Any suggestions for cheap but decent laptops for coding?

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,

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)

pupbiru,

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

cygnus, (edited )
@cygnus@lemmy.ca avatar

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): www.ebay.com/itm/134956529143

boredsquirrel,

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

www.ebay.com/itm/134956529143

owatnext,
@owatnext@lemmy.world avatar

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

But I second a ThinkPad.

JustARegularNerd,

Should be the same link without the tracking

www.ebay.com/itm/134956529143

EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted,
@EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

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,
@cygnus@lemmy.ca avatar

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,
@EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

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,

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

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