Hi
Just reading between the lines, I think the question that you are really asking is "How can I be sure that the PC I am interested in acquiring will have all of it's functionality (display capabilities, storage, modem, WiFi, networking, and other hardware features) supported by the Linux Distribution that I want to use?"
This is never an easy question to answer, especially when it comes to new hardware on the market.
Most new PC systems will boot a linux distribution, however, there are often (if not close to always) issues with hardware support for thing such as WiFi adapters, etc.
The first step in building a new Linux based system is to ask yourself what am I going to use the system for? (eg. Surfing the Internet, Performing office type activities, Developing software, etc). Based on this you then need to look at the various Linux distributions that are available; closely examining the features that they offer and matching your requirements against the functionality offered. Once you have decided on a couple of Distributions that you like the look of you should then do a bit of research into the system requirements (processor speed, RAM, etc). Then you need to look at the applications that you would like to run on that distribution and their individual software requirements. Having done that you need to make an estimate of the computer resources (CPU speed, RAM, HDD space, etc) that you think that you will need in the immediate future to allow you to upgrade both the Linux distribution and the application software you wish to use.
Having done all those things you will be armed with: the Linux distros you would like to use, the applications you would like to use, and a list of basic system hardware requirements.
At that point download and burn a couple of Live CD or DVD distributions for the Linux distros that you have selected to allow you to do an on site test with a sample system of the specification that you wish to acquire. Bearing in mind that you can't test all the features of a fully installed Linux Distribution just by running a Live CD/DVD version of it.
It's a fair test of the computer system's ability to run the kernel, etc.
Don't forget to research the machine, and it's component hardware for Linux compatibility using Google, manufacturer www sites, Good 'ol LQ, and various FAQs on the www.
Linux is very much a case of install Linux Distribution that you like, testing the hardware to see if it works, and then spending time researching and configuring the Linux software to get everything to work. It is very much DIY.
When building a new system it is always advisable to budget to have some cash left over to buy some replacement hardware adapters for devices that you just can't get to work under Linux. WiFi Cards/Adapters are a case in point.
Best advice I can give is look at what you would like, determine what you really need, look for a couple of Linux distros you like the look of (make sure that they are adequately supported), look for the applications that you want to run on the Linux distro, build a list of hardware requirements, multiply up the hardware requirements to give you some upgrade capacity, obtain some live CD/DVDs, do some research on the www, and then find some sympathetic souls that will let you run some tests using the Live distro CD/DVDs.
Wishing you the best of luck
Hope that helps
Chris
