Funnily enough I have the exact same laptop as you, the nc6120. The problem is with the intel drivers, theyre pretty sh*t atm. When I first got it, i installed Ubuntu 8.0.4 on it and it worked fine, apart from the sound problems every now and then and occasional freezes during video / audio playback. I recently installed Ubuntu 9.0.4, which fixed the freezing issue but introduced very high CPU usage. However i have compiz working fine. You could try experimenting with Compiz settings, disabling and enabling plugins.
ATM I have these plugins enabled: Gnome compatibility, Negative, Desktop Cube, Rotate Cube, Expo, Viewport Switcher, Widget Layer, Fading Windows, Window Decoration, Wobbly Windows, Window Previews, all the image loading plugins, and i enabled Ring and Shift Switcher.
I have tried various fixes, you could try some of these but theyre not very beginner friendly:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Troublesho...telPerformance
My Screensaver is just the blank screen with lock screen enabled, so it isnt wasting resources.
I have tried the latest drivers but with no improvement. I'm now hoping the intel drivers will be fixed by 9.10 or 10.0.4, otherwise I mite go back too 8.0.4 out of desperation.
oh and I'm not sure on xsane, as i'm not too keen on its minimalism, i have had better experience with Kooka.