PSA: Avoid gaming laptop deals like this one on Prime Day

HardwareLaptopsPSA: Avoid gaming laptop deals like this one on Prime DayWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

HardwareLaptopsPSA: Avoid gaming laptop deals like this one on Prime DayWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Future)

HP Victus gaming laptop with RAM stick on a light blue background with Prime Day deals badge

Best Buy has just listed a $350 discount on an already cheap HP Victus 15 gaming laptop, dropping the $799.99 MSRPdown to $449.99, but there’s a pretty tough catch here. This entry level spec only comes with 8GB RAM. Ask me a few years ago and I would have said that’s fine for a sub-$500 gaming laptop, but these days I wouldn’t bother. While few games list 16GB RAM as their minimum recommended amount, titles these days are going to need more than 8GB to run smoothly.

There aren’t too manygaming laptop dealsstill sticking with 8GB RAM these days - in fact, this is the first one I’ve seen in a little while. However, they’re alive and well in this super-budget price range and they regularly come to the forefront duringPrime Day gaming laptop deals, especially at Amazon itself.

The retailer doesn’t have a massive selection of thebest gaming laptops, so it’s often budget models that get pushed to the top of the pile during these more hectic sales events. It’s important not to get sucked into the trap of that particularly cheap rate. Not only is that $450 investment going to need to be replaced fairly soon to keep up with modern releases, but it can actually already go towards a more sophisticated system without too much extra on top.

(Image credit: Future)

Asus ROG Ally on woodgrain table with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey gameplay on screen

Asus ROG Ally Z1 |$499.99$399.99 at NeweggSave $100 -The Asus ROG Ally is an incredibly efficient system that packs a heavier stick of RAM into a portable chassis. It’s fine-tuned for more casual play so you’re getting excellent value if you’re a first-time buyer. Not only that, but it’s a regular in the sales once major events start rolling in.Buy it if:✅You play lighter games✅You still want a desktop experience✅You want to play as you travelDon’t buy it if:❌ You play more demanding gamesAsus ROG Ally Z1E:$649.99 at Best BuyView Deal

Asus ROG Ally Z1 |$499.99$399.99 at NeweggSave $100 -The Asus ROG Ally is an incredibly efficient system that packs a heavier stick of RAM into a portable chassis. It’s fine-tuned for more casual play so you’re getting excellent value if you’re a first-time buyer. Not only that, but it’s a regular in the sales once major events start rolling in.Buy it if:✅You play lighter games✅You still want a desktop experience✅You want to play as you travelDon’t buy it if:❌ You play more demanding gamesAsus ROG Ally Z1E:$649.99 at Best BuyView Deal

Asus ROG Ally Z1 |$499.99$399.99 at NeweggSave $100 -The Asus ROG Ally is an incredibly efficient system that packs a heavier stick of RAM into a portable chassis. It’s fine-tuned for more casual play so you’re getting excellent value if you’re a first-time buyer. Not only that, but it’s a regular in the sales once major events start rolling in.Buy it if:✅You play lighter games✅You still want a desktop experience✅You want to play as you travelDon’t buy it if:❌ You play more demanding gamesAsus ROG Ally Z1E:$649.99 at Best BuyView Deal

Asus ROG Ally Z1 |$499.99$399.99 at NeweggSave $100 -The Asus ROG Ally is an incredibly efficient system that packs a heavier stick of RAM into a portable chassis. It’s fine-tuned for more casual play so you’re getting excellent value if you’re a first-time buyer. Not only that, but it’s a regular in the sales once major events start rolling in.Buy it if:✅You play lighter games✅You still want a desktop experience✅You want to play as you travelDon’t buy it if:❌ You play more demanding gamesAsus ROG Ally Z1E:$649.99 at Best Buy

Asus ROG Ally Z1 | $499.99 $399.99 at NeweggSave $100 -

Asus ROG Ally Z1 |$499.99$399.99 at NeweggSave $100 -The Asus ROG Ally is an incredibly efficient system that packs a heavier stick of RAM into a portable chassis. It’s fine-tuned for more casual play so you’re getting excellent value if you’re a first-time buyer. Not only that, but it’s a regular in the sales once major events start rolling in.Buy it if:✅You play lighter games✅You still want a desktop experience✅You want to play as you travelDon’t buy it if:❌ You play more demanding gamesAsus ROG Ally Z1E:$649.99 at Best Buy

Asus ROG Ally Z1 |$499.99$399.99 at NeweggSave $100 -The Asus ROG Ally is an incredibly efficient system that packs a heavier stick of RAM into a portable chassis. It’s fine-tuned for more casual play so you’re getting excellent value if you’re a first-time buyer. Not only that, but it’s a regular in the sales once major events start rolling in.

