The tips I've always read and used to do when thinking of switching to a Linux OS, is to create Live CD/DVD's or USB Flash drives. You reboot your computer with your selection in the appropriate drive. Make sure your Bios is set up to read those devices first, your computer will boot from them. This will allow you to try that particular Linux Distro out on your system to check out basic functionality. Not all Live CD/DVD or USB Flash drive Distro's will give you 100% demonstration, but will give you a great feel as to how it will function on your system. I've generally have had no issues with Ubuntu or Mint unless the system parameters were really weak.