Transitioning to Ubuntu from Windows

The CD drive will work without drivers, just like in Windows. The wireless depends on the chip used.

matt, the best way to test drive linux is to make a bootable disk which you can use in "live" mode. This will allow you to test drive the particular "distribution" of linux (ubuntu, or other distribution), and then put the disk into your computer, boot it, and run the OS entirely off the disk.

You can make a USB bootable as per here:
http://psychocats.net/ubuntu/usb

or a CD bootable as per here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto

You can read more about liveCDs here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD

This will hopefully get you started, and you can identify any problematic devices without even installing.

Note that LiveCD sessions will be slower than a full install, and rebooting loses all changes, as the disk is used in read-only mode.

I am running Ubuntu 10.04 with Verizon DSL and had no problems whatsoever. But if you decide to fully install Ubuntu just a heads up...you will get NO tech support from Verizon. They will tell you they know nothing about a Linux OS. Which is stupid. But you will be able to get all the answers you need from Ubuntu community. Just a word of advice from a newbie: Try the easier fixes first. Try it as 'mycae' suggests first though before you go whole hog. And be patient. Ubuntu is not Windows...it's different. But go for it.