I can speak for Lenovo as I'm a lifelong ThinkPad Guy. Currently on a T440s. Lenovo seems to have done well in leaving most of the ThinkPad design and support in North Carolina, and the few times I've needed them, they've been quite good. On the T440s, there have been occasional, minor issues with things like the TrackPoint, always fixed within days or weeks by software updates. You do get what you pay for - ThinkPads are definitely more expensive than other ultrabooks. A T450s might run you past your $1300 budget. But ThinkPads don't break.