My last three everyday computers were a Mac, a pre-installed Linux laptop from System 76, and now, a Dell that I picked up at Best Buy and loaded Ubuntu on. For a number of reasons, I'm much much happier with Ubuntu Linux than I was with my last Linux box or with my last Mac.
- I'm running the same environment as my production systems. I really like having code, and more importantly configuration, work the same on my laptop and my server.
- This question is largely moot these days anyway since my top applications are gmail in the browser, the 37signals suite, and ssh.
- Software and hardware have combined to make virtualization more practical. I split time between running a business and coding. The business stuff often pushes me toward Windows-only software so I often run a Windows instance during the day. Sun's VirtualBox has been great for me and this laptop is much more capable (enough RAM/HD) than my last one. This is also how I run itunes for syncing my iphone.
- Laptop configuration hell has largely gone away. Wireless and sound worked out of the box. Even my 3G USB card was detected automatically.
- I like the Ubuntu bling. I use Gnome Go, which is like Quicksilver on OSX. I like virtual screens. I like the window animations.
- I actually like having Windows around. There are the business reasons I mentioned above. But I also still play games. This laptop came with a 500MB HD, which means I felt comfortable leaving a Windows only partition.
- I almost hesitate to bring up price because I don't want this recommendation to be read as "Linux is a great cheap option." But it is! I paid $750 for a 17" Dell laptop with dual core, 4MB RAM, 500MB HD. The equivalent Macbook was over $2000. One of my theories on laptop pricing is that I don't want to spend more than I could afford losing--otherwise I'd be nervous every time the laptop was out of the house.