Ubuntu is a really easy install, it'll put GRUB on as your bootloader and Gnome as your desktop enviroment. It can partition you HD (the hardest part of the install) if you want, but I'd suggest you defrag before doing that, or you can do it using something else. It will only ask for the time settings and keyboard layout I think. It is a very simple install. Almost all hardware will be detected, but be warned some may not. I suggest you use the LiveCD (I think comes with the ordered CD) to check what hardware is detected.