Well here's the thing. There's a learning curve involved with Linux vs Windows, as you're so used to Windows.
Ubuntu has a TON of free software available, which is great. Its open source and people are constantly adding things, fixing things, etc. So you're always up to date. Which again is neat.
There are times though (Which this MIGHT be fixed in Ubuntu now) where you need to find your driver though and enable it in a sources list and install it through terminal. Which is a minor detail, really. It's worth it for me. (Though I don't use Ubuntu...still a linux fan though...as seen by my title
)
Really your best bet is to download a copy, burn it to a disk (Or if you have a 4gb or more flashdrive and your bios supports it, use the program unetbootin to make a live USB) and boot into the Live system. Play around with it, see if you like it. Its a live system, so no install, your files stay in tact. Unless, of course, you love it and delete your hard drive. (As always, backup to another location if you have anything you don't want to lose
)
Just my opinion.
OH. Before I forget. Yes. You can download/burn things with Linux. Use Brasero. It's what I use and it works like a charm.