Advice for new laptop for programming.

patsyrockem

Hi there, I am looking for a laptop. I am hoping to start to learn some basic programming but have no idea what requirements my laptop would need for this. I do some browsing and would like to have access to word & excel. I would be very grateful for any help and advice. My budget is 500-600 euro. Thanks.

https://www.lenovo.com/ie/en/laptops/ideapad/s-series/IdeaPad-3-14ALC6/p/LEN101I0018

and sign up to lenovo newsletter to get emailed a 10% off code

decent screen for the money (bright at 330 nits)

good cpu (4 core / 8 threads)

has 8gb ram I believe, not 4gb (go to customise and it will say 8gb as it's 4gb onboard soldered and 4gb in the user-accessible slot)

patsyrockem

Thanks for your help, very much appreciated. There are so many choices it is hard to narrow down. The onboard memory and selectable memory is not a big issue I hope. Why not advertise it as 8gb??

just an error I think

patsyrockem

Hi there, the price of the previous recommendation has gone up I think before I got to buy it. Could you recommend an alternative please? I am hoping to start to learn a coding language, some excel and general browsing, Netflix and some streaming. Thanks again.

patsyrockem

How would this measure up as an alternative to the suggestion? Thanks.

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-ideapad-5i-14-laptop-intel-core-i5-256-gb-ssd-grey-10207993-pdt.html

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117856242#Comment_117856242

no info on screen quality (nits brightness or colour coverage)

cpu is older 10th gen intel - 11th gen preferred

patsyrockem

If I increase my budget to 900e can you recommend something that would see me through the next few years. I do like the look of the Acer swift 3 you recommend on another page. The extra 8gb and 512ssd & metal build is tempting me to open the purse. I'm sure it's worth the extra outlay. Thanks again for your help.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117870509#Comment_117870509

if you can stretch to the acer swift 3 with the i5 11th gen, metal build - much better build quality, good screen in terms of brightness and colour accuracy, 16gb ram and big ssd then I'd go for that.

use the studentbeans or unidays discount by finding someone with a third-level or secondary email address if you don't have it yourself

patsyrockem

Last question, I promise. Is an extra 8gb and 1tb SSD worth another 180eu? I don't have student email but probably will qualify for 10 per cent discount.

patsyrockem

Thanks for all the help, just pulled the trigger on the Acer. Thanks again.

jaii lala

hello guys,

I am programming student currently studying in one of the best university of united states. As i know while starting programming firstquestion is to select the best laptop under your budget. But relax, I alredy have done so much research that know you don't need to do. I will share my complete expeerience.

As my first choice is always Macbook pro but if your budget is low then you can checkout the following laptops for programming.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118010380#Comment_118010380

hi - I bought 4 so you can as much affiliate link revenue as possible - enjoy!