Suggestion for a development laptop

[markbertoglio]

I built my own machine for $500 and am running Ubuntu 12.11. Every day I'm amazed at how great Ubuntu is. Anyway, the start-up thing is going well so now I have an opportunity to upgrade to an Ultrabook. I have a few basic requirements:
1. At least 8GB
2. Ability to run dual monitor with no hassle (i.e. the machine must have 2 video ports of some kind)
3. Full HD resolution for working away from the office.

The rest of the specs don't matter that much. Is the Asus Zenbook the only thing out there with these specs? I've heard they have sketchy build quality. Would like a Samsung I think but can't find a Series 9 with Full HD and 8GB. Dell XPS only has single video port.

Oh, and should be a little sexy like the Series 9. Everyone here is a Macbook snob so I can't have some plasticy thing. ;)

Thanks!

[motang]

I would check out System 76 (http://www.system76.com), they have superb support, and their hardware are top notch. I have their Sable Complete and I love it.

[markbertoglio]

Specs look great on the System76 Galago UltraPro. Just what I'm looking for. I'm seeing reviews saying keyboard not registering keystrokes. Makes me think it wouldn't meet the quality bar.

[frankmorris2]

Hello,

Since the laptop will be used as a development machine, I would recommend you try out the keyboard first. Some thin laptops will have low quality keys. You will spend a significant amount of time typing, it will become important.

Just my 2 cents.

[ssam]

Specs look great on the System76 Galago UltraPro. Just what I'm looking for. I'm seeing reviews saying keyboard not registering keystrokes. Makes me think it wouldn't meet the quality bar.

They have acknowledged that the original keyboards were bad, and switched to new ones. They sent new keyboards to owners.
http://i.imgur.com/ANdwGkX.png
http://therealkatie.net/blog/2013/dec/4/review-system76-galago-pro/
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2190502

[markbertoglio]

Thanks for the responses. I found in the comments of a particularly nasty Galago UltraPro review mention of the ThinkPad T440. Looks like I can get one configured for my needs and can be relatively confident in build quality.

[motang]

I remember reading about that, such a great service. All I can say is I have been very happy with System 76, and when I am ready to get a notebook they are the ones I will be looking at.

[markbertoglio]

Well, I got my new development laptop. The Mac folks here at work didn't like the idea of spending money on anything but Apple hardware so my new machine is a 13" Macbook Pro Retina. After a bit of effort I have Ubuntu 13.10 running on it. Audio doesn't work after resuming from hibernate even though I've attempted all recommended fixes but other than that all is working.

Ubuntu with Macbook Pro Retina is quite a beautiful thing.

[motang]

The Mac folks here at work didn't like the idea of spending money on anything but Apple hardware so my new machine is a 13" Macbook Pro Retina.
Well of course they wouldn't want you spending money on anything but Apple!


Ubuntu with Macbook Pro Retina is quite a beautiful thing.

Well that's good to hear.

[markbertoglio]

Update: I incorrectly applied one of the suggestions for fixing audio post hibernation. Once corrected everything is working. Ubuntu on Macbook is just stunning. Seriously.