Here's some first steps I took to set up the Lenovo ThinkPad X200.
#upgrade system packages to latest revisions
apt-get update
apt-get upgrade
apt-get install -y linux-generic linux-headers-generic linux-image-generic ubuntu-core-launcher
#install a few custom extra packages
apt-get install -y xmoto screen vim git
#install support for fingerprint reader
add-apt-repository ppa:fingerprint/fingerprint-gui
apt-get update
apt-get install -y libbsapi policykit-1-fingerprint-gui fingerprint-gui
#install kodi
#see http://kodi.wiki/view/HOW-TO:Install_Kodi_for_Linux
apt-get install -y software-properties-common
add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
apt-get update
apt-get install -y kodi