Take a look at Ubuntu 8.04LTS. I’m trying it out as a Windows replacement and its pretty slick. It runs perfectly on my Dell laptop and I have yet to need the command line.
Linux junkies berate Ubuntu as a “beginners” or dumbed-down distro, but that’s because one can do most everything using the GUI instead of command-line. I consider that a plus.
Ubuntu 8.04LTS is one of the finest linux distributions I’ve ever used (even better than 8.10). I’ve installed it on 4 of my computers, all done legally, and for free. It would have cost me hundreds of dollars to do the same with a windows product. I can install and update Ubuntu in about 30 minutes. It comes with all the applications I need already installed (CD/DVD rippers/burners, Skype, OpenOffice, etc.). It’s not perfect (no OS is), but it’s lots easier to install and maintain than a windows OS...for me, anyway.