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)
Assuming you’re fine with non-free drivers I don’t think there’s too much to worry about nowadays (at least that’s what I’ve gathered from personal experience & the lack of hearing other scomplain).
That said, I’ve never had any issues with HP devices, and even an HP Chromebook worked without too much hassle.
Thinkpads are also a classic Linux machine, and I doubt you could go wrong with those either.
I was surprised at how useful my Chromebook was for software development, but lacking dedicated Delete, Home, and End keys pushed me to start using Vim bindings… which I now love and will use for the rest of my life. They are so useful. Now I just wish I had a more powerful Chromebook. I have the cheapest possible one and it’s a little slow sometimes. I prefer as light of a laptop as possible.
Elitebooks and zBooks are fine. Other HP machines are very hit and miss, and mostly miss. The Pavilion lineup still gives me nightmares.
“NON-FREE Drivers?? How could you use propitery software!!!”
Yeah no who doesn’t use the proprietary drivers and coders. Lol