I've installed Kubuntu on an HP OmniBook 6000 (quite old) laptop, and it detected everything automatically. The specs:
- ATI Rage Mobility (32 bit) Graphics
- Cat 5 (ethernet) wired internet
- laser touchpad (for a mouse)
- the ball mouse (the little ball thing in the middle of the keyboard)
- USB port (though it will not detect my Epson Stylus color 777 printer (plugged in through the USB port)...I'm going to post a thread asking for help as soon as enough hair comes out of my head)