Thank you very much everyone for taking time to provide advice. I did run ubuntu on a CD and i liked it. However, this computer is shared with the family and i'm not sure if my HP printer will be able to print/scan from linux.
can i do one of the following...
1) linux as my primary OS, then i can launch windows from with in?
(i am not very savy with computers)
2)windows XP as my primary OS, then launch linux from with in?
(couple of members mentioned virtual machine....what is that? where can i learn more about it?)
3) i bought MS office 2010...will that work in linux?
4) i didn't realize there are soo many versions of linux. should i stick with ubuntu? is there a site which breaks down pros and cons of different linux versions?
thanks again for the help...i cannot log in too often right now so my apologies if i reply after a few days.
If you bought Office 2010, you're probably best off sticking with Windows. Essentially dropping $200+ on an application that is designed for Windows (or if you purchased a Mac compatible version, a Mac,) essentially makes that software irrelevant when you try to use Linux.
Personally, for me I use Windows on my main stations that I like to game on, manage VMWare with, etc. I have Ubuntu installed on my various PCs that I use to access internet, a few mild games, etc. My guest bedroom PC is running Ubuntu 10.10, despite having problem with an ancient graphics card (Radeon 7000).
My reasons for using Linux (which Ubuntu has been my primary choice due to the advice received here) include avoiding using non-legal copies of MS Windows, thereby avoiding additional licensing expenses for the various systems I have spread about, and it simply works... most of the time. Like others have said, there can be issues. In my case, my Radeon 7000 is having a bear of a time working efficiently. Mind you, I am simply viewing a desktop and occasionally the mouse disappears and does not reappear until the system is rebooted. Also, the video can be quite choppy/sluggish with nothing really being done. And all of this works fine in Windows XP, but I'd rather buy a supported video card for $30-40 than a license for Windows for $100 or more.
Further, Linux tends to need less managing than a Windows box. No spyware apps, no AV apps, etc. Just load it, rename the Firefox icon to Internet, and most people will have an easy time using it and a hard time screwing it up.
Also, toggling back and forth is not ideal, and takes too much time for most people, but for testing with VMs, it certainly isn't a bad idea.