Purchasing a Linux PC

[Walter McLendon]

I am new to this list. I have been interested in trying Ubuntu and found
that WalMart stores in the USA will be selling the Everex TC2502 gPC for
$199 but our local WalMart in my hometown in Texas will not be carrying it.
It has the ITX motherboard with a VIA C7D 1.5GHz CPU.
Newegg.com carries it at
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description
=everex&x=16&y=34

Do any of you know if this PC will be too stripped down to be worth the
effort? I have not wanted to waste my money on the new Vista OS because I
have never liked MS Windows since version 3.0. I realize that Vista is a
total roadhog when it comes to memory and hard drive space and that Linux
products do not have this problem. If I have to build a new PC for Ubuntu,
then I will. I also like the idea of loading Ubuntu on a thumb drive and
have it bootable. In fact, my ultimate goal is to do away with all hard
drives and use thumb drives for everything if I can.

I only use my PC for browsing the Internet, genealogy, sending emails and
maintaining my different websites. I do not care anything for gaming or
weird stuff.

I would appreciate any advice I can get to avoid frustrations or
disappointments.

Walter