Sounds like you really like the new ThinkPads. Linux will run on either machine. One thing to consider (countering my point elsewhere in the thread) while I do

Sounds like you really like the new ThinkPads. Linux will run on either machine. One thing to consider (countering my point elsewhere in the thread) while I don't believe Apple products are more expensive when all the features are considered, Apple sure does overcharge for one thing, and that is memory. So, depending on how much memory you want to get, that could make your decision. Linux runs fine in VMs for me on the laptops I've done this on, a 4GB MBP, 8GB air, and now 16GB MBP. I've met people running Linux directly on the metal as well and they seemed happy with it. How is Lenovo's driver support for features like power management and the trackpoint buttons you mention, is one thing I would want to ask if I were you.