I am a complete Linux newbie (to put it mildly).

I am about to buy a new computer and was wondering if anyone had suggestions about linux compatability/issues (I have another post with trouble installing Linux on my current computer). I have work funds to pay for it, so price is not that critical, and decided upon the following:

Dell Precision Workstation, 650n, dual processor 3.06GHz 1MB L3 cache, 2 GB ram, standard keyboard, Dell USB optical mouse, NVidia Quadro FX 500 graphics card, ATA primary drive, SCSI secondary drive, DVD drive and CD RW drive.

I would mostly be using the machine as a stand alone machine for statistical analysis.

the machine comes pre-installed with Redhat Linux. Am I right to think that if it comes with redhat linux preinstalled by dell, that I will not have any compatability problems?

On another thread, someone mentioned a problem with Linux and having 1GB or more of RAM. For my uses, RAM is critical, will I have any problems utilizing the RAM?

Any suggested modifications based on linux compatibility issues?

well i would have to say if your getting a machine from dell pre-installed, i am willing to bet that they will have the machine up to snuff before giving it to you...i doubt they will give you a machine that is unable to burn cd's or unable to access your secondary drive or what have you...i just can't see a huge respectable company such as dell giving you a machine that doesn't work properly.