Buy it if:

✅You play lighter games✅You still want a desktop experience✅You want to play as you travel

Don’t buy it if:

❌ You play more demanding games

Asus ROG Ally Z1E:$649.99 at Best Buy

View Deal

View Deal

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Of course, you don’t have to go down the portable route to find a gaming laptop that pairs value with performance. Best Buy itself has other options that represent much better value for money than the HP Victus above, all while only coming in a little more expensive. The MSI Thin 15, for example, keeps things conservative with an RTX 4050 GPU and 13th generation Intel i5 processor, but is more than capable of running the lighter games you might be interested in if considering a budget option. It’s also stacked a 16GB RAM stick under the chassis as well. This model comes in at $699.99 right now ($200 off the $899.99 MSRP) - an excellent price for a current-generation GPU and enough power to last a good few years.

MSI Thin 15 15.6-inch RTX 4050 gaming laptop |$899.99$699.99 at Best BuySave $200 -This MSI Thin is down to just under $700 at Best Buy right now. That’s $250 more expensive than the HP Victus, but you won’t need to spend even more later on to update your entire system. With 16GB RAM and an RTX 4050 GPU you’ll be set for a while here, especially if you only play lighter games.Buy it if:✅ You play less demanding games✅ You don’t want to upgrade your system too soon✅ You don’t want to break the bankDon’t buy it if:❌ You can spend more on a better displayView Deal

MSI Thin 15 15.6-inch RTX 4050 gaming laptop |$899.99$699.99 at Best BuySave $200 -This MSI Thin is down to just under $700 at Best Buy right now. That’s $250 more expensive than the HP Victus, but you won’t need to spend even more later on to update your entire system. With 16GB RAM and an RTX 4050 GPU you’ll be set for a while here, especially if you only play lighter games.Buy it if:✅ You play less demanding games✅ You don’t want to upgrade your system too soon✅ You don’t want to break the bankDon’t buy it if:❌ You can spend more on a better displayView Deal

MSI Thin 15 15.6-inch RTX 4050 gaming laptop |$899.99$699.99 at Best BuySave $200 -This MSI Thin is down to just under $700 at Best Buy right now. That’s $250 more expensive than the HP Victus, but you won’t need to spend even more later on to update your entire system. With 16GB RAM and an RTX 4050 GPU you’ll be set for a while here, especially if you only play lighter games.Buy it if:✅ You play less demanding games✅ You don’t want to upgrade your system too soon✅ You don’t want to break the bankDon’t buy it if:❌ You can spend more on a better displayView Deal

MSI Thin 15 15.6-inch RTX 4050 gaming laptop |$899.99$699.99 at Best BuySave $200 -This MSI Thin is down to just under $700 at Best Buy right now. That’s $250 more expensive than the HP Victus, but you won’t need to spend even more later on to update your entire system. With 16GB RAM and an RTX 4050 GPU you’ll be set for a while here, especially if you only play lighter games.Buy it if:✅ You play less demanding games✅ You don’t want to upgrade your system too soon✅ You don’t want to break the bankDon’t buy it if:❌ You can spend more on a better display

MSI Thin 15 15.6-inch RTX 4050 gaming laptop | $899.99 $699.99 at Best BuySave $200 -

MSI Thin 15 15.6-inch RTX 4050 gaming laptop |$899.99$699.99 at Best BuySave $200 -This MSI Thin is down to just under $700 at Best Buy right now. That’s $250 more expensive than the HP Victus, but you won’t need to spend even more later on to update your entire system. With 16GB RAM and an RTX 4050 GPU you’ll be set for a while here, especially if you only play lighter games.Buy it if:✅ You play less demanding games✅ You don’t want to upgrade your system too soon✅ You don’t want to break the bankDon’t buy it if:❌ You can spend more on a better display

MSI Thin 15 15.6-inch RTX 4050 gaming laptop |$899.99$699.99 at Best BuySave $200 -This MSI Thin is down to just under $700 at Best Buy right now. That’s $250 more expensive than the HP Victus, but you won’t need to spend even more later on to update your entire system. With 16GB RAM and an RTX 4050 GPU you’ll be set for a while here, especially if you only play lighter games.

