since a long time yet there is a idea in my head which is great but really difficult to implement. The main Linux Mint Team have to corborate with another company which builds and sells her own PCs (like Dell, Acer, HP etc.).
The idea is a bit pinched from Apple but why shouldn't we use ways which were proved as good in the past.
To the idea:
We can make a notebook which is designed to fit completly perfect in the Linux Mint design. The case have to look individual and must harmonize with the desktop design in Linux Mint. For example at the borders by the monitor of the laptop. There can be design elements which fit to the wallpaper. Like a gradient moving from the upper left corner of the laptop-monitor-border through the wallpaper and ending at the lower right corner of the monitor-border (just for a example).
The complete case (inclusive keyboard, touchpad, speakers etc.) has to fit completely in the Mint design.
The hardware has to be just medium and than we have to sell it in a price which is as low as possible. So that another laptop with windows or such stuff looks extremly expensive compared to the Linux Mint book. This shouldn't be a big problem because you pay 80 Euros just for Windows in Germany.
Than you have to exploit it as THE laptop for students or other target groups.
Compare this idea with Apple's idea of making a complete system which fits complety together. But we move in the other direction. We make it less expensive and sell it to other target groups with other needs (like the students which don't have much money and have everything just for free preinstalled on the laptop and don't need to pay as much money as for another laptop). You have to look closely at the needs of the target groups, too. A student needs a comfortable keyboard and a great battery whit a long life. A webcam or good speakers aren't that necessary for a student because he can't chat or listen to music in the university at the reading anyway.
You can offer three hardware/cost categorys. One laptop which is very cheap but doesn't have that much power. One laptop which is medium powerful and medium in the price. An one laptop which is very powerful but expensive.
You can make desktop-PCs that way, too. With a fitting keyboard, mouse and monitor.
One thing we can decide now yet is the name. I'm not really good in finding cool names for things. We need a very smooth name for the book. Like the "Minty Book" or something
. Just make a few suggestions for fun 
. I thing that would be great and would promote Linux Mint and Linux in common very much.
I would buy a Linux Mint book
. Angtagapagligt
P.S.: The great artworkers in the community could make some drafts of the book if you have a bit of time
