As the title says, I am currently learning to be a programmer, and my tablet does not suffice for the job.

I have already finished a small MEAN-Stack application for learning Typescript, learned some Java syntax (I expect nothing more exciting than a sorting algorithm, but exam language is Java, so…) and the next stop will most likely be plain vanilla C to learn about handling hardware.

Windows I hate with a passion, and I don’t know squat about Macs, so I am thinking of getting myself a decently sized laptop for a sensible Linux install.

History (I started my Liux journey with SuSE Linux 4.4.1, way back when) taught me to be very wary of driver issues on laptops, so I thought I could ask you for recommendations that play fair with Linux.

(as an aside, if I could play GuildWars2 on it in the evening and attach my two big monitors when at home, that would be super cool)

  • @ProgrammingSocks
    link
    11 year ago

    2012 macbook pro retinas with nvidia cards have a very fun problem where you won’t get graphics due to motherboard flex when the screen is opening. This flex causes the solder to crack on the chip that provides power to the GPU. So, avoid that one… Lol.

    • @boonhet@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      11 year ago

      Oh yeah, definitely. And also avoid the 2010-2011 models with dedicated graphics. 2012 13" non-retina and L2013-2015 models are all ok. But still wouldn’t recommend them anymore since those old Intel CPUs just aren’t all that great and even the original M1 Air is superb, beats the crap out of even the last i9 16" MBP, at a good price point.