I hate M$ monopoly in laptop market. So i start looking for best linux laptop 4 years ago. I use ubuntu-wiki-laptop [0] as my buying reference. The choice was Dell Vostro 5470 non-os. This is my main machine since then. As a developer i can say this type are outstanding.

I start with ubuntu 14.04 + gnome-classic. At the beginning the problem just the stereo and volume drivers, solved with patch from launchpad.

Almost my work done in terminal (vim, mocp, bash, psql, mysql, etc). Things that need gui just google-chrome + libreOffice suite. Battery also work great and has no issues with OS, Almost 5 hours average from full charge.

Thanks Dell, thanks canonical. [0] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport/Machines/Laptops