Used Thinkpad Buyers guide:
http://ktgee.net/post/49423737148/thinkpad-guideI use Fedora, in part because it detect and handles most of my hardware the best (wifi, graphics drivers, etc.) but things like handling non-free codecs and some applications and the slightly fewer desktop-orientated software titles can make it tiresome. The community isn't so bad, so long as you are careful of what you say.
I use Ubuntu in part because it's "all about the apps". If somebody make a desktop orientated application, there is most often a version compiled for Ubuntu over any other distribution. They have succeeded in making probably the easiest distribution for installation and use (prefer Unity over Gnome, but neither are my favorite). Unfortunately I have a love-hate view of what Canonical is doing; I may not like what they do or how they go about cramming it down people's throats but usually the results of it are beneficial or a non-issue (Ubuntu One, Unity, buttons on the left, Rythmbox -> Banshee -> Rynthmbox, etc.)
I like openSUSE and the OBS helps handle most of my "missing software" issues (that and that I could probably survive cloud-only like on my Chromebook if I have to). I think I find openSUSE ahead of Fedora for programs and slightly behind Ubuntu. Adding proprietary bits and controversial technology (e.g. Mono) is easier on openSUSE than on Fedora. Another thing is that I feel like I COULD help, more-so than Fedora or even Ubuntu. Unfortunately here, too, one has to be careful of what is said. Not to mention, for whatever reason openSUSE is the slowest-booting distribution.
Also, green is my favorite color.
stolen from here:
https://forums.opensuse.org/showthread.php/474017-If-you-couldn-t-use-Opensuse-what-distro-would-you-use/page5?s=b4fe2e616837ce1053a447120babb8e4and yes nowadays i tell people that they at least once have to use a mac, to know that there also exists something different,
but i also say that a mac is a PRO tool, and its worth it when you earn your living by doing IT,
and no they are not overpriced, they are enterprise quality, and enterprise quality from other manufacturers is even more expensive, but has better linux support.