Maybe faster... but I've met very few developers that are good DBAs (that understand procedures, cursors, permissions etc.) Database schema versioning / consistency is a whole other level of pain too.
My 5520 has been flawless and is also just over 2 years old. I have the 1080p matte screen though. Only other laptop I had that has come as close to nirvana as the 5520 was a Thinkpad T42 and 2012 mbp 15.
I feel you. A long time ago I had a windows laptop keyboard that was glitching out. After a few weeks, I literally threw it out the window in frustration! I'm more mature now, I think...