Best programming laptop under $700?

I'm diving into programming and decided to grab a laptop—since I'll have enough downtime at my job to really focus on it.
I don't want to waste money on a cheap machine that'll be obsolete in a year, which is why I set this budget. Either way, once I save up a bit more over the next few months, I'll probably just beef up my desktop setup at home.
To start off, I'll be working with Hawaii and Python—already picked up some books for that—and of course, I'll be getting into Android too.
I'm not picky about brands or specific specs; I'm pretty open-minded about what goes into the build.
If possible, I’d love something where I can pop in an extra SSD later just to keep things snappy.
I've done a little digging online and found a few options, but I'd love to get your take. Honestly, I'm second-guessing if I'm even on the right track.
I'll drop the links below, but please let me know if you have any better suggestions!

This one has a matte screen, which is nice

Now, this one is a 17-inch model.

Thanks!

You can learn to code—and actually do some coding—on pretty much any laptop that has a modern processor and 4GB of RAM. So, both options work. It’s hard to beat that Lenovo on price alone since it packs a ton of specs for what you're paying, but if you want it, move fast; I doubt they have many left in stock. Just a heads-up: Reinvent is Lenovo's label for refurbished laptops. This basically means they were swapped out and sent back to the factory for repairs due to things like shipping damage or being returned within the first 15 days. That doesn't necessarily mean they're junk; they get restored to factory standards and pass the usual QC, but let's be real, they aren't "brand new." Lenovo is upfront about it, though there are always shady sellers out there who try to pass them off as new without mentioning the refurb status.

A powerful CPU, plenty of RAM, a Full HD screen, Windows, and a 17" display all for under $4,000. If you don't mind that it's a refurbished machine, grab it quick... though I'll add a disclaimer: I don't know anything about this specific company. I haven't heard a single good or bad thing about them, nor have I seen anyone else buy from them, so watch your wallet until you actually see the machine in person. 😬

If for some reason you decide against that, here are a few other interesting options:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/example1
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/example2
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/example3
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/example4
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/example5
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/example6
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/example7

Or a 17" model:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/example8

Man, this one is seriously tempting me. Though, I’m leaning more toward that model with the matte screen.

http://www.bhphoto.com/shop/index.php...ducts_id=12838

But, what's the deal with them ditching the optical drive? And honestly—is that built-in Intel HD5500 graphics actually going to cut it for my projects?

The Intel HD5500 is perfectly fine for everything except gaming, so you shouldn't have any issues there. Also, just so we're clear, ODD stands for an optical disc drive—basically a DVD player.

Man, I just realized this one's an HD screen—the other one was Full HD and had that matte finish. Is there actually a noticeable difference when you're watching movies or doing some graphic programming?
Both show a two-year warranty, but I saw at Best Buy recently that they offer some extra two-year coverage—it's called CoreX or something like that for Acer laptops—but then $67 it's also more expensive.

If we were talking about high-end models, you’d definitely see a massive difference. In this case? Not really, even when watching movies. Still, if you have the option, go for the higher resolution. It gives you more screen real estate for work, so you can actually see what you're doing.

As for warranties, everything is laid out in the megathread. You should've checked there first—it's literally written specifically for anyone buying a laptop.😬