Ubuntu on a new machine

[lescarlin]

I have the opportunity to do a complete Ubuntu installation to a brand new laptop. Most install advice that i see seems to assume one is converting from windows, or creating a partitioned drive. In my case i want my laptop to only run Ubuntu. The laptop has Windows XP pre-installed. I plan to reformat the drive and then install Ubuntu. What i need to know is whether my machine will install from a cd onto which i have burned Ubuntu. Or do i need to order the installation CD and do it from there?

thx
les

[ibutho]

You should be able to install from the live cd (and reformat the drive using the disc). If the live cd works fine, its usually a good indication that your hardware is well supported.

[lescarlin]

What' a 'live' cd?. One i create?, or the one i order?

thx
les

[ibutho]

The disc that is sent to you is a live cd. If you download the default iso file and create a cd, then its mostly likely going to be the desktop version which is also a live cd.