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. :)

  • Charadon@lemmy.sdf.org
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    1 month ago

    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.

      • Steamymoomilk@sh.itjust.works
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        1 month ago

        I belive hes refering to lenovos bios blocks certain wifi cards? I remember before buying my t440p i watched a stupid amount of videos of people moding them. Some of which were bios mods for newer wifi cards.

        • bobslaede@feddit.dk
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          1 month ago

          Probably a non-issue for this use case then. A relatively cheap Lenovo for programming, would not be too old to have a decent wifi card already in it. Even the pretty old ones I got for my kids have decent wifi cards, some even 4g. No issues at all with running Linux.

        • Charadon@lemmy.sdf.org
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          30 days ago

          Oh, it’s worse than blocking certain wifi cards, it blocks all wifi cards except what came with the laptop. I mispoke when I called it a blacklist, it’s a whitelist.

    • digdilem@lemmy.ml
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      1 month ago

      Some of the cheaper Thinkpads are terribly poor quality. Once a by word for ruggedness, now just another name.