Next computer

I'd really like a new computer.  Below, I listed some contenders.
The System 76 is the biggest, heaviest, and cheapest, and I like Ubuntu OS the best.

System 76 Lemur 4 Laptop

• Preloaded with Ubuntu
• $849 (with the RAM and Hard drive specs outlined below)
• 4.5 lbs
• 14.1 inch display
• 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1600 Mhz, 2 x 4 GB
• 120 GB SSD Hard drive

13 Inch MacBook Pro

• OS X Mountain Lion 
• $1499 (with Specs below)
• 4.5 lbs
• 13.3 inch display
• 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1600 Mhz, 2 x 4 GB
• 128 GB SSD Hard Drive

13 Inch MacBook Air

• OS X Mountain Lion
• $1299 (with Specs below)
• 2.96 lbs
• 13.3 inch display
• 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1600Mhz
• 128 GB SSD Hard Drive

Dell XPS 13 Laptop, Developer Edition

• Preloaded with Ubuntu
• Has "developer profiles", like one for Ruby development or Android development, that makes installing all of the components needed to develop a specific type of application seamless.
• $1549
• 2.99 lbs
• 13.3 inch display
• 8 GB DDR3L RAM
• 256 GB SSD Hard drive

Gnome 3

For my home computer, I have been using the Ubuntu operating system with the Unity interface for the last year.  I chose the Unity interface, because it was the default one chosen for me.  About a week ago, I was having some issues with remote desktops not opening nicely in Ubuntu+Unity so I started using the Gnome 3 interface.  Here are some notes on window management with Gnome and Ubuntu.

Workspaces
For those who don't know, "Workspaces" are a way to group windows.  I typically put all social (time-wasting) programs into one workspace, things I'm actively working with in another window, and some reference material in another workspace.  Here is a screen shot of my desktop showing active windows in the current workspace and a few other workspaces shown on the right.

You can see your workspaces by:

1. Move your mouse to the top left hand corner of the screen.
2. Press Alt+F1.
3. Press the Windows button.

You can switch workspaces, by pressing Alt+Ctrl+Up or Down direction.

You can switch between windows that are in any workspace by pressing Alt+Tab. I'm not sure if there is a way to make alt+tab to work for only windows in the current workspace.

Window size management

To maximize your window:

1. Drag the window to the top of the screen.  If you hold it there for a moment, and then release, it just works.
2. Press Windows+Up direction.

To change the window to half of the screen:

1. Drag the window to the left or right of the screen.
2. Press Windows+Left or Right direction.

Other Resources
http://www.filiwiese.com/installing-gnome-on-ubuntu-12-04-precise-pangolin/