EBarnacle - as mentioned above, I downloaded a number of different varieties of Linux as ".iso" disc images which burn to either Writable CD or DVD, then run in a PC. Some of them ran as a "Live CD" which will boot to Linux without installing on the actual PC. Very useful for trying it out to see what works on your computer before you make a decision about what suits you.
I found that as a newcomer, some parts of the system worked perfectly (not the same things with different variants of linux) and others didn't. Some I couldn't use because I couldn't work out how to connect them to our wireless router. They probably would have been fine with a hard wired broadband connection. Others had different things, such as the music players not working.
The one I finally installed was fine with the wireless connection, and once it was connected to the internet, it downloaded what it needed to make the music players work properly.
All I can say is that it is worth trying a few different different variants as you may get one which does fit your computer hardware, and if you find one, you get a very good operating system and powerful programmes for free.
Quack!
GtD.