I need a Unix-like laptop that works as a laptop. Am I stuck with Mac?
My personal computer is a 2014 MacBook Air that has been great to me for almost ten years but now needs replacement. I would love to get away from Apple for the next one, but I will be using it primarily as a laptop, so a good trackpad and battery-life/correct sleep behavior is essential.
Are there any Linux setups that can deliver something close to MacBook performance in those areas or am I doomed to be stuck with Apple?
Apple machines have optimized hardware software and batteries, and cost double the price for that reason. If you want that kind of battery life, optimization, lightness, plug and play, snappiness, beautiful look and such, I guess you should just spend the money and buy from Apple again, since you like it.
Me, myself, I choose something else because my priorities are others.
This being said, I really don't like the tone of the question. Every laptop "behaves as a laptop".
It's just like saying "I want a woman that behaves like a woman", imposing your way of seeing things onto others.
I've been using Linux on laptops since at least 2007. This one has extra M.2 and SATA bays, so, after a SSD failed suddenly in the prior laptop, I can have a mirror in place. I installed 2X4TB (with the unused Windows boot device in place).
Sleep/Hibernation is supported if you are using systemd (at least) although Debian does not seem to know it. That is to say, sometimes you have to find the right settings, but everything is documented.
I love my 13" Framework (12th Gen Intel) - Running Nix btw, but I am rarely on battery so can't comment there.
Over the years, I've also looked at the Dell XPS 13 developer edition and the Purism. There was a system 76 model I was looking at too, but went with the Framework
I had a 2012 retina MB pro and it was (so far) probably the best machine I've ever owned, but I use an m2 MB pro for work and I would not buy one for myself.
Other than portability concerns, what are you using it for? Do you need specific programs to work well, games, browsing, etc? If you're just using it as a portal to web based apps, something like a chromebook will give you what you need.