I have a MBA and the choice between OSX and Windows is a personal-one, but I actually prefer OSX for desktop usage. Linux for me is the best server os around, b

I have a MBA and the choice between OSX and Windows is a personal-one, but I actually prefer OSX for desktop usage. Linux for me is the best server os around, but using it on a desktop irritates me. OSX gives you the same command-line power any *nix will give you, I use vim, tmux, clang and gcc, grep/sed/awk/bash scripting on a daily basis on both my air and the Linux servers I maintain. To that it adds an actually usable desktop that simply works, multi-desktops that work brilliantly once you master the touchpad gestures, and fullscreen apps. Without this, I think a 13" display would have been too small for me. This however, is a personal OS choice. You can still install Linux on it if you want to. Regarding the laptop itself, the only one I've seen come close, is the Dell XPS 13, which is impressive - but then again - it costs about the same. I've heard good things about the Lenovo X series, but haven't had any hands-on experience with them. One of the things however that makes the MBA shine, and this I cannot understate - is the quality of the user input. The touchpad is superior to anything from the competition, and the keyboards is something the alternative 'light weight' laptops can't seem to get right (in my opinion). These are - for me at least - very important points to make, you will use these every single time you do something with the laptop, and if you're like me, frustrated every touchpad except the ones Apple makes (seriously, why has nobody figured it out that well as Apple?). I never thought I would ever say this, but I prefer the touchpad on my air over a mouse. I expected to be put off by the keyboard but was also pleasantly surprised. Could have been better, but I guess this is very hard in such a thin laptop.