Im purchasing a new laptop next month. its primary functions will be to browse through UGN, irc, msn messenger and viewing my email accounts.

i currently own windowsXP (home edition) on my main computer and was thinking of changing operating systems for the laptop (the need to interface between laptop and home computer is not necessary)

what i am requesting, is a review of an operating system other than the usual Microsoft Windows.

i realise the specifications of the laptop are needed to judge for a suitable os, but seeing as im not even sure about what type of laptop im purchasing, lets just read the os review and il know the guidelines on the specs for the laptop.

thanks

XP is a good easy standard; though if you're going the Linux/Unix path then I reccommend:
CentOS (Debranded RedHat Enterprise)
Gentoo
Slackware
OpenBSD
FreeBSD
Debian

just got myself a copy of CentOS

for a dominant windows user, its like learning to walk all over again.

next couple of weeks/months should be interesting.