pre - install info for debian on a newer quad core machine
 

hi all,
I'm thinking of buying an HP Pavillion p6610f and either dual - booting or just using a second hard drive for Debian or Ubuntu.
Does anyone have some good info on this system and the newer quad core processors? I found some old posts on the web about the Foxconn motherboards, there's nothing recent in the HCL except the AMD 785G chipset. Maybe I'm better off doing an install on an older system. Here's what I know:

HP Pavillion p6610f
motherboard: Foxconn H-ALVORIX_HF-RS880-uATX
processor: Athlonll X4 635 (P) 2.9 GHz Quad-Core Processor
memory: 4GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM
chipset: AMD 785G
hard drive: 750 GB SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec)
sound: ALC 888S-VD chipset
HP's link to specs:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...roduct=4299342

I did read "before you post" , similar threads and ran Google against the items above, just looking for some recent input. HP's answer read
"We feel safe with windows" and "Linux? GAAH!"
thanx,
t_o_w

If one of these is available at a local shop, I'd take a live CD with a recent kernel and test it out.

I agree to taking a 'Live' disc to try out If the store will allow you to (sometimes if you tell them you want to try another OS they will say NO).I find that Staples is pretty good locally as they seem to be interested in helping you out some of the employees do know about Linux.