Try to do what this guy did, and not agree to user agreement for the pre-installed Microsoft OS, then install opensource Linux or similar and ask Dell for money back...
I just bought a laptop from Dell two weeks ago. I get the free upgrade to Vista, so I'll not take this refund. I may convert my desktop to Linux after the laptop is all setup with the Vista. I'd like to learn more about Linux, but not on my primary computer.
Nelson if you want to see how your home PC will support Linux, might I suggest the free Ubuntu variant. Go to their site, download and burn their CD image, and boot your home PC from it. You don't have to install from the CD (which is one of the options), and instead you can just run from the image on the CD (slower, but it will give you an indication of all devices on your system are recognized)...
Concur with TJR. I have Ubuntu running as a virtual machine on my PC at work. Unlike some other Linux distros, Ubuntu is easy to install, very stable, easy to use, and easy to add application software. I'm not sure Linux is ready for prime-time, but this is definitely a step in the right direction.
I'm testing out the Ubuntu (using it to post this message). It takes a few minutes to boot from the CD, but so far it looks nice. It may be something cool to play around with, since I already own the MS products on both of my systems.
Ok. I've been playing with Ubuntu for a few hours now, and it is really a buggy program. Firefox keeps crashing and when the desktop locks, it locks hard, so that ctrl, alt, del doesn't work. Is this typical of Linux-based systems, or is this just because I am running the product from the CD-ROM?
Linux is usually rock solid. I have run Red Hat, Linux-Mandrake, and my favorite SuSE Linux. By far SuSE is the most stable version of Linux I have ever run. Mind you, this has been a few years since I have run any Linux OS's on my PC.
Since Windows XP came out, the need for a back-up OS that I know will work when I need it to has been eliminated.
You are welcome for the info and yes, I suspect that many of your issues are related to running from CD-ROM because ubuntu is solid on the PCs I run it. Still, if you choose to install it you might want to do it only when you have a "kick around" PC, just in case.