Is this a good idea?

I am just so sick of Windoze, that I am giving Linux a try.

I am going to install it on the half dead laptop, so it won't matter if I screw anything up.

What I *really* want is an iMac. I am still a little gun shy after last years debacle, but I am willing to forgive and forget if all goes well when I order this time.... And I think I will wait till the new OS is out next month (I think it comes out next month?)

But for the mean time... Ubuntu it is. For the crappy laptop. Just so I can compare Windoze to Linux.