than I had guessed. The case is a little larger than the HPs you see these days and there are accomodations for two additional disks. Perfect for me. Also, there is HDMI out. If you were on the fence, this coupon, this price, on this day should seal the deal.

 

- hardware replacement guide

- Staples Full Details

- Trinity vs iCore

Edited by len_mullen
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I am looking for a new i5 desktop and may or may not go for something on Black Friday. The Core i5 Lenovo from Staples is of leading interest to me, and I think it is a good deal, if in fact it is an i5 as the ad says (twice). However, the model number that they reference is for a Core i3, the model that Gottadeal linked to on the Staples site is an i3, and the "regular price" indicated in the ad matches the regular price of the i3 model. I wonder if the i5 could be a typo on the ad?

 

I would say this is a fair deal for an i3, but quite a good deal for an i5.

Looks like the link (or the Staples site) has been corrected and this is indeed an i5. Getting very interested and I am going to look at the coupon posted by len_mullen.

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I am so confused by all the processors out there. We haven't bought a new computer in years - and desperately need a new desktop. I wish they would make the processor info standard so it was easier to compare! I hear i3, i5, i7, dual core, quad core, etc...

 

This is a family computer, we use it for web browsing, homework, a few games (but not the hard core "gaming") photoshop, etc. Our current (old emachine) also has a second hard drive in it that we store backup stuff on. Would like to move that into a new computer if possible.

 

Any suggestions? Can you help me understand all the new processor mumbo jumbo? THANKS

 

P.S. would love an online deal - I am not fond of black friday traffic! :cool:

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Can you help me understand all the new processor mumbo jumbo? THANKS

I'll try. There are a lot of companies that make processors. The two main players in the personal computer market are Intel and AMD. The current crop of Intel processors are called iCore processors. Intel is in their third generation of iCore which is characterized by the ivy bridge architecture. Second generation was Sandy Bridge. First generation was Nehalem. There are major three levels of performance within each generation. i3 is entry level, i5 is mainstream, and i7 is power user. There are also mobile versions of all of these and value variations that do not carry the iCore name but are of the same architecture. What you need to know about current processors from intel is that ivy bridge is the current architecture and that i7>i5>i3. You will also see 987 based systems. The Intel Pentium 987 is an Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) dual core processor for entry-level laptops. It is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture. Probably a good solutions for the use you describe.

 

Then there's AMD. The current generation of AMD chips are called Trinity. They are i3-i5ish in performance but have a better integrated graphical processing unit (GPU) than the iCores. Like the intel chips, they are named by performance a10>a8>a6. If you are going to buy an entry level machine and want to play games, these Trinity chips are good value. If you are a serious gamer, you'd be better off getting an iCore and a dedicated GPU.

 

hope that helps.

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This is a family computer, we use it for web browsing, homework, a few games (but not the hard core "gaming") photoshop, etc. Our current (old emachine) also has a second hard drive in it that we store backup stuff on. Would like to move that into a new computer if possible.

 

Any suggestions?

For starters, any Ivy Bridge, Sandy Bridge, or Trinity based system would do the job. If you want to mve your old disk to a new machine, you have some research to do. First, you will have to determine if the old disk is PATA or SATA and make sure the new computer has the appropriate controller. I recommend you abandon the old disk in favor of an external, usb disk. It will be easy to move your files from the old machine to the new (and any future) computer this way and you will not need to worry about what is in the case. If you really want to recycle that disk, make sure your new computer has bays for additional drives. The Lenovos tend to while most of the others do not.

 

Here are some of the desktops in the ads. I highlighted the ones that would make sense for you knowing as little as I do about you or how you use computers. Good luck!

 

MacMall - 21.5" Apple iMac Quad-Core Intel Core i5, 2.GHz, 8GB Ram, 1 TB HD $1,294.00

MacMall - Apple Mac Mini Dual-Core Intel Core I5, 2.5GHz, 4G Ram, 500GB HDD $573.99

 

AAFES - HP Pavillion All-in-One E1-1200 Brazos Processor, 4GB, 500GB HDD, 20" Monitor $399.00

Best Buy - Lenovo All-In-One Desktop w/ Intel Pentium CPU, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD (B540-57310400) $599.99

Best Buy - Dell Inspiron Desktop w/ 2.7GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 8GB DDR3 RAM, 1TB HDD, 20" LED Widescreen Monitor $499.98

Best Buy - Gateway One 20" All-In-One Computer w/ AMD E-Series, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD (ZX4250-UB308) $389.99

