The latest versions of Ubuntu have a tool called usb-creator for creating bootable USB images. You could also use the WUBI installer to install an Ubuntu image under Windows (which means you don't have to repartition). Presumably other distros have similar utilities.<br>
<br>With regards to the hardware, I don't see anything that raises a red flag since IIRC the F8 series has an Intel wireless controller. Webcams used to be an issue but there are new drivers in the latest releases that enable the vast majority.<br>