I figured, "It doesn't hurt to ask". My son was given 2 laptops when he went to college. 1 was so old, it wouldn't even run a lightweight version of Linux! I think it had 1 GB RAM. The other one has a broken power connector. But it got me thinking -- when you have nothing, anything at all is a step up! So there's the bright side.

I have been shopping for used laptops -- there are a lot of very good, promising ones in the $100 - $150 range. I bet a lot of them are a very good deal. Any old Windows 10 laptop would do -- I'm going to put my 1st choice, favorite OS (Linux Mint) on it anyhow. I say "Windows 10" because I bet a lot of people are upgrading their laptops these days due to Windows 10 going End of Life soon (No more security updates; basically forcing people to buy a new laptop or switch to Linux).

I don't own a laptop. I used to have one (purchased "for homeschooling") which just got re-purposed to be my 12 year old daughter's main school computer. It's a Dell laptop from 2019.

But for my use, I don't have a laptop at all right now. If I want any kind of mobility, to do software development (or other PC work/study) anywhere but my main desk, I'm out of luck. If I have to go out on a short or long trip, I have no options. It's not necessary for life, but I'm a bit frustrated right now having to do without. It is a "tool of the trade", being as I'm a software developer.

I've wanted a laptop for several years. In 2023 I got a work laptop -- but they wanted it back when they laid me off in July 2024. My last job promised me a work laptop "as soon as we're making some money" (though it was going to be a Macbook -- certainly not my preference). But that didn't work out, as they laid me off too.

This kind of ties in with my other frustration -- not having a job!
It's very frustrating, not having a job, not being able to afford stuff, etc.