LinuxQuestions.org - Which distrobution should I use????

Hey all,

I'm relatively new to Linux. I have played around with versions of Mandrake in the past but never really had the time to learn it. I am completely sick of Windows and need a change. I was recently given an older laptop from a friend and I am considering swithcing both my current desktop and new computer over to a Linux. I was curious to know what kind of advice you guys could give me regarding the best distribution I should use. I am somewhat limited on the laptop as it is a few years old. However, I am only going to be using it basically as a word processor and surf the net a bit(if possible). I will be using the laptop for school and really only need it to take notes on and type up papers and stuff. My only worry is that I currently use Office 2000 a lot for school and I will feel lost without it. Are the various linux office programs out there comparable?

Here are my specs for both computers:

Desktop:
PIII-450
256 MB RAM
16 GB harddrive
3DFX Voodoo3 graphics card
currently running Windows 98

Laptop:
Intel 486DX4-75
24 MB RAM
1.3 GB harddrive
(don't know much more about it as I haven't picked it up yet)

For my desktop I would love something with Cd burning and MP3 capabilities, file sharing, decent office program(that can read MS Word docs if possible), and good internet browsing capabilities. I am not into PC games anymore so I am not concerned about that kind of stuff.

For the desktop, I am looking for something that has a decent word processing program and can easily configured to transfer files to my home pc.

For my desktop I am currentlly leaning toward Mandrake, Suse, or Slackware. Is there any major difference? At least to someone like myself with limited computer background?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Cory