I have an exciting situation for crossing the chasm from Windows to
Linux (Knoppix). In the following, when I refer to Linux, I mean Knoppix.


Context:
i) I am a business user with some technical background.
ii) I use Windows XP with the following applications on my (non-Linux)
laptop: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project and Internet Explorer. My
non-Linux laptop, running Windows XP, is my primary machine.
iii) I use my Windows latpop to connect to an Exchange server via VPN.
iii) Due to sheer "bad luck", I am encounter "blue screens" all the
time. The lost time is impacting my credibility and survival (since I
use my laptop to earn a living as a consultant). I don't have the
patience for doing an RCA (root cause analysis) of why the blue screen
is happening because of the sheer complexity of the business model
around non-Linux operating systems and hardware.
iv) I have a real need to co-exist with both Windows (Plan A) and Linux
(Plan B). (Plan A: Laptop running Windows) (Plan B: Laptop running
Linux) (Details of why I need to co-exist are out of scope of this
email thread)


Here are my requirements:


a) A pre-owned (certified, recycled, used) laptop running Linux.
b) The Linux laptop will be used to perform all the things that I do in
steps (ii) and (iii) described above.
c) I am searching for a one-stop shop which will listen to my needs and
assemble all the right lego blocks as a service offering. I can then do
a "one click buy" to co-exist with Windows and Linux.


I am serious about crossing the chasm to Linux.


Thanks for any advice / pointers.