One problem I have run into with Linux is hardware support for certain peripherals. Although I have found Ubuntu's hardware support to be very good, in general, some brands are better supported than others. For webcams, I think Logitech is better supported than Windows LifeCam. I think that HP printers are better supported than some other brands. I mention this b/c it's nice to discover these things before you purcha$e a "less-supported" peripheral.

I hasten to add that Windows is not immune to this hardware compatibility problem. My parents-in-law purchased Dell Win XP computers with a Dell printer several years ago. They just purchase new Dell Win 7 computers and -- guess what? They don't work with the old Dell printer! You probably picked up on the fact that these are all Dell components. And wasn't Windows Vista notorious for hardware problems? The main difference is that if it's Windows you suck it up and just buy the supported hardware but with Linux people complain. But the counter argument, I think is -- look how much money you saved by not having to buy all that commercial software (Windows, Office, antivirus, etc.)! Is it so bad to have to buy specific supported hardware in a few cases & to have to do a little research? Mostly it's mindset shift that you have to get used to.

Which leads into a freaking awesome part about Linux -- all the free apps! It's like being a kid in a candy shop on handout day. OpenOffice.org! Amarok! VLC Media Player! Stellarium! Celestia! KeePass! Firefox! Chrome! Picasa! Google Earth! The GIMP! The list goes on & on. Some of the programs have geeky interfaces, but there's a lot that's very usable. And, just like with Maemo, if you like, you can contribute bug reports and design input and wiki documentation and donations.

So, have fun!