I tried the Linux distros and they seemed ok, but I could never get them online with the wireless USB adapter for my WIFI connection to the modem. Can you get Mint to work on a wireless laptop with a Verizon DSL/modem? I gave up after not being able to get online unless i was wired directly.
I don’t have wireless on either of my two Linux machines so I can’t experiment with it.
However, Linux Mint has drivers for most all wireless boards available. Even if you can’t seem to find a Linux driver that works with your particular hardware, there is a work around that allows you to use a Windows driver:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/43752/how-to-install-a-wireless-card-in-linux-using-windows-drivers/
Linux Mint (which rides on a Ubuntu base) has come a long ways over just the last three years. I would be very surprised that there wouldn’t be a driver for your particular board.