Hey Everyone!

I just turned 18 a while back and I am getting a job ASAP. My first purchase will be a laptop. I use my laptop everyday, but I'm not interested in a desktop for very particular reasons. Anyway, I'll just shoot off as much information as possible in some nice lists so you guys can get an idea of what I'd like. Keep in mind none of these are absolutes but are more like guidelines and features I'd love. I truly appreciate hearing from people that are older and have more experience then I do and thank all posters and readers of my thread in advance for giving up your precious time to help me out!

Needs:

• Good Resolution (like 1440x900, 1600x900, 1280x800)
• 16:10 Aspect Ratio (16:9 is great as long as the resolution is better than the crappy 1366x768)
• Durability
• Longevity
• Build Quality
• Good Warranty
• Non-ULV Intel Processor, Core i5/7 preferred
• Matte Screen, Matte Body
• Backlit Keyboard
• Long Hours of Operation Everyday
• 4+ Hours of Battery Life
• Between 12-16" Screen
• Something Under 7.5 Pounds
• Not a Behemoth
• Something Classy; No UFO Designs, No Consumer/Sexy Designs
• Budget $1600 ($2000 with tax + shipping)
• New Only
• Will Be Buying in 1 Month, 2 Months Max
• Internal CD/DVD +/- RW Drive
• Webcam
• Good Speakers
• Tough
• Can Handle Drops and Abuse

A list of my last three laptops, all broke down too soon and had terrible Linux compatibility (time of ownership sequential, old-to-new);

1. HP Pavilion dv6000us
2. Acer Aspire One D250-1026
3. MacBook Pro 13" (320M Model)

Linux distributions I'd like to use;

• Arch
• Ubuntu

Programs I'd like to be able to run and things it will be used for;

• Compiz-fusion
• GNOME
• Cairo-dock
• Heavy web browsing with Firefox
• Programming
• OpenOffice.org
• GIMP
• Cube 2 Sauerbraten
• Nexuiz
• Pokerstars (via WINE)
• RollerCoaster Tycoon 1-3 (via WINE)
• VLC
• Rhythmbox (or a music player of some sort)

Laptops I've looked at and seriously considered;

• Dell Latitude E6410
• Dell Latitude E6410 ATG
• Lenovo ThinkPad T410
• Toshiba Portege R700

Also, if you have a laptop that is running Linux that you are very happy with, feel free to tell me about it! I'd love to hear positive stories with laptops running Linux. Even post negative experiences you've had, since everything will help me.

Once again thanks! I tried to keep this thread as short as possible but I'll provide any additional information upon request.

I'm a huge fan of IBM/Lenovo ThinkPads. I have had my X41 tablet for a while now; it's taken some accidental abuse since I've owned it but there is absolutely nothing to complain about.

Yeah, I've heard good things about them. The T410 meets most of my needs too, so I was looking at that pretty hard.

My biggest concern is the ThinkLight. Does yours have one? Does it do as good of a job as a backlit keyboard?

My laptop doesn't have a ThinkLight; that being said though, I have used laptops with the ThinkLight, and ones with the back-lit keyboards, and I much prefer the ThinkLight. The back-lighting just seems...unnatural.

Thanks!

I may buy a ThinkPad. They have a ThinkWiki which is awesome and a lot of users here like it.

I love the classy design and the known name. I may get a T410 with 3 GB RAM and throw some 32-bit Arch Linux goodness on one.

I'm glad I could be of some help!
Best of luck with your new laptop.

Unless you carry it everyday (to and fro school/work is an exemption) then even 14" or higher laptops are easy enough to carry. I too was eye-ing a 12" or 11.6" as my primary laptop but I stuck with the t410 instead. Higher resolution equates to more room for shell output display in linux = higher productivity if you ask me.

I agree. I'd rather have something with a higher resolution then a smaller screen.

I've been finding this out lately.

To maximize the use of the small, 12" screen on my X41, I ditched the idea of a desktop environment and run Xmonad.

linux forums that guy is a nationalist. he ganked me. you're up for death bud. why you mocking my posts with get a job and haha i sold you a bunk lenovo laptop?

sehsphare: What's this all about? If you have an issue, start your own thread. If you have an issue with an individual on this forum, take it up with them over PM.

I'm not sure who that is, or why he doesn't like me...

Any Issues please report it to PM.

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Just to add to the whole thinkpad thing
I have two T22, an X41 and the T410 all running Linux..

I love them

I can DEFINATELY recommend the t410, great great computer, esp with the big battery