this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2025
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  • 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!

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[–] d00phy@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (3 children)

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

[–] Nils@piefed.ca 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

M1 mac is still problematic with Linux, with only Asahi offering limited support, and you cannot find one at OP's price point.

[–] racketlauncher831@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 week 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 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

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.

[–] LeFantome@programming.dev 0 points 1 week ago

True. :(

At least for the last 10 years.

[–] LeFantome@programming.dev 0 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

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

I was thinking Intel era given the price-point.