• I’ll buy used, so don’t want latest and greatest. It won’t be my main laptop.
  • to run linux obviously.
  • good battery life, light, not too small to use, but large enough to type on (obviously can do without numeric keypad). not too fragile!
  • I’ll be doing some light python work, perhaps some c/c++ but I’m not after a workhorse, just something for quickly fixing bugs, or making notes on
  • sub 200 GBP / 250USD I guess

I’d be interested in hearing recommendations, and also what to avoid!

  • LeFantome@programming.dev
    131·
    2 days ago

    People are going to say Thinkpad but I am going to say 2013 to 2017 MacBook Air. Inexpensive. Light. Good looking. A joy to use. Faster than you think. And well supported under Linux (I use EndeavourOS on them myself).

    • d00phy@lemmy.world
      72·
      2 days ago

      This was my immediate thought. An M1 Mac laptop is still a very useable laptop, and the battery life on them is fantastic.

      • LeFantome@programming.dev
        1·
        4 hours ago

        M1 works decently with Linux these days but anything newer than that barely works.

        I was thinking Intel era given the price-point.

        • CarrotsHaveEars@lemmy.ml
          11·
          1 day ago

          I would argue that if brew is installed on a Mac, chances are, OP won’t even notice it’s Mac OS, unless he looks into the detail or having some specific Linux use case. OP only mentioned writing some C programs.

      • elucubra@sopuli.xyz
        3·
        1 day ago

        A problem with macbooks is that most have soldered ram, and even hard disks, which negates the possibility to upgrade to modern capacities. Many older non apple laptops can be upgraded to a larger SSD and ram, and be given a new lease on life.

    • Nils@piefed.caEnglish
      4·
      2 days ago

      I second this if he can find a 2013~2017 for free/cheaper, I use an old Macbook Air with EndeavourOS mostly for writing, but my use case is not that far from OP’s, it also runs some old games.

      It is light and portable, and it is just as easy to find a refurbished option as the Thinkpad (at least in NA).

      My only problems are with the drivers(the Wi-FI and the FacetimeHD camera) and the charging cable.

      I tried a bunch of distros, but only with EndeavourOS I got them to work easily.

      That said, if OP prefers better Linux support, and better cost x performance. He will be better suited with a Thinkpad T or X (T480/T490 or X280) refurbished will be in the price range.

      X280 is barely above 1Kg, with a smaller screen.

      T480 is chunkier, bigger screen and Ethernet port.

      https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/lenovo-thinkpad-x280-core-i7-8550u-16gb-ram-256gb-touchscreen-windows-11-laptop-12-months-guarantee-4640028

      https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184872920970