Are mini Notebook computers usable for classroom programming?

Question

If you don't need to do much serious programming on it but only the kind of problem you would be asked to do in a CS classroom, is one of those 8-10 inch laptops tolerable to do programming on?

In my case the alternative for class would be either a huge heavy laptop (not good for the back) or nothing at all. I've got a good setup at home no matter what.

Kinda along the same lines as this: Minimum development computer requirements? but for a different environment.

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Update: I get the Aspire One 1.6Ghz, 1GB Ram, 140GB HD. I don't even notice the smaller screen most of the time but when things don't fit, it really is cramped. Also the arrow keys and about 3/4 height (on a 89% KB that ends up feeing about 1/2 height) and the home/end and PgUp/PgDn keys are in an odd spot and overloaded using the Fn key.

All said I like it a lot. It runs eclipse/Java just fine and does well for downloading stuff for class and what not.

Answer 1

A programmer without a good keyboard is like a bee without honey.

Surely, its better than nothing. But cheap netbooks are both underpowered and lack a good display/keyboard. I personally do a lot of my work on my MacBook Air (underpowered, but at least the keyboard/display is acceptable). I think you can go with a relatively cheap 13.3" from Dell (Vostro 1310, which is not that heavy) or even better, you could get yourself a MacBook with student discounts or something!

I know a guy who mostly work with open source stuff (he's a Linux/Python fan). He does his work in emacs and owns a Lenovo X61. It works for him since emacs is not VS/Eclipse (however I still can't type with his keyboard).

Answer 2

Everything depends on what kind of programming will you do.

I use a Macbook 13" and sometimes it's not enough (I do web programming), specially when you try to see how a page looks, and you need to scroll from top to bottom. But you can still work with any netbook or mini notebooks.

And as Mehrdad said, the keyboard is important, so if you feel comfortably with the keyboard you can code anything.

Answer 3

We have two Acer Netbooks, which are probably the nicest netbooks available right now. Visual Studio runs great, but I wouldn't suggest using them for more than an hour at a time. The screen is too cramped and the keyboard is too small for extended use. I got them just so we can do work when flying.

For a classroom, that would work fine. When you get back to your home/dorm though switch back to your desktop of full-size laptop.

Answer 4

I wouldn't use one, not because of the processing power (or rather, lack thereof) but simply because both the keyboard and the screen really are too small for doing anything useful with modern IDEs. It might be slightly more usable if you're using a standalone editor and build on the command line, but it's still awkward.

If a standard-size laptop is too heavy to lug around, you might want to look into something like a used IBM/Lenovo X-series laptop. I've got an X32 and without the optional docking plate/optical drive, it's a very light laptop. In fact it shares on-train programming duties with my 13" MacBook.

Answer 5

For the problems one can solve in the classroom, in most cases even the smallest computer is enought. It gets difficult, when you should use a fat IDE (like Eclipse) that needs a lot of space on your desktop to show all of its widgets.

Answer 6

I do not own such a small computer. However, I have also asked myself the same question and I think the answer is 90% yes.

I'll explain why. I have actually tested the 7" eeepc in the store. It's screen is a pain to stare at and the keyboard is very tiny. However, I was able to open the topcoder arena and actually solve a problem. I expect it to be easier with the newew 9"-10" models.

After about 10-15 minutes, you get used to the screen and the keyboard and you can actually code small stuff like what you are asked to do in a classroom. The only limitation is the number of lines you see at the same time on the screen, but you can work around this by making functions do less (which is usually a good thing anyway). On the other hand, I think you probably can't run an entire modern IDE on it.

Answer 7

I am very happy using my MSI wind for programming in visual studio. I wouldnt like to work on it for 8 hours a day because of monitor and keyboard size but I find I can type on it fine for a few hours at a time.

One important thing to consider is how you will be sitting. Typing is far easier when you have a table and a chair rather than having the laptop actially in your lap.

I will also add that I think that for a programmer a mini notebook makes a lot of financial sense. They are incredibly cheap for what you get leaving cash for a desktop development computer as well. In my opinion this is far more useful a setup than one larger laptop that you use at home and on the move.

Answer 8

I've worked in a couple of Happy Dev Housed with a Asus EEEPC 1000, the first time i hated it, I worked very slow and everyone was distracting me with "is that the new asus" and it had windows XP running kinda slow.... but the next time i used my mouse(razer lachesis) with a cool mousepad and the asus...and with ubuntu 8.04 it worked great, aparently what i dont like that much is the mouse in the asus and ubuntu does run a bit faster.

