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. :)

  • thisNotMyName@lemmy.world
    0·
    4 months ago

    The good thing about Linux is, it’s not very ressouce demanding. If you pick the xfce version of Mint, you can get away with 4GB of RAM. But you won’t have that much fun coding as soon as you start something more ressource heavy (big data sets, ML, …) so this depends a little in which direction you want to go. However see if you can find something used, preferably something you can open from the back side to upgrade components like SSD and RAM (cheaper than buying higher specs)

    • Pup Biru@aussie.zone
      0·
      4 months ago

      getting a small laptop as a dumb terminal and using a cloud server as a more beefy “as needed” machine isn’t a bad option either

  • unlawfulbooger@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    0·
    4 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.

  • Eezyville@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    4 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 ;)

        • erwan@lemmy.ml
          0·
          4 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.

        • EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
          0·
          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.

    • CosmicGiraffe@lemmy.world
      0·
      4 months ago

      The x390/x280 are the same era as these but smaller, so might be a better fit here. The X390 has soldered RAM though, so I’d look for the 16GB version if you can find it (there’s not much of a price difference used)

  • cygnus@lemmy.ca
    0·
    4 months ago

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

    • EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
      0·
      4 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
        0·
        4 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
          0·
          4 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. ;)

    • owatnext@lemmy.world
      0·
      4 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.

  • rekabis@lemmy.ca
    0·
    4 months ago

    I am also supremely space-constrained, but I also had no need to take my development device away from my desk. So I got a workstation and a KVM to switch between workstations, thereby needing only one keyboard, mouse, and set of monitors for multiple computers.

    I went further than that, because I also needed to keep the desktop largely clear and the floor space used down to an absolute minimum. So I got a 60s “tanker desk”, and put a smaller office table on top of it. the computers all sit on top of the office table, up near the ceiling (and away from a lot of the dust!) and the monitors and KVM dangle down from beneath it. This leaves only the two pedestal legs of that office table and my keyboard and mouse as the only things “on” the top surface of my desk.

    And ignoring the chair, I can have four workstations and six monitors within a 30×60 inch footprint (the tanker desk).

  • cheezits@lemmy.ca
    0·
    4 months ago

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

  • slowbyrne@beehaw.orgEnglish
    0·
    4 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
        0·
        4 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.

  • beeng@discuss.tchncs.de
    0·
    4 months ago

    Some reason I have Chromebook Lenovo Thinka Pad 11e saved in my notes

    Iirc it’s something that isn’t too difficult to unlock and get Linux on it, otherwise I wouldn’t have considered it.

  • Agility0971@lemmy.world
    0·
    4 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.

  • pumpkinseedoil@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    4 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
      0·
      4 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
        0·
        4 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).