I’m currently learning how to code (currently Python, then maybe JavaScript), but I’m not always around my desktop, and learning on my phone is not always an option (also, it can be quite cumbersome at times). Therefore, I’m looking into purchasing a laptop just for learning how to code and stuff.

I don’t want to get a Chromebook because I want to be able to wipe the drive and install Linux on it (probably Linux Mint). Maybe it’s changed since 2013, but the last time I had a Chromebook, it was a pain in the ass to install even bog-standard Ubuntu on it.

Problem is, I’m also heavily limited by space & budget: no more than 11 in (280 mm) total laptop width and 330 USD base price.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Please forgive me if this is not the right space for this kind of question. Lemme know if it is and I’ll delete it. :)

  • unlawfulbooger@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    48·
    6 months ago

    It’s probably best to limit yourself to a used laptop.

    Reading and writing code is nothing more than reading and writing text, and for that you don’t need a fancy gpu or screen.

    What I would recommend you look for in a laptop is

    • an SSD instead of an HDD
    • more cpu cores (at least 4 cores)
    • more memory (RAM) (at least 8GB, preferably 16GB+)

    More memory and cores will help you with compiling and running your code.

    And make sure you take regular backups! You never know when your disk will fail.

    Also make sure to check linux compatibility before you buy. Laptops used to be a pain (10+ years ago), and it’s gotten a lot better, but it’s not always perfect. Just search for “[brand] [model] linux” or try to find the model on the archlinux wiki.

    • owatnext@lemmy.world
      5·
      6 months ago

      That’s one of the most insane links I have ever seen. I’m scared to click it.

      But I second a ThinkPad.

    • EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
      2·
      6 months ago

      You make a great point, but the problem is I’ve looked at a ton of them and they all seem to be too big. I have a very limited primary workspace at only 11 inches and for example the T14 Gen 1 you linked to is 12.95 inches in width.

      • cygnus@lemmy.ca
        2·
        6 months ago

        Oops, I missed that part. There’s the X280 and its predecessors (X270, X260, etc.). The screen is 12.5" so the overall dimensions should be OK.

        • EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
          1·
          6 months ago

          12.5" is too big. If the screen itself is 12.5", then the total laptop width (if the screen is 16:9) will almost certainly be bigger than that. Like I said, my primary workspace is limited strictly to a max of 11 inches.

          …Unless you knew that and I’m completely misunderstanding you. Which, mind you, is definitely a possibility. Lol. So, I’m sorry if that’s the case and I humbly would ask you to elaborate. ;)

    • Kualk@lemm.ee
      1·
      6 months ago

      My ASUS laptop runs Linux well. It was around $800 5 years ago, when I bought it.

      I am still using it.

      • Pasta Dental@sh.itjust.works
        7·
        6 months ago

        This is exactly the shit that gets me worried about ARM laptops becoming the norm. Obviously, the CPU has ✨full upstream support✨, but what some people seem to forget is that they will likely not support ACPI via Arm System Ready which is exactly how android phones work. (This is the total opposite of what we want btw) So now we will be at the mercy of OEMs releasing blobs or some people will have to spend lots of time creating DTBs for each possible SKU (Snapdragon Elite X’s Linux post even mentions booting with Device Trees, but nobody seemed to notice this for some reason?).

        Like, sure, mainline support for the SoC is crucial, but most ARM processors have okayish support, even the mobile chips have say GPU support. The thing is the support of the SoC is only part of the equation when you also have a display, a boatload of controllers for charging, IO, display, etc. etc. that also need to be recognized and supported for the computer to be usable.

        I have faith that Dell and Lenovo will offer DTBs for their enterprise devices, since they currently officially support Linux, but for all the other ones, Asus, regular XPS, non ThinkPad Lenovo, Microsoft surface, Samsung, Acer etc. I can almost guarantee they will be troublesome.

        I desperately hope to be proven wrong when these laptops get into customers hands, but my hopes are really low.

  • Eezyville@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    102·
    6 months ago

    Steam Deck. I’m half serious if you got a wireless mini keyboard with touch pad. You can play games on it too BTW ;)

        • EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
          2·
          6 months ago

          This amuses me.

          It doesn’t really surprise me, but it does amuse me.

          Thank you for brightening up my week a bit. I’ve had a wisdom tooth removed and have been in a lot of pain, so my past two weeks have sucked.

