I'd generalize this all the way out to say: most modern hardware runs Linux just fine with a little effort; most modern keyboards, however, are far from ideal f

I'd generalize this all the way out to say: most modern hardware runs Linux just fine with a little effort; most modern keyboards, however, are far from ideal for extended use. I have no idea why things have gone so steadily downhill for so many brands, but especially the ASUS/Acer types are just painful. Track down in person any model you are considering and give it a whirl before you place your order. As others have said, start with Lenovo, since they do an above-average job.