Bump from the grave. So I have been on the fence about my next computer (Mac Mini late 2012 currently) and made the following decisions:
1. I want at least a machine that can display 4K at 60 Hz. 5K is preferred (It gives space for dock/menu bar at the bottom of the screen while still watching full 4K video)
2. I would like something with at least a quad core for multi threaded programming (not a gamer, but I do lots of multitasking)
3. I want something compact, as space is always a consideration.
Given the requirements and since I am an OSX user for years, I looked into the Mac Pro and iMac retina. Even after using Mac exclusively for years, I decided that the price premium was not worth it to me anymore, and the inability to get just what I wanted was troublesome.
I will never go back to Windows. I use Windows on my work tablet and workstation laptop, and I am honestly tired of Windows entirely. I do have plenty of experience building PC's for many years, but gave it up when I decided to run dedicated Apple all the time. I was then planning on doing a Hackintosh, but the issues with stability, lack of upgrades, and very particular component selection made this not an option.
That brings me to now. I have decided to give Ubuntu a shot after not using it since around the 2008 time frame. I was still in college, and given my needs at the time (Engineering Student), I ultimately gave it about one week and then deleted the partition and moved to Windows (bad move). So I have started to purchase parts of my new system build, and I decided that I should get used to Ubuntu so I dual booted my Mac Mini.
All I have to say is I am making the right choice. Vivid Vervet is a pretty slick OS, and the support on the internet is pretty awe inspiring. I'm not afraid of Terminal, so I have found that I am comfortably able to strike a happy medium point between a smooth experience and just enough Terminal usage that usually deters many.