The two I have in mind are a Sony NR11Z6 (yes, they always give you an easy-to-remember name), and an Acer Aspire – which would be an update of the model I have.
I’m veering towards the Sony but I wonder has anyone out there experience of Sony and Ubuntu Linux?

If so I’d be glad of a comment. Thanks in advance.
UPDATE

I had a look at the Sony screen in downtown Dublin today, and was not impressed. If I’m going to spend scarce money on a new machine, I want a good screen. And then a friend rang to say his experience with Sony wasn’t great (though I know others who swear by them).

So all in all I’m gone off the idea of a new computer – if I can get an external dvd drive to work.

Looking at this site, William Brownstreet.net, as I have an Ubuntu Live CD ordered, I think it just might work.

I connected the USB DVD-Writer before booting, inserted the Ubuntu CD and boot. Push F10 to access the boot medium chooser. Choose the DVD-Writer and follow on-screen instructions. In Ubuntu I selected the Install Shortcut on the desktop. I followed the very easy and really short instruction procedure.

More anon.

Update 2
How to dual boot vista with linux, vista installed first
A just-in-case link