a) Getting rid of Unity is not something a Linux beginner should have to face.

b) With 12.04, RAM is an issue: 512 MB is barely enough. I certainly could not properly use the Software Center before upgrading to 1 GB. In fact, 2 GB would be better still. Also and unlike previous versions, 12.04 is exceptionally buggy and not as easily adjustable.

Another way to try Linux is using pendrive linux to create a 4GB “persistent” flash drive. You can install programs and they are still installed when you reboot. Pendrive Linux is a Windows program. Booting from a flash drive is slower than booting from the hard drive, but for some things, the performance might be better than running in a virtual machine.

Most Linux Os’s don’t need a fast and new machine, they will work on Pentium’s (especially DSL).

I’ve been on Linux since 9.10 Ubuntu, they have great forums that people work hard to answer your question. http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/ is another great place to get info on Ubuntu.

I wish I had started with Puppy Linux. It works like a charm, and you can test drive it as much as you like without affecting your current OS since it gets stored in RAM only. Once you switch off, poof, it’s gone. Well, you still keep your CD with ISO burnt in for next time round. NB: When you burn it, keep the CD open. Puppy can add your profiles to it as you use it, which saves a bit of time on every run.

PuppyLinux.org is your first port of call, and you may need no other. It provides all the info I ever needed.