If you're out to replace your laptop, & are going to be searching for a Linux-friendly replacement, definitely give this article the once-over. I've yet to find a distro that will work on my Sony VAIO the way that I want it to simply because it uses some obscure TI PCMCIA chip (read: wireless ethernet).

"Though it served me faithfully for nearly five years, it was time to send my old Dell Inspiron 3800 laptop out to pasture. As much as I like buying new toys, I wasn't looking forward to shopping for a laptop -- I thought I'd find something just adequate that would cost a ton of money. As it turned out, I spent less than I expected, and my new laptop system is as perfect as I need it to be. Here are a few things I learned about shopping for Linux-compatible laptops."