        • erwan@lemmy.ml
          2·
          6 months ago

          For a desktop yes. You can dock it and forget that it’s not a regular Linux desktop. Especially if it means Python and JS, you don’t need much power for that.

          For a laptop not so much, because you’ll need to bring screen+keyboard+mouse and everything to plug them so the portability aspect seriously suffers.

    • lodronsi@beehaw.org
      4·
      6 months ago

      I picked up a used Latitude 7300 (I think?) last year and am quite happy with it. I appreciate that I can replace the ram and ssd myself for repair / upgrade.

      I’m running Mint on it and haven’t noticed any problems.

  • pumpkinseedoil@sh.itjust.works
    71·
    6 months ago

    If you really want to you can combine:

    • a raspberry pi (with case)
    • a power bank
    • a small USB keyboard
    • a small portable display
    • a mouse

    It doesn’t take more space than a laptop :))

    • arglebargle@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      6 months ago

      At that point you might as well go with a steamdeck. Works with or without the mouse/keyboard/screen and can play games. The desktop environment is full kde and ready to go.

      • pumpkinseedoil@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        6 months ago

        No, just download Raspbian (Debian for RaPi) or any other popular distribution on your main computer and copy it to your RaPi’s SD card. Oh and if your mouse “lags” - you can increase your mouse refresh rate in settings.

        Also while the setup obviously works and does its job (and is really fun to use) it’s probably not better than a laptop. It’s more of a thing you use because you can…

        …anyway, if you already have some of the parts it’s the cheapest you can get, and it is just as practical as a laptop. I already had a pi4 with case, a keyboard and a mouse, so only was missing a portable monitor and a powerbank (but buying a powerbank never is a bad idea anyway).

  • slowbyrne@beehaw.orgEnglish
    5·
    6 months ago

    Now that apple has their own silicon, all the older intel based MacBooks are pretty cheap. I just replaced my wife’s 2013 MacBook Airs battery, upgraded the drive, and installed Linux. It’s been a solid little laptop. Not the fastest but there’s probably a few pro models within your price range. Just make sure to get at least a 16gb model since the ram is soldered. Might have issues with the webcam, but the wifi drivers are pretty good.

      • ranok@sopuli.xyz
        2·
        6 months ago

        The Intel ones are quite a bit easier, but still not as easy as a PC. You need to disable some FW security settings to allow for a non Apple kernel to boot.

        • EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
          1·
          6 months ago

          Ah. In that case, I think I’m gonna steer clear of Macs. I’m not at all familiar with post-2013 Macs in the first place, and I definitely don’t know enough to fiddle around with its firmware security settings (or any firmware security settings, for that matter).

  • solrize@lemmy.world
    61·
    6 months ago

    Buy an old thinkpad from craigslist. The one I’m using is from 2011 and is perfectly sufficient tech-wise. I’ll have to replace it soon, but only because it’s falling apart.

  • boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net
    5·
    6 months ago

    Yeah get a used laptop. Anything used in good condition is way better than new at the same or often twice the price.

    Chromebooks are bad, but they run Coreboot. With MrChromebox and Chrultrabook you can get a normal Coreboot BIOS on there and run any Linux distro.

    But they are often not repairable and have extremely limited storage and RAM. Also finding info on many of them is horrible.

  • Agility0971@lemmy.world
    4·
    6 months ago

    If you can get a metal body laptop, I would suggest you do. Metal chassis with Linux will last a long while. Programming will not take much resources (and if it does, rewrite your code). Since you’re into light programming like python any distro would be fine. It feels like the community has somewhat agreed to suggest Linux Mint to new users so I’ll support that.

    • EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
      1·
      6 months ago

      Thanks, yeah, metal seems better, but I imagine a metal chassis would be more expensive, so probably out of my price range… And yeah Linux Mint was what I was gonna do. I’ve heard a lot of good things about that distro in recent months.

  • constantokra@lemmy.one
    51·
    6 months ago

    I recommend the Thinkpad yoga 11e, which is their education edition. They’re out of stock at the moment, but they’ll come back soon. They always do. It’s an 11 inch laptop with a flip around touch screen and integrated stylus. Works perfectly with Linux. It’s not super fast, but it’s under 300 dollars new. And it’s made for kids so it’s durable. I have one and I love it. You can get one used if you like, but at that point you’re probably better off with an older model.