I've just switched to xubuntu for similar reasons.
I'm finding it a big improvement on gnome 3 or unity so far, although I've only been using it for about a week, so I still count it as testing at the moment.
Kubuntu - been using it since I moved to GNU/Linux - but on my netbooks still can't decide between Lubuntu, Xubuntu, or the big K - I'm running lubuntu as a trial, its still young and stroppy but hey I get to edit its text config files.
I earn my beer vouchers from what I do with the apps running in VM's (VirutalBox 4 me), when working full on I'll have 3 VM's running chatting to each other and out to the networks, but normally just have one or two up. Using VM's had been the biggest boost - I can shag around with the various OS's - a clean install, install vbox hook up to my existing disk images and I'm up and working - can be up and running in 30 mins from a clean install.
I keep saying it - many thanks to all the fine folk that put together the various distributions - u add the spice to working life.
I earn my beer vouchers from what I do with the apps running in VM's (VirutalBox 4 me), when working full on I'll have 3 VM's running chatting to each other and out to the networks, but normally just have one or two up. Using VM's had been the biggest boost - I can shag around with the various OS's - a clean install, install vbox hook up to my existing disk images and I'm up and working - can be up and running in 30 mins from a clean install.
I keep saying it - many thanks to all the fine folk that put together the various distributions - u add the spice to working life.