Attempted installing Ubuntu on my Vostro 1400 September 2007 when I first got it (result of watching someone using beryl). Couldn't get my drivers to work, and my laptop was recently released so I couldn't find much support for it/hadn't discovered these forums yet. Ended up leaving the dual boot setup on for almost a year, when I decided I was sick of this Vista BS (intermittent wireless connection, probably have to pay Microsoft extra to get wireless to work). Backed up my files, and did a reinstall of Vista (still use CAD and Photoshop) then dual booted with Hardy. After about half an hour configuring my system to get my wireless and nVidia working, I opened up my system monitor to see what kind of resources I was using. It was from that moment that I hooked on Linux.
Since then, I've converted three of my friends to Linux. All of them were proficient with a computer so switching OS's wasn't a hard sell. Two weeks ago I installed Ubuntu 8.04 on my father's computer. With everything preconfigured, he also loves his new system and how low maintenance it is. Up till now, he used to keep 2 laptops. One for web use and one that he would never hook up to the internet because he couldn't risk sensitive data (He's in the medical profession). He's thrilled with his new system.
Sorry for the life story, but I just thought I'd share a couple different experiences for those who don't believe Linux is beginner friendly. I don't have the expertise yet to help people on the forums, but I'm at least trying to convert all I can (Vista makes it easy).