Fedora install went well, with the exception of the framebuffer., which needed the <A HREF="http://home.alltel.net/msdanieljax/features/845patch.tar.gz">845 patch</A> to overcome the limitations of the Dell display. The need for the patch went away with the 2.6.9 Gentoo kernel.
With Gentoo installed, I've had no problems with the laptop itself, just the usual stuff with adding a wireless pcmcia card, a USB scanner, etc.

As mentioned by the previous review, you'll need to get the 845patch. Get it from here http://www.chzsoft.com.ar/855patch.html
If you're running a debian system or debian-derivate, I recommend getting the RPM file and using alien to convert it to a .deb...i.e. alien *.rpm
Then invoke the patch: 845patch 16000
Then reconfigure X and give it 16000 kb where it asks for memory.
The ethernet controller works as does everything else. The only thing that doesn't work (i.e. why it doesn't get a 10) is the stupid winmodem. But hell who uses modems now a days anyways?
If you're looking for a pretty cheap computer and you want to be sure it will work on linux I strongly recommend the Dell Inspiron 1100.
I've tested in on Slackware, Fedora, Ubuntu, Knoppix, and Debian. Works great on all of these, though I've had some issues where xfree86 flickers, so upgrading to xorrg is highly recommended when running Debian and I think all the other distros are already using it in there release distributions.
There are some great websites to follow.
http://www.google.ca/search?q=dell+inspiron+1100+linux&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial
Good Luck!