switch

alright, there might be some sort of "linux switch" community where i'm supposed to post this, but i'm doing it here. i hope you can help.
first question. i want to try linux. i'm really good with computers, but i've never really tried it. i was thinking of installing ubuntu on my laptop. the only problem is that i dont want to get a n00b distro and then grow out of it in a week. is there a distro that is easy to install and then is normal and robust once i try it?
second question. i have some hardware that i use all the time (external hard drive, external sound card). and as far as i'm concerned, there might be a problem getting this stuff to work with linux. i mean, there seems to be some horror stories about hardware and linux. am i gonna be able to get this stuff to work with linux?

thanks so much everyone. if i can get this stuff sorted out, i'll probably stay with linux.