this post was submitted on 27 May 2024

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Any suggestions for cheap but decent laptops for coding? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 6 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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. :)

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

You can usually find old(ish) refurbished thinkpada on amazon for around that price. I recently bought a refurbished t480 for $315 CAD

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Unfortunately, the T480 is too big, at 14.25 inches. I have a very limited primary workspace, of only 11 inches. :(

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (5 children)

You can find good used Dell Latitude's on ebay for pretty cheap. I'd avoid thinkpads as they have wifi-card blacklists on them.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (2 children)

I'm using Lenovo ThinkBook, which is cheaper than Thinkpad, and the keyboard layout is different. It supports upto 40GB of RAM.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Like Thinkpad, the main brand is Lenovo. Thinkbook keyboard is like Acer and other brands.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

ThinkBook

Ooh, that's intriguing. I've never heard of that brand.

and the keyboard layout is different.

How different? Are we talking "different shape of the Enter key" or "full-on head-banging death-metal Dvorak"? Because I like me some QWERTY.

It supports upto 40GB of RAM.

Holy shit that's a lot of RAM.

[–] hperrin -1 points 6 months ago

This one is wider than you said your max is, but I own one and it’s awesome. Chuwi Gemibook XPro

https://a.co/d/4lA8MGA

[–] markstos -1 points 6 months ago (5 children)

Chromebooks have a great builtin support for running Linux in a container. No need to wipe and re-install. And they are consistently cheap and often small.

A older Dell XPS 13 could be good too.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Does the Chromebook is x86_64 or ARM?

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

I would prefer to have a Chromebook wiped out and turn it into a "real" computer than having to support the ChromeOS

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