I'm using Ubuntu only since 2006. The last versions should run fine in the majority of the hardware, but I recommend ATI or NVIDIA graphic cards.
I have no dual boot, when I really need to run some windows apps, I run it via wine. It has a good compatibility, can run apps like Delphi 7 or games from old to new.
But for a lifetime windows users, I suggest a dual boot for start and some persistence, because is hard to leave the confort and habit of years in commercial apps. The price of freedom is not so cheap, you can remember that the guys that take the red pill suffer more than the ones that take the blue pill...

Sorry by the off-topic...