Best Buy - HP Desktop Bundle w/ Intel Core i3, 6GB RAM, 1TB HDD, 20" Monitor (P2-1394/W2071D) $429.98

Best Buy - HP Desktop w/ Intel Core i3, 6GB RAM, 1TB HDD (P2-1394) $349.99

BJ's Wholesale - Dell Inspiron One 23" Multi-Touch All-In-One Desktop w/ Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM 1TB HDD $599.99

Costco - Dell XPS 8500 Desktop w/ Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 2TB HDD, 23" Monitor $999.99

Costco - Dell XPS Desktop w/ Intel Core i7, 8GB RAM, 2TB HDD (8500) $799.99

Dell - Dell Inspiron 660s Desktop w/ Intel Core i3, 6GB RAM, 1TB HDD + Windows 8 $399.99

Dell - Dell Inspiron One 20 Desktop w/ Intel Pentium, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD + 20" Monitor $399.99

Dell - Dell XPS 8500 Desktop w/ 3rd Gen Intel Core i7, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD $699.99

hhgregg - HP Desktop w/ AMD E1-1200, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD (P21322) $299.99

hhgregg - Dell All-in-One PC w/ Intel G645T, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD (Io2020-4167BK) $479.99

hhgregg - HP Pavilion All-in-One PC w/ AMD A6-5400K, 6GB RAM, 1TB HDD ( H3Z78AA#ABA) $599.99

Office Depot - HP E2 Vision AMD Desktop w/ 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD $259.99

Office Depot - Lenovo H430 Desktop Computer With 2nd Gen Intel Core i3, 6GB RAM, 1TB HDD (57310097) $369.99

Office Max - HP Desktop Featuring AMD E1-1200 Accelerated processor & Windows 8 $249.99

Office Max - HP Pavilion All-in-One Desktop E2 Vision AMD, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD (23-b010) $449.99

Office Max - HP Pavilion Desktop 2nd Gen. Intel Core i3-2130, 8GB RAM, 1.5TB HDD (p7-1410) $429.99

Office Max - HP Pavilion Desktop Next Gen AMD A10-5700 Quad-Core, 8GB RAM, 1.5TB HDD (p7-1439) $499.99

Office Max - HP Pavilion Desktop w/ A4 Vision, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD (p6-2310) $329.99

Sam's Club - HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop (23-b037c) $499.00

Staples - HP 20" All-in-One Desktop w/AMD E1 APU, 4GB RAM, 500 GB HDD $369.99

Staples - HP Desktop PC w/ AMD A4 APU, 6GB RAM, 1TB HDD (P6-2376) $279.99

Staples - HP Desktop PC w/ AMD A8 APU, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD (P6-2378) $399.99

Staples - Lenovo Desktop w/ Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1 TB HDD $449.99

Walmart - HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop w/ 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 20" Display (120-1333W) $389.00

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I'm still trying to find some information on the HP Desktop PC w/ AMD A4 APU, 6GB RAM, 1TB HDD (P6-2376) for $279.99

In staples but no luck yet.

They have it on there webpage now http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-p6-2376-Desktop-PC/product_989659?PID=1418914&storeId=10001&AID=10422268&cm_mmc=CJ-_-1418914-_-1418914-_-10422268&CID=AFF%253A1418914%253A1418914%253A10422268#desc_content

I sent HP an E-mail asking for upgrade info on it and if it has any USB-3 ports.

It still seams like a good deal.

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I'm still trying to find some information on the HP Desktop PC w/ AMD A4 APU, 6GB RAM, 1TB HDD (P6-2376) for $279.99

In staples but no luck yet.

They have it on there webpage now http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-p6-2376-Desktop-PC/product_989659?PID=1418914&storeId=10001&AID=10422268&cm_mmc=CJ-_-1418914-_-1418914-_-10422268&CID=AFF%253A1418914%253A1418914%253A10422268#desc_content

I sent HP an E-mail asking for upgrade info on it and if it has any USB-3 ports.

It still seams like a good deal.

This is the one I am going after, I am hoping its online....LOL I really don't want to go out in the cold at 5 in the morning

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I am also looking for a desktop for the family. My kids want to be able to play games like Minecraft and some others so it needs to be fast enough to handle some light gaming I guess. I was thinking about the $500 Dell desktop package at Best Buy but I'm getting worried that I may not be able to get it. Now considering the $450. Lenovo i5 desktop at Staples. I don't know anything about Lenovo and I'm not wild about Dell either. I would like to find a deal on a monitor too if I went w/the Staples Lenovo. If I understood the earlier comments then an i5 would be better for gaming then a quad core correct? Any advice on what would be the best deal for my needs?
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My kids want to be able to play games like Minecraft and some others so it needs to be fast enough to handle some light gaming I guess.

