NickyNickel:
I'm a newly deployed corp member and I want to you this one year to some Tech Skills.

First is to get a second hand system. But I don't really know the specifications I should look out for. Like ram/rom size etc
My budget is 65k.

Advice please!!

NickyNickel:
I'm a newly deployed corp member and I want to you this one year to some Tech Skills.

First is to get a second hand system. But I don't really know the specifications I should look out for. Like ram/rom size etc
My budget is 65k.

Advice please!!

Denn:


Your budget might actually limit the kind of tech skills you might learn from the potential laptop. RAM alone goes for around 8k for 8gb. So a 16gb upgrade is around 16k. Some people claim to be able to work with a 4gb RAM laptop. Maybe for web development but this is 2021. Some tools even peg minimum requirements to 8gb these days.

Secondly, you need a computer with multicore processors. All those old single core intels might be good for watching YouTube but wont be able to load any major IDE and run simulators. Minimum you should consider is a core i5.

HDDs are still passable if you are a learner and dont mind spending time waiting for it to spool data but the optimum is an SSD.

Upgradability. Buy a laptop that has upgradable internal components. The RAM and storage must not be soldered in. This way, you can buy a cheap laptop with 4gb ram and then upgrade later to 8 or 16. The storage too must be removable allowing HDD to SDD swap. You will definitely thank me later for this tip.

Battery. Your laptop must have an appreciable power supply. Tech softwares dey chop battery. Watching tutorials for hours on end consumes power too. If you have uninterrupted power supply, then you can get away with a sub par battery, but if not, your laptop must have a good battery.

Screen size. Except you have an external monitor, dont do less than 14 inches. You might need split screens between your tutorials and work sheet.

Dedicated graphics. Determine if the laptop has a dedicated graphics or only relies on integrated. Some tech skills depend on dedicated graphics chips…

Backlit keyboard. Not necessary but if you work through the night (most techies do), you would find it to be an advantage. You wont need to put on your room lights thereby reducing the strain on your eyes. As i said, not a deal breaker if other specs are good but an additional advantage.

If you notice, i did not ask what tech skills you might want to acquire. My opinion is to browse through a few of them first before you settle down on the ones that you really do have a passion for. Dont do XYZ because you heard someone is making money out of it. At the end of the day, it is passion that will keep you awake at night to spend the hours on learning and becoming a pro.

In summary;
8gb to 16gb RAM
Minimum of core i5
SSD preferred but HDD can do temporarily.
Upgradable internals
Good battery
Dedicated graphics
14 inches display minimum
Optional backlit keyboard

Cheers

tensazangetsu20:

Amazing advice unfortunately his price won't get him something in this list. Laptops have become so expensive over the past one year, it's just insane.

Denn:


i bought a laptop in Dubai just before Covid for 650AED (N65,000 then). i sold same laptop last month for N130,000...

Good deals however are still on JiJi from people willing to dispose 'old stock'. I got my 2012 MacBook Pro on JiJi.

PS: Avoid 2011 MacBook Pro if you don't know your way around the GPU issue. Most sellers are even selling 2011 and 2012 at similar prices anyway, so just get the 2012 non retina. 2012 retina has almost similar specs to the non retina and costs almost twice as much. If you have the money, get the 2015 retina. You can ignore the 2016+ due to keyboard issues.

Denn:


Your budget might actually limit the kind of tech skills you might learn from the potential laptop. RAM alone goes for around 8k for 8gb. So a 16gb upgrade is around 16k. Some people claim to be able to work with a 4gb RAM laptop. Maybe for web development but this is 2021. Some tools even peg minimum requirements to 8gb these days.

Secondly, you need a computer with multicore processors. All those old single core intels might be good for watching YouTube but wont be able to load any major IDE and run simulators. Minimum you should consider is a core i5.

HDDs are still passable if you are a learner and dont mind spending time waiting for it to spool data but the optimum is an SSD.

Upgradability. Buy a laptop that has upgradable internal components. The RAM and storage must not be soldered in. This way, you can buy a cheap laptop with 4gb ram and then upgrade later to 8 or 16. The storage too must be removable allowing HDD to SDD swap. You will definitely thank me later for this tip.

Battery. Your laptop must have an appreciable power supply. Tech softwares dey chop battery. Watching tutorials for hours on end consumes power too. If you have uninterrupted power supply, then you can get away with a sub par battery, but if not, your laptop must have a good battery.

Screen size. Except you have an external monitor, dont do less than 14 inches. You might need split screens between your tutorials and work sheet.

Dedicated graphics. Determine if the laptop has a dedicated graphics or only relies on integrated. Some tech skills depend on dedicated graphics chips…

Backlit keyboard. Not necessary but if you work through the night (most techies do), you would find it to be an advantage. You wont need to put on your room lights thereby reducing the strain on your eyes. As i said, not a deal breaker if other specs are good but an additional advantage.

If you notice, i did not ask what tech skills you might want to acquire. My opinion is to browse through a few of them first before you settle down on the ones that you really do have a passion for. Dont do XYZ because you heard someone is making money out of it. At the end of the day, it is passion that will keep you awake at night to spend the hours on learning and becoming a pro.

In summary;
8gb to 16gb RAM
Minimum of core i5
SSD preferred but HDD can do temporarily.
Upgradable internals
Good battery
Dedicated graphics
14 inches display minimum
Optional backlit keyboard

Cheers

NickyNickel:
I'm a newly deployed corp member and I want to you this one year to some Tech Skills.

First is to get a second hand system. But I don't really know the specifications I should look out for. Like ram/rom size etc
My budget is 65k.

Advice please!!