Actually, you can do both. The
NBR is available as a special package (you'll want
maximus, too), but there are also some specialized distros that come with
NBR as the default GUI base. However, considering you're using an
Acer, you might be better off with
Ubuntu proper and perhaps
NBR - you probably know that
NBR is mostly cosmetics - I use
Ubuntu without any special GUI stuff on my
Asus Eee 701 (with 7" screen), and it's pretty comfortable.
All documentation needed is available via
http://www.canonical.com/projects/ubuntu/nbr
M.