[Spiff]

First, go to Ubuntu.com - this is the best Linux variant for laptops, so far as I've experienced. Try out the Live CD first, so you can see how it works before installing it.

Good recommendation. The Live CD trial will allow the user to make sure that video, wifi, sound, ethernet drivers and such work on the laptop and that the particular distro has everything else he needs.

Go to DistroWatch.com to read about and download various Live CD distros to try out.

[MadIvan]

He may want to try the new Xubuntu variant, which is supposed to be very light. With an old laptop, that may be important.

Regards, Ivan