Brace yourself -- Minecraft is not light gaming. It uses OpenGL to create the cool effects. OpenGL is not directly supported these days, so even the integrated graphics of an ivy bridge i7 only make the game playable...

 

http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/graph6332/50163.png

 

It's easy to see that an A8-5x00 or an A10-5x00would be a better choice for you assuming you do not want to install a discrete GPU...

 

Office Max - HP Pavilion Desktop Next Gen AMD A10-5700 Quad-Core, 8GB RAM, 1.5TB HDD (p7-1439) $499.99

Staples - HP Desktop PC w/ AMD A8 APU, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD (P6-2378) $399.99

 

I would like to find a deal on a monitor too

Best Buy - LG 27" Widescreen Flat-Panel LED HD Monitor (E2742V) $199.99

Best Buy - Dell 23" LED-LCD Monitor (E2311H) $109.99

BJ's Wholesale - Samsung 24" LED Monitor $119.99

Dell - Dell 20" Flat Panel LED Backlit Monitor (IN2030M) $78.99

Dell - Dell 23" 1080p LED Backlit Monitor (ST2320L) $139.99

Dell - Dell 24" 1080p LED Backlit Monitor (ST2420L) $169.99

Dell - Dell 24" S Series Monitor $299.99+

hhgregg - AOC 22" Widescreen LED Monitor (E2251SWDN) $99.99

hhgregg - Samsung 23.6" 1080p Widescreen Monitor $129.99

Office Depot - LG 24'' LED Monitor $119.99

Office Max - AOC 22'' Widescreen Monitor $99.99

Office Max - AOC 24'' Widescreen Monitor LED Monitor (Thanksgiving Day ONLY) $124.99

Office Max - Samsung 24'' LCD Monitor $119.99

Office Max - Toshiba 14" Widescreen LCD Monitor $149.99

Office Max - Acer 20" Widescreen LED Monitor $89.99

Staples - HP 20'' LED Widescreen Monitor $79.99

Staples - Samsung 21.5" 1080p LED Monitor $109.99

Staples - Samsung 24" 1080p LED HD Monitor $139.99

Staples - Acer 23'' LED Widescreen Monitor $109.99

Tiger Direct - AOC 27" LED Monitor (A204-2708 $199.99

Tiger Direct - Samsung 22" LED Monitor $109.99

Tiger Direct - AOC 22" LED Monitor (A204-2206) $99.99

Tiger Direct - Samsung 24" LED Monitor (S205-2404) $179.99

 

Lots of good deals on monitors. I really enjoy looking at a 24" screen, but 20" is bigger than the laptops most people look at all day. You'll want speakers too...

 

Office Max - Cyber Acoustics Portable Speakers $9.99

RadioShack - Gigaware 2.1 Multimedia Speakers $11.99

Staples - Cyber Acoustics Speakers (Entire Stock) 40% OFF

 

Two satellites and a subwoofer or even just two satellites will get the job done.

Edited by len_mullen
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I'm looking for a desktop for work, and I want to hook up two monitors. What do I look for to make sure the this will work? Any suggestions? Mostly I do quickbooks, web browsing, pro tax software, and it will be networked to share printers and some of the software with 3 other computers.
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I'm looking for a desktop for work, and I want to hook up two monitors. What do I look for to make sure the this will work? Any suggestions? Mostly I do quickbooks, web browsing, pro tax software, and it will be networked to share printers and some of the software with 3 other computers.
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For you, I really like this...

 

Staples - Lenovo Desktop w/ Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1 TB HDD $449.99

 

That's what I bought for myself and I have similar objectives. Here's why I like it...

 

- case has accomodations for two additional disks

- PCIe slot for improved graphics if appropriate, though HD 4000 is capable out of the box

- HDMI connector for second display

- Fast CPU with upgrade path to i7

- 7200rpm 1t disk

- Quad core for multitasking

- 8g of RAM

 

It's all packed in a really nice case that is spacious without taking up a lot of room.

 

I have three monitors on my desk. I use a Mygica USB 2.0 to HDMI DVI VGA 1080P DisplayLink Adapter to connect the third screen. I use a couple of these to extend my laptop at work. They run from $30-$40 shipped most of the time.

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Thanks!! Looking at the $299 one. What does everyone think about this deal for BF? Is it worth it? Is it a good computer? I just need it for internet and basic games.

Edited by shoptillidrop2
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