I’m no computer wonk, but after having had to reformat my Sony VAIO with Windows 8 SIX TIMES in the four months since I bought it, I installed Ubuntu 12.10 and have not had to do anything since.
Knock on wood.
I can’t complain with Ubuntu. It seems to be a very reliable OS.
I put Ubuntu 12.10 on a HP Elitebook 6830p about 2 months ago - fast and flawless! Add Open-Office, and you’re all set. Have been also running Ubuntu Linux on a (very old) Dell Latitude C400 for more than a year. It’s been perfect for browsing the web, a few locally-loaded games, and light document and spreadsheet work.
Running Xubuntu (Ubuntu with a "lighter-weight" GUI) on a bunch of 6-9 year-old laptops around the house.
They network easily with each other and with the MACs here.