Need a 11 inch, cheap and *durable* laptop to run Linux on

Ldualcore on 28/06/2014 - 15:42

My current Thinkpad E130's hinges broke, which makes it very awkward to close it and I do that several times a day. This seems to be a design flaw: http://x121e.tumblr.com/

I've been looking around for a new 11 inch laptop - the main thing I'm looking for is build quality and durability. I will be installing Linux on it, and using it primary for web development (which requires some processing power, especially as I'll be having mysql, redis, nginx, nodejs, etc running in the background).

I plan on upgrading the RAM myself from the RAM on the thinkpad. I'm prepared to pay about $500. Can anyone recommend a laptop? Durability is really important.

Thanks!

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 28/06/2014 - 16:41

    Could try a Dell Inspiron 11:

    http://www.dell.com/au/p/inspiron-11-3147-laptop/pd?oc=dx510…

    IMO, $500 will not get you a 'durable' machine. They don't make laptops like they used to anymore and with the prices of everything going up, a $500 machine is considered fairly low end (so expect plasticky parts and so-so build quality).

    Spending $800+ would get you a much better machine, say a Macbook Air 11.

  • Davo1111 on 28/06/2014 - 17:13

    I've worked in the mining industry with "durable" laptops.

    Unless you're prepared to spend x thousand on a tough book (which is super heavy), then you're not going to get something very durable.

    My vote would be to buy a cheap laptop, which is bulky plastic (not thin ultrabooks) so it can absorb falls better. Toshibas are great for this.

  • Fancy on 28/06/2014 - 20:28

    $499 Toshiba Satellite 15.6" C50-B032 NB
    Hopefully the price stay $499 until "eBay 20% off Big Brand Frenzy"
    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Toshiba-Satellite-15-6-C50-B032-N…

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 28/06/2014 - 20:42

      "Need a 11 inch"

      You failed to read the title.

      • Fancy on 28/06/2014 - 20:55
        +2

        At least i am trying to help :) how about you?

  • scotty on 28/06/2014 - 22:37
    +1

    If $500 is all you have to spend on a durable laptop, get a second hand ThinkPad X201 or X220. For example this one $469 + $25 postage on eBay. They run Linux pretty well.

    • ThadtheChad on 29/06/2014 - 00:25
      +1

      Yea I'm all love for Thinkpads. Esp the E330 that I bought last year. Awesome buy. Was running Debian on it almost perfectly. The niggling issue was the touchpad since it has uneven "scaling" on vertical and horizontal. However, the trackpoint worked perfect.

      On a lighter note (from the ebay posting):

      2X2GB 1600GHZ duo Chanel make graphic card performance highest

      dafuq? He must "computers" pretty hard eh?

  • MasterScythe on 29/06/2014 - 00:10
    +1

    How muc processing power do you need? and are you set on new?

    an i3 Acer 1830t has been abused by students in QLD for the last 3 years with practically no faults. These things take a HUGE beating.

    and since the department has recently upgraded, all the 'Ex Gov' stores have them. Seen them on gumtree for as little as $150.

    • alxr0101 on 29/06/2014 - 07:58

      Bulletproof…same with the 1810T or 1810TZ (virtually identical).

      The hinges are still rock solid after 3 years (and I've had many laptops…all the hinges die..except these). The screens are great and batteries last.

      Second-hand on ebay for <$200. Put in an SSD and max ram…very very useful.

      EDIT: with an SSD…very low heat generation…fan never comes on.. silence is bliss.

  • ThadtheChad on 29/06/2014 - 00:29

    I wouldn't think 11" notebooks are good for dev work tbh. The strain on the eyes is pretty insane. I spend the better part of my day staring at shells and network traces and it really takes a toll on the eyes.

    The perfect balance between size and portability would be a 13".

  • happirt on 20/09/2019 - 03:46

    Why does it need to be durable? Are you going to be throwing it around when it doesn't work?

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