Has anyone been able to do that on a laptop in a shop ? I think it's a pretty good way to find out whether a perticular model is any good. How have sales people (and security) reacted to any such attempt ?

Hmph. It's hard enough just getting them to let you load a PCMCIA card in your Linux box. They have some weird fear that the kernel is going to fire a phaser blast at it or something.

A decent shop won't mind if you ask first.

Put it to them like this:

"I'd like to know whether this laptop supports Linux, if (using this CD) I discover it can (and the price is right), I'm might buy it. If you won't let me test this, I definitely won't buy it."

You're paying what, 800 - 1500 (insert currency)? I think a test-drive is more than acceptable.

<evil>
Or, if you're like me, you test laptops instore, find the find the one you want and then buy it online, saving considerable $CURRENCY in the process.
</evil>

PS: If you're still in London (tourist?), _Don't_ buy from anywhere on Tottenham Court Road.