2) Ubuntu Linux will work just fine for nearly all your apps and 512 MB of RAM is more than enough (it's what I'm using right now). You won't have any problems with your Word docs (OpenOffice.org is just fine). You won't have any problems with chat (GAIM is just fine). I think you will have problems with Endnote.
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1) You're paying too much.
2) Ubuntu Linux will work just fine for nearly all your apps and 512 MB of RAM is more than enough (it's what I'm using right now). You won't have any problems with your Word docs (OpenOffice.org is just fine). You won't have any problems with chat (GAIM is just fine). I think you will have problems with Endnote.
3) Solar cells shouldn't be a problem.