This question is posted just about weekly. The most recent was 3 days ago at <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7415884" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7415884</a><p>Use the search at the bottom of this page ("ask laptop") and read all the previous submissions. You get quicker answers and HN gets fewer duplicate discussions.
Lenovo ThinkPad - one of the full sized models with a good keyboard and matte screen. Max out the RAM, install a large SSD, and replace Windows with Linux (in my case, Linux Mint). I'm currently running an L520 as my personal machine and an L530 at work.<p>Oh - and buy a cheap netbook for when you're traveling somewhere you might have your main machine lost, stolen, or destroyed.<p>And encrypt the disk on all your laptops.
My approach is to buy a Lenovo with a decent processor and screen size and the lowest memory and storage I can find, then upgrade to 16GB and a SSD, since it's much cheaper to upgrade these parts than to buy pre-assembled with the specs you want.
For Linux, the Lenovo X or T series are the way to go. I've had ~5 of them over the last ten years and they're great. They're built like tanks, are very well supported by Linux, and are modular and easy to upgrade.
13" Retina MBP is my preferred platform, but also doing development on a Surface Pro 2.<p>If/when a retina MacBook Air comes out, that will likely replace the 13" MBP.
Depends on what you want from it. Personally the only thing I need out of a laptop is SSH, so my requirements are: SSD for fast bootup, small size/weight good keyboard, runs Arch Linux.<p>I have a second-generation Lenovo X100e (so the dual-core processor) and I couldn't be happier. A $45 upgrade to an SSD and $10 for an AGN wireless card saved me from having to spend ~$2-3k on an MBP.<p>Pretty awesome for what was basically a (high-end) netbook.
I'm between my current 2013 macbook pro and a ThinkPad - both are great machines. Make sure you have an SSD and decent memory (8GB+ RAM) - most developers need little more. The main advice; if you're getting a laptop to travel with, get one which is quite light and has excellent build quality, it's absolutely worth the extra money.
Dell XPS13 "Sputnik". One of the few Linux laptops from a major maker. I have the pre Haswell (but with a 1080p screen) and it's light and fast. The only downside, for me, is the wider screen compared to the squarer screen of the Airs. But having neither Windows nor OSX come with it is important to me as a developer.
Don't forget that if you also want to do any serious work for iOS or OS/X, you need a Mac.<p>For portability, get a MacBook Air 11", for a powerhouse get a Retina MacBook Pro 15". If you want something in between get the Retina MacBook Pro 13".
If you have detailed requirements the people at <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/suggestalaptop" rel="nofollow">http://www.reddit.com/r/suggestalaptop</a> can provide you with some suitable laptops.
I've been very happy with my Lemur Ultra from System76, though needs may differ. "Can comfortably use it on public transit through my commute" was the most important consideration for me.