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

submitted 6 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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. :)

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 months ago (2 children)

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 :))

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (2 children)

That's a good idea! Do I need to know any coding or soldering to set up a Raspberry Pi?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

No. Just have to burn the OS image to an SD card and plug everything up.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

Ooh, nice. That seems like a great initial step for just being in the learning phase. I'm gonna look into this! Thank you! :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

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).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

Thanks for the tip! Sounds promising!