Is this laptop suitable for an engineering student starting out in programming?

Buying Help
1

I’m considering buying an 11-year-old laptop for my engineering studies and to start learning programming. The seller is asking for $250. Is this a reasonable deal for such an old model? Can it handle basic programming tasks?
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2

That’s an outdated model. You shouldn’t pay more than $150 for a laptop that old.

3

Ainsley said:
That’s an outdated model. You shouldn’t pay more than $150 for a laptop that old.

He’s asking $250. Should I negotiate down or look for another option?

4

Oren said:

Ainsley said:
That’s an outdated model. You shouldn’t pay more than $150 for a laptop that old.

He’s asking $250. Should I negotiate down or look for another option?

That price is too high for such an old laptop. I’d recommend looking for a more recent model.

5

A 3rd generation i7 processor from 2013 is quite old. Even a modern i3 processor would be significantly more efficient. For engineering tasks, you’ll want something much newer to avoid performance issues.

6

@Anik
Thanks for clarifying that, it helps a lot!

7

That laptop might sound powerful, but it’s actually outdated for any serious work.

8

Abi said:
That laptop might sound powerful, but it’s actually outdated for any serious work.

I need genuine advice, please. I’m really trying to make a smart purchase.

9

Consider a more recent model like a Lenovo ThinkPad T480 or T14, which would offer better performance for your needs.

10

If you’re focusing on programming now, look for a laptop with at least an 8th Gen Intel processor or a 4th Gen Ryzen, ideally with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. ThinkPads are great for their durability and performance.

11

@Merrick
I’m considering an HP with a 10th Gen i5. Would that be a good option for the initial stages of my programming and mechanical engineering courses?

12

Oren said:
@Merrick
I’m considering an HP with a 10th Gen i5. Would that be a good option for the initial stages of my programming and mechanical engineering courses?

That HP could serve well initially, especially for programming. However, as you progress into more intensive applications like CAD, you might need to upgrade. Ensure it has sufficient RAM and storage to last through your studies.