In case you don't read the 'what laptop' subforu...

I'd appreciate Ubuntu gurus looking into my thread. I'm looking for a decent quality machine with specifics, which will run Lucid fully out of the box.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/what-notebook-should-i-buy/519353-ubuntu-notebook.html

 

In your other thread, Groceries mentioned the two Linux-based OEMs and I think that is a good idea. You're going to find it VERY difficult to find what you're looking for in that size, I'm afraid - so many smaller notebooks have Nvidia Optimus or something else that "doesn't work" with what you seek. However, consider the following...

Lemur UltraThin - Ubuntu Linux Laptop - 13.3 inch system76, Inc.

Base specs - Display: 13.3" HD WXGA Super Clear
Ultra-Bright LED backlit (1366 x 768)
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics (GMA 5700MHD)
Audio Output: Intel High Definition Audio
Networking: Gigabit LAN (10/100/1000), WiFi
Wireless: 802.11 bgn
Ports: HDMI, VGA, 3 x USB 2.0, Headphone Jack, Microphone Jack, SD Reader
Camera: Built-In 1.3 MP Webcam
Security: Kensington® Lock
Power Management: Suspend & Hibernate
Battery: Lemur UltraThin Li-Polymer Battery Pack
AC Adapter: includes one AC adapter
Dimensions: 12.99" x 8.7" x 1.0" (WxDxH)
Weight: 3.4 lbs.

Upgrades are available as you like, and you could probably even install another Core i ULV if you wanted, which is the only option they don't seem to support at System76. I'm unsure exactly how long the battery lasts, but it is a ULV processor and has a Lithium Polymer newtype battery (and the option to buy a second), so it should last good and long combined with Intel graphics and the power management in Lucid. I would suggest letting them upgrade you to 4gb RAM, but if you want any more than that buy your own. They have a good price on a 500gb 7200RPM HDD as well. Definitely take the Intel 6200 WiFi card - that is supported easily and completely under Linux. You won't get a built in optical, but they offer externals if you don't want to buy your own.

The Lemur Ultra Thin is likely a Clevo rebrand and they are built well, though certainly not "premium". You're going to have lots of plastic and a lack of the little "extras" like backlit keyboards and whatnot, but sadly the vast majority of "premium" at that size laptops out of the box are not going to be Linux compliant (ie Sony Z, Asus U33/U35) without some tweaking.

If you want something "premium" that will be more powerful, look good, and have good battery life, and are willing to make a size concession up 1" to 14", then I suggest the HP Envy14. LinuxMint 9 works out of the box on mine. If you're interested, I can tell you more of it.

 

Thanks, unfortunately the Envy is way too heavy for me to use as an everyday. I'm already griping every day over the 4.3lb X201T, which is the absolute, total max I'd consider - and I only do it now because it's a convertible which ticks all other my runtime/etc needs.

Others have suggested the US-based Clevo rebadgers. I'll need to buy on this side of the pond, and I've found one reseller here who does a barebones spec of the Clevo S3100/3101 (i.e. the machine above). With upgrades it could hit the runtime/weight requirements - I estimate I could probably get 5 hours in Ubuntu out of the 62Wh battery - which I'm assuming would add about 300-400g to the weight, making it ~4.3lbs all-up. I'm not that keen on it though - it looks like a slightly nasty machine.

 

Have you considered a Vostro V13 or Latitude 13? They weigh in at 3.5lbs with a 6 cell battery.

 

Laptops that come with Linux pre-loaded suck more often than not. German computer magazine c't recently tested 6 Linux laptops. They found all 6 disappointing. In difference to Windows laptops (where out-of-the-box driver support is generally good), the manufacturers of those Linux laptops didn't ensure good out-of-the-box hardware compatibility.

Therefore, just buy a Windows box (after doing your research through the usual channels). During the first boot, decline the EULA and ask the manufacturer to refund you the money for the OS.

 

You surely mean this article:
Schlechte Noten für Notebooks mit vorinstalliertem Linux | heise open

Sorry, but this is a pretty lame excuse to support MSs sales counter. c't criticizes the outdated software but doesn't consider the release cycle of the distributions. Plus you'll have the same problems with outdated drivers under Windows too.
Then they say that the laptops suffer from problems that "even Linux experts can't solve easily". They don't say what easy means and they don't say what they consider an expert. As far as I can tell I don't consider the c't staff to be Linux experts.

Don't get me wrong, I don't say that pre-installed Linux laptops are perfect, but this c't review completely ignores that there is simply no "perfect setup" for Linux. You might prefer a home partition with dm-crypt/luks while I don't. You might prefer the standard partiton layout with / /home swap while I prefer to have a dedicated data partition and so on.
On the other hand they completely ignore that pre-installed Windows laptops come with tons of bloatware which render them nearly unusable in their original configuration, so the original OS doesn't matter since you'll have to do a reinstall anyway. And they ignore that after some years you mostly have big trouble to get recent drivers especially for exotic hardware like CIR or dual graphics cards.

Considering all this I don't understand at all why heise open recommends to buy pre-installed Windows laptops, to decline the EULA and to return the license. Especially as it's very hard, almost impossible, to return a Windows license since unbundling usually doesn't work in Germany.
My conclusion would be that it doesn't matter except if you take care for your right of free choice.