Toshiba L855-S5372 15.6" Laptop (Core i7-3630QM, 640 GB HD, 6 GB DDR3 RAM, Windows 8) - $452.50 AC @ Staples B&M YMMV

Quote from nikets01 : just picked 1 up. Dissambling . Will update inside components. Replacing the HDD with a 256 GB Vertex 3, 8GB Samsung 30nm DDR3 and Intel Centrino Ultimate 6300. BTW the sd.site88.net is very accurate. Show "low stock clearance" at my store, went to pick up and pay, check back with that site when i'm out to the parking lot and it already show OOS EDIT: Inside has a Toshiba 640GB 5400rmp drive, 4GB Kingston 1600MHz cas 11 stick + 2GB Samsung 1600 MHz cas 11 stick, Wireless device is RTL8188CE.

So you swapped out the wireless card to the intel Centrino, that laptop should now be able to do WiDi correct?

Let me know if you were able to replace the wireless card to the intel Centrino, looking to do the same to take advantage of the WiDi feature.

Thanks

For all you tech people. Let's say I wanted to spend about $460 and I want an i7. Which one of these laptops should I be going for?

Thanks.

Quote from EasyGuy : So you swapped out the wireless card to the intel Centrino, that laptop should now be able to do WiDi correct? Let me know if you were able to replace the wireless card to the intel Centrino, looking to do the same to take advantage of the WiDi feature. Thanks

I'm replying this with the Centrino, using the 5GHz wireless band, so yes my friend, WiDi will work

Quote from nikets01 : I'm replying this with the Centrino, using the 5GHz wireless band, so yes my friend, WiDi will work

Did it have two or three antennas?

Quote from EasyGuy : Did it have two or three antennas?

I had only 1 antenna, which was weird, but I had bought another toshiba (C855D) which is a close relative, also had 1 antenna. So I guess this is how they designed it. I put the antenna in pin #1 of the Centrino 6300 (which has 3 pins for 3 antennas). I was afraid it would not recognize the 5 GHz band of my ASUS RT-N66U, but it did. However, it connects at 150-180Mbps whereas my desktop with a 3 antennas adapter connects at 365-450Mbps (450 is max). Most laptop has 2 antennas and my guess is that they would connect at 180-300Mbps , laptops with 3 antennas are extremely rare.

Quote from nikets01 : I had only 1 antenna, which was weird, but I had bought another toshiba (C855D) which is a close relative, also had 1 antenna. So I guess this is how they designed it. I put the antenna in pin #1 of the Centrino 6300 (which has 3 pins for 3 antennas). I was afraid it would not recognize the 5 GHz band of my ASUS RT-N66U, but it did. However, it connects at 150-180Mbps whereas my desktop with a 3 antennas adapter connects at 365-450Mbps (450 is max). Most laptop has 2 antennas and my guess is that they would connect at 180-300Mbps , laptops with 3 antennas are extremely rare.

I knew Toshiba would cut cost somewhere, I have a few old laptops, let me take those antennas and try to place them in any empty spot I see.

Debating on this (and several others) as I am in need of a new laptop. Looking at the i7 Toshiba w/ 8 GB RAM for $650 this week at Staples (plus the $75 off coupon) or the $750 Samsung (plus coupon) as well.

Need one soon, as my i3 4 GB RAM is really starting to glitch out on me after close to 4 years.

Quote from mr_big_tongue : Debating on this (and several others) as I am in need of a new laptop. Looking at the i7 Toshiba w/ 8 GB RAM for $650 this week at Staples (plus the $75 off coupon) or the $750 Samsung (plus coupon) as well. Need one soon, as my i3 4 GB RAM is really starting to glitch out on me after close to 4 years.

Unless either the more expensive Toshiba have a dedicated video card or the Samsung, I dont see why you are debating. You could easily save $100+ going with this clearance. Oh yeah, this 3rd gen i7 will eat your 1st gen i3 for breakfast.

Quote from mr_big_tongue : Debating on this (and several others) as I am in need of a new laptop. Looking at the i7 Toshiba w/ 8 GB RAM for $650 this week at Staples (plus the $75 off coupon) or the $750 Samsung (plus coupon) as well. Need one soon, as my i3 4 GB RAM is really starting to glitch out on me after close to 4 years.

8GB is about 25-30 bucks. Save the difference and put in a SSD, buy an enclosure and use the internal as external

Quote from EasyGuy : Unless either the more expensive Toshiba have a dedicated video card or the Samsung, I dont see why you are debating. You could easily save $100+ going with this clearance. Oh yeah, this 3rd gen i7 will eat your 1st gen i3 for breakfast.

Larger screen, better resolution, etc. on the Samsung. I believe the other Toshiba does have a dedicated video card. I will probably end up with this 6 GB Toshiba, but kind of don't want to screw around with upgrades on it if I come to regret not getting the 8 GB and other "niceties".

This, of course, is all pending when Staples finally posts rewards and if they are accurate (which, in my case, hasn't been once since I have been a Rewards member).

I'm looking for a 13.3 inch screen notebook (not ultrabook, I want a optical drive). Seems like my only current choices are Sony S series or a Mac. Asus and other manufacturers have 13.3 notebooks but they're outdated. Any suggestions? The Sony S Series mousepad is ridiculously big which interferes with typing (plus their keyboard isn't sensitive enough). And I'm not sure if I want to jump to a Mac.

just grabbed one, the battery does not hold charge.

So sad!! The closest Staples is 70 miles away... not looking for a 4 hour round trip just for a laptop..

My local store says it is Low Stock Clearance, gonna give them a call and see if it is available.