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. :)

  • Fonzie!@ttrpg.network
    2·
    5 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!

    • owatnext@lemmy.world
      1·
      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
      0·
      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
        0·
        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
          0·
          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. ;)

      • Pasta Dental@sh.itjust.works
        1·
        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.

        • 0x0@programming.dev
          1·
          6 months ago

          I have faith

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

        • const_void@lemmy.ml
          01·
          6 months ago

          You’re the one that made the claim that they’re the “only mainstream brand that cares about Linux”. It’s up to you to prove it.

  • markstos@lemmy.world
    0·
    6 months ago

    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.

  • unlawfulbooger@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    0·
    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.

      • Fonzie!@ttrpg.network
        1·
        5 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.

    • 0x0@programming.dev
      1·
      6 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…

  • Eezyville@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    01·
    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 ;)