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I haven't used one in a decade, what's out there now?

I'm kind of in the same boat. Netbeans builds a very pretty GUI with minimal work and has tons of flexibility, but OMFG is the code a disaster! Also, I'm pretty well tied to Eclipse.

The approach...

This. You'll have little complex logic here so why go with anything more complex?

This is quality.

So... first thoughts on the new machine.

Solid case, very crisp resolution, much better than average keys for a laptop (at least in the opinion of this large-fingered guy)
Between the i7 Core...

Ah, that makes sense, thanks isantop. I've been a slackware/fedora guy most of my life and am thus rather cautious by nature.

I just realized I ordered 12.10 where I meant to get 12.04 LTS.

From what I hear they make the drivers readily available in case you want to load/reload another OS, guess I'll have a report on...

I have an almost identical system on order:
Ubuntu 12.10 64 bit
5 Free GB of Ubuntu One Online Storage and Sync
15.6" 1080p Full High Definition LED Backlit Display with Glossy Surface (...