My Vaio TZ has all those things working out of the box with Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, along with microphone and camera, memory card readers, and Sprint EVDO card. I ag

My Vaio TZ has all those things working out of the box with Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, along with microphone and camera, memory card readers, and Sprint EVDO card. I agree with you that getting Linux to work on laptops can often be frustrating, but if you check compatibility prior to purchase (Ubuntu forums are great for this), then you'll get a good idea of what to expect before you buy.