I wrote Rails for a startup this summer, and had access to my own T60 and a MBP they gave me (I also did iOS, so it was necessary). I worked on both, but defini

I wrote Rails for a startup this summer, and had access to my own T60 and a MBP they gave me (I also did iOS, so it was necessary). I worked on both, but definitely preferred the Thinkpad. I run Crunchbang, so everything ran perfectly fast (even Chrome), and there are a ton of things I preferred: * Using a 2D grid of workspaces (as described in the OP) * The 1400x1050 screen--my Vim fits much better in a 4:3 screen than a 16:10 one. * Sane package management (apt-get > brew) * The trackpoint, which for me works great. * Sane and configurable window management. * Various Linux niceties, such as middle-click paste. * A fantastic keyboard. * Etcetera etcetera etcetera.