After that i always carry that netbook with a small usb mouse and i get to hack in python all the time when im at the uni =)

so YES it is, but you have to get the set up right...

Answer 9

After set up, my Asus EeePC 1000HA has worked great for some simple and some what complex programming tasks. I'm running XP and use Vim as my editor. I've not had any problems with XP. Any OS will need some personal tuning but after that it works great.

Like I said I'm running an Asus EeePC 1000HA with: Intel Atom 1.6 GHz, 160 Gig HD, and 2 Gigs of RAM.

I've written several longer python scripts to handle data processing. The computer also works great for presentations as well as in class notes since it starts up within 30 seconds. Battery life is great, upwards of 6 hours for simple task such as programming and note taking. I also keep all my textbooks for class as .pdf so it works great as a mini-library too...sure beats carrying heavy text books.

The keyboard can take a little to get used to because of the weird right shift-key placement but after an afternoon you're as good as gold.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I've had the computer for about 2 months now and haven't had any problems. I love it :)

Answer 10

My Dell Mini 9 does everything I need to do in classes.
Fits really nice on small class desks and even though not really powerfull, I can often follow small Java exemples without problems.
I've got used to it's small keyboard so typing is not too hard. Still, the {}, [] and other special characters need the use of the Function key, so having an editor with some kind of braket maching is good.
And since I spend most of my time in the linux terminal, the touchpad isn't a problem at all.

Answer 11

I have an HP 2133 netbook, with a 1280x768 8.9" display. I suspect that it would be more than suitable for learning to program on, or even for knocking up production code when you don't have access to your main system.

Your main things to look for:

1. Good keyboard. HP 2133, Acer Aspire One.
2. Cheap, but rugged. It'll undergo a lot of punishment in a schoolbag, and not all parents have the money to spend on these things.
3. Light. No-one wants another 5lbs on top of their other textbooks.

What language? Depends on the schoolchild's age. I don't think there was anything wrong with learning Logo or Pascal at school. Indeed with Logo you do get visual feedback which is good for children, but nobody ever goes onto the more powerful aspects of the language...

As for university, Linux is great. All the main languages are available. Eclipse might need some effort if you have a 1024x600 setup, but it is configurable. Maybe someone has already made a configuration for netbooks for Eclipse to make it really useful.

Answer 12

I am happier with a large notebook, currently a Dell Precision M65, but it will be replace later this year. To prevent damage to my back and shoulder I found a case with wheels and handle. It looks like and can be used as, as a airline carry on bag. It includes a removable sleeve for the laptop in case I need to gate check the bag.

Answer 13

I'm going to step out on a slight limb and say that if the programming power isn't that demanding, see if you can pick up a Tablet PC for a reasonable price.

Most of the tablets nowadays come with the "swivel screen" so that you can easily jot notes down with the stylus/pen/whatever they call it and then swap over to typing if you're going to work some coding exercises.

Some of my professors actually had their notes for the semester published as PDF/Word documents for us to print out, and I wished I had something like a tablet that I could have added my own annotations to. Even if you're doing freehand notes, it will quite handy to have all your class notes easily accessible on the same screen as your typing when doing an assignment.

Answer 14

I got an Acer Aspire One for Christmas. I wanted one expressly so I could work on web projects and small work from coffee shops with gobs of battery life.

For me it's great.

Answer 15

I used a Sony VAIO SR-77 for about 2 years as my sole computer, and I was fine with it. That was a little one with a 10" screen, weighed less than 2lbs (IIRC) and had about a 6 hour battery life -- over 6 years ago! I got it specifically because it was small enough for me to take to school with me everyday (first high school, then first year of college)

Currently, I have a slightly larger Sony VAIO (S170, I think) that I use for coding when I'm on the road. I've never had a problem with it, either, and it is also quite small and light (can't remember the screen size right now, you can look it up).

Answer 16

Even I am a CS student on a budget, I checked out the ASUS eeePC 1000HE, it has a very comfortable keyboard and I tried being with the screen size for 2 days - I got easily used to it.

Only thing that I am concerned before buying it is the processor - 1.66 GHz ? I will be upgrading to 2 GB of RAM though, I would be using it only for programming.

What do you think about the processor ?