I was going to suggest MBP until I saw that you'll use linux on it. I have one, but I wouldn't suggest buying it just for the hardware. But then, all your other constraints call for a MBP. So I'd say either a thinkpad or a MBP.
To me, the beauty of Apple is not the hardware, or the software, but the (mostly) fluid integration of the two. If you're going to not use the software, the hardware is really not all that special (IMO).
In fact, while I was very happy with my MBP, the screen locking thing turned out to be pretty fragile. It ended up breaking on me after a few months, so my screen wouldn't stay shut unless I squeezed it a bit where the little "hooks" drop down and sort of shook it a bit. It was constantly popping open, and the spring-loaded hinge was always popping up. Big pain in the ass.
My friend had that and they fixed it for him in about an hour at the local apple store. Take it in since it is just a few months old, it will be covered for sure.
I was pretty sure it was an easy fix, I was just traveling so much I never really had a chance to take it in for a fix.