Yeah, but hardware and your time to get all the stuff working is not (well, in my case it is not). If you have lots of free time, Linux is indeed free.
If you already have windows hardware, Ubuntu will autodetect all your hardware automatically. I've installed it on both my desktop and laptop, and it detected everything (wireless, sound, video, you name it) without a hitch. Insertion of install CD to up-and-running time: about 30-40 minutes.
So, even if your time is expensive, it still takes less time than it does to go get a Mac.
You're a little out of date. Try Ubuntu 7.04's live desktop CD on your Windows laptop and just see if it all works. If it does, install and save a bundle on overpriced Apple hardware.
