I don't know about you, but I need much more than "a browser and an editor" on the laptop. I run a lot of apps outside the browser, I create VMs, etc. That RAM and a decent processor are crucial to me.
Reading through HN, I can see I'd better clarify: I'm looking for actual recommendations of specific laptops--not "buy a Dell", "Buy a Thinkpad", etc. There are hundreds of each of those kinds, for example. I don't need a brand recommendation.