Yes I did get a new laptop because my old laptop motherboard died last Thursday. Since then I have  replaced the laptop, worked out a few bugs to get Ubuntu working on this new one. I grabbed a Sony VAIO VGN-NR285D which has 2 GB of RAM, 200 GB of HDD, and a Core 2 Duo T5450 processor. Not only does it run Ubuntu with Compiz without any trouble I got wireless working out of the box! I have never had this happen before. Later I will give a review on how Ubuntu Hardy Heron is on the Sony VAIO.