Looking for new computer recommendations!

[Dragonbite]

Ok, I am beginning to look for a new laptop that is reasonably priced (~$1k+, prefer < $2k if possible)), but won't be obsolete for a few years. This is primarily for my wife to use, but don't think I won't be getting my grubby hands on it too

+ It will be running Windows 7 primarily (for her) but needs to be compatible with Linux (for me, and doesn't matter which; Ubuntu, Fedora or openSUSE)
+ Prefer a 15" screen but will accept a 17" screen if I have to
+ Here's the tough one.. I want a 5 hour or more battery life, even if that entails getting an extended battery. Will take replacing an optical drive with an 2nd battery if that is the only way.
+ Needs to be pretty good for graphic use (mild DTP, some photo editing, etc).

Of course needs WiFi (it's a laptop for heaven's sake!). All of the other features, if these primary ones are met, are nice but optional; webcam, bluetooth, Firewire, etc.

Anybody have any recommendations? Or am I asking for too much?

(yes, I posted this in Google+ but think it may get more exposure here)

[undecim]

I recommend Asus. They are by far the best-built laptops I've ever had.

I think some of their new models have very long battery life. Their Uxx and ULxx series claim battery life of 8 hours (or more, depending on the model)

EDIT: Here are two of their models that meet your specifications:

http://www.asus.com/Notebooks/Superior_Mobility/UL50At/ (~$500, from what I could find on Google)
http://www.asus.com/Notebooks/Superior_Mobility/U53Jc/ (~$1000, from what I could find on Google)

[collisionystm]

Have a look at the Dell Vostro series laptops. They seem to be Ubuntu's flagship notebook. I have a 3750 with a 17" screen and everything worked flawlessly. It has an Intel Centrino 1300-n card that works great. The funny part is the wifi card had a problem under windows and it was because there is a bug with the power saving module. I just disabled the power saving in win 7 and it works great. No problems in linux though.

[Jesus_Valdez]

I was checking yesterday the Assus UL series on Amazon and they look really good. Aluminum on the outside, fake aluminum on the inside.

If I recall correctly they have dedicated graphic card and no optical disc drive, and they announce the battery life around the 8 hours.

[Linuxratty]

Have a look at the Dell Vostro series laptops. They seem to be Ubuntu's flagship notebook.

Yup,look here!

http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-3555/pd

[cap10Ibraim]

a Thinkpad or a Sony vaio Z series

[Dragonbite]

a Thinkpad or a Sony vaio Z series

I didn't think Sony was very Linux-friendly. At least the desktop I bought in 2000 wasn't.

[Dragonbite]

How are all of these on battery life?

[Blasphemist]

I don't think you are shooting low enough. I have some recycle credits to spend at Best Buy and looked the other day to see how the laptop prices are these days. I could find quite a few with a decent i3 or i5, 4 GB, 500 GB for under $500. Would easily last a few years.

[kurt18947]

a Thinkpad or a Sony vaio Z series

Most Thinkpads seem to be pretty Ubuntu/Linux friendly. There's a thread somewhere on this board about problem notebooks. I'd say if you can find a Thinkpad model that's been out for a year or so that would be a nice choice. Of course, I'm biased.....I much prefer the Thinkpad UltraNav to any other vendor's offering. I have two older Thinkpads, an R61i & X61 tablet which I just got off Ebay for $127 (stealth gloat) and they're both install and go. Do beware of machines with Nvidia Optimus(I think it's called), a dual Intel/Nvidia display setup which has no Linux support from Nvidia. There's a community effort to support the Intel/Nvidia offering but I don't know how well it works so far.