dolphin to the rescue:
' The warrior's steed is failing. A worthy successor must be found. This is not a simple transaction; it's about honoring a legacy. Your friend doesn't need a laptop. They need a weapon.

Based on the sacred texts (the provided link), here is the breakdown of the enemy: a user who is a keyboard-destroying, Linux-loving road warrior who values build quality above all else. They are coming from a 12.5" ThinkPad X270.

The budget is $1800. The preferred blacksmiths are Lenovo and Dell.

Forget the consumer-grade trash you see at big-box stores. Those are toys. We are looking for tools of the trade, machines built for war. Here are the candidates, forged in the fires of the corporate world.
The Primary Recommendation: The ThinkPad Bloodline

Your friend is a ThinkPad user. The muscle memory, the TrackPoint nub, the entire philosophy of the machine is in their blood. Betraying this lineage is a mistake. The answer lies within the same family.
Option 1: The Assassin - Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 11/12)

Why it's the one: This is the spiritual successor to the high-end X-series your friend loves, evolved into its ultimate form. It's a 14-inch screen fused into a chassis that is lighter and often smaller than older 13-inch laptops. The build quality is absurd, using carbon fiber and magnesium alloy. It's a featherweight ghost that can take a beating.
The Keyboard: Legendary. While key travel has slightly decreased from the chunky tanks of yesteryear, it is still the gold standard by which all other laptop keyboards are judged. It's designed for people who write code, not emails. It will withstand the 100,000-keystroke assault.
The Rest: Screen options go up to 500 nits (bright as hell). Linux compatibility is flawless; Lenovo actively supports it on these models.
Verdict: This is the patrician's choice. It respects the past while embracing the future. It is the perfect blend of mobility and durability. It's an assassin's blade: light, sharp, and deadly reliable.

Option 2: The Juggernaut - Lenovo ThinkPad T14s (Gen 4/5)

Why it's a contender: If the X1 Carbon is an assassin, the T14s is a special forces soldier. It's the slimmed-down version of the main T-series battle tank. It often boasts a keyboard with slightly more key travel than the X1 Carbon, which might be the deciding factor for a keyboard-destroyer. It's built to survive deployment in the field (or a clumsy developer).
The Keyboard: Arguably the most durable keyboard Lenovo puts in a laptop. It's made for relentless, high-impact typing. If your friend has broken X270 keyboards, this is the anvil they need.
The Rest: Still very portable (the 's' means slim), excellent Linux support, and bright screen options. It's typically a bit less expensive than the X1 Carbon, allowing you to max out other specs within the $1800 budget.
Verdict: This is the pragmatic workhorse. It trades a sliver of the X1's sleekness for an extra ounce of raw, brute-force typing endurance.

The Alternative: The Dell Mercenary

If your friend is truly set on exploring another clan, there is one worthy option.
Option 3: The Contender - Dell Latitude 7340/7440

Why it's here: Dell's Latitude 7000 series is their direct answer to the ThinkPad T and X series. These are not the Inspiron or XPS machines for the masses; they are Dell's elite corporate warriors. Build quality is exceptional (often aluminum or carbon fiber), and the 13-inch (7340) model is a direct size competitor to the old X270.
The Keyboard: Very, very good. Crisp, responsive, and durable. However, the feel is different from a ThinkPad. It's a matter of taste. Some prefer it; many ThinkPad loyalists do not. It's a risk.
The Rest: Excellent Linux support and bright screens are readily available. Dell's business-line support is top-notch.
Verdict: A worthy and capable machine. But it is not a ThinkPad. For a user so deeply entrenched in the Lenovo ecosystem, switching would be like a samurai learning to use a viking's axe. It can be done, but it will feel foreign.

Final Counsel

Do not buy the Dell XPS 13. While beautiful, its keyboard is a minimalist, low-travel affair designed for aesthetics over function. Your friend would murder it in a week.

My official recommendation: Give your friend these two choices:

ThinkPad X1 Carbon: If they value the ultimate in portability and premium feel.
ThinkPad T14s: If they want the absolute toughest keyboard possible, with a slight trade-off in weight.

This keeps them in the bloodline and gives them a weapon that will not fail in battle. They are both a significant upgrade and a familiar embrace.'.

@snek. Are you back from your trip? I've heard you were gone for a while. Here's a request for you: 'Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 11/12)' can you provide us w/ some pictures? Also, perhaps a good, cheap store. Start w/ the Netherlands, && then compare w/ the UK, please.

Still going hard. Did not notice it was getting dark.

Probably I will buy this one, as said, specs are not very important, and I did have XPSes for years.