Hello JTD,
With IBM jettisioning it's PC division things don't look too good for other manufacturers too but luckily as i hear laptops are a different story. Let me forewarn you that i am not in anyway an advocate for classy brands but in this case it pays to safe than be sorry.
IBM and Dell in india is the best that money can get. And as for Gnu-Linux - BSD, you should be able get any freaking GPL'ed application running on them without a hitch. Make sure you get wifi support since thats the norm if you will be travelling to europe/us.
Dell by far is more expensive with ibm turning out to be far more economical. With respect to quality/service/economics IBM wins hands down. Dell though far better in service will turn out to be too pricy. Pls check your options online since the models was conversant with could have been laid to rest.
The IBM r-series is something you can look at. If you have some moolah.....the Sony Vaio is a treat for the eyes, envy to the next door geek and amazingly witty at all it does.
Trevor
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