Hi Mark, > 2. any issues installing a GNU/Linux distribution (debian or ubuntu) > these days? I keep hearing about bricking" due to UEFI, but I have not > researched it yet. The self-destructing UEFI is in Samsung laptops with Windows 8, specifically models 300E5C, NP700Z5C, NP700Z7C and 530U3C. I haven't heard of any others. Thanks, Geoff