[ale] System advice for a newbie

[timtw at earthlink.net (Tim Watts)]

Good Morning,

I want to get a new system and put Linux on it. I'm basically looking 
for general advice on purchasing a new system targeted for linux. The 
goal is general use and fun.

Some of the systems I'm looking at have integrated network and video on 
the mother board (e.g HP Pavilion a700n). I've had problems in the past 
with finding drivers for proprietary or off the wall adapters. Short of 
doing a BYOS I'd like to avoid these kind of problems.

Any experience on how to avoid these and other problems before buying? 
Anyone hit a wall with integrated adapters? What's been your experience?