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. :)

  • Jayb151@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    I work in IT and my 4 year old retired Dell 5300 is working just fine. Great form factor as well.

        • EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOP
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          7 months ago

          Not the screen width. The laptop width. The total space I have to work with is exactly 11 inches wide.

          (I didn’t have a ruler, so I used a 3-hole punch, which has the zero point in the center, and spreads out 5½ inches in each direction, resulting in a total width of 11 inches.)

      • CaptKoala@lemmy.ml
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        7 months ago

        I’ve got a Lenovo P11, goes pretty well on a charge, and VSCode is available on android, haven’t used it much as I almost always code at home now.

        • EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOP
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          7 months ago

          Oh shit! I didn’t even know VSCode was available for Android. Nice! Thank you!

           


          Edit: Er, nevermind. VSCode is indeed available on Android, but for US$12. Ew. Thanks anyway though. :)

          • CaptKoala@lemmy.ml
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            7 months ago

            That’s fucked up, it was $8AUD when I got it like a year ago. Fuckin corpos and their price hikes.

            I was happy to swallow it to code on the go, but I only used it for a few weeks. Sometimes I lay in bed to code though so I can watch TV as well (never mind all the errors I make as a result).

              • CaptKoala@lemmy.ml
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                7 months ago

                I thought exactly the same thing, as previously though, I was willing to swallow the $8 (at the time) in order to use my tablet for coding (may as well be a laptop running android tbh).