[wellylug] Small size (but not necessarily ultra-portable) laptop recommendations

[David Harrison]

Hi,
A few days ago I managed to do the whole trip over the power cord on  
my three year old PowerBook and it now looks like I maybe in the  
market for a new laptop.
Right now I am reviewing my options in order to fit the following needs:

- Primarily used on the move in other people's offices or whilst  
travelling.
- Must support connecting to the Internet via my Sony Ericsson k800i  
(3G) via bluetooth.
- Main apps used are Firefox, Terminal (SSH), OpenOffice and NetBeans.

I am after something small and relatively hassle free.

The easy answer is to just get an Apple MacBook, whilst it is isn't  
the smallest (13.3" screen) or the cheapest I know everything I want  
to do will work without a hassle.

However I wouldn't mind getting something smaller and cheaper  
(considering its limited use) to run Ubunutu on.
Unfortunately I am having some trouble finding some reasonably priced  
small laptops (>= 12" screen) that is cheaper than a MacBook.

Ideally what I am after is a small laptop for around $2000 or less*.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a Linux compatible laptop  
that fits this set of requirements and doesn't cost more than a Mac?

* In the ideal world I wouldn't be purchasing Windows with the laptop  
but I figure chances of this are pretty slim....


David


P.S. Alternatively I am drawn to one of these Sony UX17's but I have  
concerns over the keyboard....
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=347226