Buy it if:

✅ You play less demanding games✅ You don’t want to upgrade your system too soon✅ You don’t want to break the bank

Don’t buy it if:

❌ You can spend more on a better display

View Deal

View Deal

View Deal

If you’re shopping in the budget gaming laptop category this Prime Day (or in upcomingBlack Friday gaming laptop deals), it’s well worth double checking your specs. That HP Victus might be alright for less demanding indie games now, but things are moving quickly and even casual players will likely need 16GB RAM as a minimum within the next year. Yes, those sub-$500 offers can be tempting, but they can also double themselves if you need to replace your whole system in a short amount of time. It’s much better to wait until you can either move slightly beyond this price range or until you find a 16GB RAM device at a similar position. That can happen during later Fall sales, I’ve seen it, but you’ll need to move fast to close in on it.

Today’s best dealsASUS ROG Ally$550$490View DealSee all pricesAsus TUF A15 FA507$899.99View DealSee all pricesAcer Nitro 16$999.99View DealSee all pricesMSI GF63 Thin (2022)$689View DealSee all pricesDell G16 (7620)$899.99View DealSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best dealsASUS ROG Ally$550$490View DealSee all pricesAsus TUF A15 FA507$899.99View DealSee all pricesAcer Nitro 16$999.99View DealSee all pricesMSI GF63 Thin (2022)$689View DealSee all pricesDell G16 (7620)$899.99View DealSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best dealsASUS ROG Ally$550$490View DealSee all pricesAsus TUF A15 FA507$899.99View DealSee all pricesAcer Nitro 16$999.99View DealSee all pricesMSI GF63 Thin (2022)$689View DealSee all pricesDell G16 (7620)$899.99View DealSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best deals

ASUS ROG Ally$550$490View DealSee all pricesAsus TUF A15 FA507$899.99View DealSee all pricesAcer Nitro 16$999.99View DealSee all pricesMSI GF63 Thin (2022)$689View DealSee all pricesDell G16 (7620)$899.99View DealSee all prices

ASUS ROG Ally$550$490View DealSee all prices

ASUS ROG Ally$550$490View DealSee all prices

ASUS ROG Ally - 7

ASUS ROG Ally

ASUS ROG Ally

Amazon

$550$490View Deal

$550$490

$490

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Asus TUF A15 FA507$899.99View DealSee all prices

Asus TUF A15 FA507$899.99View DealSee all prices

ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2023)

Asus TUF A15 FA507

Asus TUF A15 FA507

ASUS

$899.99View Deal

$899.99

$899.99

See all prices

Acer Nitro 16$999.99View DealSee all prices

Acer Nitro 16$999.99View DealSee all prices

Nitro 16 Gaming Laptop -…

Acer Nitro 16

Acer Nitro 16

Acer

$999.99View Deal

$999.99

$999.99

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MSI GF63 Thin (2022)$689View DealSee all prices

MSI GF63 Thin (2022)$689View DealSee all prices

MSI 2023 Newest GF63 Thin…

MSI GF63 Thin (2022)

MSI GF63 Thin (2022)

Amazon

$689View Deal

$689

$689

See all prices

Dell G16 (7620)$899.99View DealSee all prices

Dell G16 (7620)$899.99View DealSee all prices

Dell G16

Dell G16 (7620)

Dell G16 (7620)

Dell

$899.99View Deal

$899.99

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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

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League of Legends co-creator responds to report that Arcane was a “financial miss,” says “people think we make things like Arcane to sell skins, when in reality we sell skins to make things like Arcane”

Arcane

League of Legends co-creator responds to report that Arcane was a “financial miss,” says “people think we make things like Arcane to sell skins, when in reality we sell skins to make things like Arcane”

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The secret’s out: Christopher Nolan’s new Tom Holland-led movie is an Odyssey adaptation and a “mythic action epic shot across the world”

Hideo Kojima offers another Death Stranding 2 update and a demonstration of his unique PS5 controller technique: “Building the game”

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Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’s directors reveal the surprising influences behind their new “gnome noir” movie – including a Hitchcock classic

After being labeled a Dark Souls copy, Black Myth: Wukong is now getting its own imitators on the Nintendo store

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2

Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3

Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5

Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

1

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2

Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

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Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5

Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Nicola Coughlan as Joy in Doctor Who Christmas special Joy to the World

1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

1

Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2

Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3

Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4

Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5

Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

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