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

submitted 4 months ago by EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/linux@lemmy.ml

26 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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. :)

all 28 comments

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[–] lord_ryvan@ttrpg.network 2 points 3 months ago

Used Dell XPS, Thorvalds' own choice of laptop, and often ranked well on iFixIt reparability ratings

I've been using a Dell XPS-15 9560 for over six years now, the keyboard needed to be cleaned after four years and and the charging port needed to be replaced (€10 inc service) recently. The battery no longer lasts 11 or so hours but it lasts 2 or so which I'll take, for about €100 I could replace just the battery.
All of which, for how fast devices tend to break on me, is an incredibly good mileage I'd say!

And oh yeah, whatever Linux I've been distro hopping to has worked swimmingly!

[–] FartsWithAnAccent@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

Used ThinkPad

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (3 children)

For Linux I would just find the best ThinkPad within your budget (a used one, in this case)

Edit for an example (and re-edit to clean up link): https://www.ebay.com/itm/134956529143

[–] boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Thinkpads are not cheap as they have that reputation.

But they have good Linux support

Btw that link has tons of tracking BS in it

https://www.ebay.com/itm/134956529143

[–] owatnext@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

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

But I second a ThinkPad.

[–] JustARegularNerd@aussie.zone 1 points 4 months ago

Should be the same link without the tracking

https://www.ebay.com/itm/134956529143

[–] EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zone 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

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 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

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.zone 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

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. ;)

[–] lord_ryvan@ttrpg.network 1 points 3 months ago

FYI 12.5" is the diagonal, it's going to be much narrower

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 1 points 4 months ago

Probably used is the right answer. Be mindful of battery life and wear.

[+] TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmy.ml 0 points 4 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

[removed by mod]

[–] const_void@lemmy.ml 0 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (2 children)

You sure about that?. Where does this myth come from that Lenovo cares about Linux users?

[–] independantiste@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] 0x0@programming.dev 1 points 4 months ago

I have faith

I don't, linux is niche for these companies, not worth their time/money.

[–] unlawfulbooger@lemmy.blahaj.zone 0 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (3 children)

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.

[–] 0x0@programming.dev 1 points 4 months ago

an SSD instead of an HDD

I'd rather search for upgradeability, i.e., non-soldered RAM, easy access to HDD, maybe replace the optical drive with an HDD caddy, etc...

[–] eveninghere@beehaw.org 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Well, just for learning coding on Linux OP wouldn't need 16GB.

[–] lord_ryvan@ttrpg.network 1 points 3 months ago

I feel people used to having more RAM always recommended insane amounts of RAM. 4 GB gets you by running a browser or PDF viewer with a code editor, 8 or more GB is recommended IMO.

[–] Wooki@lemmy.world 0 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

is nothing more than reading writing text

Unless you’re compiling rust.

Mic drop *

[–] unlawfulbooger@lemmy.blahaj.zone 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

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

Have you even read my comment?

[–] Wooki@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Whooosh!

Sound of a joke passing over you

[–] Eezyville@sh.itjust.works -1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

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.zone 0 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

Lol, that's kind of intriguing honestly. Are Python interpreters even available on whatever fork of Linux that SteamDecks use? Haha.

[–] Eezyville@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Yes. Steam Deck is based on Arch linux. I even have PyCharm installed.

[–] EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 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.