I would never recommend Linux as a client operating system, I would strongly recommend a swith to Apple if you really feel the need to switch. Yes you have to buy new hardware but why not if you are really looking for a new computer experience. Either make a complete switch to something equal or better, or learn to customize windows, such as wincustomize.com, but you're only asking for a lot of headaches switching to Linux. It is more of a computer scientist type of system, that can't easily run most software or have very good vendor support.
Thanks. It's just hard to pass up 'throw aways' courtesy of the state of Michigan, with software and goodies, usually twice the clock speed of what I bought 2 years ago for.....$100. They are all Win. As far as switching to Apple, that would be a migraine (spelled wife) ;-)