I don't think it's much of a problem anymore. Despite Linux not "making it on the desktop" or whatever, there's now more than enough people using it that a quick Google will reveal whether any random laptop has full linux support (including 3G modems, touchscreens, fingerprint readers and other weird odds'n'ends) and probably a community providing the software to fill in the few remaining gaps till the the required fixes hit the mainstream distros.

I do this, too. Great computers, great Linux support. It's a win-win.