last year i stepped away from the apple brand. just much happier going the FOSS route.
i now have a thinkpad x220 running gentoo with the following options: IPS display, 2.7GHz core i7, 8GB 10666 RAM, 160GB intel SSD, bluetooth3, usb3, 3 usb ports (one always on), sdhc, express slot, displayport, vga, and a 15 hour battery. size is 12.5" and weight is about 3.5 pounds.
i also got a docking station for it (oh i missed those when i was a mac user), which is connected to a 2560x1440 27" display via a display port. the intelHD3000 graphics card is the same one used on the airs and for the integrated graphics on the pros so video performance is similar, while other hardware performance is much better.
i got a reasonably good deal on all of it and i likely wouldn't go back to apple with this setup. the only [minor] annoyance is that the 12.5" screen is only 1366x768. it could be a little better, but it's workable and as i wanted an ultraportable, it's not bad. the IPS option really makes for a beautiful screen.
if i connect a monitor directly to the displayport of the x220, the monitor realised the computer put doesn't display anything. if i do so with the vga-port all works fine!
did you ever connect a monitor to the displayport a get it work? if so, can you give me some help?
2gb ram in a $1000 laptop? How much more could bumping that for 4 actually cost them, $15?
4gb ram/256gb hd was expected to be the new base, not the ceiling.
Guess I'll have to wait on the other 'ultrabooks'