I was in a similar situation. As a long time thinkpad user, the first thing I did was check out Lenovos current thinkpad lineup and was also very disappointment by the hardware and screen quality.
After several weeks of comparisons I simply decided to buy an rMBP, and I couldn't be happier.
EDIT: Installing Ubuntu shouldn't be a problem on an rMBP, but you'll probably run into issues where you'll have to fiddle with font-size settings.
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I was in a similar situation. As a long time thinkpad user, the first thing I did was check out Lenovos current thinkpad lineup and was also very disappointment by the hardware and screen quality. After several weeks of comparisons I simply decided to buy an rMBP, and I couldn't be happier. EDIT: Installing Ubuntu shouldn't be a problem on an rMBP, but you'll probably run into issues where you'll have to fiddle with font-size settings.
agree - those lenovo laptops feel poorly in graphics. heard that Acer or HP do better nowadays, but have not checked.
I don't think I could ever buy an HP laptop. They sold junk for too long for me to give them another shot.