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Yes, linux geeks can school Apple on systems engineering when they can deliver laptops with a better battery life than Macs get. As for this latest release, what, adding a new systems programming language and a whole new graphics API isn't enough? At least my Mac recognizes and uses a second monitor when I plug it in, unlike the bloody Fedora 19 box that I use at work. And don't get me started on that second graphics…
Dell XPS Ultrabook with Kubuntu 14.04 here, without any patches or extra settings. 11W consumption with medium screen brightness, works for ~5 hours with normal browsing (occasional compiling) Recognizes all monitors and projectors (even the ones Macs fail at) at my work place. The WiFi just works (TM). You are not using a "Ubuntu laptop". As danford said, just pick a Ubuntu certified machine* and things will just wo…
I'm using Crunchbang on that laptop now and it